These 9 Yucatán Haciendas Are Mexico’s Best-Kept Luxury Secret

If you haven’t stayed in one of the Yucatan Haciendas, you should book one right now.

They are not affordable, but staying in one of these properties is a magical experience that throws you back in time. The luxury Yucatan haciendas are historic haciendas in Mexico that have been meticulously refurbished and transformed into stunning luxury hotels, where history and luxury converge.

If you are ready to splurge and get pampered, the Luxury Haciendas of Yucatan are the place to be. I have stayed at Hacienda Temozon and visited all the others that I am including in this post.

If you are planning a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula, you should include a couple of nights in one of these spectacular properties.

They are usually scattered around the Yucatan Peninsula and conserve the old structure of the main mansion, which is typically where the reception is located, while the workers’ lodgings are converted into luxury apartments or suites.

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A brief history of the Luxury Haciendas

What you see now as gorgeous upscale hotels didn’t have the same feel and look in the past.

In fact, the old haciendas were basically like small villages with the luxury master home where the owner or the manager’s family would live (usually the owners were living in the city of Merida) and the shops nearby, while far away, close to the field, there were the humble homes of the workers who were definitely not treated in a luxurious way.

What is now a huge chimney attached to a big room was where the heneken was processed after being ripped and left in the sun to dry.

The hacienda Sotuta de Peon is one of the few haciendas where you can take a tour and learn about the process.

Close by, you can also find Hacienda Yaxchopoil, which is now a museum managed by a local community.

You can ask for 1 1-hour tour where you will be walked around and explained the history of that specific hacienda.

In colonial times, the heneken was called green gold, as it was used for making ropes and other useful objects, making all the hacienda owners super-rich until the synthetic fiber was introduced.

It was cheaper and more resistant, and rapidly replaced the use of the natural Sisal fiber (also called heneken), causing the decline of this fruitful business.

The economic events, together with the Mexican revolution and the revolt of the workers who couldn’t accept their poor labor conditions anymore, caused the abandonment of the majority of the haciendas.

Some of them have been acquired by private wealthy families and turned into museums (like Yaxchopoil), and restaurants, like Hacienda Teya or Hacienda Ochil (now closed), while others have been completely transformed into the luxury hotels that I am talking about in this post.

You will see, though, that in the majority of the cases the refurbished Haciendas have preserved the original structure and when possible even some of the details, including the majestic chimney, symbol of those times.

During my time in Yucatan, I have visited quite a few and the ones below are my favorites.

Yucatan Haciendas

1. Chablé Resort & Spa

There are luxury haciendas, and then there is CHABLÉ,  above everything else.

I have had the honor and pleasure to visit the outstanding newborn Chablé Resort and Sp,a which left me in complete awe with its charm, beauty, and class.

Your stay in this luxury hotel becomes more like a shamanic retreat where you can’t help but regenerate and reconnect with your true self.

Peace, tranquillity, and comfort are just the beginning of your life-changing experience, almost surreal.

The stunning 38 casitas and 2 extensive villas conserve part of the historical buildings of the old hacienda, combined with the most modern and finest pieces of Mexican furniture and art, each one surrounded by lush vegetation for your privacy and a full connection with Mother Nature.

The restaurants are run by the world-class Mexican chef Jorge Vallejo, recently awarded #22 in the world.

The spa is a unique world of holistic healing combining the old Mayan tradition with modern techniques and the finest natural products.

And in perfect line with everything else is the exceptional service brought by the genuine and warm-hearted spirit and hospitality of the Yucatan people.

For the ultimate luxury experience, the master suite has its own outdoor pool for maximum enjoyment.

Overall a truly mystical experience that will touch your heart for life.

The hacienda is located only 30 minutes drive from the city of Merida.

The picture in the header is also courtesy of Karyn Millet Photography for Chable Resort and Spa.

2. Hacienda Sac Chich

Bought and refurbished by an enthusiastic American couple in love with Mexican culture and arts, this property is one of the most beautiful architectural projects I have ever seen in Mexico.

Although the merit goes to the world-famous and pluri-awarded architect Salvador Reyes Rios, there is no doubt that the owners’ creativity and personality have a lot to do with the charming touches and homey feeling you get when you step into this best-kept secret property. 

It’s just surreal. When you arrive in the central area, the first thing that you notice would be how the old hacienda feels and the new modern additions and touches combine harmoniously together, creating a dreamlike atmosphere of elegance and coziness.

The room’s decorations come from the most sophisticated Mexican fabrics and designs with the perfect combination of colors. 

More than a resort, your private home is ideally suited for large groups, families, or as a wedding destination, thanks to the property’s convenient logistics.

The “old” Hacienda is separated by the newer two-bedroom ultra-modern house by a vast, immaculate garden surrounded by beautiful, towering royal palm trees.

