Mexico City’s Coyoacan neighborhood is the closest thing to not being in the city while still being in the city. The mood is provincial, the ambiance relaxed, and the main square always abuzz with the activity of balloon sellers and snack vendors. The former home of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Leon Trotsky and so many more important figures in Mexico City history, it’s not a place you want to miss on your tour of the country’s capital.
Casa Moctezuma is housed in an elegant Porfirian-era mansion that has been lovingly renovated to retain as much of the original woodwork and other accents as possible. The hotel is right in the center of the Del Carmen neighborhood, a relaxed and convenient location to set out to see the rest of Coyoacan. The hotel offers a combination of well appointed lofts, suites and studio rooms each with a small kitchenette and fully-stocked minibar, decorated with modern but comfortable and bright furniture.
The Casa Tamayo is set up for either short-term or long-term stays. The house is a two-story house with beautiful vintage furniture and an ambiance of home. They are located just steps from the center of Coyoacan making visiting some of the neighborhood’s attractions like the Frida Kahlo Museum or the Coyoacan Viveros any easy jaunt. They offer wi-fi and local calls as well as a common area for watching TV and outdoor patios for enjoying the mild year-round climate of Mexico City. The house feels like a home away from home.
While geared towards business and long-term stays, Stara San Angel Inn is far from stuffy or corporate. The suites are designed as apartments, each with living space, convertible dining table and lots of breathing room. The hotel is located in the heart of San Angel’s residential area and is a nice quiet escape from other areas of the city. Their restaurant Luna Bistro has a moderate-sized menu of well executed international dishes. Their rooftop library is a great place to get a few hours of work in, there’s a small gym for working out, and all the rooms center around an inviting and plant-draped outdoor patio.
Off of one of the city’s main thoroughfares, Insurgentes Sur, the Fiesta Inn sits on the quieter and less bustling Mercaderes street. The hotel’s rooms are simple but nice, each with a small sitting area. The suites are worth the bump in price if you can afford it with dining areas and basic kitchenettes. The hotel also has a 24-hour restaurant and bar, a fully equipped gym, meeting rooms and free wi-fi and flat screen TVs. From its door, it’s a short walk to the Frida Kahlo Musuem, and only a little bit further to the center of Coyoacan, approximately a 20 minute walk. Nearby there are lots of food options and a new shopping mall.
Bright and sunny, this small B&B offers seven rooms each with a distinct look created with hand-stitched pillows and rugs, and artwork on the walls. Casa Jacinto is near the Frida Kahlo house, the Trotsky museum, the Coyoacan gardens (Los Viveros) and the Cineteca Nacional movie theater. Common areas are cozy and welcoming with coffee and tea available. The guest house is located on a quiet residential street but is only 15 minutes from the Coyoacan metro stop that will connect you to the rest of the city.
The 5-star, luxury Krystal Grande Insurgentes hotel is right on Insurgentes Sur, one of the city’s main thoroughfares. This makes it a great option for business travelers, folks who want to be able to connect with public transportation quickly and those who want to live the Mexico City urban experience. The hotel is part of the Krystal Grand chain who’s style is modern yet conservative with well-appointed rooms and all the amentities you would expect from a hotel of its caliber: gym, in-house restaurant, lobby bar, room service and it is even pet-friendly.
The City Express hotel chain has locations all over Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia in economic hub cities. They cater to domestic business travelers, but are also great for someone who is coming into town for a just a few days and wants a no-frills but high-quality stay in the city. The hotel is located in the quiet residential neighborhood Xoco, and has a great rooftop terrace for travelers to take advantage of. As a brand they are extremely environmentally conscious and have recieved LEED certifications for many of their hotels.
