Very rarely do I have a habit of playing favourites with hotels. It usually takes something really special for me to want to repeat a stay, as life’s too short to ignore all the terrific luxury properties out there by re-visiting the same old haunts. Sometimes though – just sometimes, a hotel comes along that’s worth its weight in gold, wiping out even the slightest of considerations to stay elsewhere. This pretty much sums up my sentiments towards the St. Regis Mexico City.

I’m generally a huge fan of the St. Regis brand, one that effortlessly combines style and luxury with exceptionally well managed hotels and resorts across the globe. This was my second opportunity to try the St. Regis Mexico City for a short overnight stay en route back to London, affording me the opportunity to compare the experience to my previous visit three years ago. With the benefit of having done a vast number of luxury hotel experiences between now and then, there’s a part of me that regrets being somewhat unfair about service levels in my review. While I still stand by my personal preference for service delivery of a more discreet nature, I have to acknowledge that these employees have been trained to a certain standard, and are just trying to do the best job they can.

The hotel is still in immaculate condition, very conveniently positioned and deserves much of the praise fellow travellers have bestowed upon it. Check-in was a polished and familiar affair, as we were welcomed back by the guest relations team who offered up cold towels and a glass of bucks fizz. Our guestroom felt spacious and well kept, and within minutes of the luggage being brought up, our private butler appeared to deliver a welcome amenity and re-acquaint us with the services available. We were pleased to find out a new restaurant – the JG Grill had been added to the dining outlets at the hotel, and since it was almost dinnertime, we opted to make a reservation here and stay at the hotel. But not before freshening up in the fantastic wetroom, enjoying the Remède grooming products provided by the hotel.

Returning to the fantastic King Cole bar for pre-dinner drinks was just like being engulfed in the familiarity of a comfortable blanket. We sat outside in our usual spot on the terrace sipping cosmopolitans before heading downstairs to Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s contemporary grill, where we enjoyed crispy calamari and grilled red snapper with great views out towards Reforma. I think the addition of the JG Grill plugs a much needed gap for the St. Regis Mexico City to offer a more casual alternative to the Diana Restaurant or La Table Krug.

The Verdict
This was way too short a stay for my liking, as the St. Regis in my view is still the best in Mexico City. That thing I said about not playing favourites… forget I ever mentioned it!

Hotel – 10/10
Experience – 9/10
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Main feature image courtesy Starwood Hotels & Resorts