We're trying to find a hotel in Merida that offers real local atmosphere, clean, preferably family-run, has a dining room that serves local-type food, that does not cater to the glitzy crowd. Our tour has us booked into a Holiday Inn which looks very posh. But we are seeking a place for a return visit that would be quite different, with lots of atmosphere, and home-like. Is there such a place?

There is an inexpensive place called the Hotel Mucuy it rents for about $12.usd per night.It's family run and does not take credit cards or reservations. the phone number is:011-52-99-28-5193 It's recommended in the guide books as well. <BR>

We stayed at the Hotel Caribe last summer. Its one block from the cathedral, about $40 a night and is a former Catholic school or convent, can't remember for sure so it has lots of character. It is clean, but ask for an upper floor room, they have air conditioning. See it at http://www.differentworld.com/mexico...s/entrance.htm

Try yucatantravel.com. Juan Ojeda who runs Yucatan Travel lives in Merida. He has a nice selection of hotels and can give you great info on things to see and do. He will also know which places will give you the best local flavor. I used Juan to help me book a trip to Akumal and was very pleased.

Two years ago, my wife and I stayed at <BR>the Casa Mexillo Guest House in Merida <BR>and thought it was great. It is a bed <BR>and breakfast (the breakfasts were splendid and filling) four blocks from <BR>the main plaza. There are only 8 rooms <BR>--each with its own character. There is <BR>a small swimming pool surrounded by <BR>foliage that is a nice place to hang out. There is also an upstairs patio <BR>with a nice view of Merida. <BR> <BR>Casa Mexillo is on Calle 68 #495--more <BR>details in Frommer's Mexico. Have a <BR>good trip--Merida is a nice city.

Probably too late for the original post, but the Dolores Alba in Merida is very good -- family run with secure parking, if you have as vehicle. They recently expanded but are still not too big. They do have a dining room but the food is nothing too special. I would walk the few blocks towards the main plaza and eat around there. They have a website at: http://dyred.sureste.com/dolores/ <BR> <BR>They also have a hotel at Chichen Itza which is very comfortable and about half the price of the large onoes there

I agree with the earlier posting about the Hotel Caribe. It is very nice, is in a perfect location 1 block from the zocalo, with a beautiful lobby, flower filled courtyard restaurant and also a sidewalk cafe that's in a great spot for people watching, rooftop pool, and plain but comfortable rooms. <BR> <BR>I also want to recommend if you are going to Chichen Itza to stay at the Hacienda Chichen Itza. You can see more about it on www.differentworld.com <BR>I stayed at both in March and had a great time.