MEXICO CITY TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS

[Epigonos]

Those of you who have followed my posts, over the years, know that I love Mexico.  Over the last, forty plus, years I have visited nearly every nook and cranny in the country.  However, the one place I have avoided like the plague is Mexico City.  I have, for years, thought of it as too crowded, too polluted, and too crime ridden.  Additionally I have NEVER been fond of “Chilango” Spanish. I find the sing song cadence and difficult idiomatic expressions unpleasant.   Actually the last time I visited Mexico City was in 1965. 

Well guess what? I am right now in the midst of planning about a ten day trip to Mexico City. I am looking at leaving the middle of May.  I plan to stay at the Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de Mexico an Art Nouveau hotel built in the early 20^th century and located right on the Zocalo directly across from the cathedral.  I plan to visit the usual city sites: the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, the Palacio Nacional, the Templo Mayor, and the Castillo de Chapultepec.  I’m also considering day trips to: San Juan Teotihuacan, Puebla, and Tepoztlan with a private car and guide.

Okay guys I am definitely looking for recommendations and suggestions.  Please let me know if you have favorite restaurants, favorite museums, and favorite arts and crafts shops.  I pretty much open to everything.  The one thing I won’t need help with is escort suggestions as I have my own rather extensive list of possible guys. 

[+ José Soplanucas]

4 hours ago, Epigonos said:

Okay guys I am definitely looking for recommendations and suggestions.  Please let me know if you have favorite restaurants, favorite museums, and favorite arts and crafts shops.  I pretty much open to everything.  The one thing I won’t need help with is escort suggestions as I have my own rather extensive list of possible guys. 

 

https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/34786-ciudad-de-mexico-cdmx-april-13-to-19/#comment-296872

[John]

I understand why you want to stay at the Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de Mexico. I wanted to stay there too.  I am very glad I did stay there (2018 I believe), but would not do so again.  I definitely would not want to stay there for 10 days.  It is a bit the worse for wear, but, even worse in my mind, also sad.  Not full and clearly not what it once was.

[MikeBiDude]

@Epigonos please go to https://pujol.com.mx/en/ and try the “Madre mole” for me! The starter “mother” for the sauce is well over 1000 days “old” and going strong.

Also, I’m a huge fan of Gabriela Cámara and I’ve cooked some of her MasterClass suggestions. 

[Epigonos]

John a couple of questions.  I usually depend on tripadvisor for hotel suggestions.  It rates the Gran Hotel as number 1 in the centro historico.  The first three pages of reviews written by previous guests all give the hotel five stars.  I wonder if it has recently been updated?  If I stay there I will plan to take an upper floor suite with a Zacolo view - I realize Zacolo view room can be noisy.  Do you have any hotel suggestions for the Zacolo area?  Thanks

[Epigonos]

MikeBiDude I was definitely planning on eating at Pujol until I read multiple recent tripadvisor reviews.  Most claim the restaurant is simply become a money factory for the owners.  They also complain that diners are rushed, the "Madre mole" is boring, and alcohol prices are outrageous.  I'm going to have to think seriously about this one. 

P.S. Definitely plan on eating at Gabriels Camara's restaurant Contramar

Edited February 26, 2022 by Epigonos

[John]

I am not an expert on Mexico City, but have stayed there 3-4 times in the period 2017-2018. I suggest:

-- Stay in the Gran Hotel for a few days and live out your fantasies.  Then move to a different neighborhood.

-- Try Polonco.  The Presidente was just fine for me.  Explore the Zona Rosa or Condessa.  These neighborhoods are more lively in the evening and more central to places you will want to visit.

I bet others here know more about Mexico City than I.  I hope they chime in.

 

[+ WilliamM]

@latbear4blk

I usually enjoy your travel posts, but the Mexico City "travel guide" is excellent A+.  Even better than your "travel guide" to the ever popular Palm Springs weekend (ha).

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

On 2/26/2022 at 3:29 PM, Epigonos said:

John a couple of questions.  I usually depend on tripadvisor for hotel suggestions.  It rates the Gran Hotel as number 1 in the centro historico.  The first three pages of reviews written by previous guests all give the hotel five stars.  I wonder if it has recently been updated?  If I stay there I will plan to take an upper floor suite with a Zacolo view - I realize Zacolo view room can be noisy.  Do you have any hotel suggestions for the Zacolo area?  Thanks

TripAdvisor ain't what she used to be.  There's a lot of background politics, pay to play positive reviews and competitors submitting negative reviews.  It's about as reliable these days as Yelp.

Gran Cuidad has needed a soft/hard refurb for years.  The stained glass lobby is a beaut and I highly suggest a visit, but to stay there would be not ideal.  Between the lack of soundproofing on the Zocalo side and the general state of the property, you can do better.  

Zocalo Central

Umbral

Hotel Historical

And while I can't recommend staying there, go for a drink and a bite at Downtown Mexico.  It's right off the Zocalo and their rooftop bar is relaxed and beautiful.   Take the stairs to go up.  It's a beautiful, old building with a lot of fun nooks and crannies.

http://www.downtownmexico.com/index.html

 

 

[MikeBiDude]

On 2/26/2022 at 1:39 PM, Epigonos said:

MikeBiDude I was definitely planning on eating at Pujol until I read multiple recent tripadvisor reviews.  Most claim the restaurant is simply become a money factory for the owners.  They also complain that diners are rushed, the "Madre mole" is boring, and alcohol prices are outrageous.  I'm going to have to think seriously about this one. 

I think I’d still try it🤷🏻‍♂️ Lunch maybe, if that’s available. Or I’ll make you my turkey mole 😉

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

7 hours ago, MikeBiDude said:

I think I’d still try it🤷🏻‍♂️ Lunch maybe, if that’s available. Or I’ll make you my turkey mole 😉

Pujol is still impressive. I was there a few weeks ago and they've lost no polish. 

Their omakase taco bar, a separate concept within Pujol itself, is pretty awesome as well.