Hacienda Chichén

I first visited Hacienda Chichen in 2008--quite by accident, because a beach hotel did not have availability for two nights, and we decided to go inland. I haven’t looked back since. I have returned several times and each time learn something new about this magical and special place. First, the buildings and grounds a...

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I first visited Hacienda Chichen in 2008--quite by accident, because a beach hotel did not have availability for two nights, and we decided to go inland. I haven’t looked back since. I have returned several times and each time learn something new about this magical and special place. First, the buildings and grounds are simply astonishing. You can walk around winding paths, surrounded by jungle plants, visit the hacienda church, art gallery, or simply swing in a hammock and listen to the sounds of the colorful birds flitting by (this is also a bird sanctuary). Then there are the magnificent flowers, the imposing palms, the peaceful restaurant veranda, and the relaxing pool. I find the sense of both privacy and of belonging at the same time very comforting--and quite unique. The staff are wonderful, kind people from surrounding Mayan villages, and, for me, while I of course love to visit the Mayan site of Chichen Itza, I also visit to simply rest and rejuvenate in the hospitable, warm, and special energy of the hacienda itself. I love the sense of history, and that you can stay in bungalows first inhabited by archaelogists working on Chichen Itza. I love that one bungalow I stayed in was at the foot of an imposing ceiba tree, sacred to the Maya, making me feel like a hobbit! If I can find the photo, I will post it here. I love visiting the on-site garden that provides food for the restaurant, and I love the trio from the local town who play at the restaurant each night. And I love the fact that the hacienda is run ecologically. If you ask, you can learn about the waste water systems, the cenote water used in the pool, and many other practices that reflect the staff and owners’ reverence for life. I also love the fact that Mayan rites are often performed in the hacienda grounds, and if you are lucky you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of this special and ancient spiritual practice. I love Yaxkin spa, which offers the most amazing treatments, using local ingredients, and a form of Mayan massage that is very deep, very healing. And I love that the hacienda supports local community projects through its Maya Foundation—funded in great part, I understand, by its lovely gift store—by providing nutritional support and other activities for children living in impoverished villages nearby. So when I stay here, I feel as if I am not only benefiting from the magnificence of what the Yucatan has to offer, but also supporting a hotel that is contributing to improving the communities around it. Overall, I would say it is ideal for a romantic break, for families, for single travelers, for travelers of any age, for history buffs and for those interested in the Mayan special sites—and for anyone who wants to slow down, connect to nature, visit Chichen Itza and other Mayan sites, and feel taken care of in an impressive, relaxing, and magical environment. Oh, and I haven’t been back to the beach since--this is where I go when I go to Mexico!