Hotel Flamencos Centro Histórico

Don't let them call a taxi for you. A ten-minute ride down the road cost us an arm and a leg, and the way they take advantage of people is completely unfair.

I had a pleasant stay and the hotel was good value in the historic district, though I wouldn't return. It is under 20 minutes from the airport, and I could walk to historic sights in 15-20 minutes. The area is busy with local daily life, but I wasn't fond of being near a bus terminal; nearby restaurants and shops were just okay. There's little to no chance of early check-in if you arrive in the morning, since it's a small hotel. Breakfast included eggs, chilaquiles, hot cakes, some kind of protein in sauce, possibly rice and beans, plus yogurt and cereal. The coffee was good, and service at the restaurant and top-floor bar was friendly. The double room was a good size, with soap and shampoo provided, and a smart TV for YouTube and other streaming services. You can hear a next-door neighbor playing loud music, so let the staff know if that happens.

We'd definitely stay here again. My wife and I felt safe walking from the hotel to the historic district, even at 4:30 am, though I'm sure some hours in the middle of the night are less safe. The hotel is clean and modern, and despite the name, it sits just south of the historic district. It's about 1 km from Catedral Metropolitana, Palacio Nacional, and Museo de Templo Mayor, the ruined Aztec temple. Palacio de Bellas Artes and Alameda Central are under 2 km away, at the district's far end. Across the street, the market is mostly for locals and gives you a feel for Mexico City outside the tourist areas. Most staff spoke at least some English, depending on their job, so staying without Spanish seems possible. Basic Spanish was more convenient for us at times.

We stayed six nights in a spacious, very clean double room. The soundproofing was good, and the area went quiet after 7 pm, so we slept well. The beds are firm but still comfortable. Breakfast and room service were both really good, and the staff were friendly and willing to help. It takes about 10-15 minutes to walk to the Zocaole, with a metro station behind it that we used to reach other places. Keep in mind that Roma, Condesa, and Polanco are a distance away. Traffic in the city is terrible, so getting there can take a long time.