Hacienda San Jose Cholul

Customer Ratings
This is a Satisfaction Rating based on our own customer feedback

Hacienda San José Cholul is a superbly restored aristocratic residence enveloped in exuberant Yucatán forest offering luxury accommodation.

This captivating restored hacienda exudes historical atmosphere. The story of the riches accrued by the owners of Yucatán estates during the sisal boom is relatively well known, but to have the privilege of staying at one or more of them really brings the story alive.

Upon the collapse of the sisal trade this and similar properties fell into disrepair, but fortunately were acquired and revived as luxury accommodation, refurbished in a way which truthfully reflects the Spanish colonial spirit and style as well as the original affluence. The huge guest rooms are adapted from the workshops and offices, with lofty, beamed ceilings, cool tiled floors, heavy double wooden doors and rustic décor.

The chapel, in which some of the original 18th century frescoes have been preserved, houses a small library. There’s an al fresco restaurant offering delightful setting in which to enjoy the magic of the surrounding bird-filled forest and the 40m pool lies beside the fruit-bearing trees of an orchard dating back over a century.

San José de Cholul is one of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Luxury Collection.

What our clients say

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

Most memorable experience: The live music in Merida, Izmal, Edzna and Campeche.
JS Winscombe
Most memorable experience?: It's impossible to pick any individual aspect; but a number of experiences stood out: the visit to the "voodoo" church at St Juan Chamula (extraordinary and unexpected), the visit to the shrine of the Madonna of Guadalupe on the way to Teotihuacan in Mexico City (similar, and helped understand Mexican history), Palenque (the most beautiful and atmospheric of the pre-hispanic sites), and swimming in the three cenotes at Cuzama near Merida, which we arranged ourselves.
AR Gospel Oak
Great!
"Uxmal - I loved everything about that day trip, the company of Raul, we learned a lot about Mexico with him, the food as he took us to a nice place but most of all he was able to understand that we were a kind of slow paced people and he gave us plenty time."
AS, Chiswick
Best experience: “Chichen Itza. That was the reason for making the trip and it lived up to its expectations. I also loved the snorkelling in Azumal. It was spectacular.
TH Sweeden
Lovely!
"A highlight was the street dancing and music in Mérida, what a lively city!"
Ms, Cambridge
Highlights: A day trip we took to Xel-ha where we swam with dolphins. Also, the visits to the main piramids, such as Uxmal
EP Royal Oak
Uxmal and Kabah: Much quieter than Chichen Itza but therefore more enjoyable.
JF Bishops
Enjoyed the fact that the cenotes we visited were far from the tourist circuit and had not been turned into themed experiences.
SR, Borehamwood
Most memorable experience: “Difficult to single out any particular aspect. The holiday was an excellent blend of history and culture, along with a final day to relax on the coast. We had time to explore on our own (important in the case of Chichen Itza where the timing of the guided tour on our arrival meant we were part of a vast circus of visitors).
SR Borehamwood
Highlights: San Cristobal was lovely. Chichen Itza was very impressive. Merida was fun in the evenings.
AC, West Byfleet
Most memorable experience: We stayed in varied and interesting places and learnt a lot about Mayan culture. The day out to Bonampak and Yaxchilan was outstanding. However, we also arranged 2 bird watching activities for ourselves and 2 further excursions to archaeological sites which we enjoyed arranging on the ground. Having the free time to improvise in this way was enjoyable
AD, Reading
Uxmal and Kabah archaeological sites, Mexico City Very enjoyable, despite the tropical rain storm. Our guide was excellent.
DC Nottingham
Most Memorable Moment: Street dancing and music in Merida, what a lively city!
MS, Cambridge
Highlights:- We liked the variety of our trip - ancient Mayan ruins, real Mexican towns and people, and beautiful beaches. It was wonderful to access Chichen Itza from the grounds of Mayaland Resort and get in there early and before it was too hot without any crowds. We loved swimming in Dzitnup Cenote.
PR, Brentwood

Tailor made holiday

Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for 40 years. We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.

Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Top Hits
Top 5 things to pack for the jungle
Learn more
View Extraordinary Inspiration
Other
Fifty Years of Fidel’s Cuba
Learn more
View Extraordinary Inspiration
Other
Halloween Inspired: Latin America’s Spookiest Myths
Learn more

Mexico’s Mayan secrets

Learn more

Stories from the Road: Our Nandu group tour

Learn more

Real Latin America Experts

Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert
Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.
Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert
Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.
Ben Line - Travel Expert
Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.
Lina Fuller - Travel Expert
Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.
Millie Davies - Travel Expert
Having caught the travel bug as a child, Millie has travelled all over Latin America before making her home in Buenos Aires for 3 years.
Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert
Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.