During my most recent visit to Mexico City, my best friend and I rented an Airbnb apartment so that we’d have extra space at an economical price. This is a review of our experience.
THE STYLE: This apartment is located in Roma Norte, one of my favorite Mexico City neighborhoods. It’s set in an apartment building that likely dates to the 1940s or 1950s; attractive but not overbearingly so. There is no elevator so we climbed the stairs and walked along the wood-lined corridor on the third floor.
The apartment itself is a nicely laid out three-bedroom, two-bathroom affair (although one bathroom was closed for renovation, so this was listed as a one-bathroom). The first thing that you notice upon entering is the large wall of windows in the living dining area, which look out on Calle Alvaro Obregón, a lovely but bustling boulevard lined with trees, restaurants, bars and shops.
Another thing that stands out when I arrived was the artwork. The owner (or manager? Not sure) also happens to be an artist, and his creative touch is evident throughout this artsy apartment; one large wall in the living room is graced with mismatched paint covered with large-scale drawings of the human form. A stuffed armadillo and other odds and ends sit on a side table in the dining room. Large wooden masks adorn two walls, and a small plastic dinosaur holds the information for the free WiFi in his (or her) mouth. The furnishings are stylishly mod, with an Eames-style couch, hip lighting and a loft-style kitchen with minimalist style. A large screen hangs on the living room wall, apparently for projecting things, but there is no television anywhere in the apartment.
The three bedrooms are a nice size; one has an Acapulco chair and the largest, master bedroom has a tiny balcony that overlooks the street (which can get noisy, so they also leave ear plugs next to the bed). The bathroom is serviceable although the hot water is minimal and — like many apartments in Mexico City — there is no heat, so if you visit during the cooler months like we just did, you should bring lots of layers since it can get cold at night and warm during the day (there was one space heater which was very effective in my bedroom).
A big selling point is the location in Roma Norte; just down the block on either side were an array of cool restaurants with outdoor seating, plus small shops and hip nightlife. Beautiful parks are just a few blocks away, as well. And the nearest Metro station is about 10 or 15 minutes by foot.
BEST FOR: Groups of friends on a budget who want an artsy, hip getaway in a trendy neighborhood.