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Forbes
16 hours ago
- Forbes
Best Hotels In Mexico City 2025
T he best hotels in Mexico City offer top-notch accommodations across a wide range of neighborhoods, from stylish Condesa to artsy Coyoacan. Whether you're looking to explore Frida Kahlo's house, watch a lucha libre wrestling match in Arena Mexico or go on an immersive taco crawl, a trip to Mexico's capital is a culturally enriching experience that an increasing number of travelers are seeking out. To select the best accommodations, we tapped experts like Marcos Ramirez, a travel advisor at NUBA, for key insights. Our top overall pick is Casa Polanco thanks to its superb service and beautiful architecture, while The St. Regis Mexico City is the city's most luxurious stay. Couples seeking an intimate hideaway will appreciate La Valise Mexico City, while families will enjoy the many amenities offered at Kimpton Virgilio. Below, our selections for the best hotels in Mexico City in 2025, based on multiple trips and stays. Guest room at Casa Polanco. Casa Polanco Who Will Love It: Stylish travelers who appreciate art and bespoke service All-Star Amenities: Rooftop spa cabin; world-class art in every room; an exclusive partnership with local perfumery Xinú on in-room bath products What Not To Miss: The complimentary minibar stuffed with chef-prepared snacks Location: Polanco This 19-room luxury hotel, which sits right in the heart of posh shopping district Polanco, is a favored stay among stylish travelers. 'It's a fascinating example of the city's architectural heritage,' says Ramirez. 'You feel as though you've escaped the vibrant city and entered a calm, relaxing house.' Rooms here are intentionally designed with a minimalist touch, occasionally punctuated with stunning art and decorative pieces by Mexican creatives like Ricardo Mazal, Jordi Boldó and Graciela Iturbide. Every room comes with a complimentary minibar stocked with treats like matcha-covered blueberries as well as bath and bodycare products developed in partnership with Xinú, a chic local perfumery. You can also work with experience planners to craft exclusive excursions like private evening tours of Chapultepec Castle. Suite bedroom at The St. Regis Mexico City. Courtesy of The St. Regis Mexico City Who Will Love It: Luxury lovers and Champagne enthusiasts All-Star Amenities: A well-appointed kids club; four restaurants and bars; 24-hour butler service What Not To Miss: La Table Krug, the private dining room that serves an eight-course French meal paired with Krug Champagne Location: Reforma Perched right on Paseo de la Reforma, steps away from the Angel of Independence statue, The St. Regis Mexico City is in the heart of the business district while still just minutes from trendier districts like Condesa and Roma. The spacious guest rooms (designed to look like sleek private residences) come with equally roomy marble bathrooms. There are four restaurants and bars that stand out even in such a gastronomic city. La Table Krug, the private dining room that serves an eight-course French meal paired with Krug Champagne, is among the most coveted culinary experiences in town. And to keep up with your wellness regimen, there's an indoor pool with fantastic views of the skyline, an impressive fitness center, and Remède Spa for massages, facials, or just a relaxing session in the sauna. Hotel Carlota's building centers around an outdoor pool. Hotel Carlota Who Will Love It: Travelers seeking excellent amenities at an approachable price All-Star Amenities: Spa; L'Occitane toiletries; outdoor pool; complimentary bicycle rentals; pet-friendly What Not To Miss: The on-site library Location: Cuauhtémoc Mexico City's hip Cuauhtémoc neighborhood is known for its many art galleries and cultural institutions. Reflecting its surroundings, Hotel Carlota offers travelers an industrial-chic escape that leans in on architecture and design while offering plenty of high-end amenities. The 36-room hotel near Paseo de la Reforma is packed with personalized touches, like Mexican candies awaiting guests in each room, a stylish library and an outdoor pool—along with a happening bar alongside it—that serves as the property's centerpiece. Guests can also indulge in seafood-forward dishes at the on-site Julia Bistro, helmed by celebrated chef Fernando Martínez Zavala. Plus, rooms can regularly be snagged for around $150 a night, even during peak season (November through April). Best Boutique Hotel In Mexico City: Casa Tenue Guest room at Casa Tenue. Casa Tenue Casa Tenue Who Will Love It: Those seeking an intimate hideaway All-Star Amenities: Rainfall showers; private courtyards What Not To Miss: The contemporary local art collection curated by Mexico City gallery ÑÚ Location: Roma Norte 'I almost don't want to share this little gem,' says travel advisor and Mexico City native Ioanna Alvarez of her top recommendation, Casa Tenue. The property, which opened its doors this spring, features just eight rooms in a historic home—the neighborhood's second-oldest. Lovingly restored and designed by architecture firms Vertebral and Habitación 116, guests are welcomed by sleek concrete, earthy stone, locally crafted furnishings and natural fabrics. 'It feels like a home,' says Alvarez. 