Cecil Hemingway and El Pueblo: The Engineer Who Built a Sanctuary

At the foot of Paseo de Montejo lies El Pueblo, a luxury guest house born from a serendipitous Thanksgiving vacation in 2011. That’s when Cecil Hemingway, visiting from the United States, found himself unexpectedly purchasing a modest home on Calle 56 in Mérida’s Centro Histórico.

“My love for Mérida is pure chemistry,” explains Cecil, a South African-born former chemical engineer and applied mathematician. “I have traveled the world and was always on the lookout for a place to retire to. Within a week of visiting Mérida, I decided that it was the place for me. I sensed the positive energy and the humanity of the place.”

What began as a single property evolved into something grander as Hemingway acquired neighboring properties, including an adjacent parking lot and two houses. The combined space was thoughtfully transformed into a seven-suite guest house retreat. During the renovation, upper stories were added while preserving the original footprint, allowing over half the property to become a garden showcasing species native to the Yucatán Peninsula.

From left brain to artistic vision

Hemingway’s background seems an unlikely foundation for creating such an artistic haven. “I am a chemical engineer and applied mathematician by training. I started my professional career as an actuary before I got into senior management for a large insurance broker. So, I am all left brain,” he admits.

Yet this analytical mind found creative expression in El Pueblo. “It’s a very organic thing for me,” Cecil says about his relationship with art. “I spent years in NYC visiting amazing museums like MoMA and the Whitney. For me, art is very intuitive. When I see something I like, I buy it if I can afford it. But it needs to speak to me. I like modern and stylized forms that combine with the vibrancy of Mexico.”

This passion for art shapes the guest experience at El Pueblo. “I also see art as a way to bring interest and excitement into calm and minimalist spaces,” Cecil notes. His curatorial approach isn’t driven by prestige: “I care little about how important or famous an artist is. I prefer to find new and exciting artists I can support.”

Creating a sanctuary

The property’s centerpiece is a 25-meter freshwater swimming pool, an Olympic-size manmade cenote. Interestingly, this is where Hemingway’s engineering background proved valuable: “The only time I ever applied my chemical engineering training was to design the biological filter for the El Pueblo natural pool.”

The result is a surprisingly spacious property with an intimate, nurturing atmosphere. “The moment you enter El Pueblo—for the first time and every time thereafter—you find yourself wrapped in its quietude, the soft hues, leafy plants and the gentle sounds of water,” one guest wrote in an online review.

Cecil’s commitment to creating a sanctuary may have deeper roots in his early life experiences. “I grew up in apartheid South Africa,” he reflects candidly. “I saw the worst part of humanity there, and it reinforced for me how important it is to treat people first and foremost as human beings.”

A host by nature

While El Pueblo is now a successful luxury guest house, Hemingway didn’t initially plan this path. 

“El Pueblo was not my idea, but I very much enjoy hosting and helping guests. I have made some amazing friends in the process.”

His analytical side hasn’t disappeared entirely. “I use my analytical skills to fine-tune the marketing for El Pueblo, with the main channels being content marketing through SEO and email marketing. I track traffic to the El Pueblo website on a daily basis.”

What draws people to El Pueblo goes beyond the physical space. 

“Cecil is a most gracious host and has created a sanctuary filled with exquisite art and surrounded by natural beauty,” said Jeanine, a New York City visitor who promised to return one day.

Finding home in Mérida

Cecil’s connection to Mérida runs deep. 

“It’s my happy place on Earth. I have made amazing friends here and am always relieved to land in Mérida after a trip.” He values the city’s community spirit: “In Mérida, people still care about one another. My first experience in Mérida was drawing cash on a hot day and leaving my card in the machine. Two blocks away, the guy behind me caught up with me to hand me the card I had left in the machine.”

He shares another touching example: “My best friend tripped on the pavement and could not walk. A stranger picked her up and carried her to a restaurant chair to wait for her Uber.”

This sense of community reflects what Cecil appreciates most about his adopted home. “The place is magical. That is what I sensed when I first visited. The people are warm and friendly. People still care about each other here. Family and friends matter. Relationships matter.”

Beyond El Pueblo

Hemingway’s creative pursuits extend beyond El Pueblo. He also acquired a property near Parque La Plancha. 

“The only reason I bought it was because, despite being large, the design at El Pueblo was so precious that there was no space for composting or storage.”

This new space has evolved beyond its practical origins. “I bought it from a couple of nuns who used the proceeds to build a retirement home for railway workers who did not have families. The space was overgrown with a chapel and a few buildings. I liked the openness and turned the existing structures into a living space and added a yoga studio. I also built a garage and workshop, and a large composting area. About 80% was left as garden, and half the garden is for vegetables and fruit trees.”

The property, called La Huerta, will soon house a ceramics studio, allowing Cecil to reconnect with childhood interests. “As a kid, I did ceramics with my childcare provider on my grandparents’ farm. And I was heavily into making Batiks. Really kitschy stuff using Egyptian motifs. It’s time to return to my childhood,” he shares with a hint of amusement.

“I spent my life doing left-brain things. Now, I am enjoying exploring and developing my artistic side.”

The El Pueblo experience

El Pueblo’s location offers strategic advantages for travelers. At the beginning of Paseo de Montejo and near the Corredor Gastronómico restaurant zone, guests enjoy easy access to dining and shopping. The new tram link to the Tren Maya further connects visitors to attractions throughout the Peninsula.

Beyond a luxurious suite, ample common spaces, the native gardens, and a tropical pool, a stay at El Pueblo includes breakfast, lunch, and cafe drinks and snacks. The environment is enhanced by carefully selected music—”I am comfortable with silence, but enjoy relaxing and atmospheric music. I love Latin rhythms. My favorite singer is Lila Downs,” Cecil notes.

“Cecil has a knack for creating beauty in every corner of El Pueblo,” Jeanine further raves. “His eye for design, art and nature is magnificent. And the vegan food that the chefs beautifully prepare is not only delicious but also healthy!”

There is indeed “a comfort and ease to it that is really nice,” as Cecil himself puts it. “That extra level of affinity counts for a lot.”

For more information, visit ElPuebloMerida.com.