In 2005, I designed this colonial mansion for an artist friend from New York. In the years since, she has become too successful and busy to spend much time in Merida. Luckily she handed it back to me to redecorate and rent. For such a large old house, it is surprising that it remained untouched from the 18th century. In the early 20th century, so much of Merida was renovated in Mexico’s Belle Époque during the Porfirio Diaz era.
Casona de la Mejorada retains the original floor plan throughout the house. A couple of bathrooms and a kitchen have been added to the back of the house which was in ruin. A loggia replaced a couple of rooms that were too damaged to restore. At the back of the garden, I constructed a studio for the artist and a master suite. The floors and doors are all original to the colonial home. The pool replaced the original cistern in the middle patio. This house has the highest ceilings I have seen in Merida. I added vented skylights to bring in natural light and extract the heat. The main bedrooms open onto the pool. With the windows open there is a nice cooling breeze throughout the house.
From the street, you enter the large living room with double doors that, when left open, overlook the shaded loggia and pool patio. Beyond the pool is the dining room which opens to a second loggia overlooking the garden. The kitchen opens onto a formal dining room for 8, or onto the loggia which has a table for 6. There is also shaded outdoor seating in the loggia beside the pool. Along the north wing of the house are 3 large bedrooms. The one on the street has two twin beds and the two that open onto the patio have queen size beds. The rear studio suite has a king size bed and a smaller portico with garden views.
Located in historic Mejorada, the house is within a few blocks of a 17th century church and convent, several museums, as well as a large park. Also nearby are Merida’s two gastronomic centers, Santa Lucia Park and the new pedestrian corridor on Calle 47.
La Casona de la Mejorada
4 bedrooms
King Queen x 2
Twin x 2
3 Bathrooms
Sleeps 8
Amenities
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Purified Drinking Water
Pool
3 outdoor loggia
Garden
Ceiling and standing fans
Blue tooth speaker
Smart TV
Wireless Internet
Children allowed
Pets allowed with permission
Notes
Centro Historico Merida
Barrio Mejorada
20 Minutes to Airport
Parking lot next door
50% deposit to reserve
50% deposit on arrival
$500 security deposit returned in 24 hours of departure
No Smoking
Chef Service on request when available
Housekeeping twice a week included
Garden and Pool Service three times a week or as needed.
Rates
Low Season
$400 USD per night
High Season
$500 USD per night
Holiday Season
$600 USD per night