'The rooms are beautifully curated and are all about design.' Many of the rooms have access to private courtyards, and the hotel's location in trendy Roma Norte is steps away from shops, boutiques and restaurants. For larger groups, the property can even be booked out as a private home on Airbnb. Best Hotel For Couples In Mexico City: La Valise Mexico City The Cilene Suite at La Valise Mexico City. Courtesy of Namron Hospitality La Valise Mexico City Who Will Love It: Honeymooners; couples looking for an intimate hideaway All-Star Amenities: Private terraces; 420-thread-count linen-cotton sheets; Loredana toiletries; in-room projectors; outdoor bathtubs and showers What Not To Miss: The suites with slide-out king-sized beds Location: Roma Couples craving a romantic pied-à-terre will find it at La Valise, a gorgeous boutique hotel in the cool Roma neighborhood. This adults-only, pet-free sanctuary used to have just three rooms, making it tricky to nab a reservation. Thanks to an expansion in 2024, it now offers eight suites with even more dreamy features. Each spacious hideaway is individually designed with custom furnishings and Mexican artifacts and antiques. The concierge can arrange everything from food tours to in-suite massages to hot air balloon rides over the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. Best of all, the hotel has partnered with a selection of restaurants in the area to deliver freshly made breakfasts, snacks and other meals to the suite. Best Hotel In Mexico City For Families: Kimpton Virgilio Bathroom at Kimpton Virgilio. Courtesy of Kimpton Virgilio Kimpton Virgilio Who Will Love It: Multigenerational groups and families who value style and space All-Star Amenities: Complimentary evening social hour; loaner bikes; special amenities for kids and pets What Not To Miss: The rooftop swimming pool and bar Location: Polanco With its spacious family rooms, amenities for all ages and central location next to Lincoln-Polanquito Park, Kimpton Virgilio is one of the best hotels in Mexico City for families. The 48-key property, which opened in February 2024, provides a convenient base for exploring the area's many museums and restaurants. It also offers plenty of the amenities many people have come to associate with the Kimpton brand, including an outdoor pool, in-room yoga mats and a fitness center. A dedicated kids' program, which includes welcome gifts, cribs and child-friendly dining, also makes it an appealing option for those traveling with little ones. When you're ready for adventure, borrow a complimentary bike and explore the nearby Bosque de Chapultepec, home to a castle, botanical gardens, a zoo and a great children's museum. Best Airbnb In Mexico City: Casa Teo Guest room dining table at Casa Teo. Courtesy of Casa Teo Casa Teo Who Will Love It: Foodies looking for an independent stay All-Star Amenities: Priority booking at Pujol, Mexico City's premier fine-dining restaurant; an on-site tasting dinner What Not To Miss: Organized excursions around the city Location: Polanco Located in the heart of Polanco, Casa Teo is a unique serviced apartment run by one of Mexico's most celebrated chefs, Enrique Olvera. Olvera originally launched Casa Teo in order to host friends—mostly other famous chefs visiting from all over the world—and has since opened the guesthouse up for public bookings. Casa Teo is a boutique bed-and-breakfast experience, so there aren't a ton of amenities, but you do get a fantastic chef-made breakfast (think fresh bread, light bites and coffee) as well as the option to arrange a tasting meal in the on-property dining room, prepared by a member of Olvera's team. And if you're looking for help with your CDMX itinerary, your hosts can recommend everything from the hottest new cocktail bars in town to more immersive cultural experiences in and around Mexico City. Best Hotel For Design Lovers In Mexico City: Octavia Casa Guest room at Octavia Casa. Courtesy of Octavia Casa Octavia Casa Who Will Love It: Design-minded travelers who want to be in the center of it all but still want privacy All-Star Amenities: Soothing minimalist design; great location; plenty of privacy What Not To Miss: Breakfast delivered daily from a nearby bakery Location: Condesa In this seven-room hotel, Mexican designer Roberta Maceda meticulously created the guesthouse of her dreams that acts as an extension of her fashion and decor brand, Octavia. With its location in the heart of the happening neighborhood of Condesa—walking distance from top restaurants, trendy shops and cool cocktail bars—it makes sense that the property allows for guests to have a thoroughly independent stay. The natural-leaning interior design (rooms are named after things like rock, or roca , and linen, or lino ) features a mix of furniture and accessories by national designers like Onora, Encrudo and Ente as well as pieces from Octavia's latest homeware releases. Accommodation categories range from standard rooms to larger studios and all come with balconies. Best Spa And Wellness Hotel In Mexico City: Sofitel Mexico City Reforma Spa at Sofitel Mexico City Reforma. Courtesy of Sofitel Mexico City Reforma Sofitel Mexico City Reforma Who Will Love It: Travelers who want spa time in the sky All-Star Amenities: Five restaurants and bars; a pool with fantastic views; a full-service spa in partnership with French skincare brand L'Occitane What Not To Miss: A drink at Cityzen, the highest rooftop bar in