Hacienda San José

Overview

Description

During the 1920s, the sisal industry flourished in southeastern Mexico, with exports providing the main source of income for the region. At the heart of this economy were the large estates and plantations that not only produced the sisal, but also featured haciendas, or mansions, that offered work, housing, schools, and in some cases, even hospitals for local inhabitants. Their magnificent architecture featured designs by famous European architects, and the haciendas also invested in the local communities with a vision of endless prosperity. However, by the beginning of the 1990s the sisal haciendas lay abandoned and the nearby communities lived in extreme poverty.

With the aim of developing a successful sustainable tourism project, we set about restoring the beautiful sisal haciendas of the Yucatan Peninsula and bringing their architectural splendor to the attention of the most discerning travelers. This marked the beginning of our social and environmental commitment to the region and the rural Mayan communities of the Yucatán and Campeche. We invite you to share with us the fascinating history and cultural value of this region.

In 1994, our group acquired the Hacienda San José - one of the most prosperous sisal haciendas on the Yucatan Peninsula.

The original building has been completely restored and adapted to the needs of the hotel. Although it has been restored, it is still an emblematic, 18th century building that retains the pastel blue shades of its façade, its decorative features, and even the murals in its chapel. The interior decor reflects the influence of the 19th century, a time when the haciendas were prosperous and luxurious.

This hacienda is ideal for visiting other attractions such as the grottos of Balancanche, Izamal, the Dzitnup cenote (a natural sinkhole), or the mythical pyramids of Chichen Itza.

We have a nursery where we produce ornamental plants and timber species, and we also grow vegetables that are used in the hotel’s restaurant. Many of the dishes on the menu are prepared with freshly harvested, local fruits and vegetables. We have a small orchid garden that includes five species of orchids native to the jungles of Yucatán.

Rooms

Our 15 rooms have high ceilings with exposed wooden beams and feature original doors and flooring. All of the rooms have hammocks so that guests can sleep Maya-style.

The Maya villas combine Mayan architecture with modern comfort, perfect for exceeding the expectations of even the most sophisticated travelers.

Casa Maya is the best room in the Hacienda.

Non-smoking rooms are available.

In addition to the features listed for this hotel (see below), the rooms have:

• 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds
• Egyptian cotton sheets
• Goose down pillows

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 37

Percentage of local employees: 97%

Our social and environmental commitment to Mexico began more than 15 years ago, when we started restoring the ruins of the sisal haciendas. We work to serve as a link between the present and the past Mayan worlds; to create new opportunities to support the development of the local community; and to contribute to the balance between the environment, economy, and cultural values; and opportunities to achieve social well-being and the sustainable economic development of the region.

We are continually working to conserve our local environment and minimize our ecological footprint. Some of our key efforts include:

• We have a detailed inventory of the plants found on the hacienda.
• We have set aside extensive green areas to conserve local flora and fauna; thanks to these efforts, we are beginning to see wildlife species return.
• We measure and minimize:
  • Energy and potable water consumption
  • Wastewater
  • Solid wastes (inorganic and organic)
• Proper management of hazardous substances and wastes

In 2002, in response to the desolate panorama left by Hurricane Isidora as it swept over the Yucatán Peninsula, we reinforced our social commitment and created the Fundación Haciendas del Mundo Maya, A.C., a non-profit organization. Its mission is to strengthen the identity, recognition, and revival of Maya culture and overcoming extreme poverty by promoting education, health, and sustainable development opportunities with the participation of the local population.

The interdisciplinary staff at the Fundación encourages the participation of local residents in the design and execution of sustainable development projects in their communities in order to encourage conservation of the environment and the appropriate use of their natural resources.

We work with community groups and support their efforts to generate alternative sources of income. We help to create local businesses that are organized into sustainable cooperatives by helping them to secure financing and contributing training, tools, equipment, and market research. Through the cooperatives we aim to generate profits, make social and economic improvements, empower rural Maya women, help farmers adopt innovative techniques, and build capacity for business administration.

Examples of the above include:

• The amenities and products used in the hotel are handmade by artisans belonging to the local cooperatives supported by the Fundación. These elements include the decorative items found in the restaurant, the rooms, and bathrooms, as well as the body lotion, bath soap, conditioner, and shampoo, which contain natural ingredients such as aloe vera and cucumber.
• A project to train spa therapists grew out of a search for development opportunities for local women, who have set up a cooperative that provides these services. The therapists practice the ancestral Maya technique known as “sobada” and they have the ability to heal using their hands. They pass on their knowledge to other young women. Guests have an opportunity to enjoy a magical and unique experience that combines spiritual relaxation and the ancient tradition of the Maya. This cooperative has obtained the following results:
  • In 2010, the therapists provided a total of 397 spa services.
  • They earned a monthly income of US$300.
  • They were able to pay for their social security quotas through their cooperative and received medical benefits.
• The Izamal Cultural Center is managed by a cooperative of young entrepreneurs from Izamal. The Fundación Haciendas del Mundo Maya, in partnership with Fomento Cultural Banamex, made it possible for the center to acquire a spectacular collection of works by great masters of Mexican popular art, given the recognition that Mexican folk art has acquired nationally and internationally.
• The pyramid of Kabul, currently undergoing restoration, is located in the backyard of the Izamal Cultural Center. Work to rescue these archaeological vestiges of Maya cultural greatness is carried out by the National Institute of Anthropology and History, and financed by the Fundación Haciendas del Mundo Maya.
• The Taller Maya boutique brings together groups of Maya craftswomen who work with contemporary designers to create products that revive the use of traditional techniques and materials. Thanks to the sale of these items, the craft workers obtain the necessary income to support their families and the travelers contribute to help keep Maya cultural expressions alive.

We invite you to join our efforts to benefit the local people by supporting small local farmers, eating food in the restaurant, and buying handicrafts in the hacienda’s boutique.

Rates

$150 and up

For more information about rates, please visit:

• www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1377&EM=VTY_LC_1377_SANJOSE_PROP_OVERVIEW (available in English, French, German, Spanish and other languages).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Mérida (MID)

Nearest local/national airport: Campeche (CPE)

Travel time to nearest airport: 35 minutes from Mérida International Airport

Distance, by land, to the nearest airport: 24 miles (38 km).

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

• 2010 Global Vision Award from Travel + Leisure magazine in the Artisan Revival category.
• 2009 World Saver’s Award from Conde Nast Traveler.
• Investor in People Award Winner from the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, given by the World Travel and Tourism Council.
• TO DO! 2007, a prize awarded during the World Tourism Fair in Berlin, Germany.
• Featured in “The Stay List: 150 Hotels You’ll Love” in National Geographic magazine, April 2008.

Files

• Hacienda San José, un destino sostenible - Detailed information about Hacienda San José and its commitment to sustainability. In Spanish.

Date This Information Was Provided

August 2011.

Photos courtesy of Hacienda San José, Mexico, for SustainableTrip.org.