Mexico City Meetings Get Cozy

Nov 10, 2013

Downtown Mexico offers intimate courtyard and rooftop terrace spaces. // © 2013 Jaime Navarro 2

When it comes to business travel, Mexico City may be the most sought-after destination in the country for meetings. The city is vibrant, cosmopolitan and historic, with convenient access from most key U.S. cities. The capital city’s meetings and incentives have steadily increased, and it is well equipped for functions and conventions thanks to its sound business tourism infrastructure (although traffic is still a major issue). Mexico City is also continuing to showcase itself as a valuable market with never-before-seen agendas. Hundreds of great function spaces abound in Mexico City, and we rounded up four spectacular spots — both new and old — for more intimate gatherings.

Azul Historico
In Centro Historico, there’s nothing quite like Azul Historico. Opened last year by celebrated chef Ricardo Munoz Zurita and removed from the city’s bustle, the buzzing restaurant is part of an outdoor courtyard complex, which used to be a former 17th-century palace. The self-contained sanctuary sits amidst laurel trees and receives tons of natural sunlight. Menu options are terrific, as the chef puts a modern spin on traditional, seasonal Mexican dishes (such as grasshopper guacamole or mescal made from chicken breast juice). It’s the place to be “seen,” with a strong blend of leisure and business travelers. The maximum capacity is 120 people.

Casa Lamm
The best-known landmark in Colonia Roma, the Casa Lamm Cultural Center was a house built in the early 20th century when Colonia Roma was a burgeoning, wealthy neighborhood. It’s now a popular event space with nine separate areas for special events with the largest space — the exquisitely landscaped garden — able to accommodate up to 350 people.

Downtown Mexico
Opened last year, Downtown Mexico, a hip, 17-room boutique hotel, has dazzled history lovers, architecture fanatics and business travelers alike. The colonial-style building is a former 17th-century residence with ornate details, stone walls and handmade cement tiles. The restaurant is a comfortable space within a courtyard, but it’s the intimate rooftop terrace that has wowed executives with its comfortable modern design and generous open space, an uncommon feature in Mexico City. It holds up to 200 guests, with an adjoining bar allowing for an extra 150.

Downtown Mexico is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Design Hotels.

JW Marriott Mexico City
Opened in June 2012, the second JW Marriott in Mexico City, JW Marriott Mexico City, has intimate meeting and event spaces for a large corporate brand. There are nine meeting spaces in total, spanning 9,368 square feet. The largest room, Maximillan, is a combination of two function spaces, with a maximum capacity of 150 people, and the smaller boardrooms can accommodate up to 30 guests. Should you need a larger venue, the Chapultepec theater has a capacity of 380 people.