Casa Isidora, Merida

Advantages: A unique and quaint hotel...
Disadvantages: Lacking a few mod-cons...

...We stayed in this hotel for a few days while on a little tour of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, including visits to Cancun (don't bother), Playa del Carmen & Cozumel (much better) and the amazing ancient Mayan ruins at Uxmal, Chitzen Itza and Tulum. (I'll try and get round to reviewing all these later...) We arrived by taxi from Merida airport (a short journey), having flown in from Cancun, where we had arrived in Mexico the day before, and were delighed with what we found, a massive improvement of the brash touristy-ness of Cancun ! The Casa del Balam Hotel was formerly the family home of Fernando Barbachano Peon, pioneer of Mexican tourism. A blend of Mexican tiles, terracotta and wrought iron, it has a small pool in a walled courtyand, complete with a stone carved fountain and tropical plants, a restaurant and bar, along... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Gorgeous hotel, great food
Disadvantages: A little bit expensive

...Fiesta Americana Merida is a great hotel ideally located and stablished on a gorgeous building. Although is part of a major Mexican hotel chain it really respects the look of the city (white colonial buildings). It's very spacious as well. Can be a little bit more expensive than other small hotels in town but it definitely worths the price. Suggestion: suscribe online to their Fiesta Rewards programs so you can start earning points upon booking your first night! It's close to several amenities like Merida's downton and fabolous restaurants. If you stay here try the Habanero, a good restaurant to try the delicious local food. I particularly recommend to have the Mayan Steak, a beef stake with Achiote, a culinarian delicacy from this southern region of Mexico. Enjoy!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: A five-star stay…
Disadvantages: …with just three-star facilities

...simplicity often trumps ritzy ostentation. Attentive service matters, but nothing is nastier than the kind of smarmy obsequiousness that always seems to mask a sneer. And so on. Maybe it's simply down to that indefinable essence known as character or personality. These inconsequential musings are prompted by my trying to pinpoint what it was about the Casa San Blas at Cusco that I liked so much. The hotel is certainly not without its limitations and even its failings, but it's a nevertheless a charming and delightful place to stay. Let's try to summarise what it has to offer. * Location * The Casa San Blas is situated just a few minutes' walk from Cusco's Plaza de Armas (central square), and is therefore convenient for all the main sights of the ancient Inca capital, such as the Qorikancha (Sun Temple), the Cathedral... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful