The Check-In: Hotel El Cortés

I arrived to the leafy Roma Norte street via taxi, but it took a few moments to get my bearings since the 1915 French-inspired mansion that houses Hotel El Cortés blends so seamlessly into its surroundings you could easily walk right past it. Upon closer inspection, a gold plate on the stone facade with El Cortés inscribed confirmed I was in the right place. But how to get in?

I searched for a call button to no avail, but an employee cleaning the zaguán opened the massive iron gate to let me in. I later learned the gate wasn’t actually locked, I just couldn’t figure out how to open it. My bad. Slightly awkward arrival aside, these intentional choices to remain less hotel and more neighborhood fixture were very much appreciated.

Once inside the small lobby, I was greeted by a staff member wearing what has to be my favorite hotel uniform I’ve yet to encounter — a blue dress and stunning cream cape, complete with a hand-embroidered name tag (men wear chic brown slacks and a cream jacket).