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The Best Hotels in Mexico City

Choose from these editor-loved and award-winning Mexico City hotels.

Interior of the Library and Honors Bar at Casa Polanco in Mexico City
Photo:

KARYN MILLET / Casa Polanco

Mexico City lures travelers from around the world with its dynamic culinary scene, architectural marvels, avant-garde art galleries, and exceptionally curated museums. It’s a sprawling metropolis made up of dozens of distinct neighborhoods, or colonias, each of which will impart a distinct flavor on your experience of the city — so it’s important to consider location when booking a stay.

In hip cultural hubs, like Roma Norte and La Condesa, you’ll find tree-lined streets lined with cafes, natural wine bars, and mansions converted into intimate guest houses with leafy terraces, rooftop sushi bars, and even rolling beds. In upscale Polanco, posh and ultra-private hideaways offer respite after an afternoon of strolling through the Bosque de Chapultepec, or shopping along Avenida Presidente Masaryk. For a truly elevated stay, the Paseo de la Reforma is studded with luxury skyscrapers from trusted names like the Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis — and the views continue in the city’s Centro Historico, where you can glimpse iconic landmarks from the rooftop pool of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Whether you’re looking for old-world charm or modern luxury, you’ll find it in the exceptional hotels that made this list, which features properties I’ve researched extensively and in some cases personally enjoyed, plus others that came highly recommended from T+L editors and made our It List, or that T+L readers have voted as their favorites in our annual World’s Best Awards.

The St. Regis Mexico City

Suite at St Regis Mexico City

St Regis Mexico City

What We Like
  • Spacious garden terrace suites and dedicated butler service promise a luxurious getaway at this towering property, located on the edge of leafy Chapultepec Park.

What to Consider
  • It’s located on Paseo de la Reforma, which is bustling day and night.

Mexico City is a place you tend to experience at street level, which makes the panoramic views from the towering St. Regis uniquely enchanting. All of the 189 rooms and suites in this sleek 31-story property offer floor-to-ceiling vistas over the sprawling city below, hemmed in by the majestic Sierra Madre mountains. Inside, soothing shades of purple and gray conjure quiet luxury in Yabu Pushelberg-designed rooms that boast plush queen- or king-size beds, marble bathrooms, seating areas and dedicated workspaces for business travelers. For a truly memorable stay, book one of the eight suites that opened in 2024, which open out onto dreamy terraces equipped with a plunge pool, hot tub, or fireplace to make the most of the city’s fantastic year-round climate.

This family- and pet-friendly hotel also features an upscale spa with a lap pool, plus on-site dining options ranging from Mexican to Greek to Japanese. But above all, it’s the warm and highly-attentive service that keeps guests coming back, which has repeatedly earned it a spot on our World’s Best Awards list in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Reforma
  • Distance From Airport: 9 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Glorieta de Insurgentes, Museo de Arte Popular, Monumento a la Independencia
  • Accessibility: Deluxe and Grand Deluxe rooms with roll-in shower available
  • Rates: Start at $376

Booking Tip

Request a room on a higher floor to avoid street noise.

“It’s hard to argue with the location right on Av. Chapultepec and the airy feeling of the skyscraper rooms above the cacophony.”

– Paul Brady, News Director

JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City Polanco

Lobby of JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City Polanco

Marriott Hotels

What We Like
  • Business travelers will appreciate the newly revamped executive lounge and private meeting rooms, while art lovers are only a short walk away from the city’s best museums.

What to Consider
  • Room service, particularly late night, leaves something to be desired — if you’re staying in, opt to dine at one of the four new fantastic on-site restaurants instead.

Overlooking Chapultepec Park, this freshly renovated property earned a spot on our World’s Best Awards list in 2022 thanks in part to its prime location in posh Polanco, which puts you mere blocks away from some of the city’s finest museums, shops, and restaurants. I found it to be an ideal home base while working remotely, as each of the 314 rooms and suites have a desk, plus WiFi is available throughout the hotel — yes, including beside the large outdoor pool.

