MEX T1 or T2 hotel and restaurant recommendations

[idontfly]

We arriving into MEX T2 in the evening and have a flight out of T1 the next morning. Any hotel and restaurant recommendations appreciated. £100 or so for accomodation works for us and a nice meal to start off the holiday. Thank you

[JDB]

@idontfly – probably the nicest hotel is the NH at T2 (inside the terminal) because it’s more spacious, light and airy than the ones at T1. The restaurant there is fine, if a bit boring but the breakfast is very good. As you are a passenger, you are allowed to use the monorail between the terminals on production of a boarding card or equivalent. There’s very limited capacity on this, so they are strict, but it’s quite efficient. If you have luggage, there are quite a few level changes with steps, but there are lifts. The distances inside T1 are huge – it’s an incredibly long building.

At T1, the Hilton inside the terminal is incredibly tired. Most of the rooms only have internal views and those premium priced rooms that have windows facing the runways have a noise prevention wall and the windows are so grimy that you can see little. Food is poor, including breakfast. Its considerable convenience is outweighed by its crumminess.

There is a newer hotel directly accessible on foot from the terminal via covered walkways – the Marriott (I think Courtyard) which is quite weirdly built into the multi-storey car park. I haven’t been inside a room, but have walked through the lobby to get to the other side of the car park and actually it’s quite clean and modern looking, with the industrial look, so functional over glamour. I think that’s probably the best option. I doubt the food is much cop there but if you walk back into the terminal, there are actually a great many landside options at lots of quality and price points with food that is decentish and real rather than airport rubbish. If you happen to have an Amex Plat the Centurion lounge before security is pretty good – not very beautiful premises but wonderful staff and proper food rather than lounge rubbish. You can get your hair cut, nails done and shoes polished there as well! The airside lounges are all poor, including the Centurion which is a cupboard that usually has a waiting list.

There is a Camino Real over the road from T1 but it’s expensive and badly in need of a refurb. Camino Real used to have some of the best hotels in Mexico but now it’s just a name.

[idontfly]

Thank you for such a detailed reply. Much appreciated