Historic Private Hacienda | Luxury Near Mérida

Tucked away within the lush grounds of Hacienda Sac Chich, Casa de Maquinas is a spectacular complex of three limestone buildings, a historic water tower, and an 85-foot chimney rising above palm-filled gardens. Dating back to 1850, the three 2,000 sq. ft. rectangular structures are surrounded by tropical greenery and echoes of the hacienda’s working past. Iron wheels, massive beams, and other remnants of its former utilitarian life blend seamlessly with the modern comforts of today. The space Casa Vieja (Building 1) Casa Vieja includes a spacious living room, a Colonial kitchen, two full bathrooms (one set inside the restored water tower), and two king bedrooms. One of the bedrooms also features a loft with a double and single bed, making it ideal for families or groups. All bedrooms are air-conditioned. Each bedroom, as well as the main bathroom, opens directly to the pool and garden. Once the estate’s water tank, the freshwater pool is now a shimmering retreat from the Yucatán sun. Shaded by a steel-and-bamboo pergola, with a shallow “playita” and a hammock suspended above, it’s a perfect spot to relax. The Colonial kitchen is fully equipped, with a charcoal BBQ just outside for open-air cooking. The airy living room includes a stereo system connected to speakers throughout both houses and outdoor areas, along with a collection of games and books. Casa Nueva (Building 2) Opposite Casa Vieja stands Casa Nueva, with a dramatic central hallway leading to three king bedrooms, each with its own full bathroom. The soaring 26-foot ceilings and grand 13-foot doors give every room a sense of scale and elegance. The highlight is the Primary Bedroom, which includes a sunken living area, a private walled garden with a settee, and a plunge pool for cooling off in total privacy. Like Casa Vieja, Casa Nueva is fully air-conditioned. The Loggia (Building 3) Connecting Casa Vieja and Casa Nueva is the Loggia — an open-air living and dining space surrounded by lily and fish-filled reflecting ponds. With dramatic lighting, two sofas, a fireplace, a built-in settee, hammock space, and a large dining table, the Loggia is the social heart of Casa de Maquinas. Climb the enclosed spiral staircase to a rooftop lounge and star-viewing platform — the perfect spot to watch sunsets, storms rolling in, or the starlit night sky. The Grounds Beyond the main buildings, in a hidden garden, you’ll find a regulation-size bocce ball court. The hacienda’s perimeter is framed by dry-stacked stone walls, tall ficus hedges, and walls of limestone-filled metal cages, blending rustic tradition with modern design. The gardens are filled with rare palms, bamboo, ginger, tropical plants, and fruit trees, creating a lush and exotic setting that completes the hacienda’s timeless charm.