Waking up here is a cozy affair, with bright and airy rooms offering floor-to-ceiling views over the city, park, or interior courtyard. I loved that I could walk out the door and essentially already be in the park, where daily walks led me to cultural delights like the Museum of Modern Art. Afterwards, I could retreat to the hotels’ intimate Tahona Mezcal Room for a tasting flight. 

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Polanco
  • Distance From Airport: 11 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Jardín Winston Churchill, Parque Lincoln, Plaza Uruguay
  • Accessibility: Multiple room categories
  • Rates: Start at $391

Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Guest room in Las Alcobas

Marriott Hotels

What We Like
  • The well-connected concierge team can curate exceptional experiences in and around the city, from hard-to-nab restaurant reservations to private gallery visits.

What to Consider
  • There isn’t a pool — but each room is appointed with a roomy jacuzzi bathtub.

There’s only a two-hour time difference between New York City and Mexico City, but that didn’t stop me from luxuriating in the “Jet Lag” bath service upon arriving at Las Alcobas, which was voted as a winner in Travel + Leisure's 2022 World’s Best Awards. Each of the boutique Polanco property’s 35 rooms include a jacuzzi tub equipped with mood lighting and multiple bubble settings, which a friendly team member will fill upon request and infuse with restorative herbal sachets. For further pampering, indulge in a massage at the Aurora Spa.

Beyond the hotel’s sophisticated design and drool-worthy Anatol restaurant (a contender for the best breakfast in the city), what truly sets it apart is its in-the-know concierge team. They were able to secure me a last-minute reservation at Pujol, and coordinated a fascinating private art tour dedicated to the work and life of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Polanco
  • Distance From Airport: 11 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Inbursa Aquarium, Museo Soumaya, Bosque de Chapultepec
  • Accessibility: Multiple room categories
  • Rates: Start at $436

La Valise Mexico City

Guest room in La Valise

Jose Manuel Enero / La Valise

What We Like
  • You can sleep under the stars on your own private terrace, thanks to rolling king size beds.

What to Consider
  • There’s no restaurant on site — but the hotel’s friendly hosts are able to recommend and coordinate reservations at any of the city’s culinary hot-spots.

La Valise Mexico City may be the most exquisitely curated hotel I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying in. Located on a colorful, tree-lined sidestreet in the heart of hip Roma Norte, this charming eight-suite townhouse is like a home away from home — that is, if your home featured a rolling king size bed that glides onto your own private terrace.

The palatial La Terraza, where I spent a few blissful nights, features hardwood floors, shimmering copper accents, and a stylish array of art and furnishings with a distinctly Mexican flair. My partner and I giddily pushed the cloud-like king-size bed out onto our enormous terrace, where a projector meant we could curl up and watch movies al fresco in bed.

Each of the seven other uniquely designed suites boast their own private terraces or balconies, some with outdoor bathing areas and others with hammocks. To combat the inevitable comedown of leaving such a special place, extend your stay at La Valise’s equally-enchanting property in San Miguel de Allende (a winner of T+L’s 2023 It List) or their bohemian beachside getaway in Tulum for a few days.

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Roma Norte
  • Distance From Airport: 7 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Plaza Río de Janeiro, MODO Museo del Objeto del Objeto, Parque México
  • Accessibility: No — rooms are accessible by stairs only
  • Rates: Start at $471

Ignacia Guest House

Living room in Ignacia Guest House

Jaime Navarro / Ignacia Guest House

What We Like
  • Nine superbly decorated suites surround a lush courtyard in this historic mansion, where you can indulge in one of the best breakfasts the city has to offer.

What to Consider
  • Several of the suites are modestly sized, but their exceptional design inspires such reverie as to ensure you never feel cramped.

