Entire home

Artist's Retreat in the Heart of Merida

Photo gallery for Artist's Retreat in the Heart of Merida

Property grounds
Game room
Private kitchen
Property grounds
Room
Reviews
9.6

Exceptional

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioningAir conditioning
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor spaceOutdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Merida, YUC
  • Popular LocationPlaza Grande7 min walk
  • Popular LocationMérida Cathedral7 min walk
  • Popular LocationUS Visa Applicant Service Center11 min walk
  • AirportMerida, Yucatan (MID-Manuel Crescencio Rejon Intl.)14 min drive

Most relevant reviews

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining Area

About this property

Artist's Retreat in the Heart of Merida

Full of Light, Color and Space!
A delightful artist's retreat and vaction rental in the heart of colonial Merida, Yucatan, a city where the arts are celebrated!
Casa Claire is a restored 250 year old residence with two air-conditioned bedrooms with attached private bathrooms. One bedroom has a double bed, the other has two twin beds. There is additional comfortable sleeping for two in the spacious loft which overlooks the open courtyard at the center of the house.
The courtyard with lovely fountain is surrounded by open sitting and dining areas, and a well-equipped kitchen (stove and refrigerator, of course, but also microwave, mixer and coffee maker).
Above it all is a roof terrace, perfect for star gazing or catching a refreshing evening breeze.
Enjoy the Indoor/Outdoor Life. By day, swing in the courtyard hammock or sit in a colorful hammock chair, and watch the clouds go by. Most ceilings in the house are 20 feet or more, with ceiling fans throughout, making Casa Claire open, airy and bright.
Excellent Central Location
If you can pull yourself away from the easy comfort inside the house, go outside and find the city of Merida practically at your doorstep. Turning left after stepping out the front door, it's an easy five minute walk to the main square with its splendid cathedral, museums, shops and people-watching, not to mention the adjacent Jose Peon Contreras Opera House and the State University.
Turn right, and it's only a few minutes to Parque Santiago with its open fresh food and flower market, great local cuisine and beautifully restored cathedral. Go there on Tuesday nights and get a special treat! Live Big Band music under the stars and open-air public dancing!
Internet cafes, bookstores, laundry services, all-night convenience stores, restaurants, bars, movie theatres, playhouses and much more are only blocks away. The house is on calle 57 between 64 y 66.
High speed WI-FI internet included.

From a guest who stayed for the month of February 2010:
"Hi Claire,

Have just arrived back in Canada from our stay in Merida at your casa. I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed staying there. You home is absolutely lovely with its open, airy feel. The paintings were most impressive and the whole atmosphere is very creative. The plants seemed to being doing well. I noticed you had some plant food so gave them a bit twice during the month. Your property manager was easy to reach and very helpful.

Also a special Thanks for the book you left for us. Really enjoyed it and I have brought it home with me.

All the best.

Lanni"

"Perfect in every way!"
brenda002 Vancouver island, BC Canada
Reviewed September 20, 2012 for a stay in June 2012

"A brief holiday with my daughter in law and another friend to one of my favorite places in Mexico. Casa Claire made it all easy and comfortable. Walk to the zocalo, shopping at local mercados, visits to museums. Found a great driver/guide for trips to Celestun, Vallodalid and Ek Balaam. We will return for more and longer."

“Perfect Location, Very Satisfied”
ChasMac, Charleston, South Carolina

Reviewed February 3, 2011 for a stay in January 2011
"From beginning to end, our experience at Casa Claire was positive. Our flight was delayed but the property manager was there waiting when we arrived. We received a warm welcome to a lovely casa in the heart of centro. Close to Plaza Grande, and the squares of Santiago and Santa Lucia, Casa Claire was the perfect location from which to explore Merida on foot. We enjoyed morning coffee on the roof top, watching flocks of parrots frolic in the palms, and evenings in the courtyard lounging near the fountain. There was a local cell phone available for our use - and high speed wireless internet. There is no television, which was a welcome relief for the 5 weeks we spent. The entire process of rental from start to finish was professionally handled. If you visit Merida and choose a casa instead of hotel, definitely consider Casa Claire. You won't be disappointed."

