Subject says it all. Going for 3 nights/days to do some sightseeing. Want something relatively cheap, safe and handy. Any comments welcome.....

I really like the Westin Galeria Plaza... right in the Zona Rosa, they often have specials just about $100/nt. Its full-service, but not too large (I prefer it over the huge Sheraton Maria Isabel just on the other side of Reforma at El Angel).

In MEX, it is important to stay near where you really want to be at night, because you can't take regular Taxis at night UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, and the Sitios (special taxis that are at hotel stands) may be hard to come by at night. So this means you don't want to stay "centro", leaving you with Polanco (the most expensive hotels in town, and some nightlife, but not the greatest choices) or Zona Rosa (lots of moderate-priced hotels, lots of restaurants (very affordable) and clubs, shops, etc. And convenient for your daytime activities. (2 metro stations nearby, Chapultapec nearby... do not hesitate to take the Metro which is one of the world's finest... clean, quick, safe(ish), and SUPERCHEAP. Under US$0.20 anywhere in the city.

I will stop my discussion now....

... and if your flight back from MEX departs in the early morning I recommend to stay the last night at either the Airport Marriott (a pedestrian bridge links the Marriott with the airport) or the Hilton (in the airport).

You avoid any early morning rush hour problem/worries on your way to the airport before check-in ... and you can sleep longer).

The metro is a great (and as said above cheap, efficient, clean, safe) way to connect to/from the airport to downtown and back.

My suggestion STAY HOME Traffic is just awful. City is dangerous

Cheap and safe don't go together in MEX.

I' suggest the JW Marriott. You'll pay JW prices but is is in a safe area. NExt to the Hard Rock and near many fine restaurants.

It's a city that has many great tourist spots but I'm afraid for the American lately it is VERY dangerous.

The Four Seasons and the Nikko are two of the best hotels in Mexico City (the latter if you want to grab some decent sushi). Westin is also acceptable and probably half the price, although you can get good corporate rates at the FS sometimes. The very large majority of Mexicans are really friendly and helpful to strangers, but there is crime in the Distrito Federal, so be careful flagging the green cabs in the street. Always try to pick one up from a taxi stand. The city has a lot of wonderful sights though so don't be deterred. The Pyramids, the Anthropological Museum, the Main Square, etc. are all fascinating.

I stayed five nights in Presidente Inter-Continental and really enjoyed my stay. It is next door to Nikko Hotel and Hard Rock Cafe Mexico City on Reforma. I cannot say anything about the rate as we stayed during a conference and it was an all-included package. But the hotel is very very nice.

And yes, be very careful about VW Bettle Taxis especially at night. Do not carry money with you and minimum number of Credit Cards and Cash Cards. I even heard of taxi drivers kidnap tourists to take one ATM to another to have money from your account.

But Mexico City is a fascinating city. Pyramids, San Angel, Anthropological Museum, Univercity and all other sites worth a visit.