Escape to Paradise: Ontico Urban Design Hotel, Mérida, Mexico
Escape to Paradise: Ontico Urban Design Hotel, Mérida - My Chaotic Confessions
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Mérida, Mexico, and I'm still unpacking the layers of dust, sunshine, and tequila-induced memories. And the epicenter of it all? Escape to Paradise: Ontico Urban Design Hotel. Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter reviews. This is the real deal, warts and all, with a healthy dose of "I-wish-I-had-that-extra-shot-of-mezcal" thrown in. (SEO keywords? Check: Mérida hotels, Ontico Urban Design Hotel, Yucatán Mexico, accessible hotels, Wi-Fi, spa hotels, Mérida spa, pool with a view, breakfast in room, best Mérida hotels).
First Impressions (Or, Where Did I Park My Brain?)
Stepping into Ontico is like… whoa. Forget "minimalist chic." This place screams "controlled chaos." Think sleek lines, vibrant pops of color, and art that both confuses and captivates. It's an instant sensory overload in the best possible way. And the staff? Beyond friendly. They're genuinely excited to have you. They called my name and were already waiting for me, which was nice.
Accessibility: More Than Just a Ramped Entrance (Mostly Good News!)
Okay, let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way: Accessibility. This is crucial, and honestly, it’s a mixed bag, which reflects in the real world.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, but call before you arrive. The main areas like the lobby, restaurant, and some pool access are good. But (and this is a big but), I saw no dedicated wheelchair space, maybe they were occupied, but none were available. Elevators are present and spacious.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Room features and some common areas are up to code but double-check specifics with the hotel.
- Getting Around: The elevator is a lifesaver!
- Exterior Corridor: Yes!
- Important: Always double-check and communicate your needs before booking. Don't assume, ask!
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-Era Comfort (They TRY!)
I'm a pandemic-weary traveler, so this was HUGE. Cleanliness & Safety: Top marks.
- Professional-Grade sanitizing services: Yes, they went above and beyond; you could taste the disinfectant in the air (just kidding…sort of).
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Constant. They’re on it.
- Hand sanitizer stations everywhere.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Great for people who don't want it.
- Staff trained in safety protocols: They also were wearing masks, like me!.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to know!
- Safe dining setup: Really thoughtful, with spaced-out tables.
- Contactless check-in/out: Loved this!
- Hand sanitizer: everywhere!
- Smoke alarms & fire extinguisher: They are present
- CCTV in common areas & outside property: Nice to know!
- Security (24-hour): Peace of mind.
- Hot water, linen, and laundry washing: I love hot water.
The Room: My Oasis of Sleep and Endless Tea (Mostly Great)
Ontico’s rooms? Stylish. Comfortable. With a few quirks…
- Air conditioning: Essential in Mérida! (And it worked like a dream).
- Free Wi-Fi: Actually, this is important! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (They really push this).
- Air conditioning in public area: I do not know.
- Blackout curtains: Godsend for late-night tequila escapades and jetlag!
- Extra long bed: They do! (I'm not that tall, but I appreciated it).
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for facing the day. Free tea!
- Complimentary tea: Yes!
- Refrigerator & mini bar: stocked and awesome.
- In-room safe box: Always a good call.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was flawless.
- Hair dryer: Important for me!
- Private bathroom, Separate shower/bathtub: I was always in there…
- Towels, Slippers & Bathrobes: Luxurious!
- Non-smoking. (Yes!)
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless: (good).
- Wake-up service: (didn't use it).
- Room decorations: (loved!)
- Scale: (didn't use it…)
- Toiletries: (loved it!)
- Additional toilet: (wasn't there…)
- Alarm clock: (was there)
- Bathtub & Shower: (yep!)
- Desk, Laptop workspace: (yep!
The Imperfections (Because, You Know, Life)
- Soundproofing: My room wasn’t totally soundproof. I heard some street noise.
- The Window that opens: not a great view.
- Socket near the bed: I could't find them.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Fiesta
- The food: Ontico’s restaurant is a delight!
- A la carte in restaurant: It is!
- Bar: Yes!
- Breakfast - Breakfast [buffet] (Mostly Good) They had a solid breakfast buffet, though the "Asian breakfast" wasn't quite what I expected (more like a fusion of styles).
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Fantastic coffee.
- Poolside bar: Yes!!
- Happy hour: Yesssssss!
- Restaurants & Coffee Shop: Good options.
- Room service [24-hour]: Perfect for those late-night cravings.
