ABOUT THIS HOTEL

• DESCRIPTION
• FACILITIES
• ARCHITECTURE / DESIGN

SPECIAL OFFERS FOR THIS HOTEL

• ORIGINAL EXPERIENCE

ARCHITECTURE / INTERIOR DESIGN

Reyes Ríos & Larraín arquitectos / Salvador Reyes Ríos, Juan Carlos Galván Josefina Larraín, Ana Laura Long

Rosas & Xocolate embodies lo romantico. Located in Mérida, the capital of the state of Yucatán in southeastern Mexico, the all-natural boutique hotel lies in the rich area where long ago, the Mayan civilisation first discovered cocoa and offered it up to their gods. Yucatán, situated on the peninsula of the same name, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico. It is widely assumed that the word “Yucatán” is derived from the Nahuatl, or Aztec, word, Yokatlān, meaning "place of richness", and that is exactly what this region remains. Mérida itself was founded in 1542 by Spanish conquistadors on the site of the Mayan city whose name meant "city of the five hills" referring to the five great Mayan pyramids that surrounded it. This apex that had been one of the centres of Mayan culture for centuries is generally considered the oldest continually occupied location in the Americas.

As a result of the area’s rich and extensive history, Rosa & Xocolate has placed enormous emphasis on maintaining the presence of its historical roots in the culture of its establishment as well as in the design of the interiors and the construction of its buildings. With imposing plans inspired by Parisian urban design of the 19th century, the Paseo de Montejo was built in Mérida: an avenue boasting elegant mansions, symbols of grandeur and splendour from an era that reflected the henequen boom of wealthy landlords and landed gentry in the time of the Green Gold. Right here, from two colonial mansions, 2 centuries later arises Rosas & Xocolate. The haute-pueblo building was designed and restored by architect Salvador Reyes Rios and his partner, Josefina Larrain. The couple perfectly melded the rustic elegance of the historic mansions with modern accoutrements, such as state-of-the-art entertainment systems and dazzling open-sky bathtubs, for guests who desire the utmost in under-the-stars indulgence. The interior of the boutique hotel conserves the conceptual form of the original architecture and uses it to optimise the elegance and comfort of the contemporary embellishments.

Upping the romance factor, chocolate-based spa treatments and sweet-smelling amenities are lovingly engineered by master chocolatier Mathieu Brees. With its stylish use of such local materials as hand-fabricated cement tiles and chucum stucco, guests to Rosas y Xocolate can at once fully experience the old-world charm of the Yucatan peninsula and escape together into a subtly decadent, not to mention delicious, sea of passion.