Price Band: $
Tags: Town, sightseeing, economical, family friendly
Meson del Marques
Valladolid
Meson del Marques
Valladolid
Meson del Marques
Valladolid
Rates, availability and more…
In a nutshell:
Centrally located and full of colonial charm, the Meson del Marques is an established choice for travelers. It has one of the best restaurants in town, specializing in Yucatecan cuisine, plus a sunny courtyard pool. Guest rooms range from comfortable standard rooms to modern and spacious suites. A fantastic and affordable base for sightseeing in this region of archaeological and natural treasures.
The Meson del Marques is exactly the type of hotel that knowledgeable travelers love to recommend. Strolling the town is easy from this central location, and Valladolid also makes an excellent base for exploration of the archaeological sites and natural treasures of the Yucatan.
Chichen Itza is just 20 minutes away by car and even the more remote site of Coba and the gulf coast town of Rio Lagartos can be reached in around an hour.
Good bus services pass through the town, but to get the most out of the location and to see some of the more off the beaten track attractions we recommend renting a car.
Parking is available on the plaza directly in front of El Meson del Marques, and the hotel also has a private parking lot.
The well equipped guest rooms are excellent value, and comfortable for even a longer stay. Standard and Superior rooms are charming and traditional, whilst the newly renovated suites have a modern style. Most guests are pleasantly surprised by the amenities – cable TV and telephones in all the rooms, bidets and tubs in some of the roomy suites. The enticing swimming pool is also a real delight.
We particularly recommend the hotel for its excellent restaurant. The nightlife in Valladolid is rather limited, but there’s no better way to spend an evening than lingering over the extensive menu at the Meson del Marques’ courtyard tables. The food is delicious and the atmosphere convivial, so there is little temptation to dine elsewhere.
Walk through the charming courtyard of the original house and you’ll find the guest rooms and suites arranged in three buildings.
Most of the standard rooms are in a four-story extension, accessed via stairs and walkways that overlook the swimming pool and gardens. A few more are in the original mansion, looking over the inner courtyard.
Directly opposite the swimming pool is a second, more modern building, also with four levels. This houses superior rooms, some with full length windows and balconies above the pool terrace.
Recently the hotel added more Superior Rooms and Junior Suites above the original section of the hotel, and these are particularly attractive, with views of the courtyard and sometimes with a small balcony.
If space isn’t important, we are generally more than pleased with the standard rooms and even these are adequate for triple occupancy or for a couple with one child. The superior rooms and Junior Suites with balconies are our favorite choice, though they are much sought after.
The new Master Suite of the hotel is a huge room with a lavish bathroom and step-out balcony facing the cathedral.
Summary of room facilities
All rooms
Air-conditioning, TV, ceiling fan, hairdryer, room safe
Standard room
Most rooms have a double and a single bed (a few have one king bed)
Superior room
Most have two double beds (a few have one king bed)
Junior Suite
Most have one king bed
Master Suite
King bed
The Standard Rooms usually have one double and one single bed. Each room has an exterior window overlooking the swimming pool courtyard, though some views are partially obstructed by foliage from the tall trees.
The interiors are pretty, usually with iron bedsteads and colorful spreads. We also appreciate the large mirrors and helpful tourist information that includes suggested places to visit within easy driving distance.
Each room also features a good-sized closet, desk and chair. The bathrooms in the standard rooms aren’t large but they are very bright, with lots of white tile, and are well maintained.
The standard rooms are plenty big enough for two adults or a couple with one child. We would recommend upgrading to one of the superior rooms though if you’re looking for a bit more space and a bigger bathroom.
The hotel’s superior rooms are larger and have lots of charm. The extra space is well worth the small premium for families or for triple occupancy.
A few rooms have small balconies overlooking the swimming pool terrace; a real treasure for sultry summer evenings.
Most superior rooms have two double beds, but there are three rooms that have three double beds.
The Junior suites have been recently refurbished, and some are new rooms located on the higher floors of the main building. They are bright, airy rooms with an attractive, modern design.
Bathrooms feature large walk-in showers and stylish vanity areas. These spacious rooms are ideal for an indulgent stay in Valladolid.
The five Master Suites are spacious accommodations with a king bedroom and a separate sitting room. Many have double doors opening out onto the courtyard, with a small step out balcony.
The suites are well equipped, with a flat screen TV in both the bedroom and the sitting room, plus an iPod docking station.
The sitting room also overlooks the gardens and offers useful space for relaxation, or entertaining. If you are in town for a few days, these suites would make an excellent choice for a luxurious stay.
Bathrooms feature large walk-in showers and stylish vanity areas. In addition to the en-suite bathroom, there is a second guest bathroom accessed from the sitting room.
The restaurant at el Meson del Marques ranks amongst our favorites in the Yucatan, and is easily the best choice in town.
The delightful courtyard setting is as enchanting in the evening as it is shady and cool in the daytime. It’s a popular choice, especially as many guests linger at their tables throughout the evening, and is also a good place to meet fellow travelers.
The menu is extensive, with a good selection of traditional Yucatecan dishes and some more unusual options if you are tiring of poc chuc and pollo pibil. We loved the lomito de Vallodolid – a tasty pork dish in a tomato sauce. The flambéed bananas are irresistible.
At breakfast, choose from three set menus (including a full American breakfast) or an a la carte selection.
The restaurant is open all day, and dishes such as quesadillas, tacos or salads are a good choice for an afternoon snack or lighter lunch.
For a more formal setting, the air-conditioned dining room is an alternative to the courtyard tables. The chandeliers and high beamed ceilings have lots of colonial charm, but in our opinion the attraction of dining outside by the fountain is hard to resist.
It’s a real surprise to find such an enticing swimming pool in a city hotel, especially hidden behind the Meson’s traditional facade.
This is a great place to spend a lazy afternoon recuperating from an overdose of sightseeing, and is guaranteed to leave you refreshed.
The pool is set in one of the hotel’s pretty courtyards and is surrounded by lush gardens and lawns. There are plenty of sun loungers and good shade is supplied by the trees.
The pool rarely gets busy so it’s usually easy to find a comfortable spot.
How to get here
By air
The nearest international airport is Cancun (about 100 miles away) and the journey to Valladolid takes about 1.5 hours, using the toll highway. Merida airport is about 2 hours, 110 miles away.
Cancun airport is about 180 miles / 3 hours away by road.
The Meson del Marques is located on the main plaza. If you are arriving on foot or by car, it’s easier to find if you remember that the hotel is directly opposite the cathedral across the square. The central bus station in Valladolid is just a couple of blocks away.
Driving directions
From Cancun or Merida, follow either the toll highway #180 (taking the exit for Valladolid) or the freeway. Follow the signs for Centro. You should enter the city on Calle 39 if you are coming from Cancun – in this case the hotel will be on your right when you reach the main plaza (the cathedral will be on your left). From Merida, you will enter the city on Calle 41, on the opposite side of the plaza to the hotel (the cathedral will be on your right.) The hotel has a private parking lot and free parking is also generally available on the plaza outside the hotel.
