A beautiful and romantic setting

Guest: Chad (Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/02/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

My partner and I recently returned from Merida after a week long stay in this beautiful and well appointed colonial style home. I always enjoy going the VRBO route because I find staying in "local" private homes gives the real flavor of what a destination is all about. This was no exception. The owners are very responsive to all inquiries and the fully English fluent management company was superb. This home is beautifully renovated with all the modern conveniences needed. No cable TV but there is enough to see and do it would be a shame to spend your vacation watching television. There is a DVD player so take along some movies if you have the need. The home does have excellent high-speed wireless internet to keep in touch back home. Merida is hot in the summer but the A/C and ceiling fans were fantastic and the plunge pool is very refreshing after a day exploring the city and surrounding Mayan ruins. We particularly loved the rooftop terrace at night to catch a breeze and enjoy a drink under the stars. When you aren't enjoying the garden and pool there is plenty to explore within walking distance. The neighborhood is full of local shops to buy all the basic necessities and the nightlife is only a fifteen minute stroll or $2 cab ride away in the main plaza. There is ample street parking in front of the house but you really don't need a car in Merida. Cabs are plentiful all hours, very inexpensive and the CAME bus station is within walking distance to catch the efficient and super clean ADO bus service to all points outside Merida. If you have any hesitancy about safety in Merida or the Yucatan in general, leave your fears at home. Eveyone in this neighborhood and Merida for that matter should work for the Mexican tourist board. Strangers here smile and say good morning on the street and will go out of their way to help you find what you are looking for even if they know little English. We walked all over the city at all hours and were never approached with any difficulties. Additionally, there is free WiFi in the numerous city parks if you need to look up an address on your smart phone. To sum up our lovely stay in this home, Merida, the Yucatan and it's gracious people, a man on the street said something memorable to us one afternoon. "I hope you go back home and tell your friends about my city. Cancun and the other tourist places are nice but, Merida is the real Mexico." It truly is...and we will be back.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Beautiful and very well designed house

Guest: Melanie (San Mateo, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/11/11 Review Submitted: 03/21/11

My husband, my baby (9 months old) and I stayed at Casa l'Ermita 4 nights and days and it was the best experience of our 12 days trip in the Yucatan peninsula. First of all, the house is beautiful, extremily well maintained and clean (like in a 5 stars hotel). The linens and sheets are super clean too and smell very good, that is not necessarly always the case when you rent directly to the owner. Every little thing in casa l'Ermita has been well designed and thought. The style and the decoration of the house are typicall of the Yucatan and everything works perfectly. The tap water is safe to drink as they fitler it, that is very nice as you do not have to worry about getting bottle of water. If you like to cook, you will really enjoy the kitchen like I did! The house is very close to the downtown area (the main plaza), something like 6 blocks (we basically always walk) and it is located in a safe neighborhood (you can walk by night without any concerns). In the house, you will find a folder with many indications and maps for restaurants, shops and everything. Second, the people are wonderful and very helpful there: the staff of the agency (especially Andrea's daughter who arranged a crib for my baby for free), the people of Merida you meet in the streets everyday, and Derrick the owner who basically treats you as a guest (sending very informative and professional emails). Finaly, Merida is a must to see! It is a vibrant city that remains me Europe during summer time: people in the streets, days and mights, music and free events every evenings, in a kind and friendly environment. Visiting Merida shows you what is the real Yucatan, its people, its history and culture (that you will never know if you only stay on the Riviera Maya). Plus, they are many beautiful places to go around Merida (we went to Uxmal - amazing -, Chichen Itza and Izamal). For all these reasons, I highly recommend staying at Casa l'Ermita and if I go back sometimes there, I will stay again in this house because it was just simply perfect!

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.

A great base to visit Merida and surrounding Area

Guest: Smoky Mountain Traveler (Brevard, NC)
Date of Stay: 02/03/11 Review Submitted: 02/16/11

My wife and I rented the property for four nights in early February and were impressed with every aspect of the house. The appliances--oven, cooktop, refrigerator, room AC's, washer and dryer and ceiling fans are all in excellent working order. It is simply and tastefully decorated; the rooms are spacious with soaring high ceilings and the kitchen extremely well furnished and (like the rest of the house) very attractive. We spent a good bit of time in the beautiful small garden and pool in the rear and ate most of our meals there. (There are mosquitos, but a quick spray of "Off" and we had no difficulties.) Paradise. The street can be a bit noisy, but we closed the doors between the bedroom and living room (which fronts onto the street) and had no trouble sleeping. We're not great aficionados of Mexican food, although the Yucatan specialties are well above the average. The best meal we had was at the Flamengo, a fish restaurant in the beach town north of Merida. We also had a good Italian dinner at Trattoria La Pasta. Beer is, of course, the best drink for the food of the Yucatan, but--if you're not a beer drinker (we're not), then you should definitely try some of the Mexican wines. They're excellent. And, if you're not there for the beach, the main reason to be in the Yucatan as to visit the Mayan ruins. Whatever you do, don't miss Uxmal.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/14/10 Review Submitted: 03/14/10

We spent an unforgettable month at Casa La Ermita. The house is lovely and very well designed. We almost lived on the outdoor patio which accommodates up to two hammocks. The dipping pool is fed by a natural spring right on the property. It's very centrally located and there is a new cafe called "El Pendulo" two blocks up on the same street with very reasonable prices and great cappuccino. We would gladly come back each year and rent the same house.

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