As Oscar season rolls around, there’s even more talk about Roma, the 2018 film written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón. With 10 Oscar nominations, it’s tied for first place as the most-nominated film for the year. In many ways, the movie is a visually stunning love letter to Mexico City, where Cuarón was raised. And you can experience a bit of the film’s ambiance when you visit.
The movie is set in the Roma, a neighborhood that’s decidedly trending today, and not just because of the movie. Beautiful architecture, stylish shops and restaurants and interesting nightlife are a few of the reasons that more travelers (and residents) have chosen to stay in Roma — especially in Roma Norte and the adjacent Condesa districts. These neighborhoods are quiet, tree-lined and great for strolling and exploring by foot and using the shared bicycle and scooter services that abound in Mexico City today.
I’ve stayed in both Condesa and Roma Norte multiple times, and they’re among my favorite neighborhoods in the entire city. Whether you’re on vacation or a business trip, they’re centrally located, lovely and chock full of some of the coolest things to do in Mexico City. There are lovely parks where you can sit, people watch and even exercise (Parque México and Parque España).
Airbnb is a great way to find beautiful apartments throughout Roma, with a variety of sizes and styles, at generally attractive prices. You can also find a handful of small hotels. I’ve enjoyed stays at the very chic Condesa DF, a boutique hotel that’s set in a beautifully and stylishly reimagined apartment building (complete with a hip rooftop bar), and Condesa Haus, a lovely bed and breakfast set in a former private home, with charming details and a relaxing ambiance. Both hotels offer great service, two different price points and ideal locations within walking distance of all the charms of Condesa and Roma Norte.
Another option is one I haven’t stayed in, but that ties in closely with the movie right now: La Palomilla Bed and Breakfast, which – like the other hotels I mentioned — is set in a building the has been standing since the era depicted in the highly-nominated movie. This Mexico City bed and breakfast is now providing guests with a map to movie locations, and rewarding guests who take a photo and tag @lapalomillabnb on Instagram with a free meal for two at La Casa del Pavo (as seen in the flick), through May 26, 2019 with booking code ROMA.
In addition, anyone who fills out a ballot before the Oscars and correctly selects all the winning categories for the movie and follow the B&B on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook will enter a drawing for the chance to score a free night when you stay two or more nights from April 1 to September 30, 2019. Make sure to email your completed ballot by 2 pm CST (Oscar day) to info@lapalomillabnb.com.