Emporio Reforma

The Emporio Reforma is a traditional 20th-century property that ticks all of the boxes for a pleasant city-center stay. The style is formal, and the lobby, for instance is a classic dark wood and marble affair. There’s some period charm to be found inside, courtesy of a cozy seating area with bookshelves and a fireplace, brass mirrors, large murals depicting old city life, and a grandfather clock. However, the overall vibe here is business-like -- locals hosting small meetings often take place in the lobby or cafe. A traditional trattoria-like restaurant is street-facing, attracting passersby and those working in the neighborhood with its more authentic atmosphere. This hotel draws plenty of business travelers who use it as a convenient base, as well as tourist couples.

The Emporio Reforma has a prime spot on Mexico City’s most famous street: Paseo de la Reforma. It's a wide and leafy skyscraper-lined avenue that leads from Chapultepec to the historic center, designed in the 1860s to rival Europe’s boulevards. This section of the street is busy, surrounded by offices, hotels, and restaurants. The street’s most iconic sight, The Angel of Independence (known locally as El Angel), is less than a ten-minute walk from the hotel. Otherwise, you'll likely rely on cheap Ubers around the city, though traffic can be a nightmare and drive times are only estimates. Palacio de Bellas Artes and the city’s historic center -- home to the National Palace, Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, and Museo Nacional de Arte -- can be reached in a five- to 15-minute taxi ride. A 15-minute drive in the opposite direction will take you to the Museo Nacional de Antropologia and the vast parklands of the Bosque de Chapultepec, home to Chapultepec Castle. It’s a 20-minute drive to the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacan. The city's main international airport is a 30-minute drive away. 

Rooms at the Emporio Reforma have a pleasantly modern look, with neutral decor that's more fresh than the hotel’s public areas. All have amenities like air-conditioning, TVs with DVD players, free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, and minibars. Marble bathrooms have jetted shower/tub combos, and toiletries are provided. There’s not much difference between the room categories, except that Junior Suites add a seating area. Downsides? Single Rooms (which have a double bed) are small; couples are best advised to book the Double Rooms. The TVs aren’t as old as tube units, but they could do with replacing. Views aren’t great (looking out over neighboring hotels and some run-down buildings) and some rooms have no view at all, facing onto a brick wall. As the hotel sits along one of Mexico City’s busiest streets, there’s also some traffic noise in many rooms. 

Features here are few, but fine for a short stay. The street-facing Condimento Restaurant serves up traditional Mexican and international buffets, but most guests come for the wood-fired pizzas. There’s also the Galeria del Cafe for coffee and snacks. Room service is offered for a fee. A tiny 24-hour fitness room has a couple of cardio machines and a small weights area. The compact business center has workstations and a couple of meeting rooms and larger function room, though most business guests seem to prefer meeting in the lobby or cafe. Wi-Fi is free in public areas.