The InterContinental Presidente Polanco Hotel ended up being the best place to stay in Mexico City for us during our stay!

Right before the intensity of the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Chris and I stayed at the Intercontinental Presidente in the Polcano neighbourhood of Mexico City.

If you’re on the hunt for the best place to stay in Mexico City, make sure you read on about this great Polanco hotel.

As we were planning the details of a trip to one of the world’s great megacities, we found ourselves overwhelmed with how to decide where we should stay. Having lived in the two other megacities of Seoul, South Korea and Istanbul, Turkey, we knew it was important to get this decision right.

With so many incredible areas inside CDMX (which stands for “Ciudad de Mexico” in Spanish, and is the colloquial way to refer to the city), we were pulled in many directions about where to spend our first few nights.

We were immediately intrigued by the Polanco neighbourhood of CDMX, where the InterContinental Presidente Mexico City is located. We quickly learned that this area is a great place to find yourself on your first few nights in the city.

Polanco is home to great cafes, shops, restaurants and famous sites. Furthermore, its proximity to the famous Chapultepec Park makes it a great jumping off point from which to explore the city.

Not to mention, last time we were in Mexico, we we’re on the island of Holbox, so this was a nice change of pace.

Why the InterContinental Presidente is the Best Place to Stay in Mexico City

On arrival to the hotel, we were immediately charmed by its location. The InterContinental Presidente is situated on one of the city’s hundreds of small and charming roundabouts.

After a long day of travel, we were hoping for a smooth and quick check-in. We weren’t disappointed. We were impressed by the open and airy sitting areas near the reception, and the lobby bar and restaurant on the ground floor.

Our bags were quickly taken and we were shown up to our room. We were amazed when we were met by the sweeping views of the city!

Views from our room

at the InterContinental Presidente

I was immediately floored by how the view was specifically peppered with blooming purple trees, seemingly on every road in Mexico City.

(I learned later that these were Jacarnadá trees, and since we were visiting in March, they are a staple springtime tree, found all over the city. I’m pretty sure they’ve since become my favourite tree.)

Okay, enough about trees. But seriously, they are beautiful. And with a view from high up on the 36th floor, small details like this really pop while you’re taking in the city on arrival.

Our room was spacious, clean and comfortable. It was pretty hot in the city, so we were grateful it was kept at a nice, cool temperature for our arrival.

We called and made arrangements to have dinner and drinks at their restaurant Chapulín during our stay, before we freshened up and headed out to enjoy the city.

If you like learning specifics about more unique properties like this one, reading about The Best Place to Stay in Istanbul or Basking in the French Countryside will be right up your alley.

A Taste of Authentic Mexican Cuisine at Chapulín Restaurant

If you’re in the midst of planning a trip to Mexico City, then understanding the reputation they have for food and drink is paramount to your planning. I’m talking the best Tacos al Pastor, Torta de Tamal, Enchiladas Suizas, Mezcal, Tequila, Pulque, Churros…you name it! The list goes on and on.

That being said, one of the reasons the InterContinental Presidente Polanco hotel is the best place to stay in Mexico City is that you don’t need to leave the building to taste delicious and traditional Mexican food.

At Chapulín, they’ve done a wonderful job of incorporating a variety of traditional regional foods and alcohols from across Mexico for you to sample for a true Mexican experience during your stay. They specialize, specifically, in a unique flare of dishes and ingredients hailing from the region of Oaxaca.

While you’re there, make sure you order the Tacos el Chapulin (or, Grasshopper Tacos), pictured above. They are a specialty of Oaxaca, served with the traditional, melt-in-your mouth goodness that is Oaxaca cheese. If you haven’t tried grasshoppers before, this won’t only be a great opportunity to do so (they’re really tasty!), but they’re an excellent source of protein.

If you aren’t sold yet, the grasshopper (chapulin) is also the namesake for this restaurant. So if that doesn’t clearly indicate what their specialty is, I’m not sure what does!

While we were sampling various foods at dinner, Chris and I also really enjoyed trying the wide variety of unique Mezcal and Tequila cocktails they had on their menu. From the service to the food to the cocktails, we were so impressed. Definitely carve some time out to visit Chapulín during your stay. You won’t regret it.

More Options to Eat & Drink at the InterContinental Presidente Polanco Hotel

In addition to a meal and cocktails at Chapulín, there are many other places to eat and drink in house during your stay at the InterContinental Presidente.

Café Urbano is a great place to go any time of the day. This is where you can find buffet and a la carte options for breakfast at the hotel, along with many other options throughout the day.
Alfredo di Roma is this Polanco hotel’s Italian restaurant. You can find Italian comfort foods like pastas, pizzas and tiramisu when you dine here.
The Palm is a classic American-style steak house. They offer sandwiches, soups, salads and a variety of seafood and steaks as well.
Balmoral can be found on the main lobby bar level. It’s a great place to stop for coffee, tea or a quick bite.
Epicenter Gin & Tonic Bar serves exactly what you’d think it would. It’s the perfect place for meeting someone on the go, or for a drink before heading out for a night on the town.
Au Pied de Cochon is the resident French restaurant on site. Head here for a romantic dinner for two, or to indulge in some tasty French pastries in the evening.

Additional Amenities and Services at the InterContinental Presidente

This Polanco hotel offers so many additional comforts and services for your stay. During your stay, consider checking a few of these out.

their Hela Spa, located on the 10th floor
the La Clasica boutique shop, located next to their lobby bar and restaurant
a Chicquiclub, perfect for families looking for activities and programming for their kids while they’re on holiday
a Club Lounge for Club InterContinental guests
a fitness centre to keep you on top of your game while you’re on the road

One of the many views from Chapultepec Castle in Chapultepec Park.

