Sky high: Mexico City’s newest luxury hotel opens within one of the country’s tallest buildings

How does a new hotel become an immediate city landmark? As the real estate mantra goes, “Location, location, location.” The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City, which opened last month on the tree-lined Paseo de la Reforma, has taken over floors 37 to 47 in the 58-storey Chapultepec Uno R509 skyscraper, one of the tallest buildings in Mexico.

The backstory: Although the Ritz-Carlton has two beachfront resorts in Mexico, this marks their first urban hotel in the country. The towering architecture is the work of Taller G, while Canadian firm Chapi Chapo Design (they’re behind the St. Regis Toronto, too) was tapped to do the interiors. The overall esthetic is sleek and modern, although there are nods to Mexico’s history with surrealism, which inspired the playful, trippy use of shiny surfaces (glass, metal, mirror) to reflect the exterior into the interior.

The space: Find 153 polished rooms and suites (from $410), ranging from 410 to 2,046 square feet. Expect a contemporary design, with light hardwood floors, deep blue headboards, and bathrooms covered almost entirely in marble — save for the charcoal black soaker tubs. All rooms have plenty of natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows, while most also include private terraces.

The dining: On the 38th floor is Samos, the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant with Mexican influences. The open kitchen is led by executive chef Jonathan Felix, formerly of One&Only Mandarina, while the seasonal menu features dishes like an ultralight mango and passion fruit mousse.

The extra amenities: If you really want to be catered to, check out the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge (access available for an additional fee). In the private space, which comes with a dedicated concierge service, you can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and bubbles throughout the day. For pampering, you can book an Aztec-inspired treatment using local botanicals at the spa, such as an awakening ceremony that includes a body massage with oil and jade crystals. Steam rooms, saunas, a heated indoor swimming pool, and a fully equipped gym are also on site.

The nearby sights: The hotel is located in the chic Polanco neighbourhood, known for high-end shopping, renowned foodie spots (like Pujol, ranked ninth on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2021) and cultural landmarks (such as the famed monument El Ángel de la Independencia). Full days can be spent at Bosque de Chapultepec, the 1,600-acre forested park practically next door, which is home to botanical gardens, a zoo and many museums, including the Museo Nacional de Historia (housed in a former castle) and the Museo Nacional de Antropologia.

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