A living tree grows straight through this house. The architect who designed Casa del Árbol refused to cut it down, and built the house around it instead. It's the first thing guests photograph and the reason they remember the place. Below it: a walled garden with a chukum pool — the traditional Maya bark plaster that gives the water its milky turquoise, lit from within after dark. The house is 1,900 sq ft in Mérida's historic center, restored with a lot of care and no showing off. Sleeps six. THE LAYOUT Downstairs: a bright living room open to the garden, a fully equipped kitchen with island seating, a dining area, a BBQ, handwoven hammocks, and a half bath. Everything opens outward. Bedroom 1, upstairs: king bed, private bathroom, and a private terrace that looks into the tree canopy and down over the garden and pool. This is the room people ask for. Bedroom 2: two queen beds, private bathroom. Works for children, teenagers, or a second couple traveling with you. Two and a half bathrooms in total, which matters when six people share a house. WHAT'S HERE Air conditioning in every room. Starlink internet at 100 Mbps, genuinely stable, video calls hold. A dedicated desk. Washer. Netflix and international cable. Board games, pool toys, and full baby equipment. Free parking on the property, which is rare in the historic center and changes everything if you rent a car. WHO IT SUITS Families with young children, we're a family of four who have traveled with our own kids for fifteen years, and the house is set up the way we'd want one set up for us. Couples traveling together who need two real bedrooms with two real bathrooms. Remote workers who need a desk and silence. Older travelers who want a ground-floor living space and no stairs to the kitchen. And anyone who has decided that a hotel room in Mérida is not the way to see the Yucatán. LGBTQ+ guests are warmly welcome. THE NEIGHBORHOOD — honestly We're inside the historic center but on the quiet side of it. This is a street of real Yucatecan houses, corner shops, and neighbors who bring chairs onto the sidewalk in the evening. You will not hear bars at 2am. That does mean a walk to the postcard sights rather than a step outside onto them: Centenario Zoo and park — about 10 minutes on foot Parque Santiago and its market — about 11 minutes Mérida Cathedral and Plaza Grande — about 19 minutes Merida English Library — about 19 minutes Santa Lucía and its restaurants — about 23 minutes Mérida airport (MID) — about 10 minutes by car In practice: a pleasant morning walk to the Zócalo, or a three-minute ride for a couple of dollars when it's 95°F. We think the trade is worth it, and so have most of our guests. THE YUCATÁN, PROPERLY We live in Mexico, and we'll share the list we actually use: the haciendas still off the tour circuit, the cenotes without buses in the parking lot, the Saturday organic market, the restaurants worth the drive. Tell us what you're interested in before you arrive and we'll put together a plan for your days. PRACTICAL NOTES Mérida is hot year round. Every room is air conditioned and the pool is usable twelve months a year. From May through October, expect short heavy showers in the late afternoon, then clear evenings. Self check-in is available at any hour with help from the building staff, and a trusted local contact is reachable throughout your stay in Spanish, English, or French. Stays of a month or longer are welcome and priced accordingly. We have hosted for eight years across our two Mexican houses, with a 4.95 average over 245 guest reviews. We take that seriously.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Perfect house for children and with bed for babies
default
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Upon prior advise and agreement
default
Pets
Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 25 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
default
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
QUIET AFTER 10.30 pm.
For long stays, over two weeks, we strongly recommend to use the services of Juanita, our very faithful house keeper, for 750 mxn.
GARBAGE: Merida´s service collect it on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, just put them at the entrance of the house. A/C: switch it off when leaving.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 1584628vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 10
Note from host: Upon prior advise and agreement
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Mérida
Located in Mérida Centro, a neighbourhood in Mérida, this holiday home is in a rural area. Travellers who have shopping on the agenda can visit Paseo de Montejo and Plaza Altabrisa. Travelling with kids? Consider Zoological Park of Centenario, or check out an event or a game at Estadio Salvador Alvarado. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and horse riding.
Parque Zoológico del Centenario - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
Mérida Cathedral - 19 min walk - 1.7 km
Plaza Grande - 19 min walk - 1.7 km
Parque Santa Lucía - 4 min drive - 1.8 km
Getting around
Teya-Merida Station - 30 min drive
Merida, Yucatan (MID-Manuel Crescencio Rejon Intl.) - 14 min drive
Restaurants
El Cardenal - 8 min walk
Kikoffee - 7 min walk
La Reina Itzalana - 12 min walk
Placer & delirio - 9 min walk
Sushi Mix Centenario - 8 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Does ECO-CHIC HOUSE, PRIVATE POOL, CULTURE, CENTRO have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
How much does it cost to stay at ECO-CHIC HOUSE, PRIVATE POOL, CULTURE, CENTRO?