- Bottle of Water, Daily Breakfast, and Desserts in restaurant: Awesome!
- Salad, Soup in restaurant: Good options!.
- Alternative meal arrangements: They will provide it.
- Vegetarian restaurant: The have.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Awesome!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Yes!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes!
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yes!
- Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: Yeah!
Things to Do / Ways to Relax: Spa Day, Anyone? (HEAVEN)
Okay, this is where Ontico truly shines. The spa… Oh. My. God.
- Spa/sauna, steamroom, massage, pool with view, sauna, foot bath, body scrub, body wrap: ALL THE RELAXATION.
- Gym/fitness, fitness center there are options to take care of yourself.
- Swimming pool [outdoor], Swimming pool: Gorgeously designed, perfect for lazy afternoons with a margarita in hand. The pool with a view is, in a word, stunning. I spent a solid afternoon just floating and staring. Pure bliss. My recommendation? Book a massage before you hit the pool. Thank me later.
- Couple's room: (didn't get to try)
Services and Conveniences: Smoother Than a Tequila Shot
- Concierge, Laundry, dry cleaning & Ironing service: Top-notch.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Safe deposit boxes: Totally convenient.
- Air conditioning in public area, Elevator, Luggage storage: Nice to have.
- Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Front desk [24-hour]: They take care of everything.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking: Smooth as silk!
- Invoice provided: (Good for business travelers.)
- Food delivery: (Handy!)
- Gift/souvenir shop: (I bought way too much jewelry).
- Meetings, Meeting/banquet facilities, Seminars, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Meeting stationery, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events, Business facilities, Facilities for disabled guests, Access: All of these services are available at the hotel.
- On-site event hosting, Proposal spot: They do it all!
- Xerox/fax in business center: (Didn't need it, but good to know).
- CCTV outside property: They do!
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]: Awesome.
For the Kids (Or the Kid in You)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: This
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this itinerary ain't your grandma's perfectly-planned trip. We're going to Merida, Mexico, and it's gonna be less "polished travel blog" and more "drunken diary entry, but make it fashion." Specifically, we're crashing at the Ontico Urban Design Hotel. Prepare for chaos.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Pool-Side Existential Crisis
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (MID). Okay, first hurdle: actually getting there. The plane ride was… well, let's just say I'm pretty sure the guy next to me was using his oxygen mask to snore louder. Praying my luggage makes it. Taxi-ing to the hotel, sweating already. Merida's heat is no joke!
- 2:00 PM: Ontico Hotel Check-In. Walking into the Ontico is like stepping into a Pinterest board exploded with minimalist chic. Seriously, the lobby is all clean lines and strategically placed plants. Eye roll. Hopefully, the room actually looks like the pictures. Praying for air conditioning that doesn't sound like a jet engine.
- 2:30 PM: The Room…and Pure, Unadulterated Bliss? Okay, the room is amazing. The design is gorgeous. The bed begs you to jump on it. The AC is surprisingly quiet. I collapse on the bed, and the world melts away for a moment. Ah, sweet, sweet relief. Until the mosquito starts buzzing. Guess paradise has its drawbacks.
- 3:30 PM: Poolside Meltdown…er, Contemplation. The pool area is what sold me on this place. I settle in, order a margarita (because, duh), and start to relax. Except… I'm surrounded by Instagram influencers. And they're all…perfect. Perfect tans, perfect hair, perfect smiles. Feeling a surge of insecurity, I drink the margarita too fast. Start thinking about all the things I haven't accomplished, the goals I haven't reached. Maybe I'm not cut out for travel. Maybe I'm just a potato in a fancy hotel. Deep breaths. Margarita number two. Yeah, I'm gonna need some more of these.
- 6:00 PM: Stumbling Around the Neighborhood. My margarita-fueled existential crisis is finally passed. I venture out. Merida is a glorious explosion of color! The colonial architecture is STUNNING. Get lost in the maze of streets. End up buying a ridiculously oversized sombrero from a street vendor. Regret it immediately. But, hey, it’s a story.
- **8:00 PM: Dinner at **La Chaya Maya. I’ve heard *nothing* but good things. Ordered the cochinita pibil (roasted pork). IT WAS AMAZING. Messy, delicious, and completely worth the food coma I fell into afterwards.
Day 2: Culture Shock (and Tacos)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Restaurant. Ugh, what did I eat last night? Everything hurts a little. But the hotel buffet is a godsend. Fresh fruit, strong coffee. I inhale it all.
