Downtown México
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"Pretty Average"
We booked one night in Mexico City while traveling from San Miguel de Allende to Cancún, choosing this hotel for its boutique size and central location. The check-in staff were welcoming and escorted us to our room. However, as an SLH property, the room was smaller and more basic than expected and clearly in need of some TLC. There was no real space to store luggage, and a constant background noise—possibly from a generator—was noticeable throughout the stay. That said, there were some positives: a well-stocked minibar, comfortable robes, a good shower, and nice toiletries. The location is excellent, just steps from the historic center, and the building itself is undeniably beautiful. Dinner at the main Mexican restaurant was a letdown. The hostess was noticeably snooty and made us feel unwelcome from the outset, and the food itself was fairly average. On a brighter note, the wine list was good and reasonably priced, and the wait staff were pleasant. Overall, the stay was disappointing. This hotel has the potential to be amazing, but a few key shortcomings prevent it from living up to that promise.
"A unique gem, but comically dark"
The hotel is in an excellent Centro location, close to must-visit sights and museums, as well as a wide range of restaurants and bars—from classic and upscale to low-key and gritty. The heritage building itself is stunning, with thoughtful design details throughout, and the quiet rooftop pool feels especially special for this part of the city. The staff were friendly and helpful, with Paula in particular going above and beyond by assisting us with calls and reservations, which we really appreciated. The included breakfast was fresh and delicious, and having it available late in the morning was a big plus. We originally planned to eat out for breakfast, but ended up enjoying the quality, consistency, and relaxed ambiance of the hotel’s breakfast instead. That said, we’re unlikely to return due to the extremely dark rooms. The only “windows” in our room were at the front door, with blackout shades that could only be fully open or fully closed. When open, they faced a public walkway, offering no privacy. Despite the very high ceilings, the lack of real windows made the room feel enclosed, with limited air circulation—almost like being in a concrete silo. Lighting was also insufficient; while the decor was tasteful, there simply wasn’t enough natural or artificial light to comfortably get ready or even pack our bags. After multiple requests, we were eventually given a construction-style work light. The stairways and elevators were also very dark, making it easy to feel unsafe navigating the space. Overall, we enjoyed the service, the pool, and many aspects of the stay, but the near-comical lack of lighting would prevent us from booking this hotel again.
"Amazing place to stay in the historic heart of Mexico City."
This is a beautifully designed hotel set in a historic building, offering spacious rooms and suites. The stunning courtyard provides privacy and creates a cozy setting for breakfast. The rooftop is equally impressive, with a cool bar, comfortable seating, and a small but stylish pool area that’s perfect for unwinding away from the hustle of the city. I would definitely recommend booking one of the suites, as they feature windows and small balconies overlooking the historic street, providing much more natural light compared to rooms that face the courtyard. The lighting throughout the hotel is thoughtfully designed and atmospheric, though a bit more brightness in certain areas—especially for practical tasks like unpacking luggage—would be helpful. Overall, it’s a wonderful place to stay. The staff are exceptionally friendly and easy to reach via WhatsApp, responding quickly and taking care of requests right away. Breakfast was tasty, with the granola and fresh grapefruit juice being personal highlights. The ground-floor restaurant is also very good, rounding out a thoroughly enjoyable stay.
"Great stay!"
Outstanding hotel—we’ve stayed here before, so we knew exactly what to expect, and it did not disappoint. Hands down, this was the best breakfast we had during our two-week trip in Mexico. We were told everything is made in-house, and it really shows in the quality and care put into every detail. The service was excellent as well. Cynthia was especially lovely and made us feel genuinely welcome. A memorable stay all around, and one we’re happy to return to again.
"Beautiful, well located hotel"
This is a beautiful hotel in the Centro area with a fabulous rooftop that serves excellent drinks and snacks. While the rooms are quite small and challenging to fit two suitcases, they were adequate for a one-night stay. We really appreciated the attentive service, including the hotel arranging an airport transfer for us. Overall, the service, food, and beverages were all of a high standard, making for a pleasant short visit.
