The newly remodeled historic centre of Mexico City is the place to truly feel the pulse of this exhilarating megalopolis. But, after a day of sightseeing, you need a private haven where you can relax in comfort and style - with plenty of space, your own kitchen, a chef on tap, and a helpful host who lives nearby.
Petra's flagship apartment is located atop a stately building, offering stupendous views and a fresh, contemporary decor. With 4 charming bedrooms and 3 marble bathrooms, it can comfortably sleep 6; or you can rent 1 or 2 bedrooms at reduced rates, and still get the whole place to yourself. That includes an enormous living area, a plant-filled terrace and a well-equipped kitchen (continental breakfast and daily cleaning are included).
Highs
- Petra, the German documentary producer who owns this apartment, has lived in Mexico City for over 30 years and, with her assistant Ceci, will happily organise guides, cookery classes, dance lessons, even tequila tastings
- You're within easy walking distance of top tourist attractions, restaurants and the metro
- We loved the artistic décor, with touches of Latin American folk art
- The plant-filled terrace is a perfect antidote to the bustling city streets
- Maid service is included; the owner's cook can whip up delicious dinners, too (at extra cost)
Lows
- Daytime noise from the city - rush-hour traffic, church bells, the occasional street musician - is unavoidable; but nights are quiet
- Some of the building’s communal areas need sprucing up, though the apartment is in excellent shape
- There's a minimum stay of 3 nights (4 nights over Easter, Mexian Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving and end-of-year holidays)
Best time to go
Mexico City is a year-round destination, though it can get very hot in May and June and very wet from June to September. Popular events include the MACO Contemporary Arts Festival in April, the Pride march in late June, August's Cake Festival, Independence Day celebrations (15-16 September), Fashion Week (October), and Day of the Dead (1-2 November).
Our top tips
It's a good idea is to dress like an onion, so you can peel off the layers. It’s generally cool in the mornings but gets warmer from 11am, and temperature differences of 15C in a single day aren't unusual. Sunscreen is a good idea all year round, due to Mexico City’s altitude of 2,300m.
- Boutique Apartment
- 1-4 bedrooms (flexible)
- Self-catering
- Enquire when booking
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
- Laundry Service
- Maid service 3 times a week
- DVD Library
Rooms
The apartment (224 sq.m.) has a spacious living / dining area, 4 bedrooms, 3 marble bathrooms and a well-equipped modern kitchen. It comfortably accommodates 6 people, though clever design and flexible rates mean that smaller groups will be quite at home here too. Rooms are white and airy, with a clean, contemporary design and touches of colour from Latin American folk art and fresh flowers. Ceiling-to-floor windows in the living area look out on 2 sides to a terrace filled with banana trees and tropical plants - a magical touch for an inner-city abode.
From the living room, lockable doors lead into 2 separate sleeping areas (smaller groups would only use one). One has 2 bedrooms (a king / twin and a double) sharing a white-marble bathroom with a walk-in shower and a Jacuzzi tub. The other has a small vestibule, a large king / twin bedroom, a marble bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower area, and an additional small single with ensuite bathroom if needed. All bedrooms have ample white-louvered wardrobes and double windows. Bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer are provided; 3 of the rooms have satellite TV and DVD players.
Features include:
- Microwave
- WiFi
Eating
Fresh ingredients are provided daily for you to prepare your own breakfast . These include bread, croissants, eggs, yoghurts, fruit and Petra's gorgeous homemade jams (we loved the fig).
The kitchen is stocked with wines, beer, tequila and soft drinks, which are billed separately - along with any additional foods bought for you.
For dinner there are, of course, lots of restaurants nearby, including the famous Casa de los Azulejos (a tile-covered 16th-century mansion) and Bar La Opera (a fancy pre-revolutionary cantina). Alternatively, you can order a variety of prepared dishes from nearby restaurants (yes, they deliver). Or, for more intimate in-house dining, come to an arrangement with the owner’s excellent cook , Ceci, who whips up delicious Mexican and international dishes.
Features include:
- Microwave
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- The historic centre is chock full of fascinating museums, colonial architectural treasures, busy shopping streets, and plazas where you feel the throbbing pulse of this great megalopolis - and all just a few steps away from the apartment
- Take a taxi or the metro (though not during rush hour) to attractions further afield, such as the National Anthropology Museum, the area of Coyoacan (with its small-village atmosphere), and the 'floating' gardens of Xochimilco
- Hop on a bus for day trips to the famous Teotihuacan pyramids, or the Museo Nacional del Virreinato in Tepotzotlan, which houses Mexico’s finest collection of colonial art and artifacts
- Let Petra help you design creative excursions, with or without a guide, such as a gastronomic walking tour, a football match at Azteca Stadium, or the 'Frida Kahlo Circuit'
- Book a cooking class with Ceci the chef, who will teach you how to prepare your own Mexican delicacies and will even accompany you to the market to buy ingredients
- Brush up on your Spanish in a custom-designed language workshop given in your apartment by a Mexican university professor
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
Kids
With its wrap-around balcony, plants, fragile folk art and delicate upholstered furniture, the apartment isn't safe or appropriate for children. With this in mind, children are accepted by prior arrangement only - please contact the owner before planning your stay. The price depends only on the number of bedrooms occupied, not the age of the occupants. Note there are no cots or extra beds available.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The apartments are located a few steps apart, in Mexico City’s historic centre, between Zocalo and Bellas Artes and half a block from the Allende metro station (on Line 2).
By Air
Mexico City International (6km away, also known as Benito Juárez International) is the nearest airport - click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.
From the Airport
Take a licensed taxi (the journey time is 20 to 45 minutes depending on traffic). You can also take the metro, but you'll need to change at Oceania, San Lazaro and Pino Suarez.
By Car
Driving in Mexico City is best avoided - the roads are congested, local drivers have a reputation for being fast and furious, and most sights are an easy walk, taxi ride or metro journey from the apartment. But if you really want to hire a car for exploring further afield see our car rental recommendations. 
More on getting to Mexico and getting around
Airports:
- Mexico City International 6.0 km MEX
Other:
- Beach 200.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km