Property manager

Neil Youngson

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed
By agreement with owner.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Except on roof terrace.
Electricity is charged based on usage. A security deposit of $4,000 MXN is payable at check-in, the electricity cost will be deducted at check-out.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock

About the area

Mérida

Located in Mérida, this holiday home is in the city centre. Travellers who have shopping on the agenda can visit Paseo de Montejo and Plaza Altabrisa. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Kukulcan Stadium or Estadio de Beisbol Kukulkan. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like ecotours and other activities like birdwatching.
Map
Merida, YUC

What's nearby

  • Parque Santa Lucía - 5 min walk
  • Plaza Grande - 7 min walk
  • Mérida Cathedral - 7 min walk
  • US Visa Applicant Service Center - 11 min walk
  • U.S. Consulate Merida - 5 min drive

Getting around

  • Merida, Yucatan (MID-Manuel Crescencio Rejon Intl.) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪La Chaya Maya - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Museo de la gastronomía yucateca - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Hermana Republica - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Meriland - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Cuerno de Toro Taproom - ‬2 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Artist's Retreat in the Heart of Merida pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Artist's Retreat in the Heart of Merida?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Artist's Retreat in the Heart of Merida?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Artist's Retreat in the Heart of Merida located?

Located in Mérida Centro, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán and Mérida Cathedral. Paseo de Montejo is 0.7 mi (1.2 km) away.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 27 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Susan Q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Connecticut Tourist
Casa Claire turned out to be everything I'd hoped for a winter escape from New England. I have watched this property for a number of years, and was finally able to visit. It was a great base for visiting all the sights the Yucatán has to offer, and perfect for just hanging out. The housekeeper and property managers were terrific and responsive. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to stay in el Centro near the main square.
Stayed 42 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

William L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing place
I’ve had a great time at this place. Definitely recommended.
Stayed 50 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Colleen D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolute gem in the city
This home is the best kept secret in Mérida! We really got to experience the city with our Spanish speaking teenagers, and we fell in love with Casa Claire and the cats. Also, Mérida is a great location for day trips…visiting ruins, a day at the beach, swimming in cenotes. We felt honored to stay at Casa Claire!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

willi c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice Property
We enjoyed our month in this house. You will get street noise but that comes with proximity to the business district. Loved the indoor/outdoor living area. Altogether a good experience
Stayed 29 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Sacred Place
I could happily live out the rest of my life looking at the rock wall, that sun-drenched courtyard, those vibrant colours. This space is special and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it. It wasn't perfect. Mosquitoes were a real problem, especially at first. I did complain to the property manager and they brought in a fumigator, which helped quite a bit, but I was snacked upon continuously (and in fact contracted dengue during my last week there.) Take mosquito protection seriously: This house is open to the sky except for the main bedroom. The only other negative aspect was the pillows. They're musty, smelly, lumpy, gross and old. I was tempted to buy my own while I was there. Now, on to all the things I loved! Location: You are a quick walk away from pretty much anything interesting in the city. Prime location! Kitchen: Fully kitted out, you lack for no convenience. Housekeeping: Esther cares for the house and terrace as if it were her own. She works hard to make sure your environment is perfect. She's lovely. Cats: Feeding and interacting with the cats was honestly one of the best parts of my visit. Terrace: Cool and shaded in the afternoons, sling the hammock here for sleepy swings on the private rooftop terrace. Property Manager: She was responsive and very helpful. I loved my stay at Casa Claire, and I envy you for getting to stay in this sacred space.
Stayed 49 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Miguel V., Modesto Ca.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Downtown Villa Near EVERYTHING!
It was just me and my dog and we loved it! Liked it so much I extended my stay for another 7 weeks. There were a few hiccups, but the house is 251 years OLD and the management team was able to take care of any and all minor issues. Has 3 bedrooms so great for a family stay or for friends wanting to enjoy the multiple plazas, restaurants, bars, churches all within a 5 minute walk. I highly recommend it!
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Adam L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful
We stayed three weeks. It was an absolutely wonderful stay. All the positive comments apply from previous reviews. Location is superb. Everything is easy walking distance. The neighborhood is quiet but you can be in a totally loco block full of music, food and people within just a few blocks. The casa has a ton of character. Merida in general is just a magical city. I would highly recommend staying here. Only downside were the mosquitos, they were annoying little buggers that sometimes made it hard to just relax. However it's the nature of the open aired historical architecture and the jungle I would assume. Bring some solutions for that and everything will be fine. Thanks again for an excellent vacation.
Stayed 19 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

rodolfo gallardo f.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Merida
Nice house, has more items than what is offered Owner or administrator easy to communicate with House is downtown easy to get around
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