Entering the contemporary house takes you to a different world. Surrounded by water lily reflecting ponds, the so-called Casa Sisal is made of hardwoods, limestone, and an elegant and minimalist finish by the ancient Mayan technique called chukum.

A private pool is a final touch. 

3. Hacienda Temozon

The fact that the Hacienda Temozon was a Starwood Luxury Collection property was a guarantee for an awesome, blissful experience.

However, what we found there totally exceeded our expectations. I had always dreamed of spending a weekend in one of the ever-popular luxury haciendas, and it finally happened – well, I made it happen with some friends!

4. Hacienda Santa Rosa

The Hacienda Santa Rosa is another hidden treasure of the Starwood Luxury Collection.

Situated at an hour’s drive from Merida on the way to Campeche, this beauty is much smaller and more intimate than the sister properties, with only 11 guest rooms, furnished with the most delicate local art with great attention to detail and comfort. 

The old private estate of a nobleman of the 17th century has been refurbished with the rigorous intent to preserve the ancient architecture and everything possible to maintain the original, beautiful property, including the uniquely carved columns. 

As you can imagine, the service is impeccable and very personalized, allowing every guest to enjoy their privacy while being looked after by genuine Mexican attention and care.

The breakfast is served by the pool with botanical garden views or in the privacy of your own suite’s garden, while the birds chirping is all that you will hear.

If you love to explore, you will find the Biosphere of Celestún within an hour’s distance, heading west, and on the opposite side, the majestic ruins of Uxmal and the other Mayan cities of the Ruta Puuc, located at another hour’s distance. 

5. Hacienda San Francisco de Tzacalha

I loved this property. Tucked away from the most popular routes, this hacienda is a real gem in the middle of nowhere.

Individually owned, a huge estate in the town of San Francisco, in northeast Yucatan, is another beautiful example of how the past can be brought to life in the most magnificent ways.

The original hacienda encompassed the entire territory of what is now the town of San Francisco until the Mexican government expropriated the land and redistributed it to the peasants.

6. Hacienda Dzibikak

I had the pleasure to meet the owner, Mr. Richard Nichols, who, together with his wife, bought the old property a few years ago and restored it with much love and passion, and made it a great location today.

Quoting Mr. Nichols, “It is a live creature that requires constant care and interaction, plus it catalyzes within you, as an inhabitant, constant creativity and activity. It needs feeding, taking care of, and cuddling”.

And this is what they did to restore it and transform the historic building’s old walls into the magic place you will see as you walk around the property.

With huge spaces, lots of green and flowers, gorgeous suites, and excellent service, it’s the ideal location for weddings and celebrations of any kind.

Or, if you wish to have your piece of paradise to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, you can rent a suite or a full apartment with a private chef.

You can contact them directly to make your reservation or inquire about the property.

7. Hacienda Ticum

This cozy little property offers the perfect affordable luxury experience compared to other more luxurious Haciendas of Yucatan.

Nestled in the silence and tranquillity of Merida’s outskirts, the boutique hotel Hacienda Ticum offers 13 lovely bedrooms, from the fancier and more sophisticated suites to the more unadorned yet finely decorated ripios.

All of them are scattered around a beautiful and manicured garden and close to the relaxing swimming pools.

The property’s fine restaurant, located by the reception, offers different breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.

There is also a lovely patio close to the smaller pool where you can sip your cocktail or coffee while enjoying the sound of silence in this magical atmosphere.

The hacienda is also strategically located close to the Mayan archaeological site of Ake’, 30 minutes from Merida, which makes it an interesting visit off the beaten path in Yucatan.

The towns of Cuzama and Homun are famous for their unique and diverse Cenotes.

8. Sotuta De Peon

Among the Yucatan haciendas, Viva Sotuta de Peon is one of the most unique, although not the most luxurious. It is, in fact, the only fully operational hacienda Henequenera of all Yucatan.

Guests can enjoy a real experience of Henequen’s transformation process, from the plant to the fiber and from the fiber to the finished product.

You will also have the opportunity to see the old machinery that has been fixed and brought back to life, the old main house, where the original owners used to live and is now a museum, a Mayan home, and last but not least, a real cenote, another symbol of the region that has been discovered within the property and now available for the guest to experience. 

The old trucks will carry you around, pulled by mules, the way it used to be in ancient times.

The property tour is available for both the guests of the hotel and the external visitors who are welcomed at a  price.

The tours take place at 10 am or at 3 pm. It is necessary to make your reservation. If you wish to stay for the night, you will not be disappointed.

You will enjoy the comfort of the nicely decorated rooms, scattered around the immaculate gardens, the huge pool, and two restaurants that offer a sophisticated combination of fine dining and traditional dishes to conquer the finest palate.

Please go and let me know how much you loved it.

Other Haciendas worth mentioning

Hacienda Uayamon – Campeche
Hacienda Puerta Campeche – Campeche
Hacienda Xcanatun – Merida
Hacienda San Jose – Tixkokob – Merida