- 10:00 AM: Grand Tour of the City. Okay, time for some actual culture. First stop: the Plaza Grande. It's the heart of the city, and wow, it's filled with so much energy! The cathedral is breathtaking, and the Palacio de Gobierno with its murals is awe-inspiring. Feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. Remind myself to breathe.
- 12:00 PM: Shopping for Trinkets and Regrets. Souvenir shopping! I love it, but I can't help but feel like a basic tourist. Buy a hideous, but charming, Mayan-inspired bracelet. It's probably made by a kid but I don't care.
- 1:00 PM: Tacos and a Quick Nap. Found a small "hole-in-the-wall" taco place that looked dodgy, but smells amazing. The tacos? Pure, unadulterated heaven. Then, back to the hotel for a quick, glorious nap. The best part of the day.
- 3:00 PM: Exploring the "Paseo de Montejo." This is like the Champs-Élysées of Merida. Grand houses, majestic trees, and the feeling you’ve somehow time-traveled to a different century.
- 5:00 PM: Cooking class with a local! It took me the better part of an hour to understand the instructions, but I actually made something edible!
- 8:00 PM: Rooftop bar and a serious case of the giggles. A few too many mojitos later, and I'm convinced I can speak Spanish. Started spontaneously serenading the other guests. Slightly embarrassing, totally worth it.
Day 3: Cenotes and Tears (of Joy…Mostly)
- 9:00 AM: Another Breakfast. Slowly making my way to the buffet. The coffee has become my best friend.
- 10:00 AM: Cenote Time! We're going to a cenote. It's essentially a sinkhole filled with crystal-clear water. You can swim in them. Everyone says it’s magical. The drive is long and winding. The anticipation is killing me.
- 11:30 AM: The Cenote! And…wow. Just…wow. This is what it's all about. The water is shockingly cold, but the feeling of weightlessness, the sunlight filtering through…it's pure bliss. This is why I travel. I can't stop smiling.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a little restaurant with food I can't pronounce. Delicious!
- 2:00 PM: One Last Dip. Seriously, I could stay in that cenote forever. But, the sun is beating down, and it is time to move on .
- 4:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. Soaking in the afternoon sun.
- 6:00 PM: Farewell Dinner. Time to wrap things up, sadly.
- 8:00 PM: Packing - or The Art of Pretending You're Not a Mess. Try to pack. Fail. My suitcase looks like a bomb went off. Clothes everywhere. Embrace the chaos. Embrace the chaos.
Day 4: Hasta La Vista, Merida! (My Heart is Still There)
- 9:00 AM: Last breakfast. Staring at the hotel like I will never be able to leave.
- 10:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir scramble. Did I forget anything? Probably.
- 11:00 AM: Check out.
- 12:00 PM: Airport and heading home.
- 3:00 PM: I'm already planning my return.
Important Notes & Random Ramblings:
- The Ontico Hotel: Seriously, book it. It's beautiful, and the staff is incredibly friendly, even when you trip over yourself trying to speak Spanish.
- The Heat: Bring ALL the sunscreen. And a hat. And an unwavering tolerance for sweat.
- The Food: Eat everything. Seriously. Everything. And drink the horchata. Your stomach will thank you later, maybe.
- The Language Barrier: Learn some basic Spanish phrases. Even clumsy efforts are appreciated.
- The Realization: Sometimes travel is messy, unpredictable, and embarrassing. And that's what makes it amazing. You will never be as good at traveling as you are in your own head.
So, there you have it. My admittedly imperfect and utterly honest account of a trip to Merida. Hope you enjoyed the ride. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go book another flight…
Escape to Paradise: Samui Emerald Resort Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Ontico Urban Design Hotel - The Real Dirt (and the Glory!)
Okay, spill it! Is Ontico *actually* paradise like the pictures? Because let's be honest, Instagram lies.
Alright, deep breaths. Paradise? Well, *some* days. Look, the photos? They're gorgeous, I'll give 'em that. High ceilings, that impossibly blue pool... It's got the *bones* of paradise, no question. But paradise, real-life paradise, is a messy, unpredictable beast, right? You can't Photoshop away the heat (it's *merciless* in Mérida, by the way, even when the sun's *supposed* to be hiding.) or the one tiny, almost imperceptible ant that snuck into my room and waged a solo war against my leftover cookie crumb. Yeah, paradise has crumbs. And sometimes, a little bit of a humidity that makes your hair do *things*. But honestly? Even with the imperfections, it's pretty darn close to heavenly.
