Las Alcobas

Las Alcobas is a small, design-led luxury hotel on Avenida Presidente Masaryk in Polanco, close to fashion houses, galleries and shops. It has just 35 rooms and suites, which the hotel calls alcobas, or alcoves, and it describes itself as Mexico City's five-star boutique hotel. It is part of the Luxury Collection brand, but with only 35 rooms it is far smaller than most luxury hotels in the city.

The interiors are by Yabu Pushelberg, the Toronto and New York design studio, and the design is a large part of the hotel's identity. Some suites have private outdoor terraces, which are worth requesting for a longer stay. The hotel's concierge team holds Les Clefs d'Or membership and can arrange curated tours of the city, restaurant bookings and transport.

Anatol, the hotel restaurant, serves farm-to-table cooking by chef Rodrigo Del Valle, and there is a bar for after-dinner drinks. It is a convenient place for breakfast or a relaxed dinner if you do not want to go out. The Aurora Spa draws on regional indigenous ingredients and healing techniques, with treatments including a Mayan Healing Ritual, a good way to recover from long days on foot. There is also a complimentary fitness centre, and coffee and tea are served free in the lobby. The hotel also supports business travellers with services for meetings and events. Benito Juárez International Airport is about 17.5 kilometres away and the hotel does not run a shuttle, so arrange a car or taxi for arrival.

There is one important policy to know: guests must be 13 or older, so Las Alcobas is not suitable for families with young children. It suits couples, solo travellers and business guests who want a quiet, personal hotel in Polanco. With so few rooms, availability can be tight, so book early for busy periods.

The location is a strength. Polanco is home to two of the city's most celebrated restaurants, Pujol and Quintonil. The Museo Nacional de Antropología, on the Polanco side of Chapultepec forest, is in the same postcode as the hotel, and the free Museo Soumaya in Nuevo Polanco is in the same borough of Miguel Hidalgo.