Fodor's Expert Review Hotel Downtown México

The coolest of the cool new Mexico City boutique hotels, Downtown attracts a stylish, savvy clientele whose tastes run toward fashion, culture, and design. Located on the third floor of a former 17th-century manse, this hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of the center, just blocks from the Zócalo. Rooms retain the historic building's original soaring ceilings and stone walls while updating the interior with clean lines and contemporary Mexican design details. Options range from compact but comfortable colonial queens to the ample Revolution Suite, which has its own small balcony and a lofted area that can be customized with an extra bed or work desk. The building also houses a rooftop bar, pool and hot tub, two well-regarded ground-floor restaurants, and a number of chic shops, not to mention a stunning living wall and a huge mural by Manuel Rodríguez Lozano. An adjacent youth hostel offers a similarly design-driven vibe at a much lower price.