My wife and I just returned from 2 nights at Villa Maria. The old part of town has tremendous potential, and Hotel VIlla Maria stands out as a charming oasis in old Merida. It is a centrally-located, small, boutique hotel within easy walking distance of great architecture, shops and good restaurants. Typical of haciendas, the rooms open into an expansive courtyard. The courtyard is bright and airy and a million miles away from the busy streets just outside. Water trickles from a fountain and opera music is heard throughout. It is decorated with style and elegance. The junior suite we stayed in did not have any exterior windows, but it was bright due to the use of skylights and stained glass. The antiques were tastefully chosen. The dining room is in the center of the courtyard and my wife and I heard NOTHING when the doors were closed. I think anyone staying anywhere in any part of any city will hear some exterior noise and traffic, so I don't agree with the previous reviewer's comments about noise coming from the restaurant/courtyard. The restaurant was very good. Octavio is a gracious host, always present to offer a smile and a handshake. I only wish I could visit more often, so I at least want to encourage anyone looking for an charming, comfortable place in Merida to chose Hotel Villa Maria.

We booked two nights at the Villa Maria as part of a tour of the Yucatan. However, on arrival we found that the room was musty and damp. - it really smelled bad. Also it only opened onto the interior courtyard and would have been noisy (and lacking privacy) during meals. The swimming pool was tiny and dirty. We did not take up our reservation (luckily not paid for) and went next door to the Casa Mexilia which was delightful. When we tried to eat dinner at the Villa Maria we were refused a table even though the restaurant was empty!

We stayed at this hotel only one night and it was great.
The room is very nice and comfortable. The food is great and the staff very kind. I was feeling not very well because of the flu and it was like staying at home. I really like it and I would recommend it to everyone.

The photos looked very nice, glorious reviews about food and the owners (french speaking mexican and his german speaking partner who used to cook in a cruise ship), we decided to plunk down close to 200 usd per night for this hotel. the idea of "french"cuisine, and a "swimming pool" was very tempting.
Disappointments began when we arrived at the hotel: the room was musty, walls damp and interminable wait for hot water in the bath. It seemed a good architectural idea but put together too hastily.
The mexican staff are very pleasant but people of Merida are pleasant to begin with, they have much more in common with Cubans than the rest of the mexicans.
The breakfast was poorer in comparison to other restaurants charging half the price. The orange juice was out of a tetrapak, same for marmalade, white bread was served and we have to ask for each item one by one. The coffee tasted terrible to this writer used to the best coffees of Jamaica and Cuba.
The quality of food was much below the standards of Merida. I cannot recommend this restaurant nor the food.
The "swimming pool" is slightly bigger than a bathtub at some hotels, you cannot swim in it, it was dirty and not kept up. There were mosquitoes in the room and one can be sure of getting bitten, thank God there is no malaria in these parts.
We had to request towels, shampoo and soap, and they were provided. no extra touches to this "boutique" hotel, in contrast with the first appearance of the hotel.
For Fresh Orange Juice go to Amaro, for better Mexican food, go to Almendras..
It is just not worth the price, for 200 usd, 140 euros you would expect much more than this.