Price Band: $$$
Tags: Hacienda, luxury, sightseeing, experience
Yucatan
Yucatan
Yucatan
Yucatan
Price Band: $$$
Tags: Hacienda, luxury, sightseeing, experience
In a nutshell:
Hacienda Temozon is one of the grandest and most impressive of the hacienda hotels, and has played host to formal events with presidents and royalty in attendance. The property has swimming pools, tennis courts, horseback riding and spa facilities. The Master Suite has a private swimming pool, several others have plunge pools.
Hacienda Temozon is the grandest and most formal of the newly restored haciendas. Its exquisitely furnished reception rooms and guest quarters offer visitors a real taste of the affluent lifestyle enjoyed by the lords of sisal during the early 19th century.
Much of the original decor has been preserved, from the intricately decorated floor tiles (imported from Italy on board the returning sisal boats) to the picturesque red and yellow mineral pigments used to color the stucco walls.
The significance of the estate here at Hacienda Temozon and its place in one of the most vibrant times of local history, is illustrated in its impressive facades and plazas. An even more striking history lesson can be gained by visiting the old machine house, where some of the original machinery used in the processing of the sisal fiber can be observed.
What better base for an exploration of the rich cultural heritage of the Yucatan peninsula?
The location is ideal, being in the heart of the Mayan countryside and at the gateway to the stunning Puuc sites of Uxmal and Kabah.
There are so many fascinating excursions available that we recommend guests to stay at least 3 days, or to visit Hacienda Temozon in conjunction with one of its sister hotels, the Haciendas Santa Rosa, San Jose, Uayamon or Puerta Campeche.
In the past, it has sometimes been difficult to entice tourists from the idyllic Caribbean beaches to the real treasures of this area. These atmospheric accommodations not only provide a most appropriate setting for exploration of Mayan culture, they also reward guests with some unashamed luxury and opportunities for serious relaxation.
With guest rooms extending over several courtyards, the Hacienda Temozon has more of the ambience of a country mansion than its smaller sisters, the Haciendas San Jose and Santa Rosa. Unexpected passageways lead to secret gardens and secluded niches, with glimpses of plunge pools gained through the foliage. In contrast, some rooms have wide open vistas across the majestic plazas of the hacienda.
All of the quarters revel in 19th century opulence, many with original tile floors and towering beamed ceilings. Brass or wooden beds are furnished with hand-embroidered linen and lace; most rooms have a cozy sitting area if not a separate living room.
Renovation has also endowed the guests’ accommodations with modern comforts unknown in the estate’s heyday; remote controlled air-conditioning, hairdryers and direct dial telephones. Every bathroom is a sanctuary – we love the spacious walk-in showers and lavish vanity units.
Choose a junior or deluxe suite for some private outdoor space – either a plunge pool or shady terrace. The four deluxe suites also have a separate sitting room. The Hacienda no longer has any connecting rooms or suites, but two rooms close together can be allocated for families.
Summary of room facilities
All rooms
Air-conditioning, ceiling fan, hairdryer, minibar, room safe.
Superior room
King bed or two double beds, 480 sq. ft.
Junior Suite
King bed or two double beds, flat screen TV, 590 sq. ft. Some have terraces, plunge pools or bathtub.
Deluxe Suite
King bed or two double beds, flat screen TV, 750 sq. ft. Some have terraces, plunge pools or bathtub.
Presidential Suite
King bed, separate sitting room, private pool, private garden. 1248 sq. ft.
Even the most modest accommodations at the Hacienda Temozon are sumptuous and rather grand. Choose either one king or two double beds – most rooms are also equipped with a hammock in case you’d rather sleep in Mayan style.
For your comfort, the room is equipped with both ceiling fans and air-conditioning, though the high ceiling rooms are naturally cool.
Every room has heavy double doors that open to reveal scenes that could be straight out of a history book. Stucco walls in traditional hues of terracotta and bright yellow; quiet courtyards or vast plazas, cobbled paths and leafy gardens.
