Fiesta Americana - Merida

It makes me sad how many people accept mediocrity in their reviews, and that’s putting it nicely. The main entrance brings you past a Chili’s restaurant into what feels like a run-down mall. The place is humid and neglected. It wouldn’t take much more effort or pride to improve it. Maybe it was in its prime 20 years ago, but what a disappointment. There’s a reason people stay in boutique houses or Airbnbs. I see no reason to choose this hotel. We had to change rooms the first night because the AC didn’t work, and noise from the restaurant next door continued until midnight on a Sunday. The following night, there was a cockroach right next to me on the fourth floor, and my dad’s room had no water. The rooms are dated, dirty and moldy, and the whole place has a bad vibe. This isn’t what people paying for a vacation should have to deal with. Do better, it’s embarrassing. It’s 1:20 a.m., I can’t even shower off the feeling of that roach, and I want to go home.

The breakfast was just okay, and the buffet area felt old and uncomfortably hot, as if the AC wasn’t working properly. The rooms were standard, nothing special. I’m giving it three stars mainly because of the rigid service. It was my wedding day, and I asked to check in just two hours early. They wanted 2,000 pesos for that. For a hotel in this category, I expected more understanding.

We saw a beautiful Sinatra music concert at the bar, with Merida Big Band and a guest singer. It ran for 80 minutes. The high ceilings, arched bar and comfy seats made the space an excellent venue. The hotel is attached to a high-end mall and sits on the edge of downtown.

It’s a nice hotel, but very expensive. At $350 USD a night, they still charge $4 per pod for morning coffee in the room. Full-board accommodation would come to more than $500 a day for an average guest.