The Polanco Neighbourhood: What to See and Do

Mexico City is best seen on foot. If you have the time and the mobility, planning to explore the area, especially in and around this Polanco hotel, is your best bet for local sights.

Prior to our trip, we’d planned to exchange our money for Pesos on arrival to the city, and we were happy to find several exchange offices with good rates located steps from the hotel.

Take a Walk Down Reforma

The famous avenue Paseo de la Reforma runs a far distance through Mexico City. It was modeled after famous European streets, like Paris’s Champs-Élysées. It’s also steps from the InterContinental.

The section of Reforma near the Polanco neighbourhood is especially pretty. It has a wide pedestrian path through the middle of it, and you’re surrounded by the giant trees of Chapultepec Park to the south, and the grounds of the Anthropology Museum to the north.

Reforma is a beautiful path to walk if you’re heading to the destinations above, or headed towards the old town. Make sure you stop and smell the flowers—literally. Reforma is decorated by beautiful gardens of flowers and trees, making it great for taking pictures.

Chapultepec Park

Anyone who has been to Mexico City knows how green it is. We’re talking tree-lined streets everywhere, large parks, smaller parks, and so many different ways to find nature right in the heart of this bustling city.

I used to be a tour guide in New York City, and whether it was taking a walk on The High Line, or touring through Central Park, these experiences in city parks were often times more exciting to me than a Broadway Show. Large parks have a way of making you feel so removed from the city that surrounds you.

Enter Chapultepec Park. The walk to this famous park is just steps from the hotel, and it is one of the largest city parks in the western hemisphere. At first, that might just sound like one of those “fast facts” that a tour guide would throw at you. But to put it in perspective, it’s literally double the size of New York City’s Central Park. It’s simply massive.

If you have some time to kill, taking your time to walk through Chapultepec is a great way to spend a day with good weather. There are lakes where you can rent paddle boats, nicely paved paths for biking, and plenty of open spaces for picnicking with some street food.

Since the park is so large, make sure you have a plan in place for where you’re entering and where you’re headed. A stop at Chapultepec Castle is a must. Bear in mind that there is a well-paved, wide but upward-sloping walk to get up Chapultepec Hill. If you have mobility challenges, make sure you keep that in mind.

Chapultepec Castle

This gem of a site was one of my favourites to visit in Mexico City. When Chris and I first arrived, the stately ambiance of this place was unmistakable.

Chapultepec Hill, on which it’s located, was a sacred place for the Aztecs. The castle itself was built centuries later, in 1841, and has worn many hats, including serving as a private residence and a place for manufacturing gunpowder.

If a castle isn’t really your cup of tea, at least come for the views. They are stunning. You can see many great views from the grounds of the castle, but going inside and walking through will lead you to some dramatic panoramic views of the city from the black and white checkered balconies.

And to all the film lovers out there (and perhaps a few English lit nerds), you’ll be just as excited as I was to learn that Chapultepec Castle was the filming location for many scenes in Baz Luhrmann’s cult classic Romeo + Juliet! Let that be your license to daydream about Leo and Claire’s steamy pool scene when you visit here. You’re welcome.

National Museum of Anthropology

I feel like I only have license to say “just steps from the hotel” so many times, but the best place to stay in Mexico City truly is at the InterContinental Presidente, which means you’re steps away from these sites when you’re here. The National Museum of Anthropology is just steps (about five minutes worth) away from the hotel.

A quick search for museums in CDMX will demonstrate just how significant this museum is. It’s arguably the most famous museum in CDMX, and it’s the most visited museum in all of Mexico.

It’s known not only for the collection of artifacts spanning centuries that it houses, but also for its unique and captivating design. Come for the history, stay to admire the iconic courtyard and “el paraguas” (“the umbrella”) statue and fountain, and feel free to enjoy a snack or meal in their charming side garden area.

Wander the Small Streets of Polanco

The small streets just outside the InterContinental in Polanco are great to wander around. If you’re arriving to the city later in the day, or you’re jet lagged and just want to do something easier and closer by, this is a great option.

You can head to Lincoln Park, a scenic, smaller city park with beautiful trees, ponds and pathways. There are a lot of small, cute cafes and restaurants to find along the way as well. Chris and I came across this cute little health food restaurant called Básico earlier on one of our days, and decided to stay for brunch. It was delicious.

Other places you can check out while you’re in Polanco are Avenida Presidente Masaryk for some upscale shopping and the interesting Museo Soumaya, whose architecture will certainly make an impression if their Rodin collection doesn’t.

Final Thoughts Staying at the InterContinental Presidente

For the first few days of our trip, we had such a great time staying at this hotel. In addition to visiting the places mentioned here, we also made an effort to explore the historical centre of Mexico City (which requires taking transit or a rideshare from Polanco), and we really enjoyed exploring the neighbourhoods in and around Roma Norte and La Condesa.

Our experience at this Polanco hotel was the perfect way to start our time in Mexico City. Chris and I are looking forward to getting back sometime soon! We had planned to circle back and spend a few extra days in the city before leaving in late March, but the global pandemic (understandably!) had other plans. Visiting the Frida Kahlo Museum will be high on my list for when we return.

A big thank you goes out to the InterContinental Presidente for hosting us as media. All opinions in this article are completely my own. Below, I’d love to know in the comments if you’ve visited Mexico City, and any of the sites from Polanco on this list! Feel free to let us know what other places we should keep on our list for when we’re able to safely return to CDMX. Mexico City really left an impression on me, and I can’t wait to get back!

The Best Place to Stay in Mexico City: The InterContinental Presidente Polanco Hotel