More about Hacienda Chichen & Yaxkin Spa
Hacienda Chichen is wonderful
by TripAdvisor Member Munichchick
On our 19th trip (Sept. 3-10) to the Yucatan Peninsula and Riviera Maya we decided to book the Honeymoon Suite at Hacienda Chichen for 2 nights. The pictures on their website looked very nice and we liked the history of this Hacienda. However, when we arrived we thought the grounds and Hacienda was even more enchanting and beautiful than in the pictures we have seen. From the moment we walked up the stairs of the front porch of the Hacienda we were greeted very nice. The gentleman at the front desk had our suite and key ready and was already expecting us. He was very welcoming and friendly. The porter showed us to our Suite wich was #8 Pollack's Suite. Beautiful quiet location in the gardens just behond the large fountain with very nice Porch including a bench, 2 rocking chairs, small table with candles and my favorite a hammock with pillow. When we entered the room we found 2 towel swan sculptures on the bed with lots of hibiscus flowers. Flowers in small vases on the nightstand and side table. Larger vase with flowers on the table in the sitting area, a basket with a bottle of wine surrounded by flowers and a candle. Now that was romantic and very welcome after the flight from LAX and 3 hr drive in the rental car. I think we were the only people staying at the resort the first night and day and we felt like back in the grand hacienda times and pictured Sir Thompson when we were alone on the veranda with all the staff taking great care of us during dinner. This resort feels very tranquil and magical. Now this is what we call a Boutique Hotel. There was a trio of singing guitar players that serenaded us with traditional love songs from the Yucatan. Vey nice! They even explained about the background of the music. We thought the food was very good. We like Yucatecan food and had each a Yucatan specialty. We thought everything was flavored very good. It's much different than Mexican food. The prices are pretty much what we are used to from S. California and with this setting we thought the price was okay. We watched the sunset over the jungle and gardens. The next morning we took a tour of "Old Chichen" which is not open to the public yet as it is still under excavation. We took the tour with the in-house guide of Hacienda Chichen and he is a very pleasant and knowledgable gentleman. We have seen New Chichen and other ruins in the past so this was really great. We were the only people at the ruins and felt like Indiana Jones. Most of the temples and pyramids are already restored but you still find numbered pieces of stone with intricate mayan art ready to be puzzeled back together by the Archiologists. We mentioned to Antonio our guide that we were looking for Catherwood drawings to take home and after the tour he went somewhere and obtained them for us. That was really nice. We went for a refreshing swim in the nice large and crystal clean pool after visiting the ruins. We had good margaritas, chips and salsa by the pool watching tropical birds and butterflies. After we went to see Balancanche Cave with Mayan Artifacts and to Ik Kil Cenote. We have seen many cenotes over the years but this one is different than the cenotes along the coast. It was fun jumping in from the cliff and swimming in the cool clear water. Ik Kil is very close to Hacienda Chichen and a must see. The included continental breakfast was good and included fresh fruit, freshly baked bread, coffee, tee etc. The second night we had another really nice dinner on the Veranda of the Hacienda main building. There is a separate building (looks new) with bathrooms and these are very cool and stylish facilities. More guests had arrived. A small tour group from Germany, Honeymoon couple from Switzerland and 2 nice guys from Paris. After dinner we walked with some of the other guests past Hotel Mayaland to New Chichen Itza for the Night Light and Sounds Show. The walk was not far and neat with all the light bugs all around us and the noises of the jungle. I had a flashlight and it was handy. The only small negative thing was that on the first evening the shower was cold. But as soon as I told the gentleman on the front desk within seconds he was on the radio with his maintenance staff and within 1 minute I saw 2 workers go to our suite lighting the pilot light. Soon after the shower had hot water and it was a good shower for the rest of the stay. All employees were very friendly and had a smile for us. We had a truly wonderful stay and would return in a heartbeat.
Fine Gourmet Mayan and Fusion Cuisine
by Maruh about Chilam Balam at Hacienda Chichen Eco-Spa Resort
This is a place for visitors that want food quality and enjoy fine dining! Gourmet Food Lovers will be impressed with the fine organic Mayan Cuisine served at Chilam Balam, a small outdoor restaurant at Hacienda Chichen, next to the "Zona Hotelera" south entrance to Chichen Itza's archaeological zone.
The restaurant has an authentic Colonial ambiance embraced by lush tropical gardens and huge Royal Palms over-viewing this hacienda hotel's main arch. The restaurant is opened all day, and offers romantic dining experiences with candle light table settings and live guitar music that is soft and joyful. Food is exquisite!! and Chef Josue Cime offers fresh organic Mayan cuisine and Fusion Gourmet menu choices that are both healthy and truly delightful in taste, aroma, and texture; needless to say, each dish presentation was artistic and cautivating to the senses.
Try their Gazpacho made with fresh organic ripe tomatoes; and Boquinete a la Lima, a fresh fish fillet that is delicately season with Mayan herbs picked from the hotels Organic Herbal Garden. Best expresso and energy smoothies we had in Mexico. Our favorite was a mango / orange / carrot blend. Loved their Gourmet Coconut fresh ice-cream.
The wine sellection is outstanding and prices are fair. Chef Cime offers also Mayan Cuisine Workshops to guests like us that truly enjoy quality food. So yes, this is a restaurant within the high price range compared with the low budget meals served in other hotels and local places, but then again this is truly FINE DINING: healthy, high quality, gourmet, and most important, a true delight to those like us that enjoy gourmet meals. We also enjoy the Rosetas de Pollo en Miel y Chipotle, a very Mexican poultry recipe made with wild pure honey (again harvest at the hotel's own property) and dried smoked chipotle peppers.
Great fresh fruit smoothies and our favorite: Jamaica Flower Ice Tea, I just could not get enough of this delightful tasty and refreshing organic ice-tea!
