Hotel Julamis

This was my fifth stay at Hotel Julamis, and it never disappoints. This beautiful 200-year-old hotel provides an ambiance that perfectly matches the historic charm of Mérida. Chef Alex’s breakfasts are always the highlight of my trip (and there’s some great dining to be had in Mérida). Progreso is about an hour out of town if you want to escape to the beach, and Sisal is a much quieter (and even closer) beach option if you prize peace and quiet. Within the city, the hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of the Centro Histórico and Paseo de Montejo. If you’re visiting from the States, I recommend taking advantage of the affordable services (haircuts, massages, mani/pedicures, etc.) available here – great quality for a fraction of the price. Chef Alex and his wife, Mary, are fantastic sources for literally anything you need.

Alex is the consummate hotelier. He is charming, accommodating and very informative. The breakfast that he serves every morning is a top flight start to a days worth of sightseeing with good coffee, homemade pastries, fruit and a filling egg dish. He was very informative and helpful in planning our daily touring itineraries. He also proved to be a fantastic asset when it came to dealing with a lost item. I inadvertently left my wallet in a cab on my ride to the airport. Alex very kindly met with the driver and then mailed the wallet back to me in the states, saving me hours of bureaucratic tedium!

Although the pictures on Airbnb show a delightful, charming hotel, the reality is the opposite. The hotel has a lot of deferred maintenance and is simply not clean. An example of this is as follows: Floors dirty throughout. Not even broom clean. Probably have not seen a mop in years. Wall decorations , mostly posters, are damaged from years of humidity and sun exposure. Chairs at the reception desk are dark from years of grime Our room had no place to put our suitcases or clothes. One shelf in the closet was available, but had not been cleaned in a long time. I cleaned it myself and it blackened the towel. A dresser was provided after asking for one, but, again, the drawers had to be wiped down, blackening another towel. The bathroom sink had not been cleaned in who knows how long and had a nasty dirty film on it. The drain stopper was some disgusting looking DIY thing that I didn’t want to touch. Water pressure was bad in the sink and shower. Enough hot water for 1 shower !! The sink faucet filter screen had not been cleaned in so long, that the water sprayed out every which way. Mirror was dirty. Toilet was stained and rocked when sitting on it. Filled very slowly. The food service ware was filthy. Owner blamed on his help, although he was the one that set it out and should have noticed it. One cup had an 1/8 inch of dust on the handle. When I asked for a new coffee cup, I swear he just wiped down the same cup in the other room and brought it back. Some of the food was very good, but the croissants were great one day, but seemed to be day or week old the other days. Any food great or not is greatly diminished when served on dirty dishes. Attempts were made with the cleaning person to get things cleaned, but to no avail. This all became too much and we left. The owner’s last words were “fine” and he walked away. We complained through Airbnb and were able to get a partial refund. The proof of our claim to them was actual time stamped pictures. This was all very disheartening, disappointing and maddening as a person with a long tenure in the hospitality industry should know better. It is very clear he just doesn’t care and takes no pride in this endeavor.

Many others have mentioned the excellent location of Hotel Julamis. And yes, the bed was very comfortable, the ac worked great, the complimentary beer and water (as well as tequila and Mezcal on the roof each day) were lovely. All of these things are true, but what makes Hotel Julamis a great place to stay is the people. Chef Alex and his wife, Mary are delightful hosts, ready and willing to go out of their way to help you set up a tour, get a restaurant rec, regale you wit stories from their fascinating lives. Alex even went himself to a pharmecy to get medicine when one of his guests fell ill. Ramon does a wonderful job making up the rooms each day, and the sense of community among the guests is a total delight. Wonderful conversations at breakfast - sometimes leading to joining forces for plans - and happy hour(s) on the roof create a communal, social experience that is unique. Is this the fanciest place you can stay? No, it is not. It is unpretentious and lovely and friendly. After only 6 nights there, I felt like we had made a host of friends. It's like The Marigold Hotel of the Yucatan.|And breakfast is great too!

This beautiful historic building provides a restful, elegant hideaway within a short walk of Mérida’s downtown attractions. (Plus the new La Plancha park full of activities!) We stayed in Corazón and the bed was very comfortable, the air con worked well, and we slept peacefully each night. Sunsets are beautiful from the rooftop- enhanced by the complimentary tequila tasting. The reason we returned five years later, though, is the host and owner Alex Rudin. His welcoming and facetious personality plus gourmet breakfasts are the most memorable parts of our stays. Gracias, Alex, for welcoming us back yet again!

I loved my stay here while in Merida. The room was comfortable and clean but the shining start was our host Alex. He was funny, interesting and welcoming. He gave us some great recommendations for us while we were in the city and was happy to answer any questions we may have had. The location is great as well. You're a quick walk to most of the main downtown areas and the ADO is a very quick taxi away. Wifi is very reliable, the AC worked beautifully (if was 40C in the city when we visited) and the bed was very comfortable. 10/10 would stay again.

While the city of Merida is changing- witness La Plancha (the park)and the revitalization of Calle 47 with great restaurants and cafes- Hotel Julamis remains the same. And that’s a good thing! Starting with the marvelous breakfasts by Chef Alex and providing an oasis on the roof to meet with the other guests after a day out, it’s perfect. The number of returning guests can attest to that and the helpful, knowledgeable and fun owners- Mary and Alex. In fact we have been 5 times and have come to view our time there as a reunion as much as a vacation! I cannot recommend highly enough.

This quaint B&B is in a quiet area just NE of the main centro, but walkable to just about anyplace of interest in Merida. Chef Alex is a great host, providing lovely breakfast in the small courtyard. usually along with other guests, whom you end up conversing with, and comparing notes on things to do in Merida. In our case, that also meant 6pm get-togethers on the rooftop, to share stories, beer, tequila, mezcal, etc. and enjoy the sunset. Merida has no shortage of museums, restaurants, bars and day trips to various ruins and cenotes - not to mention the beach at Progreso - but the people and the atmosphere at Julamis made our trip to Merida fantastic. (PS - if you have the chance to spend time with Chef Alex, he's one of the most intriguing people you'll ever come across!)