La Tropical Villa

An Architectural Gem with a Pool at its Heart

Colonial Mérida meets contemporary styling in this Antonio-Salazar-designed home in the historical center of one of Mexico's most exiciting cities. Recently featured in Architectural Digest, Mexico, it's a dazzling space full of unexpected elements. 

Before creating the space, its designer would look through old doorways or windows to see the abandoned plots and overgrown gardens beyond. That was his inspiration–creating a world within a world, an outdoor space that's also sheltered, a place to enjoy the city then take refuge in a modern but natural oasis. For the look, he took the stones and woods of Mexico and added a nod to Mexican brutalism with textured concrete.

The house's current owners discovered the house as guests and immediately fell in love with the surprising contrasts. Singularly modern yet built with local, quality materials. Grand in its proportions (the double height living/dining room!) yet completely private and intimate. As guests, they kept coming back until the opportunity arose to make it their own. Simply put, it's a private piece of paradise, incomparable to anything else in Mérida.

One of the elements that makes the villa so appealing is the fact that it was built around the pool. It's a home in two parts – you enter through the living and dining space, and cross the garden to reach the bedroom, which is housed in a modernist-style bungalow. And though the villa consists of only one bedroom plus living areas, the pool–at 15 meters in length–is delightfully excessive.

Enter this villa for rent in Merida through the two doors of its historical facade, and you'll find a large kitchen and a living room that opens into a garden. Cross the garden to the bedroom bungalow at its end. Beside the bedroom, there's an open bathroom, with views of the garden. Lavatories, pantry and supply closets are concealed to make the space as open as possible. As well, to ensure you enjoy the pool at it's best, the the house cleaning fee includes pool maintenance and cleaning during your stay.

Read an interview with La Tropical's owner, fragrance developer and architect Carlos Huber, in our Stories section. Discover the city of Mérida through his eyes here.

AROUND

Yucatán retains a lot of authenticity, and Mérida is a gem–considered the safest city in Mexico, with a provincial atmosphere and cosmopolitan flair. For history buffs, it's a treasure trove made up of a colonial center, archeological sites, and haciendas. The cathedral square and the colorful Lucas de Gálvez Market are both within walking distance of the house.

Regional specialties like panuchos and tortas, as well as the best local restaurants, are all found on easy walks, but if you'd prefer to eat at home, the kitchen is fully set up for cooking, and there are many little convenience stores nearby, as well as a nearby market.

Adventurers will love the many cenotes (sunken lakes in which you can swim), kayaking in the mangroves, or going horseback riding on the beach in Sisal, with long extensions of dunes and mangroves along a very peaceful shore (70km, or 1h by car). Meanwhile, wildlife lovers should head for the reserve at Celestún, especially in flamingo season, from November through February.

Farther afield, visit the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal (85km, or 1h 10 mins by car), and or the lovely, canary-yellow town of Izamal (1h by car). Progreso, the local Meridanos' beach escape, is the nearest coastal town (45 minutes).

LOCATION

Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico. Nearest airports: Mérida International Airport (MID): 6km (10 mins by taxi), Cancún International Airport (CUN): 300km.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Mérida is warm all year round. November to April has mild and spring-like weather. And the absolute best time to visit Mérida is around 1st November for the Día de los Muertos festivities. May to August are hot and humid months so a great time to make the most of the pool.