As of 22 Sept 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at ECO-CHIC HOUSE, PRIVATE POOL, CULTURE, CENTRO on 30 Nov 2026 start from AU$542, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is ECO-CHIC HOUSE, PRIVATE POOL, CULTURE, CENTRO pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet.
How much is parking at ECO-CHIC HOUSE, PRIVATE POOL, CULTURE, CENTRO?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at ECO-CHIC HOUSE, PRIVATE POOL, CULTURE, CENTRO?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at ECO-CHIC HOUSE, PRIVATE POOL, CULTURE, CENTRO?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is ECO-CHIC HOUSE, PRIVATE POOL, CULTURE, CENTRO located?
This family-friendly Mérida holiday home is located in a rural location, within 1 mi (2 km) of Casa Frederick Catherwood and Mérida Cathedral. Santiago Park and Parque Zoológico del Centenario are also within 10 minutes.
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The house was wonderful, very spacious, a quiet corner for everyone five people in my group . The host very welcoming, answer all my questions, left suggestions for places to see. A short walk to the center of town not to bad. All amenities in the house good working condition.
This home was so amazing and we were 100% pleased. It does take a short Uber to get to the city center but that was no issue.Everything about this place was great from how clean it was to the space. We loved it.
The house is as pictured, beautifully appointed. The owners were courteous, helpful and very pleasant to converse with. Gave us many ideas, went to a couple of the restaurants they suggested and the food was great! Matteo very helpful and was there to greet us, do a house run through and waited patiently for us on a Friday night!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2024
Thank you very much Lisa for your great comment!! You saw everything and how much we try to focus on the satisfaction of our guests and the good vibes of casa del Arbol.
Wish we could have stayed longer than 3 nights! Casa del Arbol is absolutely beautiful, very tastefully designed, with old elements peeking through into a very modern space with lots of natural light and fresh air circulating. The master bedroom is like sleeping in the trees! The wading pool is perfect for cooling off in the middle of the day or at night before going to sleep. Location is good, in a classic Centro neighbourhood. It is a 20 minute walk to the main plaza.
Amazing property! The architectural details and choices made are top notch. Loved the cool polished concrete on my bare feet. Loved the indoor/outdoor living on both levels of the casa. The owner, Jerome, is wonderful and VERY responsive to texts (WhatsApp preferred platform). I felt very comfortable walking in this neighborhood on my own at night. And a great French bakery and espresso café several blocks away.
Property is tastefully furnished and spotlessly clean. I felt as though I had been invited into the owner’s home. He welcomed me when I came and everyday made sure that I was comfortable. He gave me tips on places to eat and things to do. His concierge was responsive and quite competent. I felt safe in the house and the neighborhood. I would go back again and in fact I am going back soon!
The home is quite large and the architecture is absolutely amazing and stunning. They have incorporated nature right into the house. We had a wonderful time there and were able to walk to most places that we wanted to go, but it is about a one and a half km walk to the grande Plaza And we did find the street that it was on rather noisy. But overall, we certainly would recommend staying there. The owners and the people they have looking after things for them were so responsive and amazing.
My partner and I were travelling to Merida with another couple and needed a base. Casa del Arbel worked out wonderfully for us. It has a unique design, is very spacious and met our needs perfectly. The best part though is the owner, Jerome. The communication with him was exceptional! He sent lots of information before we arrived, and was very quick to respond and support with any questions we had. He clearly cares about his guests comfort and takes pride in maintaining a beautiful property. Much gracious Jerome!
My partner and I had the pleasure of staying at Casa Del Abor for 4 days on our first trip to Merida. The home is beautifully designed, clean and comfortable. The pool delightful. Our communications with the owner was easy and check-in with Mateo, the house keeper, seamless.
The owner is gracious and very welcoming- providing fabulous dining suggestions and places to visit.
The home is convenient and walking to/from restaurants and historical sites safe. We had a rental car (happy we did) but found parking challenging in the central areas.
We highly recommend Casa Del Abor if visiting Merida. We will be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Oct 2023
Thank you very much Susan you were super guests, open minded, polite, respectful and eager to discover!!