Junior suites have all the amenities of the standard rooms but are a little more spacious, with larger sitting areas plus a terrace and/or plunge pool. The six suites are located around the hacienda and generally have a more secluded setting.
Large bathrooms provide a cool sanctuary from the Yucatecan sunshine. The enticing plunge pools are regularly replenished with flowers and petals from the hacienda’s gardens.
For additional living space or longer stays, we highly recommend the charming Deluxe Suites. Many of the original features of these rooms have been retained. The heavy wooden doors open onto tranquil gardens and private terraces.
Each has a separate living room, beautifully furnished with antiques and divided from the bedroom by heavy wooden doors. Most Deluxe suites have a plunge pool so you can relax and cool off during the heat of the day.
This amazing suite was the setting for a summit between Presidents Zedillo and Clinton. It is located in the main building and would have originally provided the living quarters for the owner of the hacienda. This is the ultimate choice for guests wishing to experience the lifestyle of the henequen barons in the prosperous 19th century.
The suite has its own garden, with private swimming pool, and two terraces overlooking the formal gardens of the hotel. The bedroom and separate living room boast the furnishings appropriate to this imposing residence and most of the beautiful tiled floors are original.
Dining on the verandah of the main building is a real delight. Gentle breezes lighten the typical balmy evenings and the view over the gardens is exquisite.
The restaurant serves Yucatecan and international cuisine, and also offers menus designed specifically for children. Special dishes can be prepared for particular diets; we recommend that you advise staff of your requirements when making your reservation.
The restaurant is open from early morning until around 11:00pm. Room service is available throughout these hours, and tables can also be set up for guests in the many romantic spots around the hotel.
We also strongly recommend that you indulge in a lazy breakfast in your room at least once during your stay.
Viewed from the terrace of the restaurant, the imposing swimming pool set in formal gardens can seem a little intimidating. But, close up, it is really enticing – the traditional Mayan technique of Chu-kum has been used to waterproof the pool and add the unique shimmering effect.
The pool is over 140 feet long and is surrounded by lawns, with sun loungers and shaded areas available. There’s also a swim-up bar at the far end of the pool.
The nearest airport is Merida (about 25 miles away) and the journey to the hacienda takes about 40 minutes by road. The hacienda has a remote and tranquil location and is not accessible by public transport. Taxi drivers may not be familiar with the location, so we recommend using the hotel’s transfers or driving to the hotel with good directions.
Cancun airport is about 220 miles / 3.5 hours away by road.
Driving directions
From Merida airport:
Set the car’s odometer to zero
At the airport exit take the Campeche – Chetumal exit on your left
At 3 km. take the Cancun – Motul exit on your left
At 5 km. take the Campeche exit on your right
At 15 km. take the Chetumal exit on your right
At 18 km. you will be in Xtepen
At 27 km. you will be in Yaxcopoil
At 31 km. you will see the sign of the Hacienda Temozón on your right. Turn left.
At 34 km. you will be in Sinhunchen
At 38 km. you will see a stop sign (alto). Turn eft where you see the two red and white pillars. Follow the road for about 2 km until it ends at a stop sign, turn right and then the entrance is right there.
From Cancun airport:Take the Cuota freeway to Mérida, which after about 200 kilometers (140 miles) becomes a two-way highway. When you come to the end of the highway there are traffic lights, turn left and follow the signs to Campeche, Chetumal and Ruta Pu’uc. Keep following the signs to Chetumal and Ruta Pu’uc, you will pass the villages of Xtepen and Yaxcopoil A few kilometers after you have passed the village of Yaxcopoil you will see a sign for the Hacienda Temozon. Turn left. After about 6 kilometers, you arrive in the village of Temozon Sur. You will see a stop (alto) sign – turn left where you see the two red and white pillars. Follow the road for about 2 km until it ends at a stop sign, turn right and then the entrance is right there.
Hotel San Jose
Domicilio Conocido, Hacienda Temozon Sur S/N
Municipio de Abala
Yucatan
Mexico