John P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
CHARMING & CONVENIENT
To begin with I spent a month there so your experience may be different. The design and décor of the house is quite charming but be aware that, for the most part, it is open to the sky. Mosquitoes have free run at all times. The location is excellent. You can always find a good restaurant in a 6 or 8 minute walk or you can (as I did) walk to the Santiago Market for everything you need to make your own meals. Do take advantage of the produce but keep an eye out for tripping hazards on the narrow sidewalks. If you're visiting from a 1st world country your find Mexican utilities leave something to be desired. Still, I've been to Merida many time and you find you easily adjust. Tip Esther the housekeeper well. She's a gem. There's a great laundry around the corner, La Fe. If you want a guide, for any reason I recommend Argel Pedro at Yucatan Awesome Tours. Lastly, the cats are not a problem and I'm not someone who likes the little critters
Stayed 29 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic time
The place is a beautiful atrium style historic house and easily one of our favorite parts of the trip. There were board games available, among many other things like beach towels, and the cats were so cute to feed every day. The place was clean and well stocked, and Neil was the most responsive and helpful host I’ve ever worked with. Many thanks for making our trip memorable and fun!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ian Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Las Escaleras
The original property we stayed in had a water pressure issue. The property manager relocated us to las escalaeras house free of charge and was very accommodating. Neil the property manager was very nice and when my fiancé lost her computer items in the original location he found them and returned them to us.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Molly C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Stay in Merida
I stayed here for about 6 weeks, studying Spanish and exploring the Yucatan. This beautiful home is in a fantastic location that made it easy to explore the downtown area or pick up groceries and relax at home. My stay in this calm and beautiful home was wonderful, and I loved the décor. I really enjoyed working and relaxing in the outdoor area. When I had free time, I explored the area and the list of great restaurants that Neil had put together. Towards the very end of my stay, there were some issues with the water so I alerted Neil (the host) - he arrived shortly after to take a look, he sent a plumber and then he had a new pump installed to address the city water pressure issue (ongoing city pipe repairs). While that was happening, Neil opened up his other guesthouse to me. Neil is a hospitable and responsive host who goes above and beyond to ensure your stay is enjoyable! Merida is wonderful, and if you're considering booking this property, don't hesitate - it's amazing!

10/10 Excellent

Mark W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Casa Claire
Excellent, excellent place, location and manager! Very comfortable place. Reasonable rates. Great rooftop terrace.
Stayed 30 nights in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Suzanne Q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful
Most beautiful place , the outdoor areas had some mosquitos, but otherwise, lovely.

10/10 Excellent

Paul H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
.
Great location and excellent value for money
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Clif H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Place in Great Spot!
Stayed here with wife and 10-year-old son for two weeks and couldn't have enjoyed it more. Very nice house with lots of room and within walking distance of almost everything you'd want to do and anywhere you'd want to eat. Would definitely book again!

8/10 Good

Ko K.

Central to restaurants and shops
This beautiful home sits a few blocks from the main square — close enough to excellent restaurants (our three favorites, Lo Que Hay, La Cubanita, and Dadaumpa) yet far from the bustle of commerce. We were also within walking distance of multiple bakeries and enjoyed having warm, soft, fresh bread for breakfast each day, with a side of mangoes, papayas, and dragon fruit from the nearby fruit market. As visitors to this beautiful city, this central location made the stay pleasant and convenient. The two AC units also helped a great deal for afternoon naps. We would stay here again!
Stayed 12 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Daniel P.

Beautiful central location for getting to know Mérida!
Very well equipped rental and obviously at the right price. Lots of space and within walking distance of all sights and activities in the center of Mérida.
Stayed 21 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Rafael C.

Beautiful Stay in Casa Claire
Casa Claire gave me the experience I wanted: living in El Centro like a local. Perfectly located just blocks from Plaza Gran and Parque de Santa Lucia. Two of the bedrooms provided AC units which you will need in you plan to visit from during the summer. Neil, the property manager, was extremely attentive and quickly answered/resolved any of my requests during my stay. The maid service provided by Ester was superb, she is the sweetest and hardest working maid I have met. You cannot beat the price and the location!!!
Stayed 30 nights in Apr 2018

10/10 Excellent

Linda S.

