Where is your favourite destination and why?
Mexico City, without question. There is nowhere quite like it. The city has an energy that is entirely its own — electric, warm, deeply cultured and so alive. The people are among the most welcoming I have encountered anywhere in the world, the food scene is extraordinary in a way that consistently surprises even the most well-travelled guests, and the vibrancy of daily life there is intoxicating. You really experience a different version of yourself.
When was the last time you were there, and who were you with?
I was there this April for a friend’s wedding. There is something about celebrating love in Mexico City that feels particularly fitting. The city has such a romantic, almost theatrical quality to it — the architecture, the flowers, the food, the music. I went with my best friend, and it was one of those trips that reminds you exactly why travel matters. It was not just a holiday, it felt like we built a whole life in the brief time we were there.
Where do you like to stay there?
Casa Polanco, always. It is one of those rare properties that manages to feel both deeply luxurious and genuinely intimate at the same time. Situated in the heart of the Polanco neighbourhood, it has a warmth and a character that larger hotel groups simply cannot replicate. The service is exceptional — the kind where the staff remember your name, your preferences, and have a mezcalita waiting before you have even asked.
What has been your favourite meal?
If I had to choose one moment, it would be dinner at Ticuchi. The corn tamales and tacos there are simply outstanding — unpretentious but so precise, so full of flavour. And a cheeky mezcalita alongside, naturally. Ticuchi captures everything I love about Mexico City’s food culture: it is bold, it is rooted in tradition, and it is executed with real craft. But it’s also hidden, and not obvious at all.
What would you do if you only had 24 hours there?
The morning would begin with coffee on Casa Polanco’s terrace — there is something wonderful about those early neighbourhood streets before the city fully wakes up. A stop at Panadería Rosetta — the beautiful bakery offshoot of the legendary restaurant — is also a must. After that, a visit to Parque Quetzalcóatl for a tour — it is one of those places that genuinely stops you in your tracks. The architecture and scope of that place is simply awe-inspiring. Lunch would be at Contramar, and it would be a long one. A visit to Casa Gilardi is also an absolute must — one of Luis Barragán’s most celebrated works. Dinner would be served at Rosetta.
What is the one unmissable thing you recommend doing?
A tour of Parque Quetzalcóatl. I have recommended it to countless clients and the reaction is always the same —complete and total wonder. It is, quite honestly, like stepping into Alice in Wonderland.
Is there a hidden gem you are willing to share?
Three, actually. Churrería El Moro for the best churros I have ever eaten. The second is Museo Hacienda de Santa Mónica, a breathtaking historic property that most visitors walk straight past it. Do not. And the third is Xinu — a perfume house that is utterly unique to Mexico City.
Where do you like to let your hair down?
Salón Palomilla — a wonderfully cool bar with a rooftop. There is something about being there under the open sky, with a good drink in hand, that perfectly encapsulates the joy of Mexico City after dark.
Favourite shops?
Aurelia Concept Store is exactly the kind of fashion shop Mexico City does so well — considered, beautifully curated and full of things you will not find anywhere else — unique leather belts, raffia bags, and linen clothing.
The one thing you would bring home as a souvenir?
Ceramics, without question. I can’t contain myself — a beautiful piece from my favourite shop in Polanco comes home with me every time. Last time I bought the most incredible cups; some shaped like faces, others a gorgeous blue and white where the colours melt and blend into one another in the most beautiful way.
Your favourite beauty spot?
The spa at Casa Polanco. A deep tissue massage there before an evening out has become something of a ritual for me during my stay.
Your packing essential?
Stomach medicine — and I say this with absolutely no embarrassment whatsoever. As unluxurious as it sounds, it is non-negotiable. Mexico City’s food scene is so irresistible that you will inevitably eat and drink your way through the city at full speed, and it is always wise to be prepared. I also have a very specific tip: if anything does catch up with you, head straight to a local pharmacy and ask for their recommendations. The remedies they stock work absolute magic — far more effectively than anything you will find at home. Consider it insider knowledge.
A song that reminds you of the place?
Nuevayol by Bad Bunny. It comes on and I am immediately transported back to the energy, the warmth, the streets, the noise, the colour of it all.
Your dress code for the destination?
Colourful, always. Mexico City practically demands it. I lean towards long maxi dresses — they work for everything from a morning coffee in Polanco to a long lunch at Contramar to dinner out in the evening. Add flat sandals for the cobblestones and a crossbody bag to keep your hands free while you explore.
Building you would like to live in?
Honestly, any building in Roma Norte. It is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods I have ever wandered through — the architecture is stunning, the streets are lined with trees. I could happily lose myself there indefinitely.
Christina Seredzinsky is the founder of luxury travel consultancy sentire.travel
