El Mesón del Marqués in Valladolid is setting the bar as an example for tourism management in the Yucatan.
The Hostería Marqués, the hotel’s restaurant, was recently awarded the Distinctivo H by the federal government with a perfect score. It is the only restaurant in the region that has earned that status. The attention to detail is obvious throughout the beautiful old building that was built in the early 17th century.
The hotel sits across from the zócolo, the pulse of the city. From the outside it’s hard to imagine the elegance of the old edifice, but once you step into the courtyard with the fountain surrounded by a large open patio and lush vegetation it’s immediately apparent that the hotel is first class. Arches and columns support butterscotch colored stucco walls that reflect warm sunlight during the day and a plethora of candles create a romantic ambience during the evening hours.
It was home to the Escalante family from the early 19th century until September 21, 1967, when it opened as a hotel with six rooms. The colonial architecture has been meticulously preserved while expanding to 90 rooms, complete with air conditioning and all of the amenities of modern hotels, including free Wifi. It’s a comfortable blend of the new world and the old.
Valladolid is situated half-way between Cancun and Merida, and just 20 minutes away from Chichén Itzá. Day trips include Ría Lagartos, a Biosphere Reserve with the largest pink flamingo nesting ground in North America, and Ek’ Balam, an archaeological site that only recently began to be excavated. It’s a perfect addition to your Riviera Maya experience.
Hotel El Mesón del Marqués
Calle 39 x 40 y 42 #239
Valladolid, Yucatán
Tels. 01 (985) 856.20.73, 856.30.42
Web: www.mesondelmarques.com