I thought that it was just me and my inexperience at planning foreign travel but after reading several of the recent reviews I feel compelled to add my story. Earlier this spring I was planning a trip to Merida. I had heard great things about Arecas and was excited about staying there. I tried to reach the hotel for over a week by email and phone. Not one email was answered and the phone just rang and rang. I finally just decided to make other arrangements. I guess this place is great if you’re there but forget about any communication with them and judging by others’ experiences, definitely don’t trust your cash with this guy. It seems like they have some kinda questionable business practices.

I had been to the beautiful city of Merida twice in the past, both times with a friend who spoke Spanish and "led the way." This time I was on my own. I thank Las Arecas and it's wonderful hosts, Mauro, Raul and Pepe, for making a foreign city seem like home. I cannot imagine staying at a hotel where I was just a "number." At Las Arecas I had wonderful conversation each moening with the hosts and other guests. And, for some reason, the hand squeezed OJ and fresh fruit every moring were the best I ever tasted. If you enjoy the ambiance of a B&B, then this is the place for you. If you require extensive services and creature comforts, then this is not the place for you. This B&B is very simple and basic and affordable. I loved it.

In addition to my husband's comments, I'd like to add that we were intending to visit Merida again this fall and we are no longer considering Las Arecas--in spite of everyone else's glowing comments and the fact that it seems to fit exactly what we look for in a hotel/B&B. In the future, when someone requests prepayment via Western Union, we will not proceed, as we have no recourse in the event of cancellation--in spite of kindliness and promises given. Each time I spoke with Mauro, he assured me that he would send the money the next day--the next day always came and passed with no notification that the money had been sent. If he had told us up front that the deposit was non-refundable, I would not feel so disappointed; it's the broken promises and the time wasted chasing money that he apparently never intended to send anyway that is so disappointing. Most unfortunate. I feel others should be aware of this no-return of deposit in the event a trip is cancelled. We surely would have liked to have known this in advance.

Clearly everyone loves this establishment. I wanted to stay during my visit to Merida and so made a reservation with Mauro, the owner, and forwarded him a 50% cash deposit (no credit cards) for the room via Western Union. One week prior to my visit I was informed that I was to have surgery and must cancel my trip. I immediately contacted Mauro requesting at least a partial refund of the deposit. He said he could only refund 50% and I agreed (interesting policy). Over the next 2 weeks numerous emails and phone calls (at least 6 of each) were made where he promised, absolutely, that he would send the money
– it never happened. My wife and I finally gave up. Too bad that Mauro feels he can treat his clientele this way.