Named after the housekeeper who looked after this 1913 mansion for 70 years, this seductive oasis is one of Roma’s best-kept secrets. It’s home to nine jaw-dropping suites, each with its own distinct personality: four are focused on a central color scheme, such as the romantic Rosa Suite, a jewel-toned pink paradise with a luxurious marble bathroom and private terrace overlooking the lush garden below. More spacious accommodations await on the second level of the townhouse, where suites lead out onto a spectacular patio with a Maya-inspired hot tub.

The mastermind behind this sanctuary is interior designer Andrés Gutiérrez, who helms nearby design mecca Originario, a kaleidoscopic concept store featuring rotating collections of furniture, art, and objects crafted by a new wave of Mexican designers — many of which are featured throughout the hotel.

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Roma Norte
  • Distance From Airport: 7 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Panadería Rosetta, Plaza Río de Janeiro, Parque México
  • Accessibility: No — rooms are accessible by stairs only.
  • Rates: Start at $335

Casa Polanco

Interior of the Library and Honors Bar at Casa Polanco in Mexico City

KARYN MILLET / Casa Polanco

What We Like
  • The marble lobby of this meticulously restored 19-room mansion provides one of the most visually striking welcomes a weary traveler could ask for – and it’s only a snapshot of what this sublimely chic property has in store.

What to Consider
  • It’s one of the most expensive properties on this list — but if you’re looking to splurge, you’d be hard pressed to find more elegant accommodations.

Soon after the iron door of this neoclassical 1940s estate opened to reveal a striking jade marble lobby, Casa Polanco assumed its rightful position on T+L’s 2023 It List. The lobby is a visual extension of neighboring Parque Lincoln, encapsulating the hotel’s alluring ability to celebrate and draw from its surroundings, while offering an ultra-luxe and elegant urban respite.

This is thanks to the vision of owner Octavio Aguilar, who has lived in upscale Polanco for nearly three decades and pays homage to his neighborhood in big and small ways, with rooms featuring linens by Mexican designer Paulina Morán, custom toiletries by local boutique perfumer Xinú, and pastries from the famed DaSilva bakery down the street. Throughout the property, Aguilar’s extensive art collection highlights contemporary Mexican artists, with photographs by Graciela Iturbide and paintings by Ricardo Mazal adorning the walls.

The 19 guest suites are incredibly chic, with glass and wood detailing, herringbone upholstered bed frames, personal libraries, and in some cases, spacious terraces. For such a private space, there’s a prevailing sense of community — it’s like visiting your most Cosmopolitan friend, who provides all the fabulous recommendations and connections you could need, and then draws back to allow you to enjoy it all on your own.

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Polanco
  • Distance From Airport: 11 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Chapultepec Castle, Parque de los Espejos, National Museum of Anthropology
  • Accessibility: Multiple room categories
  • Rates: Start at $550

“The team at Casa Polanco likes to say that staying at the 19-room property is like visiting a friend in Mexico City. That friend turns out to be owner Octavio Aguilar, who spent more than three years expanding and transforming a 1940s Spanish colonial revival mansion into an elegant urban refuge. Aguilar has lived in Polanco — a lush, centrally located neighborhood — for more than 25 years, and Casa Polanco celebrates its environs in ways both big and small. At breakfast, you’ll find perfect pastries from DaSilva, an acclaimed bakery a few blocks away, and a menu created by award-winning local chef Martha Brockman. In every room, there are bottles from Casa del Agua, a local artisanal water boutique; on every bed, linens by the Mexican designer Paulina Morán, and by every sink, toiletries custom-crafted by the high-end perfumer Xinú, whose studio is nearby.”

– Jeff Chu, Editor

Círculo Mexicano

Restaurant at Circulo Mexicano

Ricardo Ramos / Grupo Habita

What We Like
  • The rooftop offers panoramic views over some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, plus a plunge pool and French-Mexican restaurant.

What to Consider
  • If proximity to trendy restaurants and bars is what you’re looking for, you’ll be better off basing yourself in Roma or La Condesa — although Centro Histórico is an incredibly convenient location for visiting many of the city’s top sights.

