La Mision de Fray Diego

For visitors to the rich archaeological sites of the Yucatán, the trip frequently begins in Mérida, a major airline hub. From its outskirts, Mérida first appears to be a rather scruffy, sprawling, unappealing city, but don’t let this put you off. At its core, Mérida’s colonial heritage shines through. Like most of the cities founded by the Spaniards, there is a very grand cathedral in the center facing a lovely, tree-shaded park (zócalo) surrounded by handsome 17th-century buildings. Two blocks from the park sits the La Mision de Fray Diego, an intimate, appealingly appointed, charming inn that we just love. Although its street isn’t one of the prettiest in Mérida, just a few minutes’ walk takes you to the center of all the activity. You enter into the hotel’s delightful courtyard, which is as pretty as can be with a fountain in the middle, an exuberant display of flowers and greenery, and a statue of Fray Diego, the Catholic brother for whom the hotel is named. The reception area and restaurant face this patio. A few more steps bring you to a second patio, this one highlighted by a lovely swimming pool surrounded by a garden. The guestrooms wrap around this courtyard in a three-storied, colonnaded wing enhanced by a wrought-iron balcony. All of the fresh-looking, uncluttered guestrooms are equally pleasing and provide modern amenities.