Cannúa

Mirroring the cultural makeup of the Yucatan in one hotel, Hacienda San Jose mixes its colonial Hispanic and native Mayan roots in a magical and intimate way for guests.

Extensive and enchanting gardens surround the main hacienda, which used to be a cattle ranch and plantation and has been kept in its original state complete with pretty patios, arched walkways strewn with bright bougainvillea, faded murals and a simply stunning swimming pool. It has of course been refurbished to modern standards with WiFi, air conditioning and flat screen televisions in each of its 15 rooms, whose 19th-century set out of high ceilings, colourful hues, terracotta ceramics, talaver Mexican tiles and spacious en suite bathrooms have delightfully remained unchanged.

Within the sprawling grounds lie four Mayan villas, renovated but kept from when then hacienda was a working plantation and converted into spacious suites with their own outdoor Jacuzzi and sitting area. These would suit a couple looking for that extra dollop of privacy.

The house is steeped in history and their wonderful staff are most eager to fill you in on this plus accommodate guests on special requests such as private dinners in the garden and excursions to local sites.

Casa Barichara is a gorgeous boutique hotel looking out across the town with its red-tiled roofs and cathedral dome. It’s the perfect spot for a few days of downtime in this spectacularly pretty part of Colombia.

Designed by Ezekiel Alarcón, the simple but comfortable villa features exposed wooden beams, terracotta roof tiles and white-washed walls, invoking the Spanish colonial history of Colombia.

There are six bedrooms as well as chill-out areas such as the lounge, sunny terrace with a pool and hammocks in which to laze away the afternoon.

The beautiful Four Seasons Casa Medina was the creative vision of Santiago Medina Mejia, a Paris-educated artist and architect from Medellin. He salvaged local architectural treasures, such as stone columns and hand-carved wooden doors from two recently demolished colonial convents, to create was declared a monument by the country’s Ministry of Culture in the 1980s.

The hotel features 62 rooms and suites, where beamed ceilings and aged leather accents coupled with fresh, contemporary touches making them a sophisticated blend of old and new.

The hotel has two restaurants; the lively La Bodega that focuses on tapas and Colombian coffee, and Castanyoles Raciones y Tapas, where guests chave the option to dine in the beautiful glass atrium with Spanish tiles, living walls and drop lights.

There is also a gym and a spa with treatment rooms, relaxation room and steam room.

Surrounded by peaceful gardens and beyond these, tranquil countryside hills that ripple on forever, Sazagua is a lovely little boutique-sized guesthouse that triumphs in both comfort and character.

A surprising level of mod cons are installed in its ten very spacious rooms including WiFi and flat screen TVs, and there’s a small spa with a sauna and treatment rooms offering massages and other wellness remedies.

The house is in the style of a typical Colombian farmhouse with eclectic details such as colourful colonial tiles and furniture and indigenous inspirations and art, to more international antiques and furnishings. However, its wraparound balconies and central courtyards root the hotel firmly in the region and welcome in its serene views and laid-back countryside temperament.

The food is good and the menu is fairly bold for the scale of the hotel. The staff have also helped seal Sazagua’s reputation as being one of the best places to stay in the area, and are immensely friendly and helpful.