Hippodrome Hotel Condesa

Hippodrome Hotel takes inspiration from those glamorous days gone by. There’s a sleek equestrian feel to the place. Nothing on the nose — there aren’t framed oil paintings of horses hanging on the wall, or staff members wearing jodhpurs — but there’s a sense of refinement, of the finer things, of cocktail hour and dressing for dinner. Guest rooms might be described as art deco with a minimal modern twist. Needless to say, the designer didn’t skimp on materials. Only the finest at Hippodrome Hotel: marble bathrooms, custom-made beds with 600-thread-count cotton sheets and goose-down pillows, HD Smart TVs. Suites have private terraces, too. It’s a quiet, civilized place, tasteful: nothing over the top.

The shops, cocktail bars, and taquerías of Condesa are just outside the front door. And should you wish to venture into slightly grittier territory, the nearby Hipódromo neighborhood, also named after the famous onetime race track, and currently famous in D.F. for its vibrant street art scene, is within easy walking distance. A few days here won't be enough: outside the hotel, the rest of Mexico City sprawls as far as the eye can see.