Are you enduring the biting winter cold right now? Wouldn’t you much rather be lounging in a pool, basking in the sun, and sipping on a cocktail?

If this sounds like you, then maybe booking a trip to Merida, Mexico and staying at the new Cigno boutique hotel is just what you need this winter. Cigno is nestled among the peaceful cobbled streets of the popular La Ermita neighbourhood in Merida’s historic center. In this space, the past of the White City merges with an unparalleled experience to captivate the senses of contemporary nomads.

Cigno restores the timeless architecture of a stately 19th-century Yucatecan mansion to create a haven filled with elements that privilege absolute comfort. Its dedicated restoration, by architect Roger González, emphasizes the original features of the structure, and its imposing neoclassical-eclectic façade gives it a singular personality. The high ceilings promote a cool atmosphere, and the mosaic-tiled floors have been preserved.

The refurbishment process is enhanced by the use of chukum—an ancient technique for working with stucco used in the Mayan pyramids—granting it an appearance of rustic honesty that blends in with the original friezes and mouldings. On one wall, an evocative detail is projected from the great journeys, with a mural from La Ermita de Santa Isabel —also known as the Church of Our Lady of Safe Travels—which is inspired by the sketch included in the book “Incidents of Travel in Central America,” published around the year 1840, in which John Stephens and Frederick Catherwood recount their explorations of the Yucatan Peninsula.

At Cigno, time moves peacefully and unhurriedly, inviting you to take a reading break in the library, relax in the main courtyard with its pool surrounded by lush vegetation, or admire the infinite horizon sheltered by the trees from the second pool on the upper terrace of this city oasis.

In its 10 rooms and suites, guests enjoy an interior design that provides a sense of luminosity, breadth and freshness. Features such as pure white walls, a colour palette of terracotta tones, wooden beams, and blue-tinted tile floors with the “cannage” motif evoke the vernacular aesthetics of the haciendas nestled in the jungle and the colours of the cenotes.

In the furniture and decorative elements, organic materials combine to enhance the beauty of tropical woods and natural textures. These unique pieces, created especially for Cigno, were crafted by master carpenters and artisans from local communities, who are the guardians of craft skills and knowledge passed down through generations.

For food-loving travellers, Cigno pays homage to the local cuisine and flavours in its restaurant Cocina. The dishes by chef Ángel Peláez reimagine essential recipes and are dedicated to contemporary food with original creations such as the palm-heart ceviche or shrimp risotto.

Mixology and a carefully curated cellar with a wide selection of wines and spirits are available in its two bars, in the lobby and on the upper terrace, as well as at Aljibe, one of Merida’s best-kept secrets, which is located inside the property.

The boutique hotel complements its guests’ stays with private yoga sessions and massages to promote well-being and relaxation. Classes in mixology and preparing Yucatecan snacks and dishes are also available for those who want to learn more about traditional cookery.

For adventurous spirits, bike tours of the city are available together with trips to the archeological zones of Chichen Itza and Uxmal, kayaking in the mangroves, freediving sessions and underwater photography in the cenotes. Cigno is a refuge for contemporary nomads in the heart of Merida.

if you’ve been debating whether to get away from the winter cold, this is your sign to book a stay at Cigno to relax and rejuvenate for the new year.

Photos courtesy of Hotel Cigno