Four Seasons Hotel Mexico, D.F. Completes Exciting Renovation

Making a big splash on the hotel front is the Four Seasons Hotel Mexico, D.F., which has just undergone a 14 million dollar renovation. Located in the historic Paseo del la Reforma area, the Spanish Colonial-style building still remains the only low-rise hotel in the city with a mere eight floors accommodating 240 deluxe rooms and suites. It's the hotel's interior, however, which has been completely transformed. Furnished in rich butterscotch and caramel tones, the new lobby exudes a sense of luxurious warmth. In addition to reception, it houses a jewelry shop and Il Becco, an independent restaurant serving nouvelle Italian cuisine.

To reach your room, head down the main corridor designed to elicit the feeling of being in a hacienda. Glass doors on both sides of the passageway swing open into cushy sitting areas in soothing colors of cream, burgundy, and chestnut. The corridor spills out into spacious plant- and flower-filled courtyard inspired by the grounds of the former Presidential palace, Chapultepec, which was a sacred site for the Aztecs. A tiled central fountain grounds this lush outdoor space offering abundant al fresco seating, including a cozy nook with a fire pit.



Most rooms and suites overlook the courtyard and sport a clean, elegant look with all the modern amenities a traveler needs, including WIFI, an IPod docking station, and a Plasma/LCD screen television. Each room has a light suspended over a business desk via four thick ropes, a nod to the charro, or the traditional Mexican cowboy. French designer rugs line the hallways, as well as some rooms. Instead of an in-room coffee maker and newspaper delivery, the hotel has elected to offer newspapers at breakfast and open a small café, Pan Dulce, serving espresso drinks and buttery French pastries and tarts from morning until early evening.

For a fuller breakfast, stop by El Bar, a library-like lounge serving a buffet breakfast daily, followed by Mexican-style snacks and beverages, and then fun mescal cocktails and nibbles at night. If you want a more formal morning meal, visit the butter-yellow Reforma 500 restaurant, where you can order western fare and Mexican breakfasts, like the slow-braised pork filled omelet with onion and habanero. The restaurant also serves lunch and contemporary Latin dinner fare.

Exercise buffs will appreciate the hotel's gym and spa located on the third floor of the hotel. Elliptical machines, bikes, and weights fill the spacious gym; outside is a small, heated swimming pool. Although the spa has only two treatment rooms, most body treatments can be enjoyed in the privacy of your own room.



Thanks to its convenient location, the hotel lies near the historical center with the famous Zocalo, the second largest public square in the world after Moscow's Red Square. The stunning Metropolitan Cathedral lies on the north side, the National Palace on the east, City Hall on the south and shops and arcades on the west. For art lovers, the striking contemporary art museum, Museo Jumex is a must, along with silver tiled, tipped, hourglass-shaped Museo Soumaya, housing one of the largest Rodin sculpture collections in the world. Then there is Museo Frida Kahlo, dedicated to the artist's work and life, including the marriage she shared with husband, artist Diego Rivera. For foodies, MUCHO, the chocolate museum will not disappoint. In addition to sharing the history of chocolate in Mexico and the world, it offers workshops where you can make your own stone ground chocolate, and a café where you can sample chocolates from the museum and beyond.

You can find more substantial fare at one of the city's most popular restaurants, Limosneros, a cozy eatery with a warm, wood interior and glass balloons of mezcal hanging over the back bar. If you're feeling brave, try the smoky ant eggs. Served over bean puree with little warm tortillas, the tiny, curd-like eggs have a luscious, mild sweet flavor. The restaurant also offers gourmet preparations with beetles and grasshoppers, along with tamer Mexican fare, such as mini tacos stuffed with tamarind-lacquered duck, arugula, apples, and raisins. For a post-prandial nightcap, venture to one of the city's hottest new bars, such as Taberna Luciferina. Set in a 1900's mansion, its offerings are said to be inspired by alchemy and creatures of the night. Alternatively, head back to the Four Seasons to savor a nightcap at El Bar under the stars before retreating to bed.

Visit website: https://www.fourseasons.com/mexico/