This modern landmark overlooks Minerva Circle, west of the city center. A favorite of flight crews and Mexican corporate travelers, it remains a middle-of-the-market business hotel, outclassed by the nearby Quinta Real. Guests will appreciate the multilingual and service-oriented staff.
This glass-and-gloss convention hotel is not as service-oriented as the more distant Camino Real but instead relies on its visually impressive monolithic architecture, the high profile of a strategic location and the Fiesta Americana reputation.
A striking 12-story
atrium separates the two 22-story towers. The bi-level entrance is a confusing but lively arrangement with reception areas for individuals and groups and entrances to public areas on three floors. A lack of convenient stairways and an excess of windows create a greenhouse effect in the air-conditioning-lacking common areas, however.
A stage fronts the sea of rattan tables and eclectic chairs in the lobby bar. A cafe flanks one side of the lobby bar, with an expensive hacienda-style restaurant on the other. Entertainment and dancing are in the show room off the mezzanine.
The fourth level hides a pool terrace and playground. Rounding off the amenities are a small shopping arcade, 12 conference rooms (capacity 1,200 people), a business center and underground parking. The two tennis courts are closed for an indefinite time.
Four glass elevators race to air-conditioned accommodations that are brightly lit and sport pleasing blue hues. All have sturdy but commercial-grade Queen Anne furniture, built-in sofas, desks, pedestal tables, minibars, Internet access for 250 pesos daily, TVs atop counters without drawers, marble-clad dressing areas and combination baths. In deference to the Mexican business traveler, more than half of the rooms have king beds; the rest are furnished with two double beds. Because of the hotel's orientation, only units ending in -11 to -17 below the 14th floor have views of the impressive Minerva sculpture and fountain. Room service runs round-the-clock.
The level of service toward tourists has very much improved over the past few years. However, most of the staff attention continues to go to the rank-and-file convention crowd, for which this hotel competes on an even footing with the Presidente InterContinental and Hilton.
