Casa Ki by Enekén Studio, a private home in Mérida's Centro Histórico

A Courtyard Home in Mérida's Centro Histórico

Ki was the fiber that once left Mérida on railways and arrived in ports worldwide, braided into the ropes of merchant vessels. Enekén Studio made it the protagonist of this house: woven into chairs, knotted into decorative objects, traced through finishes.

The living room opens directly onto the courtyard, and the threshold between inside and out is minimal. Walls, floors, and ceiling lights draw their tone from local limestone. Joinery in mahogany and red cedar runs through the house, creating contrast against the pale surfaces. Antiques and collected art pieces appear in each room. The kitchen is fully equipped with gas stove and oven, fridge, microwave, and purified tap water.

The central courtyard is organized around a mango tree that was preserved from the original plot. Beneath it are a pool sized for cooling down rather than laps, two lounge chairs, wooden seating, and a stone backgammon table. The terrace above catches the evening breeze.

What we love

The circular window tells you there's something to see before you've even opened the gate. Inside, a mango tree that was never moved shades the pool. If you feel like venturing out, Huniik on Calle 60 is worth the reservation. Chef Roberto Solís has landed it among Latin America's 50 best.

Layout

This vacation home for rent in Mérida, Yucatán sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms across two levels.

The master suite on the ground floor has a king-sized bed, a large closet, desk, safe, LED TV, and a full bathroom with soaking tub, shower, vanity, and hair dryer.

The second bedroom also has a king bed, full bathroom, and closet.

The third bedroom, on the second floor, has two double beds and its own full bathroom one level below.

A small entrance hall connects the street to the courtyard.

Experiences

A concierge can arrange introductions to Mérida's craft and cultural scene, with Yucatecan cooking experiences, visits to local artisan workshops, excursions to nearby cenotes, and hacienda day trips.

Good to know

Casa Ki operates as a private home with housekeeping throughout the stay and concierge access. Pets are welcome. One car parking space included on site. A folding cot is available on request. A small fitness kit (dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance band, jump rope, treadmill, and two yoga mats) is available on request.

Amenities & services

Pool, air conditioning in all rooms, ceiling fans, daily housekeeping included, concierge service, fully equipped kitchen (gas stove, gas oven, microwave, refrigerator), purified tap water, washing machine, LED TV with cable in master bedroom, wireless broadband internet, private parking (covered), safe in master bedroom, soaking tub in master bedroom, iron and steam iron, folding cot (on request), fitness kit (on request), pets welcome, children welcome, buzzer entry. A complimentary morning courtesy basket (consisting of fresh bread, coffee, and fruit) is delievred daily. A full breakfast is available at additional cost.

Around

Mérida's Centro Histórico is one of the largest in Mexico and one of the most walkable. The Calle 47 gastronomic corridor, which has become the backbone of the city's dining scene, is within easy reach, anchored by Oliva Enoteca (handmade pasta, a Yucatán readers' poll favorite) and Apoala, which brings Oaxacan cooking to a terrace overlooking Parque Santa Lucía. Huniik, ranked among Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants and led by chef Roberto Solís, is the room to book for a serious meal. The great colonial cultural institutions (MACAY, the Teatro Peón Contreras, the Pinacoteca Juan Gamboa Guzmán) are all easy to reach on foot. A car is useful for day trips to cenotes, Uxmal, or the Mérida coast.