Mexico City is the kind of place that can overwhelm in the best way possible. It’s sprawling, layered, buzzing with contrasts: ancient ruins beside glassy skyscrapers, markets pulsing with life, and restaurants that regularly land on the world’s best lists. Where you choose to stay in this massive capital makes all the difference. Many of the city’s marquee hotels line Paseo de la Reforma, the grand boulevard that cuts through the city’s financial and cultural heart. They’re impressive, but the neighborhood doesn’t exactly invite wandering. For that, you want Polanco.
Polanco is Mexico City at its most polished: tree-lined streets, neighborhood parks, galleries and restaurants. And, Chapultepec Park—the city’s enormous urban oasis, three times the size of Central Park—is a short stroll away. In a metropolis this vast, Polanco feels almost human in scale. It’s also home to one of the city’s most intimate luxury hotels: Las Alcobas, part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection.
A Hotel That Feels Like a Residence
Las Alcobas doesn’t try to compete with the scale of the city’s grander properties. Instead, it offers something rarer: intimacy. With just 35 rooms and suites, the hotel is housed in a converted private residence, its footprint blending seamlessly into the neighborhood. Walking into the lobby after a day of exploring the city feels less like checking into a hotel and more like being welcomed back into a beautifully appointed home.
The interiors, designed by the acclaimed Yabu Pushelberg firm, are all soothing hues of gray and earth tones, punctuated by polished rosewood and subtle leather details. The effect is calming, and its exactly what you want after a day navigating Mexico City’s relentless energy.
Rooms with Details That Matter
Guestrooms at Las Alcobas aren’t just stylish; they’re smart. Thoughtful touches include Nespresso machines and complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages replenished daily. (Such a simple offering that always feels so indulgent). Marble bathrooms feature deep soaking tubs that beg for use. The hotel takes bathing seriously. A specialty “Bath Butler” service allows you to choose from three custom herbal soaks: Jet Lag, Sensual, or Relaxing. Each is prepared with ceremony by your Anfitrión, the personal host who attends to each guest.
Automation controls make adjusting lighting, curtains, and climate effortless. At the top tier, the penthouse suites open onto rare private terraces, a luxury almost unheard of in Mexico City.
Food and Drink
Breakfast at Las Alcobas sets the tone for the day. It’s included in the stay and served at Anatol, the hotel’s charming 60-seat restaurant. Expect fresh pastries, strong coffee, and—most memorably—the best blended-to-order green juice I’ve ever tasted.
Anatol serves lunch and dinner as well, and while the city outside is brimming with world-class restaurants (some of them Michelin-starred), don’t overlook a meal—or an aperitivo— here. Try the Margarita Las Alcobas, and consider if you’ve had any finer version. Same for what seems a simple dish—the roast chicken. It’s juicy, perfectly seasoned, and elevated in its execution. Anatol may fly under the diner radar, but it more than holds its own.
Wellness and Reset
Las Alcobas’ wellness offerings are small-scale by design. The Aurora Spa is intimate, with just two treatment rooms, offering massages and body therapies that draw on indigenous Mexican traditions and natural ingredients.
There’s also a compact fitness facility on the third floor. But for those who prefer to work out outdoors, Polanco itself is the gym. Joggers make their loops around the neighborhood in the mornings, and Chapultepec Park is just minutes away on foot. The concierge even provides complimentary running and biking maps for guests who want to explore on their own.
Concierge as Curator
The concierge service is where the hotel really shines. Guests don’t just get a list of tourist highlights; they get curated access to Mexico City’s cultural wealth. With more than 150 museums, the city rivals Paris in its depth of collections, and the team can arrange private tours at institutions like the Museo Frida Kahlo or Museo Soumaya. They’ll also secure tables at sought-after restaurants, set up architectural tours, or even plan hot air balloon rides over Teotihuacan.
For Business, For Leisure
The hotel does attract its share of business travelers, drawn by its Polanco address and professional polish. But leisure travelers find plenty to love too. The intimate scale makes it feel private and exclusive. The walkable neighborhood means world-class shopping and dining are literally outside the front door. And the included breakfast and thoughtful in-room amenities keep the experience elevated.
After a day immersed in Mexico City’s dazzling energy, returning to Las Alcobas feels like being wrapped in a warm hug—comforting, restorative, and quietly luxurious.
Photos courtesy of Las Alcobas
