Our sponsor, Trivago, provides an assortment of hotel picks in Mexico City complete with hammocks, Yucatecan cuisine and panoramic views.
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We asked our friends over at trivago for some advice on where to stay in Mexico City. With over 52 nationalities in their office, there’s always a hotel nerd wandering around with all the local knowledge on where to crash. Check out this guide on where to stay—and why—from Mexico City native Mariana Leal. It’s the same insider guide she gives to friends who are visiting her hometown. Enjoy!
Let’s start with the easiest recommendation, the trendiest neighborhood in Mexico City, Condesa. I’m always surprised by the number of cafés, bars, and restaurants that keep popping up here. That’s why I’m a fan of Condesa DF. A hotel in the center of the action makes it easier for me to dive into everything I’ve been missing since moving overseas. When I need a break, it doesn’t hurt that Condesa DF is a five-star hotel with a calming interior design aesthetic that somehow instantly transfers its cool factor on to all who gaze upon it. When you’re ready for more, head to the fourth-floor rooftop bar. I would recommend a martini and something fresh from their sushi-specialized menu. Walk it off with a stroll around the Parque España right out front or head to Salón Pata Negra to try out your salsa moves.
Chaya B&B // Neighborhood: Centro Histórico
Centro histórico is our version on the downtown. Except, and I gotta be honest here, our downtown looks better than most, not least because of the postcard-ready colonial architecture. The huge main plaza (the largest in Latin America, actually) known as “el Zócalo” is where the Spaniards started to build today’s Mexico City out of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán. We are talking big and old history over here. Chaya B&B matches that style and fits in perfectly. The design they use is an elegant combination of modern and traditional, to the point where I almost feel I am in a little town despite being in the center of a big city. It’s hard for us chilangos—people from Mexico City—to get to the beach often. So getting a bit of sun on Chaya’s hammock patio is really a treat. Plus the view is amazing, overlooking the whole Alameda Central, a public park paved with paths and decorative fountains. If you need a bit of a caffeinated buzz to wake up from the sleepy charms, try some of their coffee from Chiapas. Just the bump you need to get ready to head out on one of Chaya’s independent walking tours.
Pug Seal B&B // Neighborhood: Polanco
Polanco is our go-to for upscale shopping, Michelin star restaurants, and gorgeous hotels. You can visit the internationally-celebrated restaurant Pujol from Chef Enrique Olvera for a dive into high-end Mexican food. However, if you’re not feeling fancy, there are other options, like my favorite informal taco stand Marvichi (open from 10pm until 5am during the weekends, ideal for an after-party dinner.)
For travelers with a flair for retail, I send them to Pug Seal B&B with several locations in the neighborhood, including on Tennyson Street and Edgar Allan Poe Street. Polanco is hardly the average Mexican experience, but you can at least feel like a Polanco local at the B&B, whose architecture makes it look like a typical Polanco home. When you’re ready to explore further, grab one of the free rental bikes to ride around the neighborhood or simply take a walk. Polanco isn’t super packed, so it’s ideal for strolling the streets and is full of small restaurants with tables outside on the sidewalk. Perfect for Mexico City’s patio-friendly weather, even if you visit in “winter.”
Downtown Beds // Neighborhood: Centro Histórico
Back to Centro Histórico and the colonial vibe, except this time we’re upgrading to a XVII mansion. Walking into the Downtown Hotel, you end up wishing the walls could talk, because they must have seen many things over the past four centuries. But don’t let the palace-like atmosphere fool you: budget travelers can sneak in because in addition to the upscale Downtown Hotel, there’s also a boutique hostel that will spare your wallet. And once you hit the terrace bar and swimming pool (with great, panoramic views of the neighborhood), nobody will be the wiser. Azul Histórico, a restaurant on the ground floor, features unique cuisine that will be an unfamiliar delight to most international visitors—the tikin xic fish and the tortilla soup are a must! The quality is incredible, especially considering the fair prices.
