Trip Report
Husband and I just got back from a 5 night stay... here's the recap:
Booked a great pre-paid rate, applied SNAs, only asked for Fantastic Suite and it was confirmed 5 days out. Important note... stay spanned New Year's, so that may have impacted the rate... hotel was empty.
Living Room is completely under renovation (which also could have impacted rate), supposedly going to be done in Feb. Then Welcome Desk Refresh. Rooms are targeted to start a refresh in June (per the Welcome Desk Manager)
Our original suite was that one room on the floor that was jammed in by the architect so it was dark, didnt make sense and didnt have a balcony (as the Fantastics are supposed to). The rooms are two-floor loft style. I stayed at this hotel 6 year ago, shortly after it opened and clearly Starwood has waited a little too long to refresh the rooms. Sink in the first room was literally falling off the wall, carpet is thread bare in spots.
Once they switched our room, the layout and sink issue was resolved but the room is still very worn down. Even the sheets were pilling quite a bit.
Breakfast Amenity is a very nice continental breakfast. Not as fancy as some european properties but great overall.
The staff for the most part are great. Welcome Desk people were great, Housekeeping was always great, timely, etc. Half of the Concierge staff was awesome. Half was muy terrible. (twice he said reservations were made and both of them did not exist when we arrived to the restaurant)
Regarding location: Polanco is one of the nicest neighborhoods in DF and if you are there as a tourist, i would reco this property versus the other SPGs. Polanco offers so many great dining options in walking distance, shopping etc. The other properties just seem to be in the middle of business areas.
Car services from the hotel is weird. two different days, we asked for taxis to Zocalo. Day one 150 pesos. Day two 280 pesos. There's something weird funky going on...make sure you know where you are going and what it should cost.
Food nearby that we loved: El Bajio was amazing classic Mexican. Dulce Patria was contemporary Mexican and was great as well. Spuntino is walking distance and is great for mid-price italian. Lincoln is also fantastic and in an amazing space.
We did a private food tour (not arranged by the W) and a private tour of Teotehucan (sp?) arranged by the hotel... both were great.