Mexico City Location: Reforma Located on the iconic boulevard of Paseo de la Reforma, Sofitel Mexico City Reforma ticks a lot of boxes. Its 275 modern rooms and suites are housed inside a glistening 40-story glass skyscraper, offering fantastic views over the surrounding metropolis. It's also home to the best spa in CDMX: a luxe wellness retreat that sits on the 39th floor, where massages and facials come with a bird's-eye view. Wellness experiences here can range from yoga and meditation to sound healing, but you may want to try the 90-minute Sleep and Reset treatment, which is aimed at promoting total relaxation, starting with a mindful breathing exercise followed by a full-body rubdown. A floor below that is the elegant and beautifully decorated pool, a great perk that is exclusively accessible to hotel guests. Hotel With The Best Views In Mexico City: The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City Samos Terrace. Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City Who Will Love It: Luxury travelers who want the city's best views All-Star Amenities: Six-room spa; a heated indoor swimming pool; exclusive experiences What Not To Miss: The Club Lounge's culinary tastings Location: Reforma Occupying the top 13 floors of a 59-story skyscraper, The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City is simply unbeatable when it comes to views. And considering the hotel's location at the entrance of Bosque de Chapultepec (CDMX's answer to Central Park), incredible vistas can be seen from almost every corner of the property. Ninety percent of the hotel's 153 rooms come with private balconies and terraces, and if you're staying in the building's west side, you can even spot Chapultepec and the mountains further afield. Southeast rooms look over Paseo De La Reforma and the iconic monuments that dot it: Angel de la Independencia, Fountain of Diana the Huntress and the Monument to Cuauhtémoc. When you're ready to put your camera down, the hotel also curates bookable experiences that offer a different view of the city, including a natural wine bar crawl with a sommelier or private classes with a local artist. Why Trust Forbes Vetted The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of hotel guides featuring cities across the globe. The travel section is managed by Forbes Vetted's senior travel editor Astrid Taran, an 8-year industry veteran who's visited over 40 countries and has spent a good amount of time enjoying the excellent museums and constantly evolving food scene of Mexico City. This story was edited by deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the travel, beauty and fashion verticals at Forbes Vetted. She has extensively traveled throughout Mexico, including multiple visits to Mexico City, which she considers one of her favorite cities in the world. For this story, Taran collected key insights from NUBA travel advisors Marcos Ramirez and Ioanna Alvarez, who both have extensive experience booking trips to Mexico City. Alvarez is also a Mexico City native. How We Chose The Best Hotels In Mexico City We selected the top contenders based on personal stays as well as extensive research. For this story, Taran combined first-person experience at hotels she's stayed at and spent hours combing through reviews on TripAdvisor, hotel websites and more. We included a selection of larger hotels as well as intimate boutique stays. We also included family-friendly properties as well as ones more oriented towards couples and adult groups. We included hotels and Airbnbs across a wide range of Mexico City neighborhoods, including Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Reforma and Cuauhtémoc. More Travel Stories:
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mexicans cast ballots for nation's judges in controversial, first-ever vote
Mexican citizens went to the polls Sunday to elect thousands of judges in a historic vote championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum as an essential democratic reform — and assailed by opponents and many legal experts as a crude maneuver to consolidate ruling-party power. The vote marked the first time that Mexico has elected judges, who until now have been appointed by review panels after passing a series of legal exams — or, in the case of Supreme Court justices, after presidential nominations. With Sunday's vote, experts said, Mexico became the first country worldwide to elect all of its judges. Sheinbaum, who has assailed the current judiciary as corrupt and plagued by nepotism, gave a thumbs-up to journalists early Sunday as she and her husband arrived at a polling place in the Museum of Art in downtown Mexico City. "Long live democracy!" she declared on X after the first couple cast their ballots. The president has presented the judicial reform as a key component of her efforts to curb Mexican criminal cartels, a crackdown that is being closely watched by the Trump administration. But detractors predict a partisan judiciary beholden to the ruling Morena party — and even more vulnerable to bribery and infiltration by organized crime. Read more: Mexico judicial elections: Government calls it essential reform. Critics say it's a farce "This is a black Sunday," Fernando Belaunzarán, a member of the center-right National Action Party told protesters gathered Sunday at the capital's landmark Angel of Independence monument. "Today the system of checks and balances died. ... Today was a coup d'etat. No weapons were used, but they captured the institutions meant to safeguard democracy." Some opposition lawmakers called for a boycott, labeling the process a farce meant to bolster the power of Sheinbaum's leftist Morena political bloc. Besides holding the presidency, Morena dominates Mexico's Congress, the Mexico City government and many statehouses. Apart from fierce polemics, the election has generated widespread confusion. Voters faced a daunting task: Choosing 881 federal judges, more than half of the federal judiciary. Citizens had to pore over at least six separate, color-coded ballots listing more than 3,000 candidates, mostly unknown to the public. Elections are slated for 2027 to choose the remainder of the federal bench. In addition, voters in 18 states and Mexico City were choosing some 1,800 regional judges. Turnout seemed sluggish and delays appeared the norm Sunday at several polling sites in the capital. Voters, many of them elderly, struggled with making a choice among the wide array of candidates. Many people were taking 20 minutes or more to fill out ballots. "I'm very upset," said Alberto Romero Díaz, 57, a car wash owner who was waiting in line to vote in the capital. "I've been waiting here almost an hour. This is very badly organized." Many voters carried cheat sheets listing numbers corresponding to preferred candidates. Ruling party officials have denied handing out the widely distributed cheat sheets, known here as acordeones (accordions) because the guides fold like the musical instrument. "Of course we used accordions to help us," said Jerónimo Contreras, 42, a businessman who was accompanying his elderly parents at a polling site. "One has to enter many numbers, it's very complicated." The cheat sheets, he said, indicated candidates backed by Sheinbaum's Morena party. Voting for Morena-backed candidates, Contreras said, would ensure continuation of government financial aid and other social-assistance programs launched by the ruling party. "If the judges are people who help Morena and the president, then everyone is on the same side — and that's a good thing," Contreras said. The elections are officially nonpartisan. Contenders were not identified by party affiliation. Political parties were banned from funding candidates. Critics said the vetting of candidates was woefully inadequate and that some candidates had ties to organized crime or other ethical shortcomings. Sheinbaum said only a few candidates appeared unqualified. There was no immediate word on voter participation, which is viewed as a key test of the election's validity. Turnout is widely expected to be far below the more 60% of voters who cast ballots in last year's national balloting. The most closely watched contest is the election of nine members of the new Supreme Court. Under the electoral reform, the nation's highest tribunal will see both a reduction in the number of justices (from 11 currently) and new restrictions on the court's ability to invalidate laws as unconstitutional. The vote is the result of constitutional amendments pushed last year by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who, like President Trump, often chafed at court rulings blocking his initiatives. The Mexican Congress, dominated by Morena, fast-tracked the radical judicial makeover, rejecting criticisms that the move was another step toward one-party rule. The election featured a rare public appearance by López Obrador, who cast his ballots in the southern state of Chiapas, where he retired to a family ranch last year after completing his six-year term. Mexican law bans presidential reelection. The former president, who founded the Morena party and is Sheinbaum's mentor, has kept a low profile. López Obrador, an avid amateur historian, said he has been working on his latest book, a study of Mexico before the 16th century arrival of Spanish conquistadores. In brief comments to reporters, the former president — who plucked Sheinbaum from relative academic obscurity to launch her remarkable political ascendance — hailed the judicial vote and praised his protege. "I wanted to participate in this historic election," López Obrador told reporters after voting, adding: "We have the world's best president!" Official results of Sunday's election are not expected for two weeks. Once electoral authorities certify the vote, the newly elected judges are scheduled to take office Sept. 1. McDonnell is a Times staff writer and Sánchez Vidal is a special correspondent. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Mexicans cast ballots for nation's judges in controversial, first-ever vote
