Mexico - Sheraton Centro Historico, Mexico City

Anybody stayed at this hotel recently ? Partner and I are currently booked there - in town for a weekend sightseeing visit this month. Tripadvisor comments are favorable and the pics on their website look great. Am hearing mixed things about security in the neighborhood (old historic center) - some seem to think it's better than Polanco or Zona Rosa because of increased security - others seem to think it's worse. We're there to see the sights (Zona Rosa, Templo Mayor, Musems, Teotihuacan day trip, etc) and not be too far from good restaurants for dinner. Any thoughts/suggestions welcome.

The restaurant in the hotel, El Cardenal, is excellent for authentic Mexican food - do not miss it. It is very popular, so during peak times (ie lunch around 2/3 PM) it will be packed.

For the Zocalo, the downtown area, Templo Mayor, National Palace, Cathedral, etc. the hotel is located perfectly. To the Zona Rosa and the Chapultepec museums you'll have to take a cab, or the subway if you're feeling up to it (there's a stop right outside the hotel).

I stayed at the Sheraton last March, followed by a stay at the W. Both hotels were quite good, but I liked the Sheraton a bit more. Sheraton's location is within walking distance to Zocalo. FWIW my wife and I did not feel unsafe walking at night, but never really ventured more than 20 minutes away from hotel on foot. Area around the hotel and park had decent lighting at night. Same goes for the W in Polanco, felt safe while walking even at night to the shops and the museum.

Have fun, and make sure you make time to see the pyramids!

I ended up booking at this hotel due to pretty positive feedback about it on this site, but ended up being really disappointed. The car we arranged throught the Sheraton Centro Historico's concierge to pick us up at the Mexico City airport showed up an hour late - after repeated phone calls to the driver who reassured that he was "in the parking garage" the whole time. Calls to the SCH Concierge failed to produce anything other than assurances that the driver would "be there soon". Traffic in Mexico City can be difficult, so I'm willing to cut some slack but an hour seemed excessive (especially since the flight arrived about half an hour late) and he certainly wasn't in the parking garage the whole time ! Once we got to the hotel, there was a 15 minute wait in line at the front desk for check-in (also not a huge deal); but only one clerk on duty at 10 pm and his colleague appeared and disappeared without offering any assistance - which was annoying. Manager was nowhere to be seen at this point. We'd requested a non-smoking room, and were promptly shown to a room on a smoking floor that really stank of cigarette smoke; a call to the front desk was met with "we'll send someone up to move you to a room on a lower floor"which would be smaller. 20 minutes later nobody had shown up, but as we were walking to the elevator to leave a bellman arrived and brought us to the lobby at our request. As we were leaving, the manager appeared and was full of apologies trying to pursuade us to stay, but it was now close to mid-night and we were sick of the place (this was a mini-vacation). We were able to get a room at the 4 Seasons. Best decision of the trip was changing hotels; the 4 Seasons could not have been better - upgraded to a suite - and service was the polar opposite of the SCH. We also took the historic center tour they offer which was fantastic. Food was terrific and service in the hotel could not have been better; spend the extra 100 bucks a night if you can swing it for a much better time in Mexico City. Both neighborhoods seemed ok for walking around during the day - but we preferred the 4 Seasons accessibility to Polanco and Chapultepec Park.

Very interesting feedback...
Thanks a lot !

I would definitely opt for any one of the hotels on Campos Eliseos (Polanco).
Oddly enought I stayed at the Sheraton Centro Historico and had a similar problem with the car service. The hotel itself I felt was very nice although at night I felt very isolated there. In Polanco you can take an evening stroll in comfort.

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I'm surprised with the negative feedback on the Sheraton Centro Historico.

This is my hotel of choice when I stay in MEX. I have stayed there over 70 nights over the last year and I absolutely love the hotel. Also, I am a frequent traveller who stays over 100 nights a year on the road.

At the MEX airport I would opt for an airport taxi vs taking a car service from the hotel. The airport taxis are safe and clean. Exit the customs area, turn right and go down the hall to the yellow taxi stands. I do take the hotel car service when returning to the airport but I always took the yellow airport cabs when arriving in MEX.

In regards to any challenges with the hotel I have had little issues with the hotel. My room was always the one I requested and the service was excellent. The food is also goodm especially "El Cardenal". I also like the lobby bar with fusion jazz playing and the great mix of drinks available.

Also, the hotel is a quick cab ride from the Zona Rosa area with plenty of restaraunts, bars, and "other entertainment options" :).