From my rooftop roost at the Andaz Mexico City Condesa I can see the full urban expanse of Mexico City, a valley elevated some 7,000 feet in the sky, hemmed in by a mountainous horizon. It is a bird’s eye view like no other, in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods of CDMX, the popular abbreviation for Ciudad de México.
La Condesa neighborhood has long been beckoning visitors to roam its Parisian-inspired boulevards, peruse its art galleries, and savor its sidewalk cafes. And now, with the opening of the Andaz Mexico City Condesa this year, one of the tallest buildings in the area, La Condesa has a new perfect perch for morningbirds and night owls alike.
The Andaz is housed in the historic i421 Live District, a 1961 Art-Deco/Modernist landmark by famed architect José Luis Benlliure Galán and now an official Mexico City Heritage Site. As such, much of the original design is preserved, including the mosaic-tile lobby floor and internal courtyard; while updated flourishes infuse bright colors into the relaxed luxury associated with the Andaz brand. One massive pop is the magenta entry escalator, which also happens to be the Pantone 2023 Color of the Year (Viva Magenta 18-1750), announced just weeks before the hotel’s grand opening in January. Some mastermind on the Andaz design team was way ahead of the curve!
In keeping with the Andaz identity, the hotel celebrates its location and honors Mexican culture. Each of the 213 guest rooms (including 20 suites) has a vinyl record player, paying homage to one of the city’s oldest and most renowned record stores, the nearby La Roma Records. Rooms also feature brightly colored alebrije mascots, a papier-mâché sculpture made by local artisans.
Additionally, the alebrije serves as a symbol of the hotel’s dog friendliness. So much so that one of the three dining options is the Wooftop Beer Garden and Canine Club, a pet-welcoming indoor/outdoor space serving food and drinks to humans and their four-legged besties.
Andaz’s lobby houses the Derba Matcha Café, an all-day lounge serving gourmet teas, coffees, sandwiches and some of the most delicious pastries I’ve tasted in a very long time. Do yourself a favor and sample the Swiss or Banana Croissants. Though honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the baked treats. Named as a tribute to Mimí Derba, considered the first female film director in Mexico, the space seamlessly transitions from early breakfast to evening cocktails throughout the day.
The Cabuya Rooftop, the culinary crown of the Andaz, sits atop the 17-story hotel tower and is the gateway to those soaring CDMX views. Replicating the ambiance of a Tulum beach-club, the open-air restaurant sits under hanging gardens and next to the heated rooftop pool, with its fishbowl glass wall highlighting the bathing beauties.
The menu is inspired by both coastal Baja cuisine and Yucatan flavors. Start with the Creamy Avocado or Fish Aguachile appetizer before moving to the Grilled Mayan Octopus or Catch of the Day, served zarandeado, a 500-year-old grilling technique using ancho and guajillo chiles for seasoning. If you’d like a smaller snack while relaxing poolside, opt for the yummy Conchita Pibil tacos served with Xnipec sauce. And, of course, don’t forget a mezcal or tequila cocktail created by master mixologist Moisés Sierra Sáenz.
Beyond meals, Cabuya is a popular nightspot for the fashionable CDMX crowd. On weekend mornings, boozy mimosa brunches also lure guests to the rooftop, with chill DJ vibes and a menu that straddles traditional breakfast dishes and Mexican favorites.
Need a little detox? Head to the 24-hour fitness center or Pasana Spa for the “Protection Ritual,” the spa’s signature treatment that incorporates herbs and volcanic salts to release muscle tension and balance the spirit.
When Hyatt launched Andaz Hotels in 2007, they described a vision “characterized by sophistication, innovative design, local identity, casual elegance and service that is attentive but not pretentious.” All these years later, Andaz continues expanding its global presence while fervently focusing on the local perspective. In January, the Andaz Mexico City Condesa became the first urban Andaz property in the country. Updating an architectural gem, honoring the neighborhood’s history, and celebrating Mexico’s rich culture, the Andaz approach to relaxed luxury has shaped a new hotspot in the already fabulous Condesa neighborhood.
Andaz Mexico City Condesa
Aguascalientes 158
Col. Hipodromo Condesa
Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City 06100
+52 55 5977 1234
https://www.hyatt.com/andaz/mexaz-andaz-mexico-city-condesa