El Cortés Hotel in Mexico City Blends Art Nouveau Heritage with Contemporary Design

El Cortés, a new boutique hotel in Mexico City's Roma Norte neighborhood, has opened following a three-year renovation by owner Carlos Zaragoza. The hotel, located at C. Colima 235, Cuauhtémoc, features a balustraded art nouveau façade and interiors that juxtapose restored original features with contemporary pieces. Zaragoza, a first-time hotelier, aimed to honor the building's legacy while reflecting the evolution of the surrounding area. He enlisted artisans skilled in traditional techniques and sourced an 1828 artwork from a Mexico City auction, now displayed in the first-floor lounge. The hotel's 15 bedrooms include the Signature Suite (room 103) with a Juliet balcony, and bathrooms feature Rosso Levanto marble, rainfall showers, and Byredo products. Two Patio Suites include stained glass panels reworked by Ramon Sierra, who also worked on the Castillo de Chapultepec restoration. The on-site restaurant Lotti, helmed by Swiss-born chef Luc Liebster, offers inventive takes on European and Mexican classics using hyper-local ingredients. The restaurant's design was overseen by Rosela Barraza, who is based between Mexico City and Los Angeles, and features restored beams, talavera tiles, and bronze lights. El Cortés is described as a blend of style and substance, with a homely atmosphere that complements its heritage features.