Hotel Hippodrome // Neighborhood: Condesa
Mexico City is a behemoth of urbanity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get away from the concrete and angry drivers screaming “cabrón!” as they lean on the horn. We have green space where you can breathe fresh air, play fetch with the local dogs, or lounge at one of the many cafes. There’s no better neighborhood for all of that than Condesa. While you’re there, hit El Ocho, a Condesa institution, for lunch. And if you like bread for breakfast, go to Maque, a homey restaurant with a bay window looking at leafy trees. My personal favorite? Café Toscano, whose chilaquiles and coffee are great.
To best experience this slice of green in Mexico City, stay at Hotel Hippodrome. The hotel typically caters to the tastes of a business traveler – including a specialty cocktail service that replaces the mini bar—but it’s ideally located across the street from the aptly-named Parque México.
Hotel Villa Condesa // Neighborhood: Condesa
I stayed at Hotel Villa Condesa a couple of years ago with my boyfriend and thought it was a perfect blend of B&B-style comfort, design, and location, all for an attainable price. It looks like a regular Condesa house from the outside, but on the inside, there’s no mistaking that this is a proper hotel. Above all, their desire is to make you feel at home. Of course, there’s a front desk to take care of any needs that might come up, but they’re unintrusive, allowing you to glide through the front door and up to your room as if it were your own home. Another tip: build up an appetite by hopping on one of Hotel Villa Condesa’s free bikes and reward yourself with dinner at the open-air restaurant onsite.
Casa Goliana // Neighborhood: Roma
If you really want the homey experience, consider Casa Goliana in the Roma neighborhood. Roma is a slightly less mainstream travel destination than Condesa, even though they’re almost like sister neighborhoods. With just eight rooms en la casa, this is truly a boutique hotel experience. It’s also the ideal stay if you’re looking for a break from your kids (or anyone’s kids, for that matter): children 12 or under are not permitted. So relax on that famous Acapulco-style chair on the balcony and relish in the silence. Some cool restaurants to try are El Parnita, serving mainly antojitos mexicanos—Mexican snacks. You’ll also want to stop by the vegetarian restaurant Pan Comido (worth it even if you’re a proud carnivore). Casa Goliana is also ideally located just three streets from Metrobús, the public transport system.
Carlota // Neighborhood: Cuauhtémoc
Welcome to Carlota, your urban retreat in the Cuauhtémoc neighborhood. You’ll want to come here for the restaurant alone, renowned in the area for its array of organic dishes and tasty drinks. Anyone can come for the restaurant, but you’ll need to be a guest for access to the open-air pool. Plus, you’ll be drawn in by the design at Carlota which a prime example of Mexican culture, art, and creativity. By the time you check out, I’ll expect you to be able to pronounce “Cuauhtémoc .” (Coo-ah-oo-temok, the last Aztec Emperor.)
Hotel Habita // Neighborhood: Polanco
I love my culture and the style associated with it, but even I like to change it up from time to time. For something more contemporary with a minimalist design, I go to Hotel Habita in Polanco. If you’re there in the summer, don’t forget to ask or look for their famous rooftop pool parties located on the fifth floor. The pool is a key part of this hotel with its phenomenal view of this posh neighborhood.
Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México // Neighborhood: Centro Histórico
We end our hotel tour of Mexico City back again in Centro Histórico with Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México. This is the classic, must-see hotel in la ciudad or old “Distrito Federal” or “D.F.” as we used to call them before they officially changed the name to “Ciudad de México” a few years ago. The ambiance blends the best of the early 20th Century, an era where ex-president (and sort of dictator) Porfirio Díaz was obsessed with anything French. Even if you don’t stay here, it’s a historic site worth visiting if only for the Art Nouveau décor and stained-glass ceiling (which inspired the design for several notable movies, including Spectre in the James Bond series and Pixar’s ode to all things Mexico, Coco). Of course if you do stay, then you can sign yourself up for breakfast on the terrace and enjoy being briefly transported to another era. It’s been a personal desire of mine to see the Independence Day parade on September 16th (no, not Cinco De Mayo) from one of its balconies, since it provides an extraordinary view to el Zócalo. If you make it there before me, let me know if it’s as great as I imagine it to be.