Fiesta Americana Reforma

Standing tall in a 25-story building, this hotel fits right in on busy Paseo de la Reforma, one of the most prominent boulevards in Mexico City. It's a bustling place inside as well, with guests coming and going at all times. The reception desk is manned 24/7 to accommodate guests from all over, though expectations will need to be managed. It's not that anything is wrong with the hotel, per se, but it is looking a little past its prime. The huge lobby, with a black-and-white floor, is set with pairs of red chairs all around where guests can gather. A Starbucks coffee outlet is just outside the entrance, adding to the buzz. The hotel is a bit overdue for a renovation, but with its excellent location and reasonable rates, it still draws plenty of business and leisure guests, including couples, families, and groups. It also hosts many airline crews. 

This hotel is located on Paseo de la Reforma, the city's main avenue, overlooking the Monumento Colon. Its prime location between the financial district and downtown makes it suitable for both business and leisure guests. Many businesses are located in the area, as well as restaurants, shops, and attractions, and the area is filled with traffic and pedestrians at all times, except on Sunday mornings, when much of the avenue is closed to vehicles. The lively Zona Rosa neighborhood can be reached in 15 minutes on foot, and the city's historic center is 25 minutes away on foot or by public transportation (or 10 minutes by car). Palacio de Bellas Artes, a stunning historic venue that hosts concerts and events, is about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Plan on a 30-minute drive to Mexico City International Airport, though traffic can be horrible in Mexico City and you may need up to an hour.

Rooms and suites are decorated in a classic style, with dark wood furniture, patterned blue and brown carpeting, white bed linens, white walls, and brown or taupe drapes. Colorful modern art hangs on the wall, but it's not exactly the freshest style that we've seen, on the whole. Standard features include flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Desks and cushy armchairs are nice extras in Standard Rooms. Deluxe Rooms and other higher categories add coffeemakers. Basic bathrooms feature tiled shower/tub combos, toiletries, and hairdryers. The dark marble cladding does date them a bit, though it's a pretty standard style choice for the Fiesta Americana chain. Guests staying on the Club Level get free continental breakfast daily, plus other perks. Suites have separate living and dining areas with a sofa, wing chair, and a dining table and chairs. Some rooms have nice views of Paseo de Reforma and the city. Keep in mind that street-facing rooms are liable to pick up a good bit of noise, particularly on lower floors.

Although it lacks a pool or spa, this hotel offers most of the basic features travelers would need. Hotel dining takes place at two restaurants and two bars. Azul 70 serves Italian and Argentine fare in a casual space with views of the Paseo de la Reforma. A breakfast buffet with hot-and-cold selections is served for a fee. The Sports Bar features black-and-white soccer-ball motifs on its bar stools and benches, but is otherwise pretty much nondescript. The lobby bar is well beyond its prime, with dim lighting and frumpy sofas and chairs. Live music plays nightly. Room service is available. Breakfast, cocktails, and snacks are free in the Executive Lounge for Club-level guests. The fitness center is a bit dated, but it has a decent selection of cardio and weight-training machines, plus free weights. Large windows provide natural light, and there's also a sauna and steam room. A boutique sells clothing, accessories, souvenirs, and travel essentials. There's a travel agency and money exchange office on the ground level. A terrace lined with potted plants is a good place to get some fresh air, although there's limited seating. The hotel's conference space features 21 rooms of various sizes that can accommodate up to 1,100 people. A spacious business center has space for small meetings, plus computers for guests to use and desks for using laptops. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Parking is available for a fee.