Enjoyable stay in thoughtfully designed, spacious & unique home in Merida
Our family of 4 (2 parents, 2 grown kids in their 20s), enjoyed our stay in this thoughtfully designed, spacious & unique home in Merida. We made use of the pool in the late afternoon & drank morning coffee on the mid level balcony. Jerome was super communicative & gave us useful recommendations for day- trips & other activities. Checking in & out were a snap (Mateo asked us for arrival info the day before & was there to greet us & Jerome was super flexible with check out time). It’s a 20 minute walk to the Plaza Grande, so we walked or Ubered to most restaurants & local sites. Those were both safe & easy, but maybe not for everyone. We are pleased to recommend this house!
We had a great stay, really liked the location in the city , and house was comfortable and perfect for our needs. The pool was wonderful for early mornings and afternoon dips , comfortable beds , plenty of hot water and incredible communication with the owner who was always in contact and sending us suggestions of dining and places to visit . Mateo was always available by phone if you need him . Explore the Southern neighborhoods as well as Centro and above . We walked in a different direction every day for two weeks and loved exploring and also seeing the renovations in the city. Very safe city and kind people always willing to help . Thank you Jerome! For making everything so easy !
My husband and infant twins spent a few days at this property and had a lovely time. The home is stunning. The work Jerome and his family did to update the home but maintain the charm is incredible. There are fans throughout the home to keep things cool and AC in the bedrooms for nighttime. We loved the dipping pool in the back to refresh from walks outside. The front room is a little loud with street noise as it’s on a busy road but nothing a noise machine couldn’t mask. The main bedroom is very quiet with a gorgeous view over the pool. Jerome and Mateo were very helpful and Jerome gave us a recommendation for an amazing cenote to visit with our infant daughters. We recommend this property and when we come back to Merida would definitely want to stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Aug 2023
Thank you !!!!
Verified review
8/10 Good
Kim V.
28 May 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in, communication
Very Nice, but
There is no AC in the main living areas. This is a problem when the temp outside is 100+. We really couldn't enjoy the house because it was too hot to move around. We were confined to the bedrooms. If you are traveling in cooler months this is a great option. The living area is large and nicely decorated. Kitchen is fully equipped. Nice little courtyard with pool and a large 2nd floor patio. Bedrooms are spacious and comfortable. Location is good. Parking available on the street.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 30 May 2024
Since that Kim we have brand new a/c downstairs installed. And if you allow me merida and its surroundings do offer an immense and rich ground of activities (in order to be confined !!).
Pictures do not do justice to this beautiful and lovingly restored home. Peaceful, serene and comfortable place to stay in the heart of Merida. Safe and friendly neighborhood--while we were waiting to check in, a neighbor, thinking we were lost,just walked up and asked if we needed help.
Easy walk to the Santiago market and a small grocery, but a bit longer walk to the main square(still doable for 65+ year olds).
The casa is well supplied with all the essentials and has a full kitchen for cooking . The main bedroom is stunning with 2 walls of windows, wow! Lots of fans throughout the house to improve airflow and a/c in the bedrooms worked perfectly. Loved the 3 well designed outdoor spaces for relaxing or a quick siesta.
Can't wait to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2023
Thank you very much Lynne and welcome back anytime
Our experience at Casa del Arbol was wonderful!! The location, adjacent to Centro Merida was great and is ideal for exploring the city. Jerome and Melanie were so hospitable. Their home was clean and exactly as pictured, both beautiful and tasteful. They also provided us with great restaurant recommendations and helpful information during our stay. We felt at home immediately!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Mar 2022
Thank you very much Alex and khalid!! Thank you for appreciating our recommendations and to see how much we love serving the best can our guests. We were super ones, enthusiastic, respectful and curious. Very good luck!!
We are a French family installed in Mexico City. We are crazy about traveling in many different places. We work for international companies in Mexico City. We have two teenagers that now have double European and Latin culture. We like arts, photography, receiving nice people at home, doing sports and enjoying wild places.
Why they chose this property
We love very much Merida and its area: safe place with a lot of discover. We have decided to invest in this house in 2018, participating to the renovation and decoration. We have purchased this house that needed to be fully renovated and rebuilt. We love antiques / vintage furniture and you will see a lot of little surprises while living in the house.
What makes this property unique
Full range of services, including a concierge. 100 GO SUPER WIFI; IDEAL FOR REMOTE WORKERS. We offer many tips: restaurants, markets, cenotes (out of the classical ones), haciendas and much more. The house is just perfect to live, offering an experience and we did everything for every host to feel happy. It is perfect for families with children, consultants, free lance workers, and couples. We offer hamacs, swings to have a rest, Netflix, TV with International channels and there is safety box. We also propose unique TIPS an EXPERIENCES with local recommendations: places, gastronomy, cenotes, art & craft, fabric workshops, kitchens from Yucatan...
Languages:
English, French, Spanish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests