Downtown Mexico City has been an urban area since the pre-Columbian 12th century. The city is filled with historical buildings and landmarks from every epoch since then. Known as the City of Palaces, there are a large number of stately buildings, especially in the centre.
Mexico City may be the second biggest city in the whole world with a population of approx 19.4 million, second only to Tokyo in Japan, but somehow it doesn’t feel that big (unless of course you attempt to drive from north to south or from east to west). Mexico City has something for everyone, shopping from haute-couture to hand made crafts, from museums to parks, from chic restaurants to street vendor food, from decades-old dance clubs to chic clubs. For an interesting article on the city, click here.
The Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico City is one of the true five star hotels. It is ideally situated on the Paseo de la Reforma, near Chapultepec Park, the National Museum of Anthropology and History and leading business, shopping and residential areas. The Four Seasons is a haven of peace in a busy city and a great base from which to explore one of the world's largest and most dynamic capitals. More...
La Casona is a small boutique hotel, just a few blocks from one of Mexico City´s most impressive avenues, Paseo de la Reforma. It is a former stately home with a pink facade and period balconies that evoke the architectural urban splendour of the beginning of the 20th century. This grand building with its 29 bedrooms has been completely restored and is now listed as an artistic monument by the National Institute of Fine Arts. More...
The Hotel Royal Zona Rosa is a Best Western property perfectly located in one of the central ‘tourist’ zones, the Zona Rosa, where you can feel happy to wander around to restaurants, shops and bars. It is a modern hotel, with comfortable rooms and can be described as a good tourist class hotel that won’t break the budget. More…
Casa Vieja is a luxury all-suite Boutique Hotel situated in the exclusive area of Mexico City's Polanco District. Once a private residence, Casa Vieja was created with a luxury lifestyle in mind and is now considered the most unique boutique property in Mexico City. There are just ten bedrooms and if staying in a room which could be straight out of the set of 'Frida', is what you are after, then you've found the place. More...
There is masses to see and do in Mexico City so be sure to allow at least a day or two to explore. The zocalo (the historic city centre) is a ‘must’ where some of the great Diego Rivera’s murals are found in the Palacio Nacional. The Anthropology museum is packed with interesting pieces from the times of the Aztecs, Mayans etc, Casa Azul Frida Kahlo’s house is interesting (but see the film ‘Frida’ before flying over), the Floating Gardens at Xochimilco (featured in the Monty Don series last winter, ‘Around the World in 80 Gardens’). Xochimilco lies 28 km south of Mexico City with its network of canals and artificial islands, it is testimony to the efforts of the Aztec people to build a habitat in the midst of an unfavourable environment. Its characteristic urban and rural structures, built since the 16th century and during the colonial period, have been preserved in an exceptional manner – worth a visit.
The massive ‘pyramids’ of Teotihuacan on the outskirts of Mexico City (it takes about an hour to get there), are also not to be missed.
