| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 26/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 36 |
| Copyright: Other |
Accommodation by Isabel choat
To find true hospitality, head for the Hacienda
Properties reflect country’s rich history
With no shortage of budget hotels charging a pittance for a room, Mexico, like the rest of Latin America, has always catered for the poverty-stricken backpacker living on £10 a day.At the other end of the scale, there are plenty of international hotel chains in the beach resorts and main cities. However, now a new type of accommodation is coming into the market – the Hacienda – catering for high-spending travellers who want to experience Mexico independently but who want to do it in style.
Set on old sugar or sisel plantations, Haciendas were built by rich landowners during Spanish rule but have long since gone to rack and ruin. However, private owners have bought up many properties and restored them to their former glory.
Unlike more traditional hotels, Haciendas tend to be located outside the main towns allowing guests to get away from it all and experience authentic Mexican hospitality in quiet surroundings.
Journey Latin America was one of the first operators to introduce Haciendas to the UK market 18 months ago and it estimates that 50% of its clients spend at least part of their stay at a Hacienda.
Marketing director Chris Parrot said:”It is something that, until recently, was sorely lacking in Mexico. Previously we had to accommodate clients in four or five-star hotels. There was little for clients who wanted to stay somewhere authentically Mexican that reflected its heritage.
Haciendas are not luxurious in the sense that they do not necessarily boast all the latest mod cons in every room but the surroundings and ambience are luxurious. We will generally fly clients into Merida or Cancun and then arrange a three or four-day package linked by car or self drive.”
Journey Latin America features five Haciendas, including the Hacienda San Jose, in the Yucactan near the ruins of Chichen Itza, Hacienda Temazon, a 17th century property near the ruins of Uxmal, and Santa Rosa, another 17th century building.
Parrot added that the properties are suited to the European market rather than the North American because Americans tend to be more beach oriented.
Tim Reed, director of TRI Hotel Marketing which represents the four Haciendas – three in the Yucatan and one in Campeche – says demand for Haciendas is up with the UK leading the European market.
While Haciendas can vary from ten-twelve rooms to two hundred, most of those offered by UK operators are smaller properties. Reed said: “They are very personal. Guests can sit down with the manager and discuss an itinerary.
“The manager may even go with them, giving them a chance to see areas not normally visited by tourists.”
Cox and Kings plans to include four properties to the a new hotel section of its 2001 brochure – due out on August 1.
Abercrombie and Kent has included two Hacienda stays in its Royal Road tour of the south of Mexico, starting in Mexico City and finishing in Merida.
Product manager, Americas Allison Burnett said: “We want to be discerning in the properties we offer. They really give a true taste of Mexico.”
Lazy days:the Hacienda Santa Rosa allows customers to visit the country in style
Flavour: the properties allow visitors to get a real taste of Mexico
selling points
Haciendas
n They offer a complete getaway but are still within reach of major sites in the Yucatan such as Chichen Itza and Uxmal.
n They offer authentic Mexican experience from the decor to the food.
n They offer very personal service.
n The manager will organise excursions.
n They are not cheap but they offer an alternative to traditional hotels.
n Journey Latin America has a two-centre break for £732. The price covers two nights at the Santa Rosa and two at the San Jose. It includes taxes, excursions, breakfasts and one candlelit dinner with wine. Flights are not included.
Hideaway: the Santa Rosa is in a quiet location