Mexico City
A lot of business is conducted over meals, so knowing where to go can win extra points. Despite its sprawl Mexico City is a fairly easy-to-maneuver metropolis.
Sleeping
Sheraton Centro Histórico. Working on the premise that size does count, the Sheraton boasts 457 rooms and suites and its own convention center. It has been dubbed one of the 10 “most intelligent” buildings in the country, thanks to its unusual design, technology and security systems. It looks a little formidable, but its staff is friendly. Rooms from $188. www.starwoodhotels.com
Marquis Reforma Hotel & Spa. Its Art Deco style makes this 208-room pink stone-and-glass hotel stand out along Paseo de la Reforma. Walking distance of the fashionable Polanco shops and restaurants, this is posh at a perfect price: Rooms start at $127. www.marquisreforma.com
Camino Real México. This architectural gem has large, comfortable guest rooms and talked-about art. Noise can be a problem in some areas of the massive complex – make sure your room does not face the street and is not above the China Grill. Once the business center closes at 11 p.m., head to the Blue Lounge. That’s the place to hang out. The little 24-hour café makes a nice middle-of-the-night alternative to room service. www.caminoreal.com
W Mexico City. Cherry-red walls, all-white signature beds and a hammock in your room define this hotel – the first W in Latin America – as different. Rooms have oversized work areas, highspeed wireless Internet and CD players. Rates from $200. www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels
Condesa DF. This happening inn features Soho-style rooms, private balconies, rocking chairs and Ipods for use during a guest’s stay. Rooms from $165. www.condesadf.com
Habita Hotel. All the rooms are soaked in sunlight but if you’re also looking for quiet, request a room on the third floor. There’s a good restaurant with a busy bar on the rooftop. Rates start at $265. www.hotelhabita.com
Relaxing
Avandaro Golf & Spa Resort. Need a weekend break? Even if you don’t golf, this is a beautiful escape – and there’s plenty to do that’s not on the golf course or in the spa. There’s a pool, seven tennis court, hiking, horseback riding and water sports. Just 87 miles north of Mexico City. www.
hotelgolf.com
Eating
Prima. The bar looks like the wing of a mahogany plane, the floor is made of varnished cement and the lighting is designer dramatic. Prima’s Italian food carries subtle Mexican flavors. Best choices in the libation category are the pinindia – with tequila, pineapple juice and cardomom – or the Jamaica flower margarita. www.primaprima.com.mx
Casa Lamm. Tucked into this cultural center is an adorable eatery overlooking a beautiful garden. The menu includes Latin America favorites. Before and after eating, you can wander through the art gallery and bookstore. On Tuesday evenings there’s Cuban music, on Wednesdays live jazz. www.lamm.com.mx
Tierra de Vinos. This upscale tapas bar is building street cred with an enormous wine cellar of Mexican vintages. (The best are from Baja Calfornia.) In the Roma neighborhood at Durango 197; phone: 52-55-5208-5133.
Drinking
Crank up for clubbing by starting slow at low-lit Cafeina, the chic bar owned by Mexican actor Diego Luna (“Y Tu Mama También”) at Nuevo León 73; phone: 52-55-5212-0090. Serious partygoers favor Odessa, which won its oh-so-exclusive rep by opening just one day a week – Thursdays. It’s at Chilpancingo 16, in La Condesa. Techno music and Asian food have made Mahattan-ish Cinna Bar the fashionistas hangout at Nuevo León 76-1; phone: 52-55-5286-8456. La Martinera, in the Polanco neighborhood, is the sleek younger branch of Condesa’s original martini bar. Address is Calle Anatole France 120; phone: 52-55-5281-7238. There’s no décor to El Centenario, but a new generation is following in its parents’ footsteps and making this funky old cantina in La Condesa its own; at Vicente Suárez 48. At Cosmo, a minimalist club on Masaryk, acid jazz and house music dominate; phone:
52-55-5281-4631.
Shopping
Monte de Piedad on Mexico City’s Zocalo is not your usual hock shop. The national pawn shop, in business since 1775, is half Sotheby’s, half discount store. From Elvis-on-velvet paintings to heirloom jewelry, from wooden legs to grand pianos, this is a blast to browse. When US Ambassador Tony Garza toured it, he compared it to “micro-credit loan” operations. At monte de Pieded and 5 de Mayo.
Monterrey
Sleeping
Quinta Real. A lovely colonial-style design – including original oil paintings – set the tone at this all-suites hotel. The bounteous breakfast buffet gets high marks. Check out the view from the health spa hot tub. Rooms from $195. www.quintareal.com
Presidente InterContinental. Sitting in the heart of the business district, and just five minutes from downtown, this hotel offers free highspeed Internet service and the business center is open 24 hours. Rooms begin at $109. www.ichotelsgroup.com
Eating
El Rey del Cabrito. Don’t be put off by the hunting-lodge décor. The regional dishes are outstanding. Slow-roasted goat – cabrito – is one of the specialties. The steaks are noteworthy, too. 817 Constitucion at the corner with Doctor Coss; phone: 52-81-8345-3232.
El Granero. In business since 1977, this eatery serves up savory soups and it has a heavily patronized sushi bar. The wine selection is extensive. www.elgranero.com.mx