I heard about Las Arecas Bed and Board thru trip advisor.

I was looking for a place that would be different than the Big Chain hotels that you find in every other city.

I read the reviews from other guests, and the one thing that stood out was the quality of the service at Las Arecas.

It was getting better ratings than some of the major 4 star hotels, and was much more affordable.

I selected the room,and made my reservation directly with the owner Mauro, and was confirmed quickly.

The outside of the Building did not look like the big hotels at all. It was more like going to someones home.

I was greeted by Mauro, and introduced to Raul his assistant, who both spoke good english.

My room was very comfortable, with a full kitchen, and a separate bedroom area.

Outside my room was a garden area where guests could sit, and meet and just relax.

The breakfast in the morning always had fresh fruits, and hand squeezed orange juice, along with a good cup of coffee. It was served in the garden area, whenever you wanted to get up and eat.

Since we had a full size fridge in the room, we could also cook up a quick lunch, or eat our leftovers from the local restaurants.

Mauro, and Raul were always available to advise us on where to go, and what to do in Merida, and the surrounding areas.

I enjoyed sitting and talking to these gentlemen to find out the best places to shop, and to eat. They always steered us away from the Tourist areas, to get the best buys,

I highly reccomend Las Arecas, and the staff, if you want to see how the local people live.

jerryvarga@hotmail.com

My wife and I stayed a week in the Ta'an-Kab Room. We instantly felt at home in the simple clean accommodations and with the warm and helpful hosts Mauro, Raul, and Pepe. Born in Mexico but raised in Los Angeles California, Las Arecas brought back fond and sweet memory's of my summer vacations as a youth and my stays at my aunt Amelia's home of the same style and period in Guadalajara Mexico.

the accommodations are centrally located and Mauro the owner and Raul his assistant are very knowledge of the city being Yucatecos. Every morning we would converse with them about our plans for the day and they would always give us valuable advise and suggestions.

For those who believe they are going to get the Ritz at very affordable prices, this place is not for them. This is NOT a historical hacienda meticulously restored and filled with antiques. Just a simple clean home run by decent hardworking individuals who are there to make their guest's stay comfortable. The place is ideal for those that will be out and about all day seeing the sights and basically will use it for resting and freshening up.

We never had a problem setting up the reservation or communicating with Raul or Mauro or with any other aspect of our stay. Mauro and Raul were always accommodating and helpful.

Our plans called for us to stay in Merida for three nights and then leave for two days to Compeche and return for three additional nights in Merida. Mauro and Raul were so accomodating that they let us leave most of our luggage with them for the two nights we were out, allowing us to travel lightly with just a few clothes and essentials. When we returned from our outing to compeche, it felt like a home coming and our luggage was in our room ready for our continued stay. I don't believe that any other accomodation would be willing to go out of its way to do this.

As for the review by Heddr "I must be missing something " of (April 13, 2007). Heddr's critical review of a place that Heddr never stayed at and Heddr's attack of people Heddr never met and Heddr's remarks eluding to mauro and Raul as being crooks is just not right and I for one will not standby in silence. Raul, the owner of Las Arecas and his staff showed themselves to be decent salt of the earth human beings who showed my wife and I courtesy and respect and made a sincere effort to make sure my wife and I were comfortable guests.

I had never met Mauro and Raul before or been to Las Arecas before this stay. But meeting them and seeing their humble sincerity and their wiliness to make our stay in their hometown a most pleasant one resulted in my wife and I becoming good friends with them. For Heddr to lash out with venomous remarks is uncalled for. Heddr owes them an apology.

Currently Mauro is finishing up a country home outside the city of Merida and near the beautiful and picturesque town of Izamal with a pool that guests at Las Arecas will be able to usewhile staying at Las Arecas. I am looking forward to visiting these new accomodations.

I would most definitely return to Las Arecas and to people that have become dear friends to us. Gracias Mauro y Raul

I thought that it was just me and my inexperience at planning foreign travel but after reading several of the recent reviews I feel compelled to add my story. Earlier this spring I was planning a trip to Merida. I had heard great things about Arecas and was excited about staying there. I tried to reach the hotel for over a week by email and phone. Not one email was answered and the phone just rang and rang. I finally just decided to make other arrangements. I guess this place is great if you’re there but forget about any communication with them and judging by others’ experiences, definitely don’t trust your cash with this guy. It seems like they have some kinda questionable business practices.

I had been to the beautiful city of Merida twice in the past, both times with a friend who spoke Spanish and "led the way." This time I was on my own. I thank Las Arecas and it's wonderful hosts, Mauro, Raul and Pepe, for making a foreign city seem like home. I cannot imagine staying at a hotel where I was just a "number." At Las Arecas I had wonderful conversation each moening with the hosts and other guests. And, for some reason, the hand squeezed OJ and fresh fruit every moring were the best I ever tasted. If you enjoy the ambiance of a B&B, then this is the place for you. If you require extensive services and creature comforts, then this is not the place for you. This B&B is very simple and basic and affordable. I loved it.