As with most homes in the Yucatan this life in this large family casona happens for the most part on the portico terrace overlooking the garden. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are most often served at the table for 8 next to the kitchen though for holiday meals the dining room can seat 12 easily. The house was photographed by Don Freeman for World of Interiors last year and this year by Tim Street-Porter for the Rizzoli book Casa Mexico at Home in Merida and the Yucatan.
The casona is in the historic center of Merida near the Parque de San Juan. The house belongs to an artist friend I have known for 35 years. The family lives between New York, Paris & Los Angeles. Spending the summers in Greece and the winters in Merida. The house is furnished with an eclectic mix of art and antiques collected from around the world combined with furniture designed by the artist for the hacienda in Oaxaca where the family lived before coming to Merida. The library starts in the front entry and extends to the formal dining room. In this room are two french military camp beds and a cabinet of curiosities. The coral room is the room where the family gathers in the evenings to read or watch movies.
There is a fully furnished eat in kitchen but just as often as not the family orders dinner from Doña Dora who makes lunch for the neighborhood and has a couple of tables in her living room. She is available to make special order meals and deliver them to the house. Her daughter is the housekeeper. There is a daily guardian and grounds keeper who keeps the gardens and pool tidy.
The Master Bedroom suite is in the main house. There are two bedrooms beyond the Palm Patio and then beyond the pool is a spacious Guest House. There are stairs to the roof terrace above the guest rooms beside the pool. There is a guest house with a small kitchen beyond the pool.
This winter the family will be in India for the Holidays and this is the first time they have offered their house to Urbano Rentals. Casona San Juan is available until January 8th. There is daily maid service and home cooked meals can be arranged. There is a chance the house will be available again from June to September 2017 with advance bookings.
The Best of Yucatan Guide 