On my latest trip to Mexico City, weeks before we left, we had the unfortunate luck of having our reservations on Airbnb cancelled. We had booked a lovely Airbnb which suited all our needs and yet despite booking a super host, it was cancelled. This is my worst nightmare (ok, not really, but I was distraught)! We had completely fallen in love with the first place we booked, and all the other options we had previously looked at were now booked up. Mexico City is becoming more and more popular, so even in the off-season, reservations last minute are hard to come by. We were travelling with my mom, so in addition to needing two bedrooms, we needed a place without stairs or at least a bedroom on the first floor.
Thankfully for me, I stumbled up Casa Dovela, located in our preferred neighbourhood of La Condesa. It was like a beacon of hope! They still had their two-bedroom apartment available, and we were able to book it up for the week we were in the city. And I suppose everything happens for a reason since our stay with Casa Dovela was one of the best parts of our trip.
Casa Dovela
Casa Dovela is a three suite, “Casa-Boutique”. It’s a cross between a luxury home and a boutique hotel located along the art-deco streets of Condesa. The building, which is now the boutique hotel, was left abandoned, like so many other residences in Condesa after the earthquake. But seeing its developmental potential, the creators, Chic by Accident Project and Ludwig Godefroy, snapped it up. They nabbed it just as the revitalization of Condesa was starting to take place. Aspects of the original architecture were preserved, but many parts of the building were modernized both for aesthetics and comfort.
We were met at the front door of Casa Dovela by one of the concierges to show us around the suite and all the many different amenities inside it. The concierges were absolutely fantastic to have. They work 24/7 to let you in and out of the front door but are also extremely helpful with any questions you might have about the property or Mexico City. While they didn’t speak English, we often used the translator apps and found that to work perfectly well.
San Jose Duplex
We stayed in the San José duplex. Walking inside the suite, the first thing you notice is the beautiful black clay flooring, which was made from materials from San Bartolo Coyotepec, in the state of Oaxaca. The floors are also heated underneath, which makes walking on them in the morning an absolute pleasure! Throughout the first floor, you could tell, that each and every object which decorated the room was brought there to serve a purpose and tell a story. The objects were all made by Mexican craftsmen in the mountain ranges of Mexico. The owners of the property frequently travelled to this region. They brought back their findings to add an element of regional art to the rooms.
The kitchen was perfectly set up, full of anything and everything you need. They even left us some kitchen essentials like coffee, tea, oil, and other pantry items. They were perfect for having a home-cooked meal if you were so inclined. Standing in the kitchen in the morning, it was lovely to make a coffee and watch the dogs play in the park adjacent to the house. Dog parks in Mexico City are so popular, as everyone seems to have a puppy. Watching the locals out at play in the morning with their pups made you feel like you were just a part of the fabric of the neighbourhood and weren’t staying in a hotel.
The heating throughout the apartment was very much appreciated since the mornings in Mexico City in the wintertime can still be pretty chilly. Standing in the dining room in the morning, you had the most beautiful view up to the blue skies or in the evening, you could stare up at the stars. The gorgeous spiral staircase leads only to the upstairs bedroom and bathroom, so it gave each of the bedrooms a better sense of privacy from each other.
The bathroom was my favourite place to be. I need to have a bathtub due to issues with my muscles and getting to relax in this one after a long day of walking and exploring was such a joy. I’ve never been in a bathtub before where I could lie flat and still not touch the ends of the tub. Incredible! The light which would shine in the windows, through the leafy trees outside, was nothing less than magic.
The living room was the only place where we felt they could have sacrificed a bit on aesthetics. We would have loved a much more comfortable couch and seating arrangement where we could all rest and relax after a long day. We do love having a drink and enjoying some local TV at night, but the arrangement of the chairs and their awkward couch didn’t quite allow for a comfortable evening.
Our bedrooms were a heavenly place. The beds were like falling into a massive pillow at the end of the day, they just seem to wrap you up in a big comfy hug. One of the best parts of Casa Dovela was the cleaning service provided every day. There is just something so lovely about coming home to a beautifully made bed and clean house (cause lets face it who has time to clean on vacation). That is something I always miss when I’m staying in an Airbnb.
While the small bit of outdoor space we had on the first floor might not have had a view, it was still nice to sit outside on the warmer mornings to sip my coffee and prepare for the rest of the day. Despite the lack of view, the terrace was filled with greenery, so it made you feel like you were in a little forest.
Right outside Casa Dovela, on Mondays, was a little farmers market which was perfect for picking up some food for the week. Since we had our own fully loaded kitchen, it was easy to get fresh fruits and veggies to prepare at home. We also picked up a large bouquet of roses for only $3 to decorate the interior of the house. The bouquet was so big we easily split it into multiple vases to put all over the house. Just something to make the place feel homier and shopping in this little market really made us feel like locals.
I would 100% recommend staying at Casa Dovela next time you’re visiting Mexico City if you’re travelling with a group. It’s that perfect combination of hotel and apartment. This provides you with the comfort and ease of a hotel with the feeling of living more like the locals that an apartment would.
Prices
Santa Monica Suite
One bedroom – $266 USD / night
San Mateo Duplex
2 bedrooms with queen size beds – $300 USD / night
San Jose Duplex
1 bedroom with queen size bed – $312 USD / night
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