Yucatan Peninsula: The Home of the Ancient Mayans

Merida, the capital of the Yucatan Peninsula, is famed for its tropical rainforests and as the home of the ancient Mayans; the Hacienda Xcanatun and Angsana Heritage Collection are located there and were recently extended.

Haciendas, or huge rural estates, were the hubs of economic and social activity in colonial Mexico. Hacienda Xcanatun, which translates as “tall stone house” in Mayan, was originally constructed in 1789 for the purpose of housing and managing animals. Henequén, the Spanish word for Yucatan sisal, the fibre of a maguey plant native to the region, was the primary material for fabrics, cords, and textiles shipped worldwide from the mid-19th to early-20th centuries, and the hacienda soon grew affluent as a result.

Jorge Ruz Buenfil, the son of a well-known archaeologist, and his wife Cristina Baker converted Hacienda Xcanatun into a hotel in the 1990s.

Banyan Tree Group, under its Angsana brand, which is recognised for combining local flair with exciting locations, purchased Hacienda Xcanatun in 2020. In addition to the 18 classic suites that have been a part of the resort’s design for centuries, the resort has now unveiled 36 completely new suites after two years of cautious enlargement with attention to detail.

Natural wood, leather, regional limestone (which gave Merida its moniker “the white city”), and the local pasta tiles typically seen in henequén haciendas come together in perfect harmony in each of the new suites.

An Olympic-sized swimming pool, a solarium with poolside snack bar, a fully equipped fitness centre, and an Angsana Spa have all been added to the resort as part of the extension so that visitors may relax and recuperate in the outdoors.

Hacienda Xcanatun, Angsana Heritage Collection, is a magnificent urban resort where history and tradition meet modern sensibilities, and it is surrounded by four acres of private gardens and rich greenery.

Riads Marrakech, Angsana Heritage Collection

Riads Marrakech, Angsana Heritage Collection is a luxury hotel in Marrakech, Morocco, located just a few minutes from the famous Jemaa el-Fna Square. The hotel consists of six riads, which are huge traditional buildings constructed around a central courtyard, and features 42 rooms and suites decorated in traditional Moroccan style.

The six riads were converted from dars, typical Maghrebi family dwellings. A series of rectangular doors of varied widths surround a square patio in the middle of the home, serving to control the indoor climate in both summer and winter. The original dars were dubbed the more poetic riads (or “garden” in Arabic), and they are still a staple of the Marrakech skyline today.

Riad Si Said

In 1860, a wealthy family from Marrakesh commissioned the construction of the Oriental-style Riad Si Said. This home’s style and decor have been carefully preserved for generations after being influenced by the adjacent Bahia Palace. Riad Si Said has three comfortable sitting areas, each with a fireplace, a library, and a view of the garden’s beautiful zellij (handmade ceramic mosaic tiles on floors and walls). This riad has six rooms: three suites and an Ambassador Suite, all of which look out over the interior courtyard. The rooftop solarium, rooftop patio, and outdoor pool may all be found at Riad Si Said.

Riad Blanc

The modest and exquisite Riad Blanc was constructed in the 1970s and takes its name from the sugar-white internal courtyard, which is evocative of the famed white towns of Andalucia in southern Spain. The intricate wrought iron railings and window grills, stained glass windows, potted orange trees, and turquoise-tiled plunge pool on the double-height roof terrace are all nods to Andalucian style. Riad Blanc has six luxurious rooms and suites available.

Riad Bab Firdaus

Riad Bab Firdaus (meaning “gateway to heaven” in Arabic) was constructed in the late 19th century and features a stunning central courtyard ornamented with gabs (picked, honeycomb-shaped plasterwork) and tagguebasts (cornices of sculpted plaster) around its central columns. A hidden light well brightly illuminates the basin fountain, and the terrace’s sizable size offers a breathtaking view of the Atlas Mountains.

As an homage to the Tamazight people of Southern Morocco, the six rooms and suites all have stucco walls, smooth tadelakt (waterproof lime plaster), and ornate furniture. There is a Thai restaurant in the courtyard, a rooftop sun deck, and the Angsana Spa, which has a hammam with a barrel-vaulted brick ceiling to add to the enigmatic atmosphere of Riad Bab Firdaus.

Riad Tiwaline

This secluded riad is located in the quiet Riad Zitoune neighbourhood, down an alley dating back to the 14th century. Renovated in the 2000s, local architectural details have been preserved, such as warm cedar woodwork, wrought iron latticework, and intricate Berber motifs, reminiscent of the towns surrounding the Atlas Mountains: Azilal and Imilchil and the Todra canyon. Its five spacious rooms, or tiwaline in Arabic, are exquisitely adorned with antiques and traditional furnishings.

Riad Dar Zaouia

Riad Dar Zaouia, whose name means “a place of retreat” in Arabic, is a hotel that was constructed in the 19th century on the site of a former zaouia, or religious school. It has 10 rooms and suites and is located in the center of the ancient Medina (walled city), close to the famous Bahia Palace and Dar Si Said Museum. The spacious terrace and skylight at Riad Dar Zaouia create an atmosphere of peace and camaraderie, making it an excellent choice for a romantic getaway.

Riad Lydines

Riad Lydines is an elegant hotel with seven rooms that go out to a patio, pool, and garden in the Kasbah, the most exclusive section of the medina. All of the restoration work done on this historic home was done by hand, earning it the nickname “hands” (or “lydines”) from the locals. The Saadian Tombs and the Royal Palace are both within walking distance of Riad Lydines.