The best boutique hotels in Mexico City leave you in awe of the city’s changing design landscape
The colourful capital.
From Edinburgh to Bangkok, we’re on the hunt for the world’s trendiest accommodations. While Mexico’s capital is brimming with historic buildings and an old-world charm, the city’s interest in the contemporary is often a pleasant surprise for many first-time visitors. Particularly visible across the best boutique hotels in Mexico City is a dynamic fusion of local culture with fashionable interiors. Step inside some of our faves.
You may also be interested in our guide to the best boutique hotels in Mexico overall.
The best boutique hotels in Mexico City
1. Circulo Mexicano
Circulo Mexicano epitomises the word “boutique” with its seamless integration of the trendy with the classic. Situated in central Mexico City, the three-storey, 19th-century building comprises a restaurant, retail shops, coworking space and 25 thoughtfully designed abodes on the second and third floors. The rooftop pool and terrace restaurant are undoubtedly a refreshing addition to the hotel’s charm, allowing guests to admire spectacular city views as they lounge or nibble on delectable treats.
Designed and decorated by Ambrosi Etchegaray, the Grupo Habita hotel’s minimalist decor is in stark contrast to the city’s colour-filled vibrancy. However, this leads to the creation of zen-like spaces and guestrooms featuring essential furniture, local textiles, and a colour scheme of whites mixed with the browns of wood.
Intimate and welcoming, we especially found the skylit patios and balconies to be lovely expansions that complement plush in-room facilities like free-standing tubs, rain showers, and wireless speakers.
Find out more about Circulo Mexicano
2. Downtown Mexico
Downtown Mexico encapsulates the spirit of modern-day Mexico. While it celebrates traditionality, the hotel incorporates chic design elements promising a remarkably unique stay experience. The recently remodelled 17th-century abode, considered one of the best boutique hotels in Mexico City, lies within the boundary of the capital’s historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here, the hotel basks in antiquity with an embellished colonial exterior, a grand stone staircase, and a gorgeous lobby courtyard with a mural by artist Manuel Rodriguez Lozano supplementing its magnetism. Simultaneously, bare brick and stone walls and an old-school elevator give the space an opposing industrial look.
Conceptualised by Cherem Serrano Arquitectos, the hotel’s design yin-and-yang continues on the terrace, with its restaurant and pool, juxtaposing the centuries-old buildings in the neighbourhood. The rooms follow suit, using traditional floor tiles in conjunction with fashionable features like exposed brick and stone walls. The hotel, known as Palacio de Los Condes de Miravalle, further sports a restaurant and retail shops on its ground floor.
Learn more about Downtown Mexico
3. Orchid House Polanco
Orchid House’s eye-catching interiors and the building’s 100-year-old legacy are the prime reasons for the accommodation’s increasing popularity among travellers visiting Mexico City. Elegant chandeliers, stained glass windows, barro flooring, distressed wood doors, decorative metal grills, and a running orchid theme give the hotel a cosy and romantic temperament.
Furthermore, the residence’s convenient location on the posh Polanco’s tree-lined Campos Eliseos avenue places guests next to the city’s best shopping and food destinations.
However, the highlight of a stay at Orchid House is the 17 individually decorated guestrooms. Antique furniture, carpets, wooden flooring, TV with Netflix, and en-suites with standalone tubs or showers, help convert the guestrooms into inviting spaces with a homely disposition. At the same time, the hotel’s terrace bistro is the go-to spot to savour the complimentary European breakfast or relish a relaxing sundowner while exchanging stories with fellow guests.
Find out more about Orchid House Polanco
4. Casa Emilia
An intimate retreat in central Mexico City, Casa Emilia offers respite from the city’s hustle while hosting you in proximity to popular attractions like the National Museum of Anthropology, Paseo de la Reforma, and The Museum of Modern Art. Furthermore, nearby this charismatic Bed and Breakfast, you’ll find several bars and restaurants that are doorways to the city’s many culinary pleasures.
