Hotel Casa Fernanda

The rooftop was a lovely spot to hang out, with plenty of room, and the dorm beds were comfortable. Everything was clean and well cared for. The owners were sweet and kept checking whether we needed anything. Casa Fernanda was a really beautiful, welcoming place, and I’d happily recommend it.

We ended up finding a three-star hotel downtown for the same price, and I definitely wouldn’t tell anyone to book here. I didn’t feel safe, especially with an unfriendly, bad-tempered host who came across as frightening. The only other guests we saw were older Mexican laborers, so it wasn’t the social stay we’d hoped for. The beds felt like prison beds, the shower was dirty, and the toilet seat was foam plastic. There were cockroaches in the room, and a fan from next door was so loud we couldn’t sleep. Alcoholics Anonymous is right beside the hostel, too.

The terrace around the hammocks had a nice feel, and it was pretty quiet at night, which was a real plus. Our second-floor private room was clean enough, and the kitchen was fine, though most of the pans had scratched nonstick coating. The beds were very firm, but I slept well both nights. We had hot water in the shower, but the pressure was the worst we’d encountered in Mexico over two months. Purified water is available, though they ask guests to save it. The location worked well for us, close to the center but not right in it, so nights stayed quiet. Bring bug spray for Mérida, the mosquitoes are around all day.

We were disappointed. They hadn’t expected us and quoted a higher rate than the one we’d booked through Expedia. Our downstairs room was dark and smelled moldy, and there were a couple of cockroaches in the bathroom. One flew around while I was brushing my teeth. The location was okay. The building is old, which seems common in Merida, but that didn’t make the stay any less disappointing.