Orchid House | Mexico City — lostwithlina.com

I do love Mexico City...it’s a big, brash and buzzing modern city filled with innovation and a lot of soul. With so much going on outside, it only makes sense that you would want a peaceful, intimate and home-like experience from your hotel; and that's precisely what Orchid House Polanco does best.

Nestled amongst the leafy tree-lined and well-heeled neighbourhood of Polanco, Orchid House offers distinguished luxury for the sophisticated traveller seeking a stay of the highest quality in Mexico City. This exclusive corner of town is Mexico City’s answer to Knightsbridge or the Upper East Side, with Avenida Presidente Masaryk at the heart, and offers a welcome contrast to the more urban, dynamic areas of this fast-paced, ever-changing city,

After a 31-hour journey from Croatia, we finally arrived at the grand gates of Orchid House at 3am. I have to say, there is something rather romantic about reaching a new destination in the dark. This was intensified once we walked through what would be a light-filled hallway by day, and entered the grand foyer of Orchid House, better known as the orchidarium (a space specially devoted to orchids. We were mesmerised by the display of historical details; from the stained glass windows, original ceramic floors and hand-painted heroes like Don Quixote. We could hardly contain our excitement - hardly surprising considering we were staying in a tranquil hidden oasis inside a 100-year old mansion.

LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE

Bénito Juárez International Airport is Mexico City’s main gateway, served by direct flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, and both Heathrow and London Gatwick with Mexicana. It also has routes serving other destinations throughout the US and Europe. It's a 30-minute drive to the hotel, but in some cases, traffic can add another 30 minutes to the trip.

You won’t need a car if you’re staying in the city; taxis are relatively inexpensive and the fast, wallet-friendly Metro system has you covered elsewhere, but it can be overcrowded – a taxi is the best option for hassle-free journeys. Uber is also your friend in this city, and The Beat (Tesla service) is also available here.

THE ORCHID HOUSE EXPERIENCE & ITS SURROUNDINGS

Polanco is one of the swankiest and safest neighborhoods in Mexico City (made clear by the number of police cars we saw patrolling the streets), and is home to a blend of modern architecture and classic Spanish Colonial revival buildings. Whilst you could easily be tempted to spend much of your day luxuriating in the elegant interiors, availing yourself of the menu at Eliseoh Terrace & Bistro, browsing the coffee table books and then retiring to your room for a mid-afternoon siesta; you have some of the city’s most inviting neighbourhoods right on your doorstep, so get out and explore.

Stroll through the buzzing downtown area and explore this capital’s storied history. Orchid House is surrounded by museums and galleries a plenty, like the Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum (just a 17-minute walk away), or the National Museum of Anthropology.This high-octane metropolis contains plenty of escape valves in the way of old-school cantinas, fascinating museums, inspiring during and even boating excursions along ancient canals. Don’t miss the classic hotspots in the Centro Histórico. If it’s your first time here, you must at least swing by the ruins of the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital that awed the conquistadors and was one of the world’s largest cities. (The temple was largely destroyed by the Spanish, who replaced it with the Metropolitan Cathedral, another classic attraction).

Mexico City is an exciting place to be for foodies; and the front desk at Orchid House will provide you with the very best recommendations for where to taste the very best of the city's flavours, with everything from restaurant fare to street food and markets. Some of the world’s best fine dining restaurants are also within walking distance; like Pujol (a 15-minute walk), Dulce Patria (17 minutes) or Quintonil (9 minutes) along with many others that will delight you with their peculiar gastronomic offer. La Bikina was recommended to us by the staff at Orchid House, and it turned out to be one of our favourite meals in the city, and was just down the road from Orchid House.

SUITES & ACCOMMODATION

Make yourself at home in one of the fifteen rooms at Orchid House. Each suite is filled with vintage details, including Spanish tiles, punched-tin ceilings and has been specially designed with a local Mexican firm to ensure that each space in the mansion is personalised to meet the needs of its guests. During our two-night stay, we were fortunate enough to experience three of these exquisite and unique rooms, each of which belonged to a different room category. The Ada Suite (a standard room type) sits right in the centre of the hotel, and is a remarkably cozy space with divine modern interiors and stunning accents throughout. The room is split over two levels, with the bedroom on the lower floor, and the bathroom up five stairs to the next level. The bathroom is the star of the show here, and is an ode to the lush and leafy nature of the neighbourhood that surrounds it.

The Brassia Suite has to be the most beloved in Orchid House, as it was the first room that was designed when the owners were creating it. This master suite (part of the deluxe rooms) is situated on the ground floor, just beside the grand orchid atrium and reception area. The ceilings in this room are a real highlight; and the interiors give the space an intimate and luxe feel; with neo-classical detailing and a four post bespoke bed.

Last but not least, our room for two nights was the Thunia Suite (also part of the deluxe rooms). This suite is located in Orchid Houses’ newest quarters, up on the first floor. The room was warm, cozy, peaceful and was the perfect size. Each of the fifteen rooms include beautiful textiles and ornaments created by local artisan communities in Mexico, giving the rooms a depth of latin culture.

FOOD, FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

They say, ‘if you like a food, go to the source’. Well, I am at the source. Mexican bistro cuisine is on offer at Orchid House’s in-house restaurant, Eliseoh Terrace & Bistro, and it truly delights guests with fascinating gastronomy and drinks. If you’re a guest at the Hotel, a complimentary European breakfast will be included in your stay. They also serve up a delicious brunch menu for both guests and non-guests. If you don’t fancy eating in, the staff are on hand to offer their local expertise and guide you to the best restaurants in Mexico City. With Polanco on your doorstep, all sorts of culinary wonders are within walking distance from you.

WHAT TO KNOW

PARKING: There is no parking onsite, but there is a parking lot one block away. You can leave your bags at the Hotel before parking without a problem. It has an extra cost of $150 mxn per night and is open from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm.

OTHER SERVICES: The front desk will help you with anything you need during your stay. Massages, manicure and pedicure services are available to be done in your room, and you the concierge can assist in organising private tours of the city so you can get to know Mexico City even better.

ALSO: The building’s historic layout means it’s not well suited to wheelchair users.

PACKING TIPS: Come prepared to get high - Mexico City is 2,250 metres above sea level, so it may be chillier than you expect. It’s best to pack layers, and stay hydrated (and be sure to throw eye drops in your carry-on if you wear contacts).

Visit https://www.orchidhousehotels.com/mexico-city/ to check their availability or visit their Instagram page @orchidhousehotels.

I was hosted as a guest of Orchid House Polanco, however, all the opinions expressed in this article are, as always, my own.