Charming, comfortable, & conveniently central.
My husband & I spent a truly content 6 weeks here: 31Jan-14Mar 2018. Casa Claire is well-stocked with everything one might need, & more. The 2 bedrooms, each with AC & en suite bath, are at opposite ends of the house. Ideal for two couples, affording each privacy. There is also sleeping for 2 more in the mezzanine. Total of 13 ceiling fans throughout. We had no problem with mosquitoes at this particular time. However, I used the net to scoop out occasional larvae in the fountain whenever I noticed any. Also no problem with cockroaches. (It goes without saying: all drains covered after use, kitchen floor & counters kept clean, and no food left out.) Enjoyed having plants to tend & 2 rooftop cats to feed. Soon learnt to put out dry food - upstairs landing & merely one serving - only when I saw a cat otherwise birds will gobble it up within minutes! Property manager Neil ideally suited to his role: attentive, pleasant & very helpful. Do consult the green binder he supplied: pointers about staying at CC. Cleaning lady Ester a gem. Recommendation: pick up a free copy of the monthly publication YUCATAN TODAY at the office in the green Governor's Palace on Plaza Grande. They have many informative posts on the web as well, some about activities one might otherwise not have been aware of. Eg. visit to a hacienda still producing sisal; hammocks still being made by hand in the traditional way; a Mayan cemetery (option of a free guided tour 8pm on Wednesdays) etc. etc. On Saturdays - aft &/or eve - splendid weddings of the very well to do take place in the historic churches of Merida. Quite something to behold. The Santa Ana barrio is worth a visit (eg. several art galleries) & from there a stroll along Paseo de Montejo featuring palacios of the sisal barons of yore. On Sundays the paseo is closed to cars until noon & one can instead rent a bicycle to explore its length. Highly recommended: Tue mornings house tour offered by the Merida English Library (close by), 250pesos pp. Every week a different set of 3 homes are featured, all within walking distance. The half hour talk beforehand is splendid also. The very popular Ik Kil cenote is often on tours which combine it with a visit to Chichen Itza beforehand. Read: busloads of tourists descend on the cenote. Not fun. We opted for a tour which combined the 3 cenotes of Santa Barbara at Homun, followed by lunch. Both were quite satisfactory. We departed Casa Claire with heavy hearts. Hope you do too!
Stayed 35 nights in Jan 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Elke Z., Nürnberg

Nice casa in the center
We stayed nine nights in the casa and enjoyed it very much. It is located in the historic center and very close to the plaza, restaurants and shops. Don't miss the juice bar Pola in the street 55 just around the corner. The commnication with Neil was very good and fast and he had very good recommendations for us - for restaurants or a cenote in the surrounding. The only thing you have to know: it is very hot in Merida in July.
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

marcey l.

Quaint cozy house in the middle of Merida has a ton of charm.
Lovely detail in this centrally located artistic home. The house is a great place to come back to after adventures and a hustling city. Due to the open courtyard, which is nice and common in Meruda, the house gets dirty very fast. Also, the sweet fountain while we kept it running, it still attracted a plethora of mosquito babies. The one bedroom below the loft is not completely enclosed and therefore, while you sleep the mosquitos sneek in and had a feast nightly. We weren't even there in rainy season. All in all, this cute house was a fair exchange for the price. It could have been cleaned much more efficiently prior to our arrival; the ceiling fans, corners, behind furniture were pretty dirty built up. The host, Neil was always there for anything we needed and more. One day he took my call and tried to help us communicate with our friendly laundromat.
Stayed 28 nights in Apr 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Nancy P., Portland

Very pleasant home in the midst of Merida
Casa Claire is as beautiful in person as it is in the online photos. Coming from the Pacific Northwest in the US where a building from 1900 is considered old, it was a privilege to stay in a place that had so much history. The accommodations were plenty spacious for the two of us and it was nice to have a little elbow room. The main centro is within easy walking distance as are a couple of other squares. There is nightly music, dancing, and street activity plus good and affordable food everywhere. We found ourselves happily engaged every evening. It was difficult to go out in the heat of mid-day so we often took a siesta and/or read our books from the noon to 5:00 PM period. Perfect for vacation! The two bedrooms in Casa Claire have air conditioning which we kept going around the clock in one room. This allowed us an immediate respite from the heat and humidity whenever desired. Mornings we spent visiting museums or exploring the neighborhood. On a couple of occasions we headed out to the beach to "beat the heat". Neil was a good host . . . he was responsive to emails and made himself available as needed while also giving us our privacy. We needed one repair while we were there and he did it within just a few hours. Being there for more than three weeks, we rented a car. This wasn't necessary within Merida but it did allow us to get to the beach, explore the surrounding towns, swim in some cenotes, and get to the ruins easily. The area seemed quite safe. It wasn't exactly quiet but the noise was not troublesome when we retreated inside. We would be happy to stay in Casa Claire again and recommend it to anyone who would like to feel that they are a part of the old city.
Stayed 29 nights in Jun 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Meaghan H.

Charming Villa
We really enjoyed our stay at Casa Claire and loved the city of Merida. The property was very charming and so roomy! We loved having a kitchen and being right in the middle of the city. It was clean, safe, and the air conditioning in the rooms worked great. There was a light breeze in the rest of the house due to the open design bit might be too hot in the warmer months of the year.
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Rachele M.

Réal hospitality
A really well situated flat with everything you need for daily living. We liked having the feeling that hospitality was behind thé desire to have guests. From hats, to cooking oil, and of course kitchen equipment. Photos speak for themselves. Thanks for a nice stay, made easy by the friendly caretaker, Neil.

About the host

Hosted by Neil Youngson

Host profile image

Languages:

English
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