Helmed by Grupo Habita, the hotel group behind many of Mexico’s most sought-after properties, this 2021 It List winner is a standout boutique hotel in the city’s Centro Histórico, surrounded by architectural wonders. From the rooftop, you can slip into the plunge pool with a cocktail in hand, taking in superlative sunset views over nearby landmarks such as the excavated remnants of the Aztec Templo Mayor. The building itself has a storied history of its own: formerly the home of Mexican photographer Manuel Álvarez Bravo, it displays his work throughout the convivial public spaces.

You’ll find refuge from the city’s bustle in the 25 whitewashed, oak-accented guest rooms, 18 of which open onto a sunny patio. Others boast private balconies overlooking the famed Metropolitan Cathedral. The bright, airy rooms are minimalist havens, lit up by skylights and grounded by dreamy beds on raised platforms, sheathed in luxurious linens made by Mexican artisans. 

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Centro Histórico
  • Distance From Airport: 4 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Metropolitan Cathedral, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Museo de la Ciudad de México, Alameda Central, Diego Rivera Museum
  • Accessibility: Multiple room categories
  • Rates: Start at $206

Sofitel Mexico City Reforma

Sofitel Mexico City Reforma

Christopher Amat / Sofitel Mexico City Reforma

What We Like
  • Home to one of the city’s most alluring rooftop bars and an indulgent spa, this skyscraper is like a universe of its own.

What to Consider
  • While the skyline views are hard to beat and the renowned Sofitel service is exceptional, the sheer size of this 275-room skyscraper offers an inherently less intimate experience than the boutique properties on this list.

History meets modern luxury in this spectacular skyscraper on Paseo de la Reforma, where the sleek 40-story tower rises out of a carefully restored 1983 building. Sofitel’s legendary service and attention to detail earned it a spot on our 2020 It List, and both continue to be on display at this 275-room property, which features 56 suites — all of which provide mesmerizing views over the city. For an even more jaw-dropping vista, head to Citizyn, the rooftop restaurant and bar that attracts a well-heeled clientele.

For those looking to relax after a long day of sightseeing, the spa is an unparalleled wellness retreat. A steam bath, hot and cold tubs, as well as a sauna and a heated saltwater pool promise to help you unwind, as do the indulgent massage treatments. For fitness enthusiasts, there’s a studio on the 38th floor with everything you could need — plus, a spectacular view over the city. 

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Reforma
  • Distance From Airport: 9 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Museo Casa de Carranza, Museo de Memoria y Tolerancia, Palacio de Correos
  • Accessibility: Multiple room categories, notably their “Smart Rooms”
  • Rates: Start at $267

Condesa DF

Bar at Condesa DF

Condesa DF

What We Like
  • A treetop sushi bar and trendy patio restaurant offer delightfully different places to drink in (and devour) some of the city’s best bites.

What to Consider
  • The entry-level rooms are on the smaller side.

Bordering two of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, Condesa DF sits at the intersection of Roma and Condesa. It’s a fusion of the former’s youthful, trendy appeal, and the latter’s relaxed, bohemian energy — all the more impressive when you consider it opened in 2005, long before the bloom of design hotels that later spread across the neighborhoods. Each of the tranquil, monastic-inspired 40 rooms and suites are filled with natural light and softened by cream-colored drapes, with warm wood accents throughout. Some offer leafy terrace views over neighboring Parque España, while all feature relaxing rain showers.

The hotel draws a young and local crowd to its French-inspired Mexican restaurant, set in the central tree-lined patio. Further up, surrounded by purple Jacaranda trees, Japanese chef Keisuke Harada serves excellent sushi on the bustling rooftop terrace. 

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Condesa
  • Distance From Airport: 8.5 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Chapultepec Castle, Parque Espana, Parque Mexico
  • Accessibility: Multiple rooms, call for further information
  • Rates: Start at $283

Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City

Guest room at Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City

Four Seasons Resorts

What We Like
  • Spectacularly comfortable beds promise a restorative night’s sleep, while private terraces overlooking the leafy courtyard beckon for your morning coffee.

