To commemorate 23 years since its founding, the Angsana hotel collection, part of the Banyan Tree Group, has unveiled a new selection of properties steeped in architectural heritage, history, and culture.

Known as the Angsana Heritage Collection, this new offering invites guests to enjoy intimate experiences and rich narratives that blend the grandeur of the past with the comforts of modern luxury.

Hacienda Xcanatun, Angsana Heritage Collection

The Hacienda Xcanatun in Mexico, which has recently undergone a remodel, is located just 15 minutes from the center of Mérida, the capital city of the Yucatán region, known for its rainforests and for being the home of the ancient Maya.

During Mexico’s colonial period, haciendas – composed of large estates – became the epicenter of the country’s economic and social life. Named after the Mayan word designated for the “high stone house,” Hacienda Xcanatun was initially built to house and operate livestock in 1789. Soon, it became a thriving henequen hacienda, the fiber of a maguey native to the region, which became the main raw material for fabrics, cords, and textiles exported worldwide between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries.

In the 1990s, Jorge Ruz Buenfil, the son of a prominent archaeologist, and his wife, Cristina Baker, transformed Hacienda Xcanatun into a hotel that restored its 18th-century grandeur.

In 2020, Hacienda Xcanatun was acquired by Banyan Tree Group, under its Angsana brand, known for intertwining local elegance with more vibrant experiences. After two years of careful expansion with meticulous attention to detail, the resort introduced 36 new suites, complementing the 18 historic suites that have been part of the original architecture for centuries.

Each of the new suites features a harmonious combination of natural wood, leather, regional limestone (which gave the city of Mérida its nickname of “the white city”) and native pasta tiles traditionally found in henequen haciendas.

The resort’s expansion also includes new recreational areas and wellness spaces, featuring an Olympic-length pool, a sun deck with a poolside snack bar, a fully equipped gym, and an Angsana Spa, where guests can rejuvenate and renew in nature.

Surrounded by four acres of private gardens and lush vegetation, Hacienda Xcanatun redefines the concept of a luxurious urban resort, where history and tradition come together with contemporary sensibilities.