Hotel Palacio Maya

Our room at Hotel Palacio Maya was huge, with a dining area and its own balcony, a bathroom, and a large living room and bedroom with two more balconies overlooking the pool and the peacock. My husband and I stayed for a week on our first trip to Mérida, and I really enjoyed it. Some reviews say the hotel is far from la plaza, but it’s 1 kilometer away, or about a 30-minute walk. To me, that wasn’t far, and the distance isn’t the hotel’s fault if someone wants to be closer. During the day the heat was unbearable, so we took Uber rides to places for about $2-$3 USD. Once the sun went down, walking was fine. I’d recommend the hotel.

The front desk staff member was particularly rude, shrugging when I tried to reason with him. The cafe staff and hotel service staff didn’t speak any English and seemed to pretend they couldn’t understand. In a tourist town, it felt like the people working here didn’t care about customer service. Our room was dated, and the towels and sheets were stained. Breakfast was included, but the takeaway we requested had been sitting on the lobby counter since the night before. It was a sour apple, a ham and cheese sandwich with mayonnaise, and a soft drink. After being left out all night, it was inedible and a health risk. Even though we’d paid for full breakfast, they refused to include coffee and made us pay for it. Find another hotel if you have other options.

The rooms are dated and need maintenance, and cleanliness is a concern. Our bed had stains. I was very disappointed and don’t understand why the place has so many reviews. Maybe they come from people visiting the restaurant rather than hotel guests. Just be aware.

The breakfast buffet is really good, especially if you want to try local food like Cochinita. It’s more local in style than international. Service was great too, and the location is worth it, just a block from Montejo, the main street.