Historic Luxury Hacienda with Sumptuous Design

Description from the owner

Tucked away on the lush grounds of Hacienda Sac Chich, Casa de Maquinas are 3 limestone buildings, a water tower and an 85 ft. chimney. Surrounded by palm filled gardens Casa de Maquinas consists of three 2000sq.ft. rectangular structures that date to 1850. Throughout the hacienda there is evidence of its previous utilitarian life. Iron wheels and massive beams are remnants of its past. One building, CASA VIEJA, houses the living room, 2 king bedrooms, a loft bedroom with a queen and a double and 2 bathrooms and a colonial kitchen. Opposite the Casa Vieja is another building, the CASA NUEVA, where a dramatic central hallway is the entrance to... 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, all with soaring 26 foot ceilings and 13 foot high doors. The large master has a sunken living area, and outside within a walled garden is a settee and plunge pool.

Between these two buildings the open-air living room and dining pavilion, the Loggia, is surrounded by lily and fish filled reflecting water ponds and dramatic lighting. From the loggia climb an enclosed spiral staircase to a rooftop lounge and star-viewing platform. Here you can watch the moon, stars, sunset, an approaching storm or enjoy the night breeze. Through a seashell mosaic tunnel from the inner courtyard you find the 40-foot pool. Once the water tank for the hacienda, the pool is now a shimmering refuge from the heat of the Yucatan. A steel and bamboo pergola and a playita of shallow water with a hammock suspended above provide areas for rest and shade. Beyond the pool, in a hidden garden you find the regulation size bocce ball court. Framing the entire hacienda are dry stacked stonewalls, tall hedges of fica and walls creatively designed with metal cages filled with local limestone. The grounds are filled with exotic rare palms, bamboos, gingers, tropical plants and fruit trees. The house restoration has been a project of the renowned Mexican architect Salvador Reyes Rios and his partner and wife Josefina Larrain. Most of the furniture throughout is designed by Salvador and fabricated locally.

Adjacent to the hacienda is an award winning contemporary home, Casa Sisal. Surrounded by water lily reflecting ponds and a large green lawn, this 2000 square foot home is built within the 2 acre henequen drying fields of the hacienda and is enclosed by the haciendas original 10-foot wall, creating its own private world.Casa Sisal has 2 bedrooms (one king and 2 queens), 2 baths, full kitchen, living area and dining for 8. Walk out of the living area on one side you'll find a patio with a 30- foot lily pond and out the other side is a beautiful 3-sided infinity edge swimming pool, palapa and patio. This home is constructed of hard woods, limestone and plaster polished to a sleek finish by the ancient Mayan technique called chukum. The ceiling and door heights are 10 feet giving every room a sense of great space. The house is lit very dramatically and on the lawn there are two rows of royal palms that at night seem to be suspended in space. Designed to experience the beauty of the Yucatan light and sky you will find Casa Sisal a respite from it all. For information about renting this home with the hacienda or separately please visit the Hacienda Sac Chich website.

This estate can become what you want it to be: a private oasis away from the rest of the world, a fun filled family retreat, or a magnificent event environment. Sac Chich is the perfect hideaway haven for one couple, a group of friends or a family reunion. There is privacy and space for all. As you would expect from a villa of this caliber, almost every detail of the interior and exterior finish is flawless. Hacienda Sac Chich is not a hotel experience yet goes beyond a home rental. This historic hacienda captures the true spirit of Yucatan culture and reflects a sense of peace and harmony.Read more

Additional Location Information

In a traditional Mayan village, 40 minutes from the Colonial city of Merida, is the historic Hacienda Sac Chich. Surrounded by towering palms and bamboo, and flowing gardens of tropical plants you will find peace and solitude in an authentic Mayan village. Hacienda Sac Chich is conveniently within an hour drive from Chichen Itza, Uxmal and other smaller Mayan ruins, the golden city of Izamal, on the convent and Puuc Route, many well known and some secret cenotes, caves and much more. Being 10 minutes off of the Merida-Cancun highway, Sac Chich is an accessible location and truly beautiful and novel vacation spot.

Location Type Away from it all, Tropical, Village

Rental fees

Additional notes from owner

**** The Hacienda is for rent two ways You can rent just the Casa Vieja with the grounds, the loggia and pool( which would be $400 low and $500 high), or the Hacienda in its entirety ( Casa Vieja and Casa Nueva as priced above).
*****During Holiday Season only the entire hacienda is for rent.
**** Laundry services and meal preparation extra. Please inquire.

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• kdinesDenver
  33388

  Heaven

  Left on 01/18/2012 for a stay in January 2012
  
  

  If you are searching for an exotic and out-of-the-way place in an area steeped in history-- this is it. At one time, Merida (the capital city of the Yucatan) was the wealthiest cities in the world. Throughout the surrounds, wealthy land owners, farmed, harvested, then manufactured their large hemp (hennequen) plants from their plantations into rope. Giant crates of the stuff (fiber) were shipped throughout the world from the Mexican port of sisal and used by literally all sailing ships and fishers of that time. Because the harvesting required such large equipment, huge buildings were constructed by native people (Mayans) to house the machines, and stunning homes built for the extended families and friends of the wealthy land owners. However, once nylon was introduced, the hemp industry went belly-up and most of the estates were vacated-- many of them reduced to rubble and quickly hidden in the jungle's thick overgrowth. About 10-15 years ago, architects and artists began coming to the Yucatan, and have started to rebuild these gorgeous estates.
  
