At a Glance
The lure of Temozón is the appeal of staying in a place that seems frozen in time, while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
Review
Hacienda Temozón is the best known of the Marriott Luxury Collection's trio of "hacienda" properties (politicos like President George W. Bush have visited for diplomatic talks). An elegant alley of royal palm trees leads to the imposing red and white colonial-style main house with its grand salons and verandas. The living room features mammoth oil paintings, antique furniture and memorabilia from its glory days. The restaurant overlooks the lawn, which is bisected by a long stone swimming pool with chaises shaded by a thatched awning and an elegant row of columns.
The 28 guest rooms are housed in original buildings, all named after their former iteration (pharmacia, escuela). The accommodations feature 18-foot-high ceilings, exposed beams and authentic historic touches like tiled floors, wrought-iron beds and antique carved wooden tables. There are even woven cotton hammocks in case guests want to sleep in the traditional Mayan fashion.
As with Marriott’s other Hacienda properties, the lure here is the appeal of staying in a place that seems frozen in time. The pool backs up to a grand building that once served as part of the sisal production. A massive room contains the owner’s saddles and carriages, along with faded photographs of the times when this area was so prosperous that its elite lived as extravagantly as sheiks do today.
Guests wishing to indulge can elect to have spa treatments in a cenote or candlelit cave. More traditional activities include biking, tennis, horse back riding and excursions to cultural sites such as Izamal, Chichen Itza or other less well-known Mayan ruins.
As part of the Fundación Haciendas del Mundo Maya effort to develop initiatives within the community to generate income, there are artisan cooperatives in the nearby town of Temozón. In one workshop, women embroider linens; in another, they fashion horn into frames, small dollhouse-like chairs and other decorative objects; and in another, they weave sisal into bags and tassels like those used on all of the hacienda’s room keys. The Fundación supports almost 250 artisans, whose crafts, which merge traditional techniques with a more modern aesthetic, are sold in the hotel gift shop. Just down from these workshops are a community school, health clinic and library—all of which can be toured.
Who Should Stay
Those who love history and a sleepy way of life, but don’t need beach time. It’s the perfect place for quiet reflection or painters or writers. Those who expect modern design or lots of action will be restless.
Written by Indagare
