Casa Polanco, Mexico

Searching for a stylish Mexico City stay that feels like you’re bedding down in an ultra-luxurious home rather than a hotel? We always call on Casa Polanco, located on a tree-lined boulevard in one of Mexico City’s most monied neighborhoods, for just that. This 1940s mansion has been meticulously restored to create an intimate 19-room boutique that celebrates both original Neocolonial architecture and contemporary Mexican art. The home-from-home feeling extends to all elements of your time here (we’re particularly huge fans of the honesty bar and help yourself rooftop drinks trolley), with a team that’ll make you feel like you’re spending the weekend in your high-flying friends’ family mansion.

LOCATION

Set in the heart of Polanco – Mexico City’s answer to Manhattan’s Upper East Side – Casa Polanco sits on the edge of leafy Lincoln Park, a midcentury masterpiece that’s dotted with sculptures shaded by deep-purple jacaranda trees. It’s a short stroll to Chapultepec Park, one of the world’s largest public gardens and the Anthropology Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Mexican art. Stylish restaurants, boutiques, malls, and museums dot the neighborhood, or you can hop in a cab for a short ride to Roma Norte and Condesa, where some of the city’s most innovative new restaurants are making their name.

YOUR ROOM

No two rooms are the same at Casa Polanco, but each and every one feels wonderfully serene and sophisticated thanks to white-washed walls lined with statement contemporary Mexican artwork, large marble bathrooms, and hand-crafted modern furniture – including sumptuous beds layered in bright-white Egyptian cotton linen.
Our favorite, though, would be the Premier Double Patio View room, an elegant, light-filled space with arched, wrought-iron windows that open out onto a peaceful private courtyard. Two queen beds make it a handy room for families or friends, and the living area is a great spot for hanging out after a day exploring the city.

WHO IT SUITS

If you love an intimate and individual stay over big-brand hotels, Casa Polanco is for you. It’s a true urban escape, with its gardens, location on a tree-lined street, and low-key atmosphere. Many of the rooms are great for grown-up families, but anyone who loves a quiet, culturally immersive stay that celebrates local artists, designers, and Mexican craftsmanship will be very happy here.

WHY WE LIKE IT

Sure, you’re surrounded by things to see and do beyond the Casa Polanco’s wrought-iron gates, but this is a hotel to relax in, too. We love the thoughtfully designed social spaces in the hotel, like the book-lined library with its comfy corner sofas and the plant-filled courtyard. There’s a double treatment room in the spa for post-sightseeing couples’ massages, while the Honor Bar and rooftop terrace are the places to sink into a seat after a long day of exploring – help yourself to the drinks trolley, which is laden with wines and spirits (some of which are on the house). Tours of the hotel’s huge contemporary art collection are a very nice touch, too.