Arrival/Check-In: I arrived in Mexico City on a sunny but chilly Sunday afternoon. The Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec offers a car service from the airport for about 200 pesos, worth the extra spend for its convenience. However, Uber is up and running in Mexico City and makes a good alternative; I used it getting around the city a few times on this trip.

I arrived at the hotel in less than 45 minutes, and the bellman helped me into the cool marble lobby with its two-story ceiling, spiral staircase and coffee bar. Check-in was easy, and my room was ready despite my early arrival time.

Guest Quarters: My deluxe room was located on a lower floor but still offered a partial view of the Chapultepec Castle from its floor-to-ceiling window. Lots of natural light filtered into the room and onto the club chair with ottoman, great for sitting and taking care of a few emails. A large desk included an extra outlet attached to the lamp for charging needs, convenient albeit a little old-school. The wall-mounted television hung above the minibar, and the minibar counter held lots of bottled water. The comfortable king-sized bed and the room’s quiet heater made for a nice night’s sleep.

The large bathroom featured lots of lighting and a wide-open marble vanity space, perfect for spreading out. L’Occitane products and bottled water for guests were refreshed twice daily. The tub/shower combination was a decent size and provided nice hot water and pressure. The closet in the hall featured full-length mirrored doors and held a large safe, which I used, and a plush robe.

Services/Amenities: I spent quite a bit of time at the hotel’s restaurant located on the mezzanine level. During lunch and dinner it’s a full-service restaurant, and I have to say it serves the best tortilla soup I have ever tasted, made with fresh cream and chilies. Don’t worry, it’s available from room service as well. I also hosted a casual meeting during the bustling breakfast and buffet service, and it seemed like a hot spot for the business traveler crowd.

The property has a 24-hour gym for guests, but considering its location right on Paseo de la Reforma, with the park and museums just a block away, I suggest getting outside for a walk if you have the time. The area is filled with tourists, families, street carts and vendors on the weekends and seems a pretty safe area during the day — just watch out for cars! Neighboring areas like Condesa and Polanco offer plenty of boutiques and restaurants for you to explore.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

◆ Location, location, location. The property is perfectly situated for business meetings and exploring local museums and restaurants.

◆ Try the breakfast buffet and the tortilla soup for dinner.

◆ The staff is friendly, at the ready to provide directions and suggestions and to get you a car to your next destination.

GRAND FIESTA AMERICANA CHAPULTEPEC

Av. Mariano Escobedo 756
Anzures, 11590
Miguel Hidalgo, CDMX
Mexico
tel 52 55 2581 1500
grandfiestamericana.com