A wonderful experience.
Casa Sisal is a wonderful place to spend a week of your life. For my wife and me, it was as if we had been transported into an exotic world, clearly connected to today but also steeped in the history by which the Hacienda Sac Chich found its way to this time and place. It is more luxurious than any hotel suite at ten times the price, and comes with a well-stocked kitchen and staff. Nonetheless, if you are the all-inclusive hotel type, this place is probably not for you. The accommodations at both the Casa Principal and at Casa Sisal express a quiet tastefulness that combines a sense of high luxury without making the error of overstatement. Attention was paid to combining the modern comforts we all seek with a feel for the past. While the Casa Principal consists of restored historic structures in a most pleasant way, Casa Sisal, newly constructed, rose out of the grounds and ruins combining ancient Mayan building techniques with almost a Frank Lloyd Wright sense of style… We liked the results so much that we took our hosts up on an offer to obtain a copy of the book dedicated to its construction. Speaking of our hosts, if you are so lucky as to run into Cindy and Howie during your stay, you will encounter hosts that made us feel like longtime friends. Guest: Steven E (Hudson Valley, New York)
Date of Stay: 02/23/11
My husband and I spent a wonderful 9 nights at Casa Sisal earlier this month. We are design and architecture enthusiasts, and the house exceeded our expectations with the attention to detail and thoughtful touches. It was a delight to wake up each morning in such a beautiful setting. Late afternoons were often spent enjoying the pool and seeing the sky darken over the beautiful grounds. Our day trips included visits to Merida (including a Wednesday morning house and garden tour), Chichen Itza, Mayapan, Uxmal, a local cenote, Hacienda Temozon for a lovely brunch, Hacienda Yaxcopoil, Hacienda Ochil for an early dinner, Hacienda Xcanatun for an amazing dinner at Casa de Piedra, the charming Izamal where we enjoyed a carriage ride, and Vallodolid, among others. Bartola and her sister Soco were very helpful and unintrusive. Cyndy and Howard's notes and suggestions were great in planning our trip and daily outings.
Guest: Chris & Josh(New York, New York)
Date of Stay: 03/05/11
Sensational Sac Chich!
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, 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 is well appointed, and the new bathroom in the original water tower (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, snorkeling/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. 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. - kdines, Denver, CO Date of stay 2/10
After our experience visiting Hacienda Sac Chic, the magical memories still linger with color images in my mind. It was a fabulous mix of activity, architectural history, cultural diversity, epicurean surprises and days that flowed with no sense of time. Relaxing by the pool, dining with large groups of friends, candles flickering in the warm gentle evenings while the music filled the air. The attention to detail, the warmth of the owners and the gracious hospitality was not to be exceeded in all my years of experienced as a well-seasoned traveler. Would I return? Yes, however, only with my closest friends and family to share yet again this unsurpassed experience, inhale the local fragrances and feast my eyes on the tropical paradise. It is beyond a five star experience. They have established a new higher standard. Go and enjoy your dream memories. - Artana, San Francisco Date of Stay: 3/10
What a fantastic time everyone had at your home and the surrounding area. We absolutely loved your house. It was just gorgeous. Soco and Bartola were wonderful and did a great job during our visit. No one got sick...including me! Phew.... my time in Mexico without a major medical trauma! Thank you for sharing your wonderful home. We had a fabulous family vacation... one we will never forget. Happy New Year......M. Johnson Chicago, Illinois Date of stay 12/10
I just want to let you know how much I enjoyed my stay at Hacienda Sac Chich. It was absolutely amazing…the gardens, the buildings, the roof top sunsets, the staff, all your great directions…. everything was so fantastic. I can’t wait to go back. Sophie was a great addition to the hacienda. She was really fun to have around. Bartola and Soco were great and perceptive, as you had said. I really enjoyed the proximity to so much fun stuff: Merida, Acanceh, Izamal, the tres cenotes in Cuzama, Hacienda San Jose. And there were so many places we did not make it to: Mayapan, Hacienda Teya, more of Merida, all the famous taco places. I loved the home-made popsicles, the pedi-cab rides, the village setting and so much more …it’s just great! Thank you both so much for opening up your lovely and oh so special home to us. We feel privileged to have been able to enjoy it and hope so much to return. With such fond memories. - Chuck, Minneapolis, MN Date of Stay: 3/10
As you drive the five miles or so off the main road from Merida or Cancun (HWY 180) passing through a few small Yucatacan villages, you immediately start to relax. You see the simple way people live, the children running around playing, the school children in uniform gathered around a store during a break, and lots of women walking about on their daily missions. The countryside seems a million miles from the traditional, hectic US life. And that is just what we were after. As you enter the tiny town of Sac Chich you arrive at the Hacienda through iron gates and into a tropical paradise. Soco and Bartola, the domestic help, are there with shy smiles and fresh tortillas, guacamole and salsa waiting for us. But where to go to eat them??? Shall we go to the rooftop and listen to the birds and catch some sun? Or should we go to the pool, or sit by the water gardens or in the loggia? Or stay right in the kitchen, cooled by soaring ceilings and cool breezes through the French window? These are the types of dilemmas you are up against. And at every meal!! The hacienda itself is an amazing estate…the gardens, the interior with its high ceilings and antique henequen machine equipment, the bedrooms with lovely linens, the pool, the loggia, the indoor sitting area, the roof top lounge for viewing the sun set…it’s all so great. Cyndy and Howard have thought of everything and were so helpful with maps, rides from the airport, local information. Another thing we love about Hacienda Sac Chich is its proximity to so many great places to visit. There is a ton to do/explore if you wish. There is a great little town about a mile away called Acanceh, population about 4,000, that has great taco stands, a morning market, a clinic, home-made coconut ice-cream (that alone I would travel thousands of miles for)…just about anything you need. We walked into town in the cool of the morning and took a “pedi-cab” back to the hacienda with our market wares. So fun and so charming. Our kids loved it. The other thing I would travel thousands of miles to see again were the hundreds of lightning bugs that lit up the grasses and trees right after it got dark. If you walk through the loggia gate looking towards casa sisal (a super cool, modern house on the property) and let your eyes adjust to the immense dark a few seconds you will see them! And then soon the frogs come out to sing/scream! - Jennifer, Saint Paul, MN Date of Stay: 3/10
