Joe McConnell
Mexico City is a vibrant metropolis, full of great food, fun nightlife, incredible art, sprawling parks, and hip neighborhoods. I was a late arrival (first time just a few years ago) and can’t believe I hadn’t made the trip sooner. It’s an amazing city.
Colloquially known as CDMX (Ciudad de Mexico), Mexico City is a world-class destination that is definitely worth visiting. But it is also a huge and sprawling city. There are plenty of hotels here and choosing the right one is essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable stay.
Having been to the city a few times (and even led tours there), I know which hotels are worth your money. Here is my list of what I think are the best hotels in Mexico City:
1. Central Zocalo Mexico City
Housed in a late 19th-century building right on the Zócalo (the city’s main square), you can’t get more central than this four-star hotel. The rooftop bar has absolutely incredible views of the plaza, and I love that the free breakfast is served here every morning (it features both Mexican fare and continental breakfast staples like yogurt and granola). There are also free bikes for guests, a fitness center, and a steam room. A truly unique perk they offer is the 24/7 bar in the lobby where everything is free for guests (serving items like coffee, tea, pastries, fruit, sandwiches, and other snacks). There are also refrigerators with free water and fruit on every floor. (If only all hotels had amenities like this!)
The guest rooms have a historic, moody feel, with stormy gray walls, dark wood floors, wood-beamed ceilings, and even chandeliers. Even though you’re right on the square, you can’t hear a thing once you close the double-glazed windows, allowing you to sleep soundly. All rooms come with a desk, large TV, air conditioning, safe, and coffee maker. The bathrooms are a bit small but have showers with excellent water pressure and free toiletries. This is a great choice if you want to be close to many of the city’s top attractions.
2. Villa Condesa Hotel
This boutique property in Condesa is as leafy and elegant as the surrounding neighborhood. It’s housed in a 19th-century mansion and boasts a beautiful interior courtyard, a tranquil oasis in the big city. They also serve a complimentary breakfast every morning (be sure to try the chilaquiles and huevos rancheros)!
Each of the fifteen spacious and comfortable suites is different. Some are brightly decorated with colorful walls and sofas, while others have a stately feel, with antique furniture and wooden floors. Some rooms even have balconies, but all rooms have flat-screen TVs and desks. Bathrooms are a bit small but include free toiletries and fluffy bathrobes. Since there are only a few rooms here, it feels really cozy (the staff is also very friendly and welcoming), which makes it ideal for a quiet stay in one of Mexico City’s best neighborhoods.
3. Gran Hotel Mexico City
This historic Art Nouveau hotel was built as a department store in 1899 and converted into a hotel for the 1968 Olympics. Featured in several James Bond films, this five-star property has an impressive interior lobby with a stunning Tiffany stained-glass ceiling, as well as wrought-iron elevators and balustrades. It’s located right on the Zócalo, with two restaurants serving Mexican cuisine and a fitness center. I especially like the fact that you can enjoy views of the Zócalo while enjoying the generous breakfast buffet. The only downside to being right on the main square is that it can get a little noisy if your room overlooks the square. (I personally prefer a quieter stay, so you can request an interior room if that’s your thing.)
The enormous rooms feature classic wood furnishings that befit the hotel’s history (suites even have four-poster beds with curtains). Whether you choose a room or a suite, you’ll have a large TV, a large desk, a sitting area, a safe, a coffee maker, and a minibar. The marble bathrooms are also spacious, with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. Some also have soaking tubs and walk-in showers. Overall, this is a top pick for history buffs who will focus on seeing the sites around the Zócalo.
4. Green Park Hotel
Housed in a beautiful Art Deco building, Green Park Hotel is located right across the street from the sprawling green oasis that is Chapultepec Park (the city’s largest park). It’s also in the middle of Polanco, a posh neighborhood known as the “Beverly Hills of Mexico.” The rooftop bar is a fun place to hang out, and there’s a free breakfast (though I personally don’t think it’s anything special).
All rooms are spacious suites decorated in an aristocratic English style, with elegant wooden furniture, hardwood floors and paintings on the walls. I love the floor-to-ceiling arched windows that offer views of the adjacent park or courtyard. The luxurious suites have nice desks, a sitting area and a smart TV. The large marble bathrooms have both a whirlpool tub and a walk-in shower, as well as free toiletries and fluffy bathrobes. It’s a nice choice for an upscale stay in a classy neighborhood.
5. Hotel Agata
If you’re looking for something in a completely different part of town, this super stylish hotel is located in bohemian Coyoacán, the area made famous by Frida Kahlo (her house, now a museum, is less than a ten-minute walk away). This boutique property has just four rooms, and the staff really goes out of their way to ensure your stay is personalized. The free healthy breakfast is cooked to order, and you can choose from a variety of options, including chia pudding, freshly made eggs, and lots of fresh fruit. I also love that it’s served on the terrace.
The spacious rooms are decorated in soft neutrals, with wood accents and interesting ceiling lights that look like fantastical upside-down woven baskets. All rooms have a sitting area, Nespresso machine, safe, large TV, and some rooms also offer a balcony. The bathrooms are stunning, with exposed brick walls, deep soaking tubs, walk-in showers, fluffy bathrobes, and luxurious toiletries. This hotel feels almost like a spa retreat, making it a great place for a quiet, intimate stay.
I love Mexico City. There are countless museums, great restaurants, and great mezcal bars to explore here. I think it is one of the most fascinating cultural destinations in the world and a city that more travelers to Mexico need to visit. Just make sure you choose a hotel from the list above to ensure a fantastic stay in this vibrant destination!
Book Your Trip to Mexico City: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book your flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines all over the world, so you always know that no stone has been left unturned!
Book your accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld, which has the largest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com, which consistently offers the cheapest rates for guesthouses and budget hotels.
If you are looking for a hostel, here are my favorite hostels in Mexico City.
And as for the best neighborhoods in the city, this post can help you choose the best area to stay.
Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance will protect you from illness, injury, theft and cancellations. It is complete protection in case something goes wrong. I never travel without it because I have had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list all the ones I use to save money when traveling. They will save you money when traveling too.
Want more information about Mexico City?
Don’t forget to visit our complete Mexico City guide for more planning tips!