Casa Emilia particularly stands out among the best boutique hotels in Mexico City for its trendsetting services, ranging from complimentary breakfast and honour bar to luxury bedding and bicycle rental. Additionally, autonomous check-in gives the place a homely aura rather than coming across as a conventional hotel.
The sojourn’s common spaces exude a sense of chicness with plush seating, bare brick walls, and abundant greenery. Moreover, their five suites and two thoughtfully planned rooms feature ensuite bathrooms, Smart TVs, fresh infused water, blackout curtains, hypo-allergic pillows and organic amenities by Rayito de Luna. The interiors give each room a distinct appeal, from antique doors as headboards and unique light fixtures to an overall raw finish that complements the extravagance of the furnishings.
Learn more about Casa Emilia
5. Hotel Habita
Blessing the stylish Polanco district with its own defining architectural style, Hotel Habita stands for all to see behind an eye-catching frosted glass exterior. The mid-century building’s new-age avatar comprises a see-through look that sparkles in the sunlight and mesmerises when lit up come nightfall.
This free-flowing aura of the hotel, conceived by Ten Arquitectos: Enrique Norten and Bernardo Gomez-Pimienta, extends inwards, all the way from the ground-floor restaurant, past the 6th-floor terrace and bar, to the gorgeous rooftop pool. The result is an uber-chic accommodation that impresses long before you step inside.
The coolness brought about by the glass forms an essential part of the interior design, as minimalistic guestrooms come with glass tables, low-level floating beds, and contemporary furnishings. The hotel’s boutique conveniences further highlight its forward-thinking attitude as in-house music channels, private terraces, 24-hour room service, and an Audi house car give Hotel Habita a winning edge over nearby accommodations.
Find out more about Hotel Habita
6. The Alest Hotel
Opened in 2021 after renovations, the Polanco located Alest hides a boutique hotel doused in opulence behind its modest colonial facade. The lobby’s bookshelf-themed wallpaper, well-stocked bar, and lush couches ooze a captivating vintage feel. We couldn’t but also admire how the space uses wood, metal, marble, and textile, often together in the same spot, to create inviting nooks for a relaxing evening drink.
The hotel’s marble-and-gold theme runs rampant throughout its 19 rooms that include three junior suites with terraces. Step inside any of them, and you’ll discover bespoke furniture, unique sideboards, and Carrara Mable ensuites. While modern amenities make these abodes ideal for a comfortable stay, the rooms simultaneously provide insight into Mexico’s artistic splendours through local art and bespoke furniture. As for gourmands wanting to indulge in contemporary Mexican cuisine, Alest’s in-house restaurant, 45, has you covered.
Find out more about The Alest Hotel
7. Nima Local House Hotel
A beautiful French colonial exterior welcomes guests to Nima Local House, an absorbing boutique hotel in Mexico City’s lively Roma neighbourhood. The four-room curated accommodation oozes a chic bohemian vibe showcasing owner Regina Montes’ eclectic decor style.
We particularly love the not-so-little embellishments that confirm your stay at the house is exceptional. Free WiFi, pillow menus, and espresso machines are admittedly the norm nowadays. But how about an honesty bar, mini spa, complimentary a la carte breakfast, and a luxury personal concierge, services typically unheard of in this hotel category?
The rooms at Nima, though exceptionally fashionable, exude a modern gaze interspersed with local furnishings that serve as a constant reminder of the city’s rich heritage. That the decor takes inspiration from past house residents is not just a novel idea but a chance for guests to immerse themselves into the core of Mexican ethos.
Find out more about Nima Local House Hotel
8. Condesa DF
A project helmed by Mexican architect Javier Sánchez with interiors by Parisian designer India Mahdavi, Condesa DF is among the leading boutique hotels in Mexico City, located at the junction of La Condesa and La Roma neighbourhoods.
