Living in style – Gran Hotel Ciudad de México / México-City

House & Hotel Magazine loves this place, ok every grand city has a Grand Hotel. But this one is special, located in the heart of Mexico City is the magnificent Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, a remarkable example of “Art Nouveau” and considered the most beautiful and sumptuous building of the capital city, second only to the Palace of Fine Arts.

It seems impossible to describe the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, since in just one building you will find the contrast of a a Tiffany stained glass ceiling from 1908, designed by the French artisan Jacques Gruber and lit by 150 lights (one of Mexico’s most intricate electrical installations). It is a decorated lavishly in the Art Nouveau style, an impressive Louis XV-style chandelier in the entrance, panoramic elevators from the beginning of the 20th century, beautiful handmade wrought iron railing in one piece from first to third floor.

These are just a few of the details that you will find in this splendid hotel strategically located in the southwest of the Constitution Square (Zocalo), where you can admire an unparalleled view of the National Palace, the Mexico City’s Cathedral and beautiful Government buildings.

Its long history began in 1529, in the heart of Mexico City, when the “Portal de Mercaderes” began to be formed with three houses: that of Rodrigo de Albornoz in 1529 (now the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México), that of Rodrigo de Castañeda in 1539 and the one that remained between the two, in 1552. The city was to be adorned with a new building that would provide for one of its many needs: a trading center with many stores and offices.

This building was designed and constructed over Rodrigo de Albornoz’s ancient property by David Garza, an Army Engineer, from 1895 to 1899. Under directions of the Frenchman Sebastian Roberts, whose initials are still seen on the handrails.

The “Trading Center” building was opened on September 2, 1899, by President Porfirio Diaz, and would later become home to Latin America’s most exclusive and lavish department store.

In 1968, the building’s owner at the time had the idea of turning the Trading Center into a hotel, in view of the Olympic Games held in Mexico City that year, which is how the Trading Center became the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México.

The hotel closed in 2003 for two years for major refurbishment with a cost 25 million dollars. It reopened on July 15, 2005, as the hotel we know today, retaining all those features that had made it famous during the previous 113 years of history.

The Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico blends, 60 Deluxe rooms, the architectonic style from the beginning of the 20th century, with all the comfortable amenities demanded by modern life and it was part of several James Bond movies.

Just great.