Hotel Del Principado

“Mexico City - this time with young children!”

Hotel Del Principado has become the hub of my tourist life in Mexico City. It is so convenient, accommodating and the people are so friendly that even enticing better offers will not get me to change hotels. In fact, the recent trip in June of 2019, is the frosting on the cake, because now I kn... more

Hotel Del Principado has become the hub of my tourist life in Mexico City. It is so convenient, accommodating and the people are so friendly that even enticing better offers will not get me to change hotels. In fact, the recent trip in June of 2019, is the frosting on the cake, because now I know how well this travel works for young children! My niece, who actually teaches Spanish in the Washington DC area and I had been talking for years about making the trip to Mexico City. She is my Godchild and I love her and her family. Her husband is an attorney and they have a ten year old son and a five year old daughter. I have grandchildren, but have yet to being them along on my journey; but, after this wonderful experience, I will not hesitate to bring them along! It was "over the top" fantastic. Hotel Del Principado is not huge, it's not fancy, but a twenty minute ride from the airport, a convenient location to everything and a staff that goes above and beyond to accommodate makes it a five star experience across the board. The food is actually delicious and they offer a morning buffet that can serve as either breakfast or lunch and the dining room is open in the evening for dinner. The food is excellent and again the service is beyond compare. The rooms remind me of small hotels in Italy; comfortable, small, furnished with the essentials, bed, nightstands, TV cabinet/chest of drawers and a desk. The bathrooms are small but nicely tiled and the towels do the job, if a bit scratchy! Again, the staff will assist with any additional needs, heater, fans, extra towels, etc. II admit I was a bit nervous traveling with the kids. They are exceptional children and are well traveled, but it's a huge city and I was concerned that they would be bored. I was delighted that they enjoyed absolutely everything and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of every day of the entire week! Because the hotel is close to The Palace of Chipultopec, we could walk, see the sights along the way and get some exercise. I chose places and activities that I knew they would enjoy, so lunch in the Casa de Azul Lejos was enjoyable; playing with kites in the square in front of the National Cathedral and President's House was a blast and we all loved the Plaza de Garibaldi where the Mariachis audition - they played Cielito Lindo for my niece; her husband bought a cowboy hat and the kids loved the music! Magical! The hotel workers also provide transportation to tourist events and places for a perfectly affordable additional cost and they save you time, hassle and worry, because they know their way around and are so incredibly nice. I always invite them to eat with us and always tip on top of their requested fee, because they make it SO EASY - they also pick my up and drop me at the airport! What service! The kids continue to tell me that the day at the Pyramids of Teotihucan followed by lunch at La Gruta, an underground cavern of enormous proportions was their favorite day of the entire trip - and it was!!! Again the staff made reservations, drove us, dropped us at one pick-up point and picked us up and another to save us time and a long walk. La Gruta books ahead so make reservations!!! Most people want to visit Frida Kahlo's House - La Casa del azul muros - and it's wonderful, but the lines extend around the block even when you've purchased tickets on the internet. It's so crowded that you seldom have time to reflect on the space and the experience, BUT, the staff of Del Principado turned me onto the Hacienda of Dolores Olmeda - a friend of Frida and Diego's who collected their art, raised hairless dogs, peacocks and geese and left her palatial mansion to the people of Mexico - what a fantastic experience - you can spend an entire day drinking in the culture, the beauty the sights, the sounds. Have lunch in a glass tearoom; sit and enjoy the glorious gardens and for an additional fee photograph the extensive exhibitions of Frida's and Diego's works! Kids bored? Not for ONE moment! You are staying in the lovely Zona Rosa, walking distance from a beautiful mall and the business section; Casa de Mariachis with daily performances and fantastic brazier cooking; a few blocks from Belinghausen Restaurant - a ten star dining experience complete with canaries serenading you and your guests! And too many other wonderful places to name... From check-in to dining to your stay at The Hotel Del Principado you will be happy and see Mexico City in a comfortable, wonderful exciting way! I've stayed there at least ten times over the past five years and cannot wait to get back there again. Now that I know this is a kid-friendly trip, I can start planning ahead for my grandchildren. Some dear friends turned me onto this hotel and it was one of the best tips I've ever taken. I was skeptical on my first visit and have returned with friends from all over and never had a disappointing visit! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have! Three cheers for the staff of Hotel del Principado. See you soon.

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