Hacienda Sac Chich was one of the most amazing places I have ever stayed! The rooms were all comparable to top notch hotels. The room I stayed in had a very comfortable king sized bed with plush white linens. The building itself is incredible because of the historical significance and yet, it still maintains a modern feeling. The property provides a very relaxing atmosphere. I really enjoyed walking the grounds and taking pictures of all the beautiful flowers and lush shrubbery. We went during the summer (July) and while during the day it was hot, the infinity pool was never far away. The town itself is close enough to feel like your not alone. The hacienda is also distant enough to feel like you are in your own private world. We took side trips to the pyramids and cenotes (underground pools) on the weekend and everything was close enough that getting to attractions was not a problem. I highly advise anyone who is looking for a place to rent to pick Sac Chich! The experience I had was one of a kind and unforgettable to say the least. - Joanna22, Denver Date of Stay: 2/10
Hacienda Sac Chich is the perfect antidote to cookie-cutter vacation resorts. This property is one of a kind--absolutely unique and breathtakingly beautiful. You'll be living in the hacienda culture that dominated the Yucatan more than a century ago, but you'll have contemporary comfort and design blended into the architecture of the industrial revolution. There are too many unique places and spaces to describe--the pool, the rooftop, the sunken lounge in the master suite, the bocce court, the loft, and the utterly spectacular guest rooms in the new building. If you can drag yourself away from the hacienda, there are plenty of fascinating side trips to cenotes, Mayan ruins and colonial cities such as Merida and Valladolid. But whether you explore the region or stay on the grounds, this will be one vacation you'll never forget. - Anonymous, Denver, CO Date of Stay: 2/10
Palatial Paradise
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. Candlelight 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 songbirds. 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. - Kit2, Boston, MA Date of Stay: 6/09
For anyone who is looking for a unique vacation - far from your typical Hyatt Resort - look no farther. Experience the real Mexico in an exquisite environment that blends traditional architecture with modern amenities. From the moment you arrive you understand that you have been transported to a very special world. We just returned from the hacienda where our group of 5 friends enjoyed a "ladies only" birthday vacation. We each had our own bedroom and bath but spent most of our time poolside with margaritas in hand - made with the freshly squeezed lime juice. But the hacienda owners also guided us to a host of memorable experiences throughout the region including exploring Mayan ruins, cooling off in a Mexican cenote, and visiting the lively city of Merida. This is a wonderful place for any occasion but a very special place for a special occasion. - Anonymous, Northern California Date of Stay: 6/09
What bliss! We had a truly unforgettable 30th wedding anniversary celebration at Sac Chich! Exquisite style and attention to detail make this beautiful home a luxurious destination. We look forward to returning again soon to relax at this lavish refuge and to explore more of the fascinating Yucatan. - J & J Stratis, Denver, CO Date of Stay: 10/08
This hacienda is a treasure that is perfect for ANY group or event. My husband and I spent one magical Christmas there and over the past five years, have celebrated several other happy occasions including a May birthday and Valentine's Day. Sac Chic is as private as it gets, yet also conveniently located near many of the lesser- known Yucatan attractions. It has the original adobe charm that many remodeled haciendas lack. The designer/architects and owners have created a comfortable sanctuary as well as a marvelous historical estate with all the creature comforts. Some of our favorite Sac Chic moments include: candlelit dinners on the open-air platform; lolling by the pool while sipping a margarita; marveling at an electrical storm from the gardens; and taking a nap in a hammock listening to birds call at sunset. Once you go there, Sac Chic will become etched in your mind and soul and you will want to return again and again. - Anonymous, CO Date of Stay: 9/08
I've been to Sac Chich several times and each time I find something I didn't before. It's perfect balance of great design, relaxed atmosphere and wonderful help there make it a place for me to go and unplug. A perfect place to "do nothing" or take day trips to the great ruins, the beach or even Tulum... perfect. - Anonymous, NY, NY Date of Stay: 9/08
Dreams in full color come true
Arriving late, much of what we were about to discover was still under wraps with the night. As we unloaded our traveling bags we felt as though we were travelers of yesteryear. Majestic walls, windows and doors that have opened and closed for hundreds of years were now at our touch. We entered with eyes wide open. Vaulted ceilings, spacious rooms, candlelight and low mood lighting 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 day’s work and the beds were better than my own at home. 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 a hub for visiting the Ruins or the Convents, but I just wanted to spend every day on the grounds with the fauna, flora, the pool and the hammocks. You must stay here. - Joel Devin, Braintree, MA Date of Stay 1/08
Awards
1st Place, International Architectural Award
On October 27, 2011 at the 20th anniversary of the CEMEX International Building Awards held in Monterrey, MX, Casa Sisal was selected from 3 finalists in the Mexican "Single Family Housing" division as the 1st Place winner and then went on to compete against the winners from other countries where Cemex is represented. This pres- tigious award is bestowed on the architectural project that best represents the innovative use of concrete, architectural design, respect for the environ- ment and execution. It was a surprise to us all that this highly regarded Inter- national jury of architects chose Casa Sisal as the 1st place winner in both the National and International categories.
Printed Publications
