If you’re a traveler who loves feeling at home while visiting foreign lands, you’ll especially appreciate a stay at Las Alcobas, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City. The boutique property is in the heart of the upscale Polanco neighborhood, meaning there’s plenty near you to explore by foot. The myriad high-end boutiques, restaurants and museums are but a mere stroll away. These are five reasons why the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel should be at the top of your mind for your next visit to the Mexican capital.
Prime Location
Attentive doormen will greet you as you step through the hotel doors onto one of the city’s most cherished playgrounds. The property is not just located in one of CDMX’s most welcoming neighborhoods, it’s right on Presidente Masaryk Avenue, arguably the most exclusive address in the city. Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Tiffany are among the international brands in the area, as is Tane, the Mexican jewelry store where you can buy subtle designs in silver.
From the hotel, walk to nearby Lincoln Park, a favorite among the affluent locals, or to popular Chapultepec Park, considered one of the city’s most vital landmarks. You are also a stone’s throw away from Paseo de la Reforma, the capital’s main thoroughfare and home to some of Mexico City’s most renowned attractions, such as the National Museum of Anthropology.
Intimate Atmosphere
One of the first things you’ll notice as you enter the hotel’s cozy reception area is the spiral wooden staircase at the end of the hall. You’ll find yourself forgoing the elevator in favor of the stairs as you walk from your room to one of the two restaurants, the gym or Aurora Spa.
With only 35 rooms distributed across seven floors, this boutique hotel offers a warm and intimate atmosphere that makes you feel personally tended to.
Upscale Design
Conceived (and recently remodeled) by the acclaimed design group Yabu Pushelberg, the hotel’s carpeted floors and wooden details done in a neutral color palette convey the warmth of a home. Rooms are spacious and decked with contemporary furnishings and Mexican details (such as leather accents on walls that look embroidered but were actually done using laser techniques). A digital assistant opens drapes and selects the lighting that best suits your mood, while rain showers and bathtubs in the roomy bathrooms complete the relaxation.
Three suites have terraces with views that remain uninterrupted by taller buildings. You’ll be particularly enamored by the one in the Pasaje Penthouse, which runs the length of the entire apartment-like unit.
Mexican Touches
An alebrije — the fantastical creatures you may know from the movie Coco or a visit to Oaxaca — will accompany your stay. No two rooms will have the same artistic interpretation of the beast — nor will they have the same layout, for that matter.
In the bathrooms, you’ll be spoiled for choice by the soap menu. Choose between eight or so bars made from ingredients like cucumber and cactus, amaranth, milk and honey, and coffee beans. These handmade soaps are created by a third-generation healer, or curandera, whom the hotel has worked with for years.
At the spa, the treatments use local ingredients like cocoa butter, avocado cream and coffee scrubs.
Dining Options
Even if you’re not staying at Las Alcobas, its two restaurants are worth a visit. While Anatol’s freshly baked croissants, scones and other breakfast items are for guests only, the eatery opens to the public at night. Chef Rodrigo del Valle is in charge of the innovative menu that features well-known dishes with a twist: esquites (a Mexican snack made with corn kernels, mayo, lime and powdered chile) become upscale with the addition of crab meat, while macaroni and cheese takes it up a notch thanks to truffle oil and manchego. And when it comes to washing it all down, the foam-topped margarita is something to write home about.
Around the corner, Dulce Patria is where locals gather when they crave Mexican fine dining. A strident pink wall (in the aptly named rosa mexicano hue)sets the tone for the whole experience, where famed chef Martha Ortiz serves new takes on Mexican classics like tortilla soup, ceviche and tamales — all made with unexpected ingredients and served in striking presentations.
