Prevue November/December 2012 - (Page 61)

ST. REGIS Mexico City Sophistication & serenity on Paseo de la Reforma [ON LOCATION] RICK SHIVELY Overlooking Paseo de la Reforma, one of the most famous boulevards in the world, the St. Regis Mexico City is the elegant anchor of a sleek high-rise about 45 minutes from Benito Juarez International Airport. The 152 comfortably tasteful guestrooms and 36 suites offer sweeping views of the city’s historic plazas. And while visiting during a sold out 48 hours, we were amazed how serene the hotel feels. Upon pulling up to St. Regis, a smiling doorman attired in top hat and long coat plays the role of the perfect ambassador. “It’s been a busy day, we’ve got several meeting groups in and they’re very demanding,” he said. “But that’s okay, that’s what we’re good at.” The spacious rooms and suites exude a mix of updated Mid-Century Modern furnishings with touches of classical elegance and updated ﬂorals. The huge marble baths feature rainshower heads/large tubs and a collection of high end soaps and amenities. A unique digital communication system doubles as a phone and pager system for your personal 24/7 butler. Book the Grand Luxury junior suites and rooms for the best views overlooking the grand avenue. As a business hotel ﬁrst and foremost, the 13,500 sf of meeting space includes the 7,700-sf Astor Ballroom and the richly appointed Decanter Room for small wine, cheese and cocktail receptions. For VIP dinners, the recently opened J&G Grill is operated by Michelin darling, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. His dishes are incredibly creative: avocado pizza, red snapper sushi sitting atop toasted rice and a phenomonal crab cake with avocado, grapefruit and ginger. Deserts are no less awesome with a light cheesecake that’s one of the creamiest pieces of confection we’ve ever had. The restaurant has become very popular with both small and large groups for private/semi-private dinners and receptions. Meetings and incentive groups can also easily book a variety of active and cultural tours from ziplining and horseback riding to golf and tennis. But of course as one of the most culturally important cities in the western hemisphere, the top of the tour list should include the wealth of historical sites and countless museums waiting to be discovered. One of the standouts, the national Palace of Fine Arts is located off the main square in the heart of the city called the Zocalo. This is the city’s most important cultural venue, housing the masterpieces of the painter and national treasure, Diego Rivera. Any planner with attendees interested in Mexican history or ﬁne art should consider organizing a private tour through these regal hallways. Within the Zocalo, dozens if not hundreds of vendors ply the square and the streets selling food and handicrafts. Fortune tellers and shamans charge you 10 pesos to cleanse your soul, while other native groups perform dancing or music. As the sun sets over the park, the experience feels almost as rich as the priceless Riveras hanging inside the national museum. stregis.com/mexicocity, visitmexico.com prevueonline.net | 57 http://www.stregis.com/mexicocity http://www.visitmexico.com http://www.prevueonline.net

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue November/December 2012

Planner's Pick: Loews Portofino Orlando
Fresh Meets: Marriott Innovention
Bureau Buzz: Philadelphia CVB
Good Business: Chennai, India
Sea Shores: Carnival Cruise Line
The Creative Types
On Location: Eden Roc Renaissance Miami
On Location: Coronado San Diego
Monaco
Latin America
On Location: Hard Rock Puerto Vallarta
On Location: St. Regis Mexico City
Las Vegas
On Location: Sheraton Macau
Denmark
Istanbul + Izmir
On Location: Hyatt Trinidad
On Location: Grand Hyatt New York
On Location: Lake Placid Lodge
Check Out: Waldorf Astoria, Edinburgh

Prevue November/December 2012