What to Consider
  • The classic property tends to draw business travelers and families — younger couples and singles may prefer some of the more intimate boutique properties on this list.

A hacienda-style haven built around a verdant central courtyard, the Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City clinched a spot on our World’s Best list 2023 largely thanks to its fantastic location, dedicated concierge staff, and peaceful inner garden. 240 rooms, including 40 spacious suites, welcome business travelers, celebrities, and families from around the world who know they can rely on the Four Seasons to deliver its legendary luxury service. The rooms are stylishly appointed with ornate tapestries, rope accents, and abstract carpets, with marble bathrooms boasting luxuriously deep tubs. Several rooms feature French doors that lead out to private terraces.

The hotel’s ivy-covered, tree-lined courtyard is centered around a fountain and a firepit, where you can enjoy a drink from the renowned Fifty Mills gastrobar. Several other eateries promise something to sate every craving, from Italian to Mexican food and a French pastry shop. To unwind, visit the spa for an ancestral-inspired massage — or opt to get one poolside on the roof. 

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Reforma
  • Distance From Airport: 8 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Estela de Luz, Museo de Arte Moderno, Chapultepec Castle
  • Accessibility: Multiple rooms categories
  • Rates: Start at $530

“[Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City] has everything you expect from a Four Seasons – a stately lobby, good restaurants, thoughtful service, a decent gym, plush rooms, thick robes, and more.”

– Denny Lee, Articles Editor

Nima Local House Hotel & Spa

Courtyard of Nima Local House

Nima Local House

What We Like
  • Located on a delightful tree-lined street in Roma, this exclusive, sunlit guest house is a perfect home base for couples.

What to Consider
  • Given the property’s small size and convivial public spaces, it may not be ideal for those looking for an ultra-private hideaway.

Equal parts cozy and charming, this mansion-turned-guest house enchants from the first glance. The white facade catches your eye from one of Roma’s leafy side streets with its wrought-iron balcony and French doors, drawing you into a small, sun-drenched courtyard. Up the wooden stairs, you’ll find four guest rooms thoughtfully appointed in sophisticated, neutral tones, with balconies leading onto the street or overlooking the interior garden.

The service here is exceptional and warm, yet never intrusive: with so few rooms, there’s a level of dedication that’s impossible to come by in larger accommodations, and the staff will gladly help coordinate bespoke tours or tastings around the city. Up on the roof, a red-brick courtyard offers a jungle-like oasis, where you can sneak away for live jazz sessions on Thursday nights. While the spa is small, it offers couples massages, reiki sessions, and private yoga classes.

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Roma Norte
  • Distance From Airport: 6 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Plaza Rio de Janeiro, Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia, Licorería Limantour
  • Accessibility: No — rooms are only accessible by stairs
  • Rates: Start at $500

Downtown Mexico Hotel

Guest room of Downtown Mexico Hotel

Downtown Mexico Hotel

What We Like
  • A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic (and stunningly beautiful) building is a design-lover’s paradise — plus, it boasts a sexy rooftop pool and 24-hour room service.

What to Consider
  • The open-concept style bathrooms may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

History buffs need look no further for their ideal accommodations than this 17th-century colonial mansion, which touts UNESCO World Heritage status as one of the oldest buildings in Mexico’s historic center. Industrial touches, traditional tiled floors, terracotta brickwork, and vaulted ceilings marry the old and the new throughout the 17-room palace, where minimalist wood furnishings allow the building itself to take center stage.

Their much-lauded breakfast is served on the open-air patio, where you can admire the arresting fresco painted in 1944 by muralist Manuel Rodríguez Lozano, a contemporary of Diego Rivera. While you’re perfectly located for exploring nearby monuments and museums, be sure to leave time to kick back on the trendy rooftop, where a serene pool, hot tub, and cocktail bar await.

