Mexico City – Distrito Federal, or D.F. as it’s known – is one of the world’s megacities, a sprawling metropolis with a richly layered history and a powerful sense of its own culture. Change is in its DNA though, so it shouldn’t really be a surprise that it’s not all mariachi bands and mezcal. But it is a surprise to find pockets of the city with a contemporary edge that snap well away from stereotypes. Design hotels in leafy inner-urban areas, international galleries, a culinary scene that owes as much to LA and New York as to myriad Mexican flavours, cool bars, and hipsters peddling past on hire bikes. Who would have thought?
Unless you’re here for an extended stay, the secret is to hone in on a few key areas.
Roma, La Condesa and Polanco are the colonias or neighbourhoods you might choose to start with, but don’t discount the historic centre, El Centro – even there you’ll find surprises.
For more about Mexico City and its boutique hotels see International Traveller magazine May/June 2015 edition.MEXICO hip hoods, design hotels
La Valise in Roma Norte – how clever is this room, (in one of just 3 suites) where you can slide your bed onto the balcony for balmy Mexican nights.
margaret barca 