The rooms. Let’s talk rooms. Worth the splurge? Or are we talking glorified motel vibes?
Okay, the rooms. This is where Ontico *really* shines. I'm not gonna lie, I was skeptical. "Urban Design Hotel" sounds like a pretentious way of saying, "minimalist, and probably lacking a comfortable bed." But the rooms? *Chef's kiss*. We stayed in the "Studio Suite" – mostly because my budget wasn’t quite *villa*-level yet – and it was ridiculously spacious. The concrete walls give it an edgy vibe, but the natural light floods in, and the bed... oh, the bed. I think I genuinely spent half my trip just *existing* on that bed. It’s not the cheapest place on earth? No. But it’s not a "glorified motel." It's an experience. Think, stylish loft space, a little bit of Mexican charm woven in, and a serious commitment to making you chill the heck out.
The pool. Is it as Instagrammable as it looks? (and more importantly, *swimmable*?)
Damn straight, the pool is Instagrammable! It’s that perfect shade of azure blue, framed by lush greenery. And YES, it's totally swimmable. I spent a ridiculous amount of time floating in that thing, just staring up at the sky. The water's a perfect temperature - not too chilly, not too warm. I will say, though… the pool can get a little crowded at peak times. One morning, I practically had to fight a gaggle of teenagers for the prime pool real estate. Pro tip: wake up early. Early mornings are your best bet, when the light is soft and the pool is all yours (and the only fight you'll have is with your own desire to stay in bed!)
Breakfast. Tell me about the breakfast. Is it worth getting out of that amazing bed for? (And is it included?)
Alright, the breakfast. My biggest issue? I am NOT a morning person. But yes, it's worth dragging yourself out of bed for. And YES, it's included! This is a crucial detail. They do a continental breakfast buffet - pastries, fruit, yogurt, that kind of thing - and also offer cooked-to-order dishes from one of the best culinary teams in the city, the ones on the restaurant located right where we are. There’s fresh fruit juices, strong coffee... But, here’s a confession: I'm pretty sure I spent more time staring at the *aesthetic* of the breakfast spread than actually eating. It was all so beautifully presented! Maybe I should have stayed in the bed a bit longer. Still, the food was stellar. Order the chilaquiles verdes. Trust me. You will weep happy tears.
Location, location, location! How easy is it to get around and explore Mérida from Ontico?
Ontico is pretty well located. It's right in the heart of Merida. Actually, it’s a *little* too in the heart. I love that I'm so close to everything, but it’s also right in the thick of the city - you'll hear the sounds of life. Which is part of the charm and the annoyance, I guess. Taxis and ride-sharing apps are readily available, so getting to the major sights - the Plaza Grande, the Cathedral, museums - is a breeze. We walked a lot, which is the best way to truly *feel* Mérida. It's a safe city, but ALWAYS pay attention. And be prepared for a bit of a walk in the heat, even in the evening. Those cobblestone streets aren't made for stilettos, either, just FYI to any of you planning to pack them.
The staff. Helpful? Annoying? Somewhere in between?
The staff... Okay, here's where things get a *little* messy. For the most part, the staff is amazing. Super friendly, genuinely helpful, and trying their best to make you feel welcome. They’re mostly smiling and efficient. The front desk was always patient with my terrible Spanish. One of the concierge was a lifesaver when I needed a last-minute restaurant reservation (and he even helped me find a decent tequila bar to hide out in while waiting!). But there were a couple of hiccups. One morning, the room service just… didn't show up. We waited for close to an hour. So, it’s not perfect. But, definitely more good than not-good!
Any hidden costs or nasty surprises I should be aware of?
Okay, let's delve into the REAL costs of things. "Hidden" is maybe too strong a word, but yes, there are things to factor in. Firstly, expect to shell out a bit for drinks and snacks from the hotel bar. It's chic, but it's not cheap. Secondly, the hotel arranges tours of the local cenotes but they can be VERY expensive. If you're on a budget, or just don't want to spend a fortune on a tour, you might wanna do research for alternatives. Finally, while the Wi-Fi is generally good, it can be spotty in certain areas of the hotel. That's it, really.
Would you go back? The ultimate question!
Honestly? Yes, I would. Even with the minor annoyances – the occasional ant, the slightly elevated drink prices, the room service fiasco. It's the kind of place that you leave feeling refreshed, a little bit inspired, and already planning your return. It's stylish, comfortable, and genuinely feels like a little oasis in the heartTop Hotel Search