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Centro Historico
  • Distance From Airport: 4.5 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: The Templo Mayor, the National Museum of Art, the Palace of Fine Arts
  • Accessibility: Elevator, but no adapted rooms
  • Rates: Start at $185

Ritz-Carlton CDMX

Grand suite of Ritz Carlton Mexico City

Marriott Hotels

What We Like
  • The Ritz-Carlton practically invented luxury, and this exclusive address is a haven for jetsetters looking for modern accommodations and maximal attention to detail.

What to Consider
  • If you’re looking for next-level luxury with a more local touch than what an international chain can provide, consider an upscale boutique property like Casa Polanco instead.

The Ritz-Carlton is synonymous with luxury living, so it’s no surprise this lavish hotel has a helipad with private access to guest room floors. If it’s opulent accommodations you’re after, book a splurge-worthy night at the Ritz-Carlton Suite, a glass enclave in the sky with never-ending views over the city.

For those of us coming in from the ground up, the deluxe rooms are still superbly spacious, with ample natural light, marble bathrooms, city views, and stylish furnishings — it’s no wonder the hotel earned a coveted spot on our World’s Best list in 2023. A sky bar offers dizzying views, while the dazzling indoor swimming pool offers the perfect place to unwind. A state-of-the-art fitness center and refined spa round out the hotel’s superlative amenities. 

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Cuauhtémoc
  • Distance From Airport: 10 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Angel de la Independencia, Jardín Botánico de Chapultepec,  Monument to Cuauhtémoc
  • Accessibility: All room categories offer mobility-accessible rooms, only some offer roll-in showers
  • Rates: Start at $499

Casa TEO

Dining room and kitchen of Casa Teo

AirBnb

Also available to book at AirBnB

What We Like
  • This culinary-focused bed-and-breakfast is a passion project from Enrique Olvera, the legendary head chef and owner of Pujol.

What to Consider
  • While you’ll have access to a highly dedicated concierge, this is a private apartment; also note that there’s a lively mezcal bar downstairs, so it’s not a great fit for light sleepers or those with children.

Culinary pioneer Enrique Olvera’s restaurant, Pujol, has continually earned the distinction of being one of the highest-ranked restaurants in the world; when it relocated in 2017, Olvera reinvented the former space as Ticuchi, a mezcal bar. Both spaces are notoriously difficult to secure reservations for — that is, except for guests of Casa TEO, who get priority access to both.

Above Ticuchi, Olvera transformed a two-bedroom apartment into an artist's residency of sorts, welcoming chef friends from around the world to cook dinners around an open kitchen and 10-person communal table. Now, the unique space is available to book for the public in between residencies. You’ll have the apartment to yourself, with its two airy bedrooms decorated with Scandinavian-style wardrobes and plush white beds. The dedicated concierge team is a true highlight, offering unparalleled service when it comes to coordinating dinner reservations, private cooking classes, or general recommendations. Downstairs, you can mingle with Pujol alumni in the in-house library or light-filled kitchen, where a chef-cooked breakfast is included.

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Polanco
  • Distance From Airport: 10 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Museo de Arte Moderno, Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo, Bosque de Chapultepec
  • Rates: Start at $395

Campos Polanco

Architecture of Campos Polanco

Campos Polanco

What We Like
  • Vibrant, apartment-style residences offer an artistic and sumptuous place to hide away, while delightfully designed common areas make for social gathering hubs.

What to Consider
  • The common areas can be reserved for private events, which is wonderful if you’re hosting, but a slight inconvenience if you’re looking to take advantage of them when they’re booked up.

Named as one of the most distinguished new additions to Polanco’s elevated hotel scene, Campos Polanco is a destination in its own right. Housed in a fabulously refurbished Art Deco building on the exclusive Campos Eliseos, it’s an apartment-style space designed to ignite your creativity. Each of the 12 rooms and suites is a whimsical hideaway, from “smaller” rooms, like the 318 square-foot Park Terrace — which features a generous outdoor space that rivals the room in size — to the deliriously massive, 1,500 square-foot Campos Residence, a wonderland of colors and textures with a chef’s kitchen, free-standing bathtub, floating fireplace, and wraparound terrace.

