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Domingo Santo Hotel, Mexico City

Ella Mullings enjoys rooftop views and the sanctuary-like bedroom at Mexico City's Domingo Santo Hotel Boutique

Credentials:

Set in the heart of Mexico City’s historic centre, Domingo Santo occupies a grand four-storey building. There’s an airy inner courtyard laden with hanging greenery, and an exceptional rooftop terrace overlooking a bustling plaza.

With nine bedrooms, the hotel has an intimate yet spacious feel. It is ideally located for exploring the capital’s Centro Historico, which – a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site – boasts some serious architecture eye candy, as well as must-visit cafes, cantinas and restaurants.

Sleep:

Following our late night arrival, we were shown to a room on the ground floor of the hotel with a window opening out onto the main square and bathroom situated on a split-level above us. Hesitant at first, the large wooden shutters kept our room perfectly quiet. After tucking into the homemade biscuits and changing into the fluffy white dressing gowns, we were soon well settled in.

All the rooms include the necessary modern amenities (mini-bar, TV, safe) and the exposed 15th-century beams, clean white furnishings and colourful Mexican fabrics add to the hotel’s modern yet sanctuary-like feel.

Dine:

The rooftop bar and restaurant is the jewel in the crown at Domingo Santo. With views across the busy marketplace, the hotel’s top-floor terrace is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious fusion of traditional and modern Mexican cuisine whilst watching the lively activities of the sweet sellers and coloured-paper stalls below.

Ideally, mornings on holiday should be spent wallowing in bed. However, the combination of a packed itinerary and delicious hotel breakfast ensured getting up was a breeze. Sliced mango, pineapple and papaya preceded a choice of red or green chilaquiles – fragments of corn tortillas lightly fried and topped with queso fresco, salsa, refried beans and a fried egg – served with slices of toast and jam and accompanied by re-filled cups of coffee.

Who goes there?

By day, smart, sociable Capitalinos venturing into the city centre for outstanding food and rooftop views. By night, discerning visitors opting for stylish surroundings in the city centre.

Out & about:

Centred around the Zócalo plaza, the Centro Historico is a bustling neighbourhood boasting many of the capital’s historical buildings and monuments.

Heading out from the hotel, start your day with a coffee in the Casa de los Azulejos, an 18th-century palace decorated from top to toe with blue and white tiles from Puebla. Next, explore the Mexica ruins at the Templo Mayor before stopping off for a refreshing michelada (beer mixed with lime juice, salt and spices) at one the city’s many traditional cantinas serving homemade food, cold beers and superlative people watching opportunities.

As the sun sets, take the lift to the top floor at the Torre Latinoamericana to soak up the stunning city views before donning your glad rags and heading to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, which, topped with its shimmering dragon scale tiles, hosts the unmissable Ballet Folklórico de México.

The worst thing:

Not getting the time to work our way through the impressive selection of tequilas at the hotel bar.

The best thing:

The friendly and efficient staff. Everyone, including the receptionists, hotel manager Jorge and the smiley restaurant waiters, went out of their way to make our stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Details:

Calle Republica de Cuba 96, Mexico City 06000 Mexico; domingosanto.com