Stay Here!
by TripAdvisor Member DeobrahX
I recently visited the Hacienda Chichen Resort during the second week of October. A few weeks ago, my husband and I were checking out hotels in the area, as my in-laws were coming for a visit. We did look at Mayaland, but the staff was terribly disinterested whether we stayed at their hotel or not. Also, the rooms were not impressive, so we went with the Hacienda Chichen Resort, where the rooms were beautifully decorated and colorful; most importantly, they were clean. We had hammocks and rocking chairs on our porches, and our rooms were near the pool. I have read many accounts of the restaurant´s having terrible food, but we thought it was quite good. The staff was friendly and helpful. I have only one complaint---by the second day, we had no hot water in the shower. If the staff can somehow ensure that there will be hot water, this place would be perfect. It´s in a great setting, has pretty grounds, and is within walking distance from the ruins. I would definitely stay here again--- it was so much better than the stale Dolores Alba/Chichen Itza. Keep in mind that it is not cheap. We paid about $130 per night.
The good, the bad and the ugly
by A TripAdvisor Member
Confirming what some of the other reviews mentioned, the grounds are lush and the rooms are clean. The evenings are quite and relaxing...GOOD.
Here's how the hot water game works, there is none unless you ask, then they bring out a tank of gas and get the (boiler) system running. This procedure is performed with great reluctance by the inattentive Hacienda Chichen staff...BAD.
Our room had two critical security issues, the sliding glass door would not lock shut and the chain for the front door was broken. After bringing this to the attention of the front desk, they sent one of the restaurant waiters (screwdriver in hand) and he fixed the sliding glass door. The broken front door chain was not an item they had in stock...UGLY.
The owners of this establishment increased their (suite) room rates to $190 USD January 1st, so with taxes, I paid well over $200 for our one night at Hacienda Chichen. For that price, one would expect hot water, a secure room, and a liquid screwdriver.
Simply Lovely
by TripAdvisor Member MrsTraveler
My husband, our 3-year-old son and I spent one night at the Hacienda Chichen Resort in June 2005. We LOVED it. The resort is simply LOVELY.
We stayed in a cottage/suite named Erosa Peniche. The inside of the suite is beautifully decorated. The floor is tiled. 3 walls are cinder blocks painted white and 1 wall is made out of stone. The suite is spacious with a King bed and a sitting area. There's a mini-fridge, an air-conditioner and a ceiling fan. We had to turn off the air-conditioner during the night because it was loud (the one negative to our suite). The ceiling fan kept us sufficiently cool, albeit a bit noisy. No phone, no TV (heaven!).
The bathroom is lovely with a big tub/shower combination.
The cottage has a veranda with 2 rocking chairs and a table.
The resort's grounds are beautifully landscaped.
There's also a good-sized rectangular pool.
The resort's restaurant is in the main building. We had breakfast and dinner on the terrace overlooking the grounds and the fountain. The setting is just lovely and relaxing. It would have been lovelier if it weren't for all the flies (the downside of being in a tropical setting). We thought the food was just okay.
The resort is a 5-minute leisurely walk to Chichen Itza. You'll pass the other resort called Mayaland. The outside of Mayaland didn't look as nice as the Hacienda Chichen Resort.
We'd recommend this intimate resort for a 1-night to 2-night stay to anyone who visits Chichen Itza.
We do think the resort is best suited for adults and/or couples.
Some money facts in U.S. dollars as of June 2005:
--Chichen Itza entrance fee: $8/person [no charge for our little guy; not sure at what age they begin charging].
--If you're driving from Cancun [state of Quintana Roo] to Chichen Itza [state of Yucatan], you'll pay a toll of $18 [yes $18] when you cross state line, and vice versa.
--There's also a $4 toll when you get onto the road to Chichen Itza, as well as on your way back.
You can pay the entrance fee and the tolls in U.S. dollars.
Hope this helps.
And if you do go to Hacienda Chichen and the ruins, enjoy!
Vacation Paradise
by A TripAdvisor Member
Stayed in December 2005.
After leaving a cold and snowy Michigan, flying for 4 hours, and driving for 2 hours (a very easy drive from Cancun)... Hacienda Chichen was like a tropical paradise.
The resort grounds are more like an arboretum - beautiful and well maintained. The restaurant was peaceful and served delicious food. Our cottage was spacious, looked very new, was perfectly clean, and had a very charming look/feel.
Pool area was nice and had a diving board (water was cold). It could get a little dull to stay here for too many days, but I wish we had stayed longer than just 1 night.
Chichen Itza was a 5-10 minute walk down a quiet street - passing the club med and mayaland (mayaland looked very nice too).
Very happy with our decision to leave the coast and spend part of our vacation in the yucatan interior (Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and Merida).
Not worth it
by TripAdvisor Member PSR71
OK, there's no denying that the setting is beautiful, but the hotel itself is far from being the luxury resort it strives to be.
The rooms, the food, the service and the pool are average in a Best Western kind of way, but at a Sofitel price.
The rooms, while being large, were also very tacky with no character whatsoever. The food is as bland and tasteless as Taco Bell, and must be eaten while a Mariachi band repeats "La Bamba" and other "authentic Yucatan" songs over and over again. The service consists of a tip envelope left on the counter. And the pool is not well maintained and is very basic.
Their access to the ruins is of course excellent, but that does not make a place outstanding. A far better option to visit the ruins of Chichen Itza is to stay in Valladolid at El Meson Del Marques, for 1/3 the price of Hacienda Chichen and only 1/2 hour drive from the ruins. Here you will get a decent room, fantastic authentic Yucatan meal while being in a quaint Mexican town with plenty of shopping, sites (the town is also 10 minutes from Ek Balam by car), and other activities.
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