Best Hotels to Book in Mexico City With Points

Mexico continues to be open for US-based travelers, so if you still haven’t been and can’t decide where to go on your next international trip, Mexico might be a great choice for you! Heaps of folks often flood to common resort areas like the Yucatan and Baja California, and while these are spectacular spots for a well-curated and relaxing getaway, Mexico has so much more to offer.

At about one-fifth the size of the US, Mexico isn’t just an arid desert surrounded by a few strips of white-sand beaches. Mexico has vast mountain ranges, towering volcanoes, lush jungles, and bustling cities within its borders. For any adventurer who hasn’t made it to Mexico yet, we recommend starting in Mexico City.

As the largest city in the Americas, Mexico City is brimming with centuries of culture and lineage with plenty of palaces, museums, and parks to explore. Funnily enough, Mexico got its name from Mexico City, not the other way around! As a world hub of culture, food, history, and education, the Mexican capital is a genuine one-stop shop for travelers looking for an exciting getaway. Here are a few points properties that we think are well worth the redemption for your summer vacation to Mexico City.

Marriott

Le Meridien Mexico City

If you travel for food and music, Le Meridien Mexico City is a great option for you. This highrise hotel is located just steps from Paseo de la Reforma, and with it, a few Mexico City favorites like The Angel of Independence monument and Chapultepec Park. This is also an ideal choice if you are working remotely during your trip or even traveling expressly for business, as this property is located within a buzzing financial district and outfitted with ample meeting space and business essentials. For the travel-savvy digital nomad, this hotel is an excellent option.

A night at this Category 4 property is available from 20,000 Marriott Rewards Points.

CONDESA df Mexico City

For those who appreciate cozy design elements seamlessly integrated into the surrounding nature, the CONDESA df Mexico City is a comforting, unique option. This storied hotel is housed in a property that dates back to 1928, giving it an air of sophistication and groundedness. Trees and flowers are common themes in this relaxing property, with plenty of natural lighting as well. If the urban green in your room isn’t enough, take a stroll to Chapultepec Park and enjoy the ample opportunities for fresh air within its boundaries. This is a great choice for travelers who enjoy having a comfortable, quiet, refreshing space to rest in between excursions.

A night at the Category 5 property is available from 30,000 Marriott Rewards Points.

Cards to Help You Earn Marriott Points

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

One of the quickest ways to earn Marriott points is to open a line of credit with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card from Chase.

Not only do cardholders have the opportunity to earn more Bonus Points on everyday spending, but they also earn automatic Silver Elite status simply by being cardholders. Cardholders earn 6X points per $1USD spent on purchases at Marriott Properties and 2X points per $1USD spent on all other purchases.

With all of these benefits, this card is well worth the $95 annual fee; however, there is another way to skip the annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

If you want extra benefits without the annual fee, apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold credit card from Chase. You’ll still have access to complimentary Silver Elite Status and earn 3X points per $1USD spent on purchases at Marriott properties. You’ll also earn 2X points per $1USD spent on travel purchases and 1X points per $1USD on all other purchases.

If you want a quick path to Silver Elite and a decent earning potential without committing to an annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold could be the right pick for you.

Hilton

Umbral, Curio Collection

Tucked within the historic center of Mexico City, the rosy-pink facade of the Umbral is difficult to miss. With the integrity of its historic architecture still intact, this property is ideal for those who wish to stay in the very heart of the city.

The Umbral lies just a few blocks from Zocalo Square, Mexico City’s most prominent square with plenty to experience including historic and government buildings, churches, and food. This central region is well-connected to the rest of the city via metro, but you’ll want to budget enough time to enjoy the hotel itself. With a rooftop terrace, hanging garden, art gallery, mini-cinema, and collection of vinyl records, this property has plenty to offer on-site!

A night at this property is available from 28,000 Hilton Honors Points.

Cards to Help You Earn Hilton Points

Hilton has a long-standing partnership with American Express and offers four different co-branded cards: three personal cards and one business card. Here, we’ll mention the perks of our favorite personal card as well as the business card.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Perfect for business owners on the go, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a card with decent earning potential and plenty of travel benefits. While it comes with a $195 annual fee (rates and fees), cardholders earn 12X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on Hilton purchases and 5X on other purchases on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.

In addition, this card is an excellent way to jump straight to Gold Status; a $195 annual fee is a pretty small price to pay considering that benefit. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to upgrade to Diamond Status depending on how much you’re planning on using the card, which is a definite bonus.

Hilton Honors Aspire

The Hilton Honors Aspire American Express Card is our favorite credit card in the portfolio.

At first glance, it might not seem worth it to splurge on a high-fee card when the bonus points earning potential is only marginally better than the other three cards in the collection. However, when weighing the annual fee against the additional benefits, it might be a good deal if you’re looking to skyrocket your status.

Cardholders earn 14X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on Hilton purchases, 7X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on purchases at U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, and cars booked directly through select car rental agencies, and 3X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on all other eligible purchases. The value of the accompanying travel benefits surpasses the annual fee, so as long as you’re planning on using the benefits, this card is well worth it.

IHG

Holiday Inn Express Mexico Reforma

Listen up, chocolate lovers: did you know that there is a museum dedicated to chocolate located right in Mexico City? Standing along Paseo de la Reforma, the Holiday Inn Express Mexico Reforma puts guests within easy access to several museums and points of interest, including Museo del Chocolate.

