Lonely Planet Review

Leading Mexican architect Enrique Norten took a purely functional apartment building in the Polanco neighborhood and turned it into one of the city's top boutique hotels. Cutting edge in every sense, the Habita is the sort of place capitalinos point to as emblematic of their city's new role as world-class trendsetter.

Decor in the 36 rooms is boldly minimal, with bone-white walls, goose-down quilts on futons, and Japanese-style benches in the bathroom. Hip magazines and photography books are piled on a long glass desk, along with a bowl of lemons 'to ward off evil spirits.' One of Polanco's top nightspots, the sleek rooftop AREA bar does a brisk trade in cafetinis and margaritas as videos are projected on the wall of a nearby building. Descend from the bar to the pool deck; a corridor leads to the spa, with Scandinavian saunas and reflexology sessions. Downstairs, a restaurant called Aura serves sophisticated 'global cuisine', fusing Mexican ingredients with Asian and Italian favorites. Staying in Polanco won't put you in touch with Mexico's indigenous identity but it will give you a taste of how modern chilangos (Mexico City residents) see themselves, somewhere between Euro-chic and New York funky.