MEXICO CITY — Mexican citizens went to the polls Sunday to elect thousands of judges in a historic vote championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum as an essential democratic reform — and assailed by opponents and many legal experts as a crude maneuver to consolidate ruling-party power. The vote marked the first time that Mexico has elected judges, who until now have been appointed by review panels after passing a series of legal exams — or, in the case of Supreme Court justices, after presidential nominations. With Sunday's vote, experts said, Mexico became the first country worldwide to elect all of its judges. Sheinbaum, who has assailed the current judiciary as corrupt and plagued by nepotism, gave a thumbs-up to journalists early Sunday as she and her husband arrived at a polling place in the Museum of Art in downtown Mexico City. 'Long live democracy!' she declared on X after the first couple cast their ballots. The president has presented the judicial reform as a key component of her efforts to curb Mexican criminal cartels, a crackdown that is being closely watched by the Trump administration. But detractors predict a partisan judiciary beholden to the ruling Morena party — and even more vulnerable to bribery and infiltration by organized crime. 'This is a black Sunday,' Fernando Belaunzarán, a member of the center-right National Action Party told protesters gathered Sunday at the capital's landmark Angel of Independence monument. 'Today the system of checks and balances died. ... Today was a coup d'etat. No weapons were used, but they captured the institutions meant to safeguard democracy.' Some opposition lawmakers called for a boycott, labeling the process a farce meant to bolster the power of Sheinbaum's leftist Morena political bloc. Besides holding the presidency, Morena dominates Mexico's Congress, the Mexico City government and many statehouses. Apart from fierce polemics, the election has generated widespread confusion. Voters faced a daunting task: Choosing 881 federal judges, more than half of the federal judiciary. Citizens had to pore over at least six separate, color-coded ballots listing more than 3,000 candidates, mostly unknown to the public. Elections are slated for 2027 to choose the remainder of the federal bench. In addition, voters in 18 states and Mexico City were choosing some 1,800 regional judges. Turnout seemed sluggish and delays appeared the norm Sunday at several polling sites in the capital. Voters, many of them elderly, struggled with making a choice among the wide array of candidates. Many people were taking 20 minutes or more to fill out ballots. 'I'm very upset,' said Alberto Romero Díaz, 57, a car wash owner who was waiting in line to vote in the capital. 'I've been waiting here almost an hour. This is very badly organized.' Many voters carried cheat sheets listing numbers corresponding to preferred candidates. Ruling party officials have denied handing out the widely distributed cheat sheets, known here as acordeones (accordions) because the guides fold like the musical instrument. 'Of course we used accordions to help us,' said Jerónimo Contreras, 42, a businessman who was accompanying his elderly parents at a polling site. 'One has to enter many numbers, it's very complicated.' The cheat sheets, he said, indicated candidates backed by Sheinbaum's Morena party. Voting for Morena-backed candidates, Contreras said, would ensure continuation of government financial aid and other social-assistance programs launched by the ruling party. 'If the judges are people who help Morena and the president, then everyone is on the same side — and that's a good thing,' Contreras said. The elections are officially nonpartisan. Contenders were not identified by party affiliation. Political parties were banned from funding candidates. Critics said the vetting of candidates was woefully inadequate and that some candidates had ties to organized crime or other ethical shortcomings. Sheinbaum said only a few candidates appeared unqualified. There was no immediate word on voter participation, which is viewed as a key test of the election's validity. Turnout is widely expected to be far below the more 60% of voters who cast ballots in last year's national balloting. The most closely watched contest is the election of nine members of the new Supreme Court. Under the electoral reform, the nation's highest tribunal will see both a reduction in the number of justices (from 11 currently) and new restrictions on the court's ability to invalidate laws as unconstitutional. The vote is the result of constitutional amendments pushed last year by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who, like President Trump, often chafed at court rulings blocking his initiatives. The Mexican Congress, dominated by Morena, fast-tracked the radical judicial makeover, rejecting criticisms that the move was another step toward one-party rule. The election featured a rare public appearance by López Obrador, who cast his ballots in the southern state of Chiapas, where he retired to a family ranch last year after completing his six-year term. Mexican law bans presidential reelection. The former president, who founded the Morena party and is Sheinbaum's mentor, has kept a low profile. López Obrador, an avid amateur historian, said he has been working on his latest book, a study of Mexico before the 16th century arrival of Spanish conquistadores. In brief comments to reporters, the former president — who plucked Sheinbaum from relative academic obscurity to launch her remarkable political ascendance — hailed the judicial vote and praised his protege. 'I wanted to participate in this historic election,' López Obrador told reporters after voting, adding: 'We have the world's best president!' Official results of Sunday's election are not expected for two weeks. Once electoral authorities certify the vote, the newly elected judges are scheduled to take office Sept. 1. McDonnell is a Times staff writer and Sánchez Vidal is a special correspondent.
