Right from the time I walked into the Andaz Mexico City Condesa, I was struck by a sense of wonder, luxury and creative playfulness. The newest Andaz property, the second in Mexico, is located in the charming neighborhood of Condesa, also known as La Condesa. It is an urban community rich in history and culture, surrounded by famous art galleries, historic mansions, boutiques and restaurants.
The hotel is housed within the Conjunto Aristos complex, an architectural masterpiece and a Mexico City heritage site designed by architect Jose Luis Benlliure Galan. He is credited with bringing art-deco architecture to Mexico City, evident in almost every corner of the hotel and neighborhood.
Once home to several government offices and residential units from the 1960s until the earthquake in 2018, it is now an uber-chic hotel that preserves much of the original architecture, including many of the original floors and geometric remnants of the building’s original art-deco style.
The interiors of Andaz Mexico City Condesa reflect the brand’s modern flair and eclectic vibe. I loved the bright neon lights, pink carpets, magenta staircases, saffron sofas and art installations that greeted me in the lobby and continued to other parts of the hotel. Such elements are a nod to Barragan’s signature style, as well as the brand’s aesthetics.
Interiors at the hotel feature Andaz’s signature modern flair and eclectic vibe.
Credit: 2023 Karthika GuptaAs with other Andaz locations, there isn’t a traditional hotel reception area. Instead, check-in has a chill vibe with cozy chairs in an open setting. Guests are offered traditional horchata (made in-house daily) while they complete the check-in formalities. This sense of creative and casual luxury continued throughout my stay at the Andaz.
Accommodations
The hotel houses 213 guestrooms, including 20 suites. My room on the ninth floor overlooked the internal courtyard and offered sweeping views of the city. Beautiful local artwork and traditional Mexican artifacts, such as colorful macrame, line the hallways leading up to the rooms.
Perhaps my favorite detail was the locally curated artwork and paper mache pinata figurines or “alebrijes” found in the rooms, evoking a sense of place. Mine was a colorful dog that made me miss my own pup. Each guestroom also features a record player with modern and classic vinyl collections that can be exchanged in the lobby library, a tribute to the neighborhood’s oldest record store, La Roma Records. My room had a record of Red Hot Chili Peppers hits, which I played every night during my stay.
On-Site Dining
One thing that’s immediately noticeable about Condesa is its dog-friendly nature. In keeping with this theme, Andaz Mexico City Condesa is also a pet-friendly hotel. Not only are dogs welcome in the rooms and public spaces, but the hotel’s Wooftop Beer Garden and Canine Club is a fun area for guests and locals to bring their furry companions. It is located on the second-floor terrace and features a stationary food truck serving drinks and snacks, including a special dog beer.
The hotel has a pet-friendly Wooftop Beer Garden and Canine Club.
Credit: 2023 Karthika Gupta“We have a pet napping area in the back of the restaurant if your pets need some quiet space while you sip cocktails," said Vanessa Barranco, manager of Wooftop. Pastry chef Aaron Santana even makes all-natural, pet-friendly baked treats. (And let me tell you, they were delicious.)
The two other restaurants on property are just as spectacular. Cabuya Rooftop brings a Tulum-inspired, beach-club ambiance to the hotel’s 17th-floor terrace. It offers 360-degree views of the Mexico City skyline and is a great place to see the city’s dramatic sunsets.
Derba Matcha Cafe on the first floor, meanwhile, is an inviting all-day cafe and the perfect place to start the morning with a cup of mushroom coffee, or end the day with a cocktail. It features artisanal sweet bread, small plates, matcha and espresso lattes and more — all made in-house daily thanks to executive chef Davide Preziuso, chef Santana and their teams. My favorite morning trio was matcha made with coconut milk, avocado toast on freshly baked rye bread and Mexican conchas (traditional sweet rolls).
In addition to the rooftop, Andaz Mexico City has two other restaurants: Cabuya Rooftop and Derba Matcha Cafe.
Credit: 2023 Karthika GuptaActivities
The hotel offers a host of activities and experiences for guests to enjoy. From Mezcal tastings and a chocolate-making class to spa treatments at Pasana Spa & Wellness and guided tours around the historic neighborhood, there is something to please everyone.
Condesa is also a very walkable locale, so I took advantage of the wide sidewalks to explore galleries, boutiques and even large green parks scattered all around the hotel. I loved my morning walks to Parque Mexico, around the corner from the hotel, where people were running, walking their dogs and practicing yoga.
La Condesa and Mexico City, in general, offer a multitude of activities and attractions for every traveler. Andaz Mexico City Condesa is just the place to fuel your creative curious spirit while immersing yourself in the city and its neighborhoods.
