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The regal HaciendaTemozon and its now silent smokestack (photos by M. Richmond) |
Sometimes
it's fun to drop out of life for awhile and unplug from technology - if only
for a few days - and transport ourselves to a kinder, gentler world where life isn't
so complicated.
Mexico
- a country very dear to my heart - is such a place and fortunately for
visitors to the Yucatán Peninsula - Starwood Hotels' Luxury Collection Haciendas offer several perfect places in which to peek into the past while
being tucked into the lap of luxury.
Scattered throughout the area, estancias - now known as haciendas
- are a testament to how Spanish conquistadores lived while they eked out a living (usually growing sisal) in their adopted
homeland.
Today,
a handful of these haciendas have been refurbished and transformed into small
hotels catering to guests who appreciate Old World charm combined with
modern-day amenities. I had the
opportunity, recently to explore two of those boutique - and unique -
properties.
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Guestrooms tucked along the way |
Hacienda San José
My
first stop was the petite 18th century Hacienda San José, where a lush enclave with brilliant bougainvilleas, graceful palm
trees and magical walkways lined with lush foliage paved the way for this
special visit.
My
only regret was that it's the perfect spot for a romantic getaway - and I was
alone. Each of the 11 guestrooms and suites and four Maya-style casitas has been authentically restored
to 21st-century comfort with quaint colonial touches.
Guestrooms
- some with outdoor bathtubs - are clustered around a patio, while the Maya casitas - tucked under typical grass roofs
or palapas - are located in a more
secluded area.
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Secluded outdoor bath promises relaxation |

Dining
- another time capsule experience - took place in a former factory building
overlooking the main garden, where international and regional fare is created
using organic ingredients grown in the hacienda's gardens.
This
stately 17th century throwback to Old Mexico embraces 28 guestrooms and suites
surrounded by stunning gardens.
Charming guestrooms are tucked into original buildings refurbished and
decked out with modern-day trappings of luxury. Many are named for their original purpose:
Pharmacy, School, Pay-house, Butler's Room etc. The Presidential Suite - once the bedroom of
the hacienda's owner - beckons with a private pool.
Here,
too, I was tucked into a room echoing vestiges from the past, yet furnished with opulent modern-day amenities.

The evening meal took place in the enchanting restaurant overlooking the main gardens, punctuated by a large swimming pool and boasted a menu highlighting regional and international fare.
A
highlight of my visit was my encounter with "Habanero" the gentle resident donkey who took me on a short
ride in an ancient mining cart to the mystical underground cenote where I swam and soaked up nature's caresses. After that,
I opted for a soothing massage inside a softly illuminated cave housing another
cenote.
No matter which hacienda you choose, you'll uncover magic - along with myriad memories to last a lifetime.
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Traces of the past are everywhere |
I'd love to stay at these haciendas. They look wonderful!
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