Mexico City Hotels/Resorts At-a-Glance

[LCBride2007]

Mexico City Hotels/Resorts At-a-Glance

 

Someone gave me this travel brochure for Mexico, and in it there are pages that show some of the hotels/resorts in different areas and the amenities in a grid. It was handy for me to see it laid out like this - so I thought I'd share. I will also be posting for a bunch of different areas ... stay tuned!

 

The brochure also rates and gives a little more info. on each hotel/resort mentioned. If anyone's interested in more - let me know!

 

(It was also a good excuse to play with the fun new printer/scanner we just bought!)

 

 

Mexico City.pdf

[TammyWright]

......

[Maura]

Being as I just got back from Mexico City (my 3rd trip this year because FI's family lives there)... I (mostly through my FI) can offer some opinions about this.

 

On the hotels list that Ann posted:

#1 is a total hole according to my FI

#2 is an American equivalent of a low-level Radisson

#3, the Four Seasons is the best hotel in Mexico City but is for business travelers and not whatsoever a resort

#4 is not a bad hotel but is located near the oil company and is a bad neighborhood nowadays. my FI's mom grew up in this neighborhood and back then it was a nice middle class neighborhood. he says he wouldnt exactly call it a slum now, but it isnt a nice place.

#5 Gran Melia is a Spanish chain and FI says they are generally OK - they are the European equiv. of a Hilton.

#6 NH is downtown in a not-fantastic location, plain hotel with minimum amenities mostly for business travelers.

#7 the Presidente InterContinental - in the 60s when it was built, designed by a famous Mexican architect, had a great lobby with beautiful art, all heads of state have stayed there and many celebrities. It's a old (and not in the charming sense of the word) hotel - right next door, the Nikko hotel, a modern Japanese chain hotel and the JW Marriott and the W hotel are just down the block, both world class hotels.

#8 The Sheraton is mostly a business hotel frequented by government and business travelers because it is located directly across the street from the American Embassy.

 

I would really like to stress however, that none of these hotels should be considered "resorts" and that Mexico City is not a "resort" kind of city that I would recommend to tourists under most circumstances. I don't want to scare you, and don't get me wrong, I love Mexico City and spending time there, BUT... it IS a dangerous place if you are not familiar with it or don't have someone familiar with it to show you around. Especially in the downtown area where you'd likely be interested in going as a tourist, you need to be very careful. I would *especially* not wear an engagement ring there in public, IMHO. I have always been accompanied everywhere by FI or his family or his mother's driver, so I have never felt in danger there per se, but FI got pretty ticked at me a few times on this recent visit when i forgot to either take off my ring when we were going out somewhere in the public way, or turn it around so the stone was facing inward.

 

I would absolutely tell you to not take the subway system or the buses, as it is not safe. Taxis are honestly not that much safer either. FI knows a number of people who have been "taxi kidnapped" where they basically hold you hostage and take you to an ATM to withdraw money, sometimes late at night and then keep you until the morning so you can take the maximum amount out that night and in the morning.

 

It is not a place I would recommend visiting if you don't have a local guide. And don't be deceived into thinking that everyone there speaks English - they def. don't.

 

I would be happy to answer any questions anyone has about Mexico City.

 

**Additionally, if you are coming from the states or Canada and you have a connecting flight in Mexico City, let me say also that it has one of the highest landing fees in the world and is a confusing airport if you have never been there. The lines to go thru immigration and customs are generally very slow (quicker if you have a Mexican passport), so theres a big chance of missing a connecting flight if you don't have multiple hours in between flights.

 

PaulaV might also be a good person to chime in on this discussion.

 

Not to say there are not positive aspects to Mexico City - I have always had a wonderful time when visiting. But it is not a place for naiive tourists by any means. Especially no walking around with a guide book! That is just asking for it.

[edna]

I agree with Maura, Mexico City is a dangerous city is not like some others in the world but you have to take precautions when you are there. Being mexican I have to say I hate being there by myself .. I alwasy ask my company to send a driver to pick me up at airport and drive me on the city.

 

But also I have to say if you have someone to tour you , Mexico City has a lot to offer, a lot of restaurants with all kind of food, bars, clubs, museums, and a lot of fun stuff to visit around like Cuernavaca, the pyramids, the beautiful lake at Valle de Bravo, Tequisquiapan, etc, etc..

 

So is fun and safe if you go with people that knows the city and take you to the right places.....

[arlene]

I lived in Mexico City for five ( 5 ) months and I'm going back in two weeks. Firstly, all the hype about how dangerous it is can 'scare' the beeeees out of you. I didn't find anything out of the ordinary when I was there. I have many friends who live there and none of them had a kidnapping or any other 'dangerous' experience.

 

I was there when Guiliani was there cleaning up the city, it may have changed since, and it certainly was worse before I was there. I'm sure there is truth to the kidnappings, etc... However, if you use precaution you'll blend in and not be a target.

 

I colored my hair to a brown shade, I wore muted colors,nothing bright that stood out, no jewelry, one inexpensive watch. I carried a regular school type backpack for my belongings when I was there.

 

I took the metro 90 % of the time, found it fast, convenient and cheap- 20 cents per one way even with transfers.

 

Taxi's - when you arrive at the airport get a taxi from the airport, they charge more but are 'approved'.

 

When your about the City and hail a taxi make sure they have the government license showing in front of the drivers window- less chance of kidnapping. I always had a map with me and knew which way I was going, so in case of a potential kidnapping I would just open the door and jump out. But that never happened.

 

The history in Mexico City is just incredible, from the Zocalo that was built with stones from the Aztec pyramid which is adjacent to the Zocalo and easy to see from the side of the Catholic Cathedral, to Bellas Artes, to Chapultepec Park with its museums, to the floating gardens, and Universidad- the first University built in the Americas. It dates back to 1500s, it has beautiful frescos on the outside of the building.

 

So much to see there, a good two weeks, and a LOT of walking. I lost 15 pounds just walking everywhere, and I ate more fried food than ever in my life.

 

hth, if you have any questions feel free to ask. Polanco is the highest end area of Mex City.

 

arlene catherine

[mgorordo]

Hi!

 

I'd love to see the map that you attached but I can't download it, would you mind sending it to me?

I'm getting marry in Mexico city next year and It would be really helpful.

 

Thanks!!!

 

Mariana

[SJHuddler]

test