This is part of a trip from Pittsburgh to Lima, Peru that went horribly wrong. We spent a night at the Hyatt Regency Mexico City unexpectedly but fortunately for us, we loved it. If you want to start at the very beginning, click here (it’s worth it).
If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com.
If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today.
Unplanned Stay
Due to our surprise 24 hour stay in Mexico City, it was important to get a hotel and into the city fast. The airport held a lot of bad memories for the time being and it was critical to get a refresh. We brought up the Uber app and were quoted between 225-325 pesos or roughly $15-25. Fine, we walked out into the warm Mexican air, I immediately called the driver to let him know we were at a departure door and not an arrival door. He was confused but I confirmed in broken Spanish several times and sure enough, he pulled up.
We hopped in the vehicle and my wife still really wasn’t talking to me. I don’t think she blamed me exactly, but she wasn’t happy regardless. It was a long ride to the hotel but only took about 25 minutes.
We pulled up and entered the hotel.
Lobby
We checked in and I made it almost the whole way in Spanish, I was impressed, or more exactly, gloating. The Lobby Ambassador, Miriam Gallardo, came by with something for the daughter.
Room
We got checked in and went upstairs. The view was beautiful and the room was excellent for the Americas, but not overly impressive considering the unbelievable rooms we have had in Asia. There would be a very redeeming quality to it, only visible later.
Neighborhood
We hung about for a bit and then decided to go for some local cuisine. The staff at this hotel was fantastic and provided excellent local recommendations. We took a ten-minute walk from the hotel and found the taqueria that the bellman had directed us towards. We ordered, and I am not kidding when I say this, 12 tacos, chips, rice and beans (for our daughter), a couple of beers for me, a coke for my wife and I’m not sure what else. After a few plates we stopped taking pictures and eating, we just wanted to try everything. They were some of the best tacos we have had and made our unexpected stay in Mexico City worthwhile.
We came back and after 14 pounds of food needed something sweet to cap the night off. We considered ordering up some room service, but then the Sherpstress had a great idea. She hit floor 41 (the lounge) and we popped in to see if they had some sweets. There was an impressive spread, lots of waiters and guests still in the lounge even close to 10PM. We helped ourselves to an unnecessary treat before turning in.
In the morning, however, there was a beautiful surprise. Thirty-three floors above one of the largest cities in the world, and the nearly wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling window showcased a beautiful roll of fog coming in over the hills and spilling over the city. It was breathtaking and changed my opinion of the room. There was nothing ever wrong with it in the first place, it was certainly above the standard for many full-service hotel rooms in the state, but was perhaps unremarkable in other regards. But when the sun peeked in and the whole city was in view, it was like it was all there just for you. It was a wonderful, serene way to see the city. It was worth its weight in gold.
The neighborhood of this hotel is Polanco. It was, to say the least, posh. We enjoyed a substantial breakfast in the lounge. There were lots and lots of fruit and juices as well as western-ish items and tamales, it was sufficient for most people’s needs but not as deluxe as the breakfast on offer in the lobby restaurant. Our next stay at the property we will likely eat downstairs for breakfast.
We headed out to see more of the local area. In truth, I was trying to find some nice shops because I really did feel responsible for the mishap and I wanted the Sherpstress to enjoy some retail therapy.
We walked through the tree-lined streets, holding our daughter’s hand. The air was perfect, and it was time that we won’t get back. She was so small – only 15 months – and just learning to walk, starting to make her feet move one after the other. We walked together for as long as it took for her to decide it was time to rest her feet.
We found several streets and started walking down them. It had a European feel, lots of little bistros with empty seats inside and a line to get a table outside. Dogs and people sat side by side having breakfast and enjoying the perfect weather. I saw plates and plates of chilaquiles, my favorite Mexican breakfast and instantly regretted my cheap breakfast at the hotel. It’s not that it wasn’t lovely, but it didn’t have this atmosphere, and there were no chilaquiles. I don’t fault the hotel, but we had just one day in Mexico City and I should have made a choice to eat as much Mexican food as possible.
At least I thought we would only have one day in Mexico City…
Have you stayed at this property? Do you have one you’d prefer over the Hyatt Regency?
Excellent — hotel looks fine but that Taqueria…wow…I am hungry!
I’m guessing the Sherpstress did not shower in that tub! 😉
@Matthew – Always ready for a good taco, even in Istanbul if I recall correctly.
@Megan – We didn’t have time for one of her three-hour marathon baths fit for Marie Antoinette.