Mexico City is a sprawling metropolis that blends into its outskirts, but each of its most popular neighborhoods has a distinct personality, making it worth your while to visit each one. Keep in mind that some areas are more attractive than others when it comes to their hotel offerings, and while you should definitely start by visiting the city’s historic downtown, el Centro, this is not an area that you will necessarily want to stay in on account of its hectic pace at most hours of day and night.
These are the neighborhoods you’ll want to stay in — and devote plenty of time to — on your next visit to CDMX.
ROMA AND CONDESA
Condesa’s leafy streets were the first to appeal to visitors and place this area as Mexico City’s go-to destination for trendy travelers, but Roma soon followed suit. And while la Roma may have fewer parks than its slightly more popular sister, its plazas more than make up for it. A stroll along Orizaba street will take you from the fountains, restaurants and bars around Plaza Luis Cabrera — book a table at the popular Madre Café to ensure you’re seated outdoors — to Plaza Río de Janeiro, where cafés, boutiques and the occasional antique market await. Nearby MODO Museo del Objeto del Objeto is a museum of objects that provides insight into Mexico’s pop culture and more recent past.
Where to Stay:Technically in the Cuauhtémoc neighborhood, The St. Regis Mexico City is a good option for exploring Roma and Condesa. Floor-to-ceiling views of Paseo de la Reforma, one of the city’s main avenues, are one of the many highlights at this high-rise. A champagne sabering ritual, alfresco dining under a pergola at Bloom Garden and impeccable butler service at the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel will delight even the most seasoned traveler.
LA JUÁREZ
Quirky spots like a museum dedicated to chocolate and trendy cafés like Café Nin and Niddo have contributed to making la Juárez become the next “it” neighborhood in Mexico City. Its beautiful 19th-century mansions and a handful of speakeasies — Hanky Panky, Xaman Bar and Parker & Lenox among the most notable — are gems to be discovered while out and about.
Where to Stay: Find rest and relaxation at Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City, as well as innovative cocktails at Fifty Mils, ranked as one of The World’s 50 Best Bars. Champagne brunch on Sunday in its sunny inner courtyard will be one of the highlights of your trip.
POLANCO
Expect to go on endless strolls while staying in upscale Polanco, be it along the lakes at Lincoln Park or wandering down Avenida Presidente Masaryk, one of the city’s most exclusive addresses. Whether you’re after the best bite in Mexico at renowned Pujol and Quintonil or chose the area because of its walkable nature, there’s no doubt that Polanco’s central location makes it an ideal base to explore CDMX. The National Museum of Anthropology, The Museum of Modern Art and Chapultepec Castle are close by on Avenida Reforma.
Where to Stay: Check into Las Alcobas, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City if you prefer a more intimate hotel experience. With just 35 rooms, this stylish Four-Star boutique hotel will feel like your home away from home in Mexico City. Make sure you book a table at Dulce Patria, one of the two restaurants on the premises, and keep an open mind and adventurous palate while savoring Mexican flavors that you may not have tried before.
BOSQUES DE LAS LOMAS
While Bosques de las Lomas might not be the obvious choice if you’re traveling to CDMX as a tourist, it could be just right for business travelers with meetings in Santa Fe, the city’s ritzy corporate hub to the west. Known as one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Latin America, Bosques has winding streets that are surrounded by nature and lined with mansions that offer a glimpse into a different side of Mexico. Fine dining options in the neighborhood include world-famous Nobu, gourmet Mexican seafood spot Costa Guadiana and Argentine steakhouse Puerto Madero.
Where to Stay: Bosques de las Lomas is home to Live Aqua Urban Resort Mexico, an idyllic retreat that offers a complete sensory experience. The highlight: a luxurious spa with a hydrotherapy circuit that will restore your balance after a long day of meetings — or of shopping at Paseo Arcos Bosques, the swanky mall that can be accessed directly from the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel.
