Three Days in Vibrant Mexico City

Mexico City is a vibrant and cosmopolitan metropolis—a cultural and sightseeing treasure that rivals any city in the world. Rich in history and culture, la ciudad boasts modern architecture, art, fashion, luxurious hotels and fine dining. If you have one to three days, you’ll especially love exploring the upscale, contemporary and diverse colonias (districts) of Polanco, Condesa & Roma, Las Lomas and Santa Fe.

Getting Settled
The Polanco district is known for its luxurious, stylish hotels, and serves as an excellent base for any of your daily itineraries. The ultra-modern Presidente InterContinental offers some of the best restaurant choices and boutiques in the city. Nearby, on the famous Paseo de la Reforma, is the new St. Regis Hotel, whose 16th floor offers stunning views of downtown. On Masaryk Street, you’ll find award-winning architect Enrique Norten’s boutique Hotel Habita, which marries the traditional styles of native Mexican culture with distinctively modern flare. All of these establishments can provide cab or car service.

Day One

Enjoy breakfast at your Polanco retreat, then head to the Condesa & Roma district and the stunning Galeria OMR, which showcases new trends in Mexican and international contemporary art with up to eight annual exhibits. Have lunch in the posh Las Lomas residential district a few minutes east, where for 40 years the El Cardenal Restaurant has been presenting fine traditional Mexican cuisine steeped in the influences and customs of the state of Hidalgo.

After lunch, return to Polanco for some shopping and a late-afternoon visit to the Remede Spa at the St. Regis Hotel. Indulge in the Aztecan Regenerating Facial or La Luna Healing Ritual—advanced treatments found nowhere else in the world.

In the evening, experience some of the city’s most coveted fusion cuisine at Chef Alejandro Heredia Resendiz’s Hacienda de los Morales, located in a 16th-century colonial mansion with a torch-lit dining room.

Day Two

Known as a complex mosaic, Mexico City possesses a wealth of protected archeological sites and over 100 first-class museums. Dedicate this day to visiting the National Museum of Anthropology, which could easily occupy the entire morning and afternoon.

Make sure to carve out some time for the Museum of Modern Art, which has a world-class selection of photography, sculpture and painting by contemporary Mexican artists.

Treat yourself to dinner at renowned Mexican Chef Patricia Quintana’s Izote Restaurant, which offers the very best of classic Mexican cooking. This is one of the city’s most popular dining destinations, especially among locals, so be sure to make advance reservations!

Day Three

After breakfast, experience la ciudad’s imprint on the fashion world by spending your morning among its luxury boutiques, including Pineda Covalin, which features exceptional avant-garde silk designs that capture Mexico’s rich history. Another notable, Trista, known for bringing the female form to life within the context of Mexican culture, made its debut at Fashion Week 2007, and has been invited to present its collections in Latin America and Europe.

Drop your purchases off at the hotel and take a ride to the district of Santa Fe for lunch at the Paxia Santa Fe, an award-winning restaurant located in the business district. Enjoy a festive atmosphere with inventive, colorful dishes rooted in Mexican family style and created by young star chef Daniel Ovadia.

Fully satisfied, head back to Polanco to visit Mexico City’s acclaimed Sergio Bustamante Art Gallery in the Presidente InterContinental hotel. Here you can appreciate the work of this talented sculptor, painter and fashion and jewelry designer, whose extraordinary sculptures are issued in limited editions.

After dinner that evening, celebrate your memorable Mexico City experiences at Hotel Habita’s AREA and AQUA, two of Polanco’s hottest nightclubs.