"Great Breakfast"
We had many positive experiences at Downtown Mexico Hotel. The daily breakfast, served by Cynthia and Viridiana, was outstanding, with a great variety of options and truly impeccable service. The lobby area was also beautiful and very well maintained, adding to the overall charm of the hotel.
"amazing service"
Charlie was incredible—truly amazing service and genuine kindness. The rooms have a romantic feel, and the overall stay was very enjoyable. The location felt a bit unusual at the time due to COVID-related closures, but the food more than made up for it, especially at the excellent restaurant downstairs.
"One night before flight"
We stayed here for one night as Hyatt members before an early flight the next day. The sink in our room was clogged, but we didn’t bother reporting it since our stay was so short. What was more surprising was the lack of complimentary bottled water—this is the first hotel I’ve stayed at in Mexico that didn’t provide it, despite the fact that tap water isn’t drinkable. I live in Mexico and have stayed at many hotels, so this was especially disappointing. There was also no coffee maker in the room, which felt like another miss given the price point. Considering the hotel is not inexpensive, these omissions were frustrating, and we wouldn’t choose to stay here again.
"Downtown Hotel – top notch service and stay"
The hotel was lovely in every way—our room, the food, breakfast, dinner, and overall service were all outstanding. We especially enjoyed the rooftop patio and breakfast, where Viriy and Cynthia took wonderful care of us, always making sure we had everything we needed. They were incredibly kind, sweet, and helpful, and truly made our stay feel special. We loved our experience so much that we’ll be returning for our daughter’s wedding, and the entire wedding party will be staying here as well. That says it all—an amazing hotel we can’t wait to visit again.
"Beautiful, well run hotel with some major drawbacks"
Joshua F's March 2024 review captured our experience almost exactly. Fortunately, we had one of the rooms that I believe would be described as "city view" as it had balcony that overlooked the street as well as the door/windows onto the courtyard. The doors that opened onto the balcony provided extra light and air, which helped abate the darkness and improved air circulation. Given that our stay was during a heatwave, that was a lifesaver as the air conditioner, while working, simply couldn't keep the room cool (the ceilings have to be 12 feet at least). The balcony doors also meant that we could close the windows on the courtyard doors for some privacy. But the darkness in the room was still a problem. I had to sit on the end of the bed in front of the balcony to put on my makeup. I had trouble finding things in my suitcase. This is such a pity, as the lighting is clearly a design choice. There were four stylish lamps as well as a lighting strip under the headboard in our room, but all had bulbs so dim they shed almost no light. Ditto for the lighting bar above the bathroom mirror. As the previous review states, this is clearly a hip, happening spot. That meant that on one afternoon and evening there was a private "pool party" on the rooftop, with music pounding until 1:30 am. Luckily the rooms are relatively soundproof--but only with all the doors and windows closed, which kept the room pretty hot. On the plus side, the staff were lovely. (Sergio was especially wonderful.) Breakfast was very good--I especially enjoyed the buffet with all its fresh fruit--and the courtyard was a perfect spot to eat in the mornings. We also really enjoyed the rooftop bar for evening cocktails and snacks. On our last evening, we had a light meal there, and the tacos were great. The pool was also a huge bonus, given the heat. The restaurant on the ground floor (Azul Historica--not operated by the hotel) is an absolutely gorgeous spot for dinner, and the food was good. We, like the previous reviewer, are unlikely to repeat our stay at Downtown Mexico or recommend it to others because of the lighting and air conditioning situation. This is such a pity as the place really is beautiful, so conveniently situated and so well staffed.
Downtown México
A chic boutique hotel housed in a restored 17th-century palace in the historic center. Combines colonial architecture with modern design and a rooftop pool overlooking the city.
Address
Isabel la Católica #30, Colonia Centro, Mexico
Website
www.downtownmexico.com
Telephone
+52 (55) 5130 6830