While the rooms offer exceptional privacy, the common areas — including a rooftop terrace, library, salon, and co-working space — are warm and inviting social hubs that can be reserved for meetings, cocktail parties, and private dinners. Given its thoughtful design, spacious accommodations, and tony location, the rooms are surprisingly well priced. 

The Details:

  • Neighborhood: Polanco
  • Distance From Airport: 10.5 miles
  • Nearby Attractions: Bosque de Chapultepec, Museo Soumaya, Museo Jumex
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
  • Rates: Start at $277

Know Before You Go

Stick to bottled water

Generally speaking, tap water is not considered safe to drink in Mexico, so stick to bottled water. Most hotels will provide bottled water in your room, and provide refills free of charge. For a more environmentally-considerate approach, you can always buy a large jug of water to keep in your accommodation, which you can use to refill a reusable water bottle throughout your trip.

Learn some basic Spanish

It’s always a polite and respectful gesture to learn a few essential words or phrases in the local language before heading to a new destination. This is especially true in Mexico City, which is an economic and cultural capital of Latin America —  unlike tourist-driven resort destinations like Cancún or Puerto Vallarta, not everyone here will speak English.

Being able to greet and thank people in Spanish, plus ask for common necessities (like the bathroom or the check), will go a long way.

Don’t forget to leave a tip

Mexico City’s tipping culture is quite similar to the U.S. Be sure to leave at least a 10 percent tip at restaurants, for tour guides, taxi drivers, and hotel staff. 15 percent is considered standard, particularly around tourist attractions, while 20 percent is a sign of excellent service.

Make reservations in advance

To avoid disappointment, be sure to make restaurant reservations well in advance — particularly for world-famous restaurants like Pujol, Contramar, Quintonil, and Máximo Bistrot, which can book up months in advance. If you find you’re out of luck, consider a lunchtime reservation, or see if your hotel concierge can pull some strings.

While it’s a good idea to book any museum tickets in advance, certain popular destinations, like the Museo Frida Kahlo or the Casa Luis Barragan, sell out faster than others.

Opt for Uber over regular taxis

While pink-and-white taxis are abundant in Mexico City, you can sometimes end up in an unauthorized or unmetered cab. To avoid any issues, stick to ride-share apps like Uber for reliably safe and affordable rides. In addition to cheaper fares, there’s peace of mind in knowing the price upfront, and in being able to track any belongings accidentally left behind.

How We Chose These Hotels

Mexico City’s thriving hotel scene has bloomed in recent years, and it’s no easy task to pare down the dozens of luxurious, well-appointed properties. Many of the hotels made this list because they’ve earned rave reviews from thousands of T+L readers, who voted them as their favorite properties around the globe in our annual World’s Best Awards (see the 2023 winners here) and/or made our exclusive It List.

In addition to those award-winning properties, the author of this article, Sophie Dodd, contributed her expertise as a travel writer specializing in luxury and boutique hotels. While working remotely from Mexico City for several weeks, she had exceptional experiences at several of the properties included here, such as La Valise Mexico City, JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City, and Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, which she previously reviewed for T+L. She also consulted other editor-favorite hotels in the city, and read through hundreds of reviews. She prioritized the quality of the guest experience, aesthetic appeal, comfort, concierge services, and amenities such as spas and on-site restaurants. She also considered location, level of service, and overall value.

And finally, as with all our hotel roundups, editors ensure all hotel recommendations we make align with our core T+L Hotel Values.

Edited by
Sophie Mendel
Editor Sophie Mendel at a restaurant
Sophie Mendel is a Commerce Editor at Travel + Leisure with Dotdash Meredith where she assigns, edits and publishes the product reviews and recommendations that help guide travelers toward the best shoes, apparel and accessories for their needs. Sophie has traveled to 50 countries and has lived in five, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She has more than five years of experience as a writer, editor and copywriter.

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