Room Mate Valentina

The idea behind the Room Mate chain is that guests are spending their vacation at the home of a "room mate" who is away. In Mexico City's case, Valentina is the imaginary friend and she's marketed as "curious, sporty, and sexy." It's a little bit gimmicky, but definitely fun. The hotel was designed by Tomas Alia, and the overall effect is equal parts colorful, functional, and minimalist. 

The lobby has low ceilings and is set with a built-in blue couch behind transparent blue half-walls. A rainbow mosaic of large fish scales lines one wall and the circular white reception desk is painted with Aztec images. Free coffee, iced tea, and water are provided near an inflated white cactus. Some maintenance issues are prevalent: Stairs are dimly lit and the sofa isn't made of good quality materials. The vast majority of visitors here are younger couples and singles who come and go at all hours of the day and night. It's not an over-the-top party scene or rowdy in any way (especially because there's no bar at the hotel) but the vibe is friendly. Valentina would approve. 

Room Mate Valentina has an unbelievable location for young tourists. It's in the bohemian Zona Rosa, known for being both artistic and gay-friendly, though the sex shops may be off putting to some. Restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, night clubs, and bars line the street, and it's a four-minute walk to the Angel of Independence monument that marks the center of Advenida Reforma, known for luxury shops and higher-end hotels and restaurants. There isn't any private parking at the hotel, though there's a nearby garage that provides a flat-rate fee. 

Tomas Alia combined Aztec-inspired geometric shapes and bubblegum colors to design the 62 rooms and suites at Room Mate Valentina. Each room includes free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, an audio system for connecting iPods and phones to speakers, and a telephone. All rooms have air-conditioning units. 

Executive Rooms are the smallest at 409 square feet and include a queen bed or two twin-size beds, along with a rather uncomfortable built-in sofa set in front of a large window that overlooks the street. A light strip runs along the top of the room to create the illusion of movement. Deluxe Rooms are a bit bigger and the color palette is more subdued with gray sofas and white bedding. The Junior Suite includes a pink bed shaped like a staple and the Atico Room has enormous faux tequila labels on the walls. 

Bathrooms are clean and mainly come with a glass shower and bidet. Free toiletries have fun packaging with labels like, "shaving kit for a pirate," and "shower cap for brilliant minds." Suites include a soaking tub. Lower-level rooms that overlook the street can pick up unwanted street noise. 

Features at Room Mate Valentina are limited as the draw here is really the location and the rooms themselves. A breakfast buffet is served late, to accommodate late sleepers, in a brightly lit room set with white tables and chairs. Back-lit green shelving adds a pop of color to the space. Free coffee, iced tea, and filtered water are presented in the lobby and the front desk is manned 24 hours a day, to accommodate late arrivals. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Business travelers can rent a sophisticated meeting room that includes gray walls and carpeting. A tiny gym holds a rack of free weights, one treadmill, one elliptical machine, and one spinning bike placed in front of a large mirror.