Where to Stay in Mexico City: Best Neighborhoods
- GSS Staff
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Mexico City offers accommodations for every budget, from luxury hotel chains like Four Seasons Mexico City, St. Regis Mexico City, and W Mexico City to stylish boutique hotels and budget-friendly stays.
Where you stay in Mexico City shapes your experience, from walkable café-lined streets to historic plazas or polished business districts.
If you’re visiting for the first time, Roma and Condesa are ideal central locations with great dining, nightlife, and walkability. Polanco and Santa Fe offer luxury and modernity but are farther from the city's cultural heart. Coyoacán is charming and historic, but its distance from other key attractions makes it best for those focusing on Frida Kahlo and nearby museums. The Centro Histórico is crowded but perfect if you're here solely for historic sites and tourist landmarks.
If you’re also planning where to eat, here’s our vegetarian and vegan food guide to Mexico City — full of cafés, mercados, bakeries, and plant-based restaurants across Roma, Condesa, Polanco, and Coyoacán.
📌 Best for first-time visitors: Roma & Condesa
📌 Best for luxury & shopping: Polanco
📌 Best for history & sightseeing: Centro Histórico
📌 Best for business travelers: Santa Fe
📌 Best for arts & culture: Coyoacán
For sightseeing inspiration, explore our guide to the best things to do in Mexico City — including pyramids, museums, historic landmarks, nightlife, and cultural experiences.
📍 Check out the pink hearts on the map below for these recommended areas. Red symbols indicate major attractions. Scroll down for descriptions and hotel recommendations!
Below is a breakdown of the city’s most popular neighborhoods — what they’re known for, who they’re best suited for, and the hotels that consistently receive top reviews.
Where to Stay in Mexico City: Best Neighborhoods
Polanco – Luxury & High-End Shopping
An upscale district known for its designer boutiques, world-class restaurants, and museums, Polanco is perfect for those who enjoy a high-end city experience. It's also home to some of Mexico City’s best fine dining, including Pujol and Quintonil.
💡 Who should stay here?
✔ Luxury travelers & business professionals
✔ Shoppers looking for designer brands
✔ Art lovers visiting the Soumaya Museum
🏨 Top Hotels in Polanco:
✔ JW Marriott Mexico City – Classic luxury in a prime location.
✔ InterContinental Presidente Mexico City – Stunning views and excellent dining.
Polanco is also one of the safest areas in Mexico City, making it a popular choice for families and first-time travelers looking for comfort and convenience.
Centro Histórico – History & Culture
If you’re here for Mexico City’s iconic landmarks, Centro Histórico puts you steps away from the Zócalo, National Palace, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is packed with historic charm, but it can feel busy and chaotic.
💡 Who should stay here?
✔ First-time visitors focusing on major landmarks
✔ History lovers who want to be in the heart of it all
✔ Travelers on a budget looking for centrally located stays
🏨 Top Hotels in Centro Histórico:
✔ Gran Hotel Ciudad de México – A historic gem with breathtaking views of the Zócalo.
✔ Downtown Mexico – A boutique hotel housed in a colonial-era building.
If you love walking tours, historic architecture, and easy museum access, staying here simplifies your itinerary — most landmarks are minutes apart.
Roma & Condesa – Trendy & Walkable
For a blend of culture, nightlife, and great food, Roma and Condesa are the best places to stay. These neighborhoods are known for their artsy vibes, café culture, and leafy streets, making them some of the most sought-after areas for visitors.
💡 Who should stay here?
✔ Foodies looking to explore Mexico City's best restaurants
✔ Nightlife lovers wanting trendy bars and live music venues✔ Walkers who enjoy pedestrian-friendly streets and parks
🏨 Top Hotels in Roma & Condesa:
✔ Condesa DF – Stylish, modern, and centrally located.
✔ Hotel Carlota – Boutique charm with a trendy design.
🍽 Don’t miss: Some of the city’s best taquerías, bakeries, and mezcalerías are here!
Both neighborhoods are extremely walkable and packed with cafes, bakeries, mezcalerías, bookstores, and leafy parks — ideal for slow, everyday exploration.
Santa Fe – Modern & Business-Oriented
Santa Fe is Mexico City's financial district, known for its skyscrapers, corporate offices, and shopping malls. If you're here on business or prefer a sleek, contemporary area, this is a solid option.
💡 Who should stay here?
✔ Business travelers attending meetings in the west of the city
✔ Visitors who prefer modern hotels and high-end shopping malls
✔ Travelers wanting a quiet, suburban-like atmosphere
🏨 Top Hotels in Santa Fe:
✔ Live Aqua Ciudad de México Bosques de las Lomas – A luxurious urban retreat.
✔ Hilton Mexico City Santa Fe – A modern stay with excellent amenities.
While not ideal for tourism-heavy itineraries, Santa Fe offers excellent hotels and a quieter pace, especially for those mixing work with travel.
Coyoacán – Historic & Artsy
Coyoacán feels like a small town within the city, famous for its colorful streets, artisan markets, and, of course, the Frida Kahlo Museum. While it’s far from other tourist areas, it’s perfect for a relaxed, artsy escape.
💡 Who should stay here?
✔ Frida Kahlo fans visiting La Casa Azul
✔ Travelers looking for a quieter, historic neighborhood
✔ Art and history lovers who enjoy museums, markets, and plazas
🏨 Top Hotels in Coyoacán:
✔ H21 Hospedaje Boutique – A charming boutique stay in a historic setting.
✔ Mina 32 – A stylish, cozy hotel with a traditional Mexican feel.
Mexico City’s neighborhoods each offer a different version of the city — artistic, historic, modern, quiet, or energetic. Whether you want walkability, museums, nightlife, luxury, or local culture, choosing the right area helps shape the rhythm of your trip. These neighborhoods and hotels are reliable starting points for any traveler planning their stay.
