The Best Hotels in Campeche, Mexico

The storied Hacienda Puerta Campeche dates back to the 16th century and feels like the rural farm it once was, despite being in the heart of downtown. Today, it wears its age well through time-worn stone arches, 18ft (5m) ceilings, thick double doors and hallways replete with rust-colored tiles. The pool is a particular showstopper carved out of historic stone doorways and buildings. Take time out at the library, indulge in a body scrub at the swanky spa, then head for a candlelit dinner to complete the luxury deal.

The Casa Don Gustavo Boutique Hotel is a history buff’s dream. It’s full of antique furniture and ornate artefacts, recreating the feel of an 18th-century Campeche casa. Immaculately tiled floors, picturesque courtyards and colonnaded walkways await you at this elegant residence, pitched conveniently next to the Plaza de la República and Plaza de la Independencia.

H177 Hotel lies in a brilliant red colonial building in the heart of Campeche’s vibrant historic center. There’s free coffee and tea on tap to keep you energized and a rooftop sun terrace with four-poster cabanas that overlook the city. Take a stroll to the nearby Puerta de Tierra, the historic gateway to the city, set between the walls previously used to defend and protect Campeche from maritime invaders.

Hotel Socaire is another bijou boutique hotel, sitting in a fuschia and canary-yellow building in the heart of the historic center. The comfy rooms include Tempur-Pedic beds, traditional Mexican designs on the cushions and artwork on the walls. Rock yourself in a hammock or sit back in a lounger by the pool to escape the heat. The bohemian retro-style Sotavento Cafe, with its rustic door-lined walls and sepia photos, is a great place to tuck into a plate of nachos or a sweet treat.

The Hacienda Uayamon still whispers back to the 1700s when it was built, with dark-stone courtyards for candlelit dinners and faded buildings lining its plant-rich gardens. Elegant bedrooms, with their dark-wood furnishings and high ceilings, continue the palatial feel. The immaculate pool lies beside ancient stone walls with pillars in the center, and the Mayan site of Edzná is nearby if you’re keen to worship at more temples.

The Perla del Mar lies south of Campeche, where the Champotón River flows into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a golden beachfront resort with 48 colorful suites, an expansive, palm tree-lined pool, a jacuzzi and steam baths – in case the ocean isn’t enough. The Chakas Restaurant will sate your appetite with fresh seafood linguine and shrimp cocktail.

The Hacienda Santa Rosa is a 17th-century former country estate adorned with carefully carved columns and lush gardens. The opulent rooms feature exposed wooden beams, 18ft (5m) ceilings and regal iron beds with crisp white linens. Have a Zen-like experience with an expert massage using therapeutic Mayan-inspired products at the Hol-Be Spa, and the Santa Rosa Restaurant is your invitation to dine under the stars, on the lavish patio or by the pool. It serves dishes such as shrimp with mango and pork-stuffed chicken breast.