Umbral — Mexico City, Mexico

The Hilton group could not have picked a better spot in which to debut its Curio Collection in Mexico City, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Zocalo and the 13th century Museo del Templo Major all within easy reach of the Umbral.
Housed in a heritage pile dating to 1924, the 59-room hotel makes the most of the original high ceilings, long corridors and tall windows to create a sequence of grand moodily lit spaces that local architect Javier Sanchez, and interior design firm Nomah have conspired to unfold like cinematic set-pieces.
This sense of drama is especially evident in the bedrooms, each preceded by a shadowy ante-chamber, the titular umbral, that leads through a gold-lined arch into a lofty space dressed in blonde timber, modular furniture, and dripping pendant lamps.
An on-site art gallery of local artists is paired with a music library and cinema, but it’s the sun-lit rooftop terrace with its heated pool and wellness bar, and city views that had us at ‘Hola’.
ADDRESS
Calle de Venustiano Carranza 69
Centro Mexico City
Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.
-
Last chance to see: Sharjah Biennial 15, ‘Thinking Historically in the Present’
Built on the vision of late curator Okwui Enwezor, the Sharjah Biennial 15: ‘Thinking Historically in the Present’ offers a critical reframing of postcolonial narratives through major new commissions
By Amah-Rose Abrams • Published
-
For London Gallery Weekend 2023, the mood is hardcore
With London Gallery Weekend 2023 almost upon us (2 – 4 June), here’s our list of must-see art exhibitions
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Birkenstock celebrates its most memorable styles with colourful capsule (and matching socks)
Birkenstock marks the 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of the Gizeh, Arizona and Madrid sandals, respectively, with limited-edition versions
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Escape to Mexico’s Holbox island, and its Punta Caliza hotel
On the remote island of Holbox, Punta Caliza is a boutique hotel championing Mexican design, culture and food
By Pei-Ru Keh • Published
-
Qantas’ Airbus A350 cabins make non-stop to Australia a dream ticket
Explore Qantas’ slick new Airbus A350 cabins, designed by David Caon, including minimalist first class suites
By John Arlidge • Published
-
Discover Samarkand and Bukhara: the Silk Road capitals of Uzbekistan
Architect Marwa El Mubark visits Bukhara and Samarkand, the Silk Road capitals of Uzbekistan, as the country launches its pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, and plans a new art biennial for 2025
By Marwa El Mubark • Published
-
Kisawa Sanctuary aims to protect the Indian Ocean and its people
Kisawa Sanctuary, a ‘resort-to-research’ hotel, harnesses the power of luxury tourism to fund scientific projects
By Sean O'Toole • Published
-
‘Where To Now’: Zara and Wallpaper* launch offbeat travel guides
Zara and Wallpaper’s ‘Where To Now’ travel guides launch with five off-the-beaten-track adventures, from California to Naoshima, for armchair and actual explorers, available to buy now
By Simon Mills • Published
-
Cape Town: 8 things to do and see for the design-minded traveller
Cape Town is a capital of art, design, food and wellness; local resident Sean O’Toole on the best things to do and see, from a Bree Street meander to a Constantia wine route
By Sean O'Toole • Published
-
A Sydney adventure: discover art and architecture, design and dance
See the best Sydney architecture, design, craft, cuisine and more. Ahead of World Pride 2023, Wallpaper* Australia editor Elias Redstone offers an insider’s view to help you plan your trip
By Elias Redstone • Published
-
Delve into the Mexican jungle at Four Seasons Naviva
Four Seasons Naviva, Mexico, introduces 15 luxury tents, nestled in the jungle and centred around nature
By Martha Elliott • Published