The 20-room mid-range Piedra de Agua Hotel Boutique is a one-minute walk from the sights and museums of Merida’s main square. The historic colonial mansion features beautiful Old World details, like open-air hallways and decorative floor tiles, as well as a lovely atrium patio and a charming, vine-lined courtyard with an outdoor bar and pool. While guest rooms are pleasant enough and equipped with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, decor is spare, bathrooms are tiny, and some furniture shows wear and tear. The small fitness center and spa treatment area are also underwhelming, as they're located in an open-air hallway and have limited privacy. For charming, individually decorated rooms, travelers should consider Hotel Julamis, which has a lovely rooftop terrace with a hot tub and a free gourmet breakfast at a similar price point, though it's farther from the Zocalo. 

The upscale Casa Lecanda is a charming boutique hotel with seven rooms and lovely gardens in a central location two blocks from Paseo Montejo, Merida’s main avenue. Interiors are tastefully appointed and feature original details like decorative tiling and exposed ceiling beams. The elegant rooms marry such features with handsome, custom wooden furniture as well as modern comforts like flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi (though they lack tea/coffee making facilities), plus some have balconies. Common spaces include several lovely patios furnished with comfortable seating amid the lush, green gardens, and there’s also an outdoor pool. Though there’s no full restaurant, the hotel’s wine and tequila bar serves snacks, and daily continental breakfast is included in room rates. The nearby Rosas & Xocolate hotel has a full restaurant as well as a spa and fitness center, but rates are more expensive.

The 15-room Hotel Casa San Angel is a charming, upper-middle-range, boutique hotel located right at the start of the prestigious Paseo Montejo, Merida’s main avenue that’s lined with restaurants, shops, beautiful mansions, and museums. Centered around an enchanting inner courtyard festooned with potted plants and greenery, the property provides a relaxing stay -- a tranquil atmosphere that's maintained by a no-kids-under-12 policy. Rooms are spacious and homey, and though amenities are limited -- there are no in-room minibars, mini-fridges, or tea/coffee facilities -- they feature pleasant, Mexican decor, lovely bathrooms, and hammocks. The hotel’s restaurant serves tasty Mexican fare, and there’s a small outdoor pool on-site. There’s also a boutique stocked with an assortment of Mexican arts and crafts made by local artists. The nearby Casa Lecanda is more luxurious and offers a larger pool, but rates are more expensive.

Set in an old, rambling house full of colorful common rooms and charming outdoor spaces, Luz En Yucatan is a mid-range hotel that’s full of character and a laid-back vibe. An array of individually-decorated rooms range in size from standard offerings to large suites and one-bedroom apartments with kitchens, as well as a penthouse, all equipped with flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges stocked with free welcome beers. Other perks include a free bar cart in the hallway, and though there’s no restaurant on-site nor breakfast available, guests are free to use a communal kitchen and dining room. There's also a lovely outdoor pool in a charming courtyard that's a welcome respite in the hot summers. Tourists are drawn by the hotel’s inviting, easygoing atmosphere and convenient location that's a short walk to most of Merida’s top sights, though for something a bit more stylish, travelers might also want to consider the Hotel Julamis.