Best Design Hotels in Mexico

The first urban Andaz property in the Mexican capital is also home to the city’s highest swimming pool. Set on a 17-floor building, this rooftop oasis also comprises the Cabuya restaurant with enviable views and the dog-friendly Wooftop Beer Garden & Canine Club. Accommodating 213 rooms, over 10% of which are suites, the hotel is found in the Conjunto Aristos complex, a renovated heritage site reimagined by José Luis Benlliure Galán. Every bedroom comes with a record player — vinyl are available to borrow from the lobby music library, which is fitting, given the trendy nature of the hotel’s neighbourhood.

Found where La Roma and La Condesa districts meet, the 187-bedroom Mondrian is part of the landmark I421 mixed-use complex. Designed by Mexican architect Jose Luis Benlliure, with interiors by Jihei Aoki, the Mondrian Mexico City Condesa reflects the capital’s avant-garde personality. Indoor swings, massive feature plant pots and murals by Ara Stark punctuate what is otherwise minimalist decor. Guests can order nibbles on La Terraza, eat Mediterranean food at Cleo, drink cocktails with a view at Skybar and take morning coffee with a fresh pastry at The Flower Shop (which is an actual flower shop as well as a cafe).

The 12 rooms and villa accommodation at Nest back onto its private stretch of beach. Its name reflects a loose theme here, with plenty of thatching and weaving integrated throughout the resort. Much of it was built using traditional Mayan methods and local materials. Guests can lounge on comfy daybeds, make use of complimentary bicycle hire, dine in several eateries and drink on the rooftop terrace. Like Delek, sustainability is big here, as such, guests are offered vegan LoredAna toiletries, recycled water and plastic-free excursions. While Nest tends to attract adult travellers, the five-bedroom villa is a good choice for older families.

Grupo Habita chose an early 20th-century mansion house in the trendy Lafayette district as the home for their latest launch back in 2015 – Casa Habita. Dimore Studio then worked its magic to create 37 art-forward suites. There are two distinct areas of the building, each with its own personality – the newer of the two houses the bedrooms and spa. On the rooftop are a swimming pool, bar, terrace and chill-out areas, plus there’s an indoor restaurant serving Mexican comfort food. Guests can borrow bicycles for free to explore Guadalajara sustainably while staying at Casa Habita.