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The first W hotel in Latin America opened in October 2003, giving Mexico City's style-conscious visitors an alternative to the capital's only other designer hotel, the Habita. Located in the posh Polanco district, close to the designer shops of Avenida Presidente Mazaryk, the 25-storey W, with its volcanic-rock entrance and glass façade, stands out from the neighbouring InterContinental and JW Marriott hotels. The modern interiors are by New York-based Studio Gaia and include a stepped Living Room with square, leather sofas, white walls with bands of recessed, coloured lights, and floors suspended over koi ponds.
Upstairs, the look is dark and seductive: bedrooms are cherry-red with black carpets and oversized beds. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the city from large, polished limestone bathrooms, some with freestanding, round bathtubs, others with 'rain' showers. There's an occasional nod to Mexico in the mix - traditional crochet hammocks and flasks of tequila, for example - but otherwise you can expect US-style mod cons and home comforts: wireless Internet, a DVD library and 'Munchie' boxes. Rande Gerber's Whiskey Bar is now the capital's hippest hangout: George Clooney, Cindy Crawford and Ewan McGregor have been seen sipping signature apple Martinis here. The hotel's equally popular Solea restaurant has coastal cuisine with Mexican and Asian touches, served by friendly, easygoing W staff.
WHEN TO GO
November, for the Day of the Dead celebrations.
ROOM TO BOOK
Go high for the spectacular views. Cool Corner rooms have bathtubs and balconies; Loft Suites have mezzanines and ceiling-mounted flatscreen TVs above the bed.
CONTACT
W Mexico City, Campos Eliseos 252, Mexico City, Mexico (00 52 55
9138 1800; fax: 9138 1899; www.starwood.com/hotels.com). Doubles from US$385; Cool Corner rooms from US$525; Loft Suites from US$1,005
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