Hyatt Regency Mexico City

The Hyatt Regency Mexico City is a sophisticated, modern business hotel situated in a narrow, 40-story concrete high-rise finished with rounded sides. Guest step inside an airy, chic, and often bustling lobby, with glossy, cream-colored floors, on-trend concrete details, and a row of black reception desks. A central atrium lights a huge space with clusters of cafe tables, long work tables, and more refined sitting areas in carpeted nooks. The lobby at this hotel is a functional space designed for eating, meeting, and working, a nod toward the property's primary clientele: business guests and corporate travelers -- though with the range of dining and wellness facilities, leisure travelers and tourists find lots to like here as well.

The hotel is situated in the elite Polanco neighborhood, surrounded by upscale restaurants, nightclubs, corporate offices, and boutique shopping. Just a three-minute walk from the hotel sits the western corner of Bosque de Chapultepec, a large city park that includes attractions like the Zoo, the National Anthropology Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, which are all within a 20-minute walk of the hotel. For luxury shopping, the fashion-forward Masaryk Street is lined with boutiques and is just a 10-minute walk from the hotel. For sights farther afield, the Auditorio metro station is just a three-minute walk. Guest can use it to get to the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo in Coyoacan in 45 minutes or Mexico City International Airport in 60 minutes. The airport is a 30- to 60- minute drive, depending on traffic. 

Guest rooms are spacious, comfortable, and meticulously maintained, though the neutral chain-hotel decor lacks character and is even slightly outdated compared to the rest of the hotel. Rooms have gray wall-to-wall carpeting, off-white walls, light brown wood furniture, and dark red pleather headboards. An odd choice for a business hotel: desks have wood chairs rather than ergonomic desk chairs. The best feature of units may be the upholstered lounge chairs set next to the wide windows, with those on upper floors offering views of the park or city. The beige marble bathrooms are roomy, but they lack some of the amenities guests expect from high-end hotels, like rainfall showers and separate tubs instead of shower/tub combos. All units have large flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, nicely stocked minibars, espresso coffeemakers, free bottled water, and electric kettles, plus irons and ironing boards and electronic safes. Bathrooms have makeup mirrors, hairdryers, free individual toiletries, and bathrobes and slippers.Hotel rooms are about 300 square feet -- upgraded Regency Club rooms aren't any larger, but come with access to the top-floor Regency Club Lounge. The hotel's 18 suites add extra space (the largest is 2,260 square feet) and include club lounge access.

The focus here may be business guests, but the extensive amenities are a draw for any traveler and reflect the hotel's luxury status. There are four unique dining spaces. Rulfo is the lobby restaurant and bar, which offers Latin American cuisine. The daily breakfast buffet is served here until late morning, though it costs extra. Quick bites and deserts can be had at Amado, a cafe-style bakery and candy shop. There are also two fine-dining choices. Yoshimi is a sleek restaurant with a Zen-garden terrace serving sushi, udon, and other classic Japanese dishes for lunch and dinner. Teppan Grill, a darkly romantic restaurant with rustic touches, features Teppanyaki-grill style dining (akin to hibachi-style dining) for late lunches or dinners. Wellness amenities include a sleek indoor pool surrounded by lounge beds, plus there's a sundeck, three tennis courts, and a 24-hour athletic center which includes a sauna, a steam room, and a fitness center. The fitness center is modern with a wood floor, mirrored walls, and a vast range of equipment, including weightlifting machines, barbells, medicine balls, and free weights, plus an array of modern cardio equipment with individual screens. Spa services such as massages and facials, plus personal training and tennis coaching, can all be arranged for a fee.Business amenities are no afterthought. There's a business center with chic co-working spaces with long tables, suede couches, chalkboard walls, and espresso machines. Computer workstations have large Mac desktops, and fax, printing, laminating, and binding services are offered. The hotel also has 28,350 square feet of event space, including a grand ballroom that can host over 900 guests, and "La Residencia," a stylish venue that includes homey lounge spaces, meeting rooms, a bar, and a kitchen.Guests can expect upscale service, too: there's a concierge, same-day laundry, babysitting, private car service, and 24-hour room service. Valet parking costs an extra, but Wi-Fi throughout is free.