Meet the Casa Puuc hotel – the most stylish boutique hotel in Mexico we've ever seen

If we could choose just one boutique hotel in Mexico to visit right now, it would have to be Casa Puuc. It is one of the reasons Mérida, the capital city of Mexico's popular state of Yucatan, is fast becoming a destination for the most discerning of travelers. 

What's more, this hotel is a well of Mid-Century Modern ideas, if you need inspiration for your own home. 

Casa Puuc was originally built by the renowned Mexican architect Manuel Amabilis in 1914. it is located in the heart of the García Ginerés neighborhood, an affluent enclave of Merida that boasts its proximity to the Parque de Las Americas, a park built in the Mexican Art Deco style. 

Mexican Art Deco is how we'd like to describe the unique look and feel of this space. Tall ceilings and striking metal-framed windows give the building a glamorous, formal quality that plays very nicely with the luscious tropical vegetation surrounding it, and with the warmth of the simply finished walls. 

The building caught the eye of Claudia Fernandez, a furniture dealer from Mexico city, who has transformed the house into a six-bedroom boutique bed and breakfast. 

What anyone staying here will notice is the meticulous attention that has been paid to every room, and the exquisite furniture pieces that have been chosen almost as artworks or accent pieces to enhance the airy spaces.

The decor is sparse; for the most part, the original design of the building is left to speak for itself. The luxury here comes from the high quality of materials and furniture, rather than from quantity. The textures of the spaces are perfectly suited to the tropical climate – the walls and tiled floors are smooth and cool, a welcome respite from lunchtime heat.

Perhaps where this place really comes into its own is the communal spaces. Stylish yet relaxed, the high-ceilinged sitting and dining areas have been set up in a way to encourage hours of intimate conversation. We really like the addition of a crystal chandelier to the otherwise minimalist decor – a witty nod to the possibility of a fully-blown ball in a space that is mostly to be enjoyed in hushed tones over a glass of wine.

For those seeking more conventional hotel-style pleasures, Casa Puuc has a beautiful swimming pool, serves a fresh seasonal breakfast, and the hotel also occasionally organizes banquets prepare by invited international chefs, as well as wine tastings.