A 1928 French neoclassical building, it houses 40 rooms and suites designed with comfort and serenity in mind. The beds, for instance, with their pure white bedding, offset the subdued colours of the furnishings, keeping the overall ambience mellow and composed. However, customised furniture, from non-traditional lampshades to rocking chairs and 60s-inspired tables, are in-room elements that pack the space with personality and style. Of course, there’s no holding when it comes to amenities, as Bluetooth speakers, rain showers, LCD screens, and room service guarantee a pleasant stay.
Guests looking to indulge in epicurean delights will love the Mexican-French menu prepared under the tutelage of Chef Antonio Balderas at Condesa DF’s El Patio. On the other hand, La Terraza sets a casual scene as the hotel’s sushi bar plates delicate preparations to enjoy while appreciating stunning city panoramas.
Find out more about Condesa DF
9. The Wild Oscar
The Wild Oscar finds itself in the heart of Polanco, Mexico City’s leading neighbourhood and a popular choice for a stay among visiting travellers. Contributing to Polanco’s fame, the hotel takes a vividly design-centric approach by developing eccentric spaces that make a lasting impression.
As a result, the general colour schemes across the 28 rooms of The Wild Oscar tilt towards brooding shades of browns and blacks with flashing bright hues adding to the sleekness of the abode. Moreover, the in-room furnishing and facilities don’t just provide function. Oversized full-length mirrors, Edison bulb lights, a coffee machine, and a curated collection of paintings and sculptures work in tandem to help accentuate the decoration.
Providing a complete package, The Wild Oscar hosts an in-house fine dining establishment named Constance. Book a table here for a delicious gastronomic journey that lets you explore contemporary Mexican fare in a refined setting.
Discover more about The Wild Oscar
10. Pug Seal Allan Poe
With its bright atmosphere, the unusually named Pug Seal Allan Poe in Polanco is more vibrant than godly, even though it takes inspiration from the Quetzalcoatl. Nevertheless, a sense of pride towards local heritage, combined with a bohemian-like concept including a large mural in the courtyard, gives the residence a distinctly alluring appeal.
Design undoubtedly takes centerstage at Allan Poe as curated art, chairs, tables, and couches result in a flamboyant atmosphere full of life and energy. The 20 rooms, ranging from the Standard to the Master Executive, make a bold statement, with the deep shades of the walls countering flashes of colour on the furniture. Designed by Mexican firm Rococo, the theme lends towards celebrating the past with an eye on the future.
However, a stay at Allan Poe isn’t just pomp and show. As one of the most revered boutique hotels in Mexico City, its services and facilities make it truly stand apart. When residing here, expect inclusions such as daily gourmet breakfast, 24-hour tea and coffee station, bicycles, personal concierge, and eco-friendly in-room amenities.
Learn more about Pug Seal Allan Poe
11. Hacienda Peña Pobre
Hacienda Peña Pobre makes up for its non-central location by being an oasis of calm. A place where guests can unwind while being moments away from Mexico City’s green marvels like the Bosque de Tlalpan park. The 19th-century transformed estate delights boutique enthusiasts with its outside-to-inside flowing openness while providing accommodation with a contemporary layout.
A Small Luxury Hotels of the World group member, the pet-friendly property boasts 18 lovingly styled accommodations. The rooms and suites with kitchens are spacious dwellings where hardwood flooring, stylish furniture pieces, and soft decor create an elegant and resting ambience.
Elaborate and, at times, extravagant, every corner of the hotel shines a spotlight on its featured components. Be it the in-house restaurant, orange tree courtyard, the lobby, or the terrace, designer elements from leather chairs and a baby piano to glass railings and, our favourite, VW Beetle house cars help elevate the overall setting.
Learn more about Hacienda Peña Pobre
12. Hotel Volga
One of the newest properties in town, Hotel Volga is the ultimate in modern architectural style. Located in Cuauhtemoc, within walking distance of Reforma, Roma, and Condesa, the hotel promises everything from stylish rooms to a stunning rooftop pool deck that offers views across the city.
Menus by Chef Juan Manuel González will delight guests with fresh local ingredients while Tier 2.5 is a curated boutique store sitting right inside the hotel.
Discover more about Hotel Volga
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