06 July 2026
Kimpton El Castelar Polanco opens in historic Mexico City Architectural Landmark
The newly-renovated Roel Building now showcases a blend of sophisticated Mexican design and artful touches to complement the Polanquito neighborhood
ATLANTA – July 6, 2026 – Nestled in the Polanquito neighborhood of Mexico City, Kimpton El Castelar, the city’s newest boutique hotel and part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, is now open at Emilio Castelar 107 Colonia Polanco. Just steps from Masarik Avenue, Auditorio Nacional, Chapultepec Castle and Arquelogical Museum, in the heart of Lincoln Park, the 34-room hotel brings new life to the Roel Building, originally opened in 1940 and designed by world renowned architect Francisco J. Serrano in the Mexican Art Nouveau period.
Kimpton’s bold, unique take on hospitality has set a new standard in the luxury lifestyle segment, and this vibrancy led to the overall atmospheric inspiration of Kimpton Castelar. As a uniquely charming boutique property in Polanco, the hotel offers multiple private outdoor terraces adorning the historic exteriors, as well as a rooftop pool. Guests will find exceptional comfort in bespoke furniture and décor sourced in Mexico, coupled with curated original art pieces from local artists. The approach is elegant and holistic, focused on creating spaces with soul – spaces that go beyond aesthetics and offer comfort and an authentically local connection for all guests.
The guest room interiors follow a careful and subtle layering of materials to make spaces feel open and airy, yet warm, inviting and carefully collected. By using materials like faded terracotta, warm metals, and natural stones, the design evokes forms that are both poised and modern with a hint of vintage edge and detailing. Each room boasts textural wood floors, as well as cement tiles with patterns and color evocative of traditional Mexican ceramics. In addition to the romantic, delicate ambiance throughout the design approach, most guest rooms also include a generous soaking tub for guests to relax after a busy day of exploring.
Alejandro Gallegos, General Manager of Kimpton Castelar, said: “Kimpton Castelar is an authentic addition to the spirit of Mexico City. Our intention is for guests to use the hotel as their homebase as they discover the hidden treasures of the trendy Polanquito neighborhood.”
Through its history, the Kimpton brand has been a contributor to culture, connected to the pulse of both its guests and its dynamic communities. Gallegos added, “Our hope is that each guest discovers richness that excites both on property and in the neighborhood – from pre-Columbian civilization exhibits, to indigenous art galleries, to window shopping on the Fifth Avenue of Mexico City - Avenida Presidente Masaryk, to cherishing the lush nature of our parks. Our goal is to make a stay worth sharing for all. As a team, we are committed to providing impeccable, heartfelt service make every stay memorable.”
Each guest at Kimpton Castelar will experience personal and deeply engaging moments that are quintessentially Kimpton, from Kimpton Kickstart, the signature, daily perk providing guests with complimentary coffee and premium teas to start the day; to Kimpton Social Hour, the beloved nightly ritual that offers guests a moment to gather over complimentary beer and wine and light chef-prepared bites. All gatherings in the Kimpton Castelar lobby are designed to create a socially engaging space for each trip, offering a space to unwind, recharge and connect with other travelers face-to-face.
As always, guests will find thoughtful perks and amenities that make any Kimpton a home away from home, like complimentary bikes available for riding around town, yoga mats in each guest room, and pet-friendly accommodations that welcomefurry, scaly, and feathery friends of all sizes to stay at no additional charge.
Leanne Harwood, SVP Managing Director of Luxury and Lifestyle at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “As Kimpton hotels continue to grow in our Mexico and Latin American region, we carry a true sense of excitement with us; our goal with each of our hotel openings is to thoughtfully integrate into the community, and I’m confident Kimpton El Castelar will be locally loved and inspire enchantment for travelers across the world.”
As Kimpton continues to expand in the MLAC region, Kimpton El Castelar joins its sister property, Kimpton Virgilio, which opened in 2024, in Polanco, Mexico City, both now occupying historically preserved apartment buildings in the neighborhood. These two properties complement Kimpton’s portfolio of 87 hotels open worldwide. The brand also boasts 67 hotels in its growing pipeline of properties and destinations. For more information or to book a stay at a Kimpton hotel, visit www.kimptonhotels.com or https://www.ihg.com/onerewards/content/us/en/tier-benefits.
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About IHG®
IHG Hotels & Resorts (tickers: LON:IHG for Ordinary Shares; NYSE:IHG for ADRs) is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.
With a family of 21 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes with over 160 million members, IHG has more than one million rooms across 7,000 hotels in over 100 countries, and a development pipeline of a further 2,300 properties.
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About Kimpton
Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, pioneered the concept of hotels combining sophisticated, playful design with a more human guest experience in the U.S. Founded in 1981, the San Francisco-born luxury lifestyle brand now operates 87 properties and over 100 restaurants, bars and lounges across urban locations, resort destinations and up-and-coming markets globally. From inspiring design and expansive experiences to forward-thinking flavors that feed the soul, Kimpton spaces act as vibrant hubs for sparking authentic human connections. Every detail is thoughtfully curated and artfully delivered so that guest experiences remain meaningful, unscripted and inspired.
For more information, visit KimptonHotels.com.