Also located right in the neighborhood are Van Gogh Alive Mexico and Jardin del Arte, an art gallery located in a park where you may purchase artwork directly from talented artists. The Holiday Inn Express properties are reliable standards in the industry and this one is no exception; enjoy free continental breakfast and plenty of in-room amenities for when you need to charge up or wind down.

A night at this hotel is available from 15,000 IHG Rewards Points.

Cards to Help You Earn IHG Points

IHG One Rewards Premier Card

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is the premium card in the IHG collection.

This card comes with an $99 annual fee, but it includes automatic Platinum Elite Member status and up to 25X points per $1USD spent at IHG properties, which include existing reward benefits from your status.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Card

Of course, the Premier level card doesn’t suit everyone. If you are an IHG Rewards member interested in opening an IHG line of credit but don’t want to bother with any annual fees, then signing up for the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card from Chase could be a better move.

This card does come with the opportunity to bump up to Gold Elite, which is a nice perk for members with Club Member status. Additionally, you can earn up to 15X points per USD spent at IHG properties worldwide when combined with your status.

Hyatt

Downtown

With wide archways and stunning murals encompassing checkered-floors and pops of color everywhere, the Downtown is a unique property for the trendy traveler.

A proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this property was once a 17th-century palace. True to its name, the Downtown is located squarely in Mexico City’s historic center and holds plenty of design elements aligned with that vibe. These include lots of exposed brick and volcanic rock, relaxing earth tones, and old-fashioned shuttered windows. Enjoy easy proximity to Zocalo Square as well as the many shops and eateries in the neighborhood.

This member-only hotel is available from 15,000 World of Hyatt Points per night.

Brick Hotel

Also a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Brick Hotel is located in Mexico City’s famous Roma neighborhood. Aptly named, this property was constructed from imported English bricks and has hosted the city’s sophisticates since its construction.

This intimate property is adorned with greenery and hosts its own rooftop terrace, perfect for a relaxing escape after exploring the quirky neighborhood outside. Down the street, you’ll find plenty of hip cafes and boutiques, and if you’d like to explore more of Mexico City, the rest of the city is just a subway ride away.

This member-only hotel is available from 20,000 World of Hyatt Points per night.

Cards to Help You Earn World of Hyatt Points

If you’re looking to maximize your earning potential with World of Hyatt, the best way to do that is by – you guessed it – opening up a line of credit.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card holders earn 9X Total Points per $1USD spent at Hyatt properties, 2X Bonus Points on transportation, restaurants, flights purchased directly through the airline, and fitness club memberships, and 1X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on all other purchases.

Chase Travel Portal

The above properties are wonderful options for Mexico City, but they aren’t so exciting if you haven’t stocked up on a bunch of points in exactly the right currency. If you don’t have a stash of brand-specific points lying around, there is another option.

Many credit cards offer their own rewards programs that include the opportunity to redeem points on travel. If you’ve been stockpiling credit card rewards instead of brand-specific hotel rewards, a trip to Mexico City could be a great way to redeem them.

For example, you could use your stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to book your hotel. When Chase points are redeemed on travel purchases through the Ultimate Rewards Portal, they are worth 50% more than other select categories. That bonus is a great incentive to use them on a trip to Mexico City! Here are a couple of example properties in Mexico City that you can book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Gran Hotel Ciudad De Mexico

If you’d like to live like royalty for a very reasonable redemption, book in with the Gran Hotel Ciudad De Mexico. While many of the aforementioned properties lend easy access to Zocalo Square, this iconic property is one of the buildings on the square.

It was the residence of the Royal Accountant Rodrigo de Albornoz in the 1500s, but today it stands as a place of accommodation for guests who prefer luxury and elegance. The open lobby features an enormous Tiffany stained glass window, wrap-around balconies, and impressively dizzying Art Nouveau elements. A Mexico City staple, this hotel shouldn’t be missed.

A night at this property is available from just 7,440 Ultimate Rewards Points.

Hotel Punto MX

Also located in the historic center, fast forward a few centuries and trade Art Nouveau for Art Deco to get the Hotel Punto MX. This gorgeous property combines classic touches (clawfoot bathtubs) with timeless favorites (exposed brick) and modernistic design elements (muted tones and sharp angles) to create a truly stylish air.

This property features a wonderful onsite restaurant and cafe, but make sure to take the time to explore the many lovely restaurants within an easy stroll. If you’d like a slightly longer walk, head to the city’s oldest municipal park Alameda Centro, and the adjacent Museo Mural Diego Rivera.

A night at this property is available from just 3,725 Ultimate Rewards Points.

Cards to Help You Earn Ultimate Rewards Points

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A consistent favorite of the Chase collection is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, offering unparalleled opportunities to earn Ultimate Rewards points and benefit from travel perks. Its hefty $550 annual fee is offset by an annual $300 travel credit, plus built-in insurance and protections for when you’re on the go.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

If a $550 annual fee just doesn’t sound like a good time, apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card instead. With a $95 annual fee and an impressive bonus offer, this card is ideal for any applicant. You’ll still enjoy some travel benefits as well as the ability to earn bonus points on dining, streaming services and online grocery orders (excluding Target and Walmart), which can be redeemed through the Travel Portal.

Final Thoughts

Mexico has been an accessible destination throughout our time under the pandemic, but if you haven’t had the chance to visit the capital city, you should! With plenty of points properties to choose from and something for every kind of traveler, Mexico City is an excellent destination for a summer vacation.