  Hacienda Sac Chich is one of those. With an eye for simple elegance and sheik design, proprietor Cyndy Berger has created an incredible place to host a special party, wedding, or-- just to visit and learn about the Yucatan and Hennequen. It's a day's trip to Uxmal or Chichanitza and there are lots of cenotes (fresh water springs) where you can swim. Or-- you can might choose to lolligag by the beautiful fresh water pool amongst banana and date palms.
  
  One aspect that makes this property so unique, is that about a footbal field's distance apart from the main structures, is a smaller ubre modern casa that sleeps 2 couples (complete with its own pool, 2 baths, patio, star-gazing roof and living area), so you won't have to see another soul. It's won several architectural awards.
  
  My husband and I were invited to a party there for a friend's 60th birthday. Believe me, it was a tough crowd of prominent NY designers. Well-- everyone was completely blown away and I know you will be too-- whatever the occasion.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Groups, Families w children

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• Kit2
  Boston, MA

  Palatial Paradise

  Left on 04/07/2010 for a stay in June 2009
  
  

  You enter into a tropical garden paradise. The atmosphere of Sac Chich makes you feel more as though you are in a castle than a transformed, historic factory. Architecturally it is very unique.Candle light fills the indoor and outdoor spaces at night creating a very romantic scene. Our bedrooms were very large and clean. The owners have elegant taste and have decorated the whole compound with lovely furnishings. We stayed quite cool within these high, stone walls despite the heat outside. The staff is very friendly and did the things for us that brought Sac Chich beyond just renting a house for vacation. Without the intrusion of a hotel staff we felt like we were hacienda owners! There is a large grass area where we played soccer and frisbee, we toured nearby Mayan ruins,we rode the bikes through Mayan villages, we trampolined, we swam in cenotes and the pool. There was more to do than our time allowed. And who wants to leave the lure of this place? The beautiful pool area is where we had the most fun playing water volleyball and then relaxing on lounges under the shade of the pergola, listening to the many varieties of song birds. The owners were very knowledgeable of the Merida area, directing us to historic ruins, cenotes, and local festivals. Pictures cannot capture how grand Sac Chich is. Our Sac Chich stay was a wonderful and unique vacation experience that this family of 4 totally enjoyed and we look forward to our return.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Friends, Groups, Tourists, Families w teenagers, Romantic, Disabilities, Luxury, Families w children, Singles

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• Joel Devin of Braintree Massachusetts Devin's
  Emeryville , California

  Dreams in full color come true

  Left on 04/01/2010 for a stay in January 2008
  
  

  Arriving late, much of what we were about to discover was still under wraps
  with the night. As we unloaded our traveling bags we could feel as though we
  were travelers of yesteryear. Majestic walls and windows and door that have
  opened and closed for hundreds of years were now at our touch. We entered
  with-eyes wide open. Vaulted ceilings, spacious rooms, candle light and low
  mood light greeted our overwhelmed faces. This place was more than we had
  asked for. We dropped everything in our rooms and just wandered the Palm
  gardens under the canopy of stars. Sleeping was easy for the trip was a days
  work and the beds were better than my own at home. Awaking to the smell of
  coffee and banana bread. Birds singing and flowers so fragrant I knew we had
  made the best choice. The staff was like family. They made every day worth
  while. We were why they came to work and they were why we were so able to
  rest and relax. The location is great . It's hub for all the Ruins to see or the
  Convents to visit but I just wanted to spend every day on the grounds with
  the fauna and flora and the pool and the hammocks. You must stay here.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Friends, Groups, Tourists, Families w teenagers, Romantic, Disabilities, Luxury, Families w children, Rugged, Singles

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• kdines
  denver, co

  Sensational Sac Chich!

  Left on 04/01/2010 for a stay in February 2010
  
  

  My husband and I had THE BEST time at Hacienda Sac Chic--at what has to be one of THE BEST kept secrets in the Yucatan! If you are into history, adventure, privacy AND luxury, this hacienda has it all. In terms of the Mayan culture and true Mexican experience, it's the real deal.
  
  Over the last six years, proprietors Cynthia and Howard Berger, have done an exceptional job restoring Sac Chich with the help of award-winning architect Salvador Reyes-Rios. We have been back three times since 2004 and seen it evolve into something truly magical. Its latest transformation includes beautiful reflective pools throughout the property, and a star gazing area complete with cushions on the roof that you reach by climbing up a gorgeous circular stairway. Every one of the rooms are well-appointed, and the bathroom in the original chimney (huge circular structure) is fabulous.
  
  Located 25 minutes outside Merida, the capital city of the Yucatan, Sac Chich offers a lot of things most "touristas" are not familiar with. Visiting an active henequen (sisal) plantation to see how rope is made, snorkling/diving in countless cenotes (deep fresh water pools), hiking amongst Mayan ruins, bird-watching, and strolling through the old colonial streets of Merida are tops on our list, though lounging around Sac Chich's lovely fresh water pool sipping margaritas is pretty hard to beat! And once the candles are lit at night, the 200+ year old hand-made adobe walls of Sac Chich take on a truly magical quality. It becomes one of the most romantic places we have ever been.
  
  Although Cynthia's staff provided light cooking and cleaning, we also enjoyed visiting the mercados (or even the local Costco) for fresh fruits and local food, and cooking some of our own meals.
  
  So if you or your family or friends are searching for an alternative to the beach, try a unique, interesting and rather exceptional experience, by visiting Hacienda Sac Chich. You will find forever memories.
  

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Tourists, Families w teenagers, Romantic, Rugged, Singles

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  Was this review helpful? Yes