Casa Goliana

In a city as vast and overwhelming as Mexico City it’s no accident that the most enjoyable hotels are often the smallest. And while Casa Goliana has plenty else going for it as well, its most immediately apparent characteristic is its small size. Weighing in at just eight rooms, this 20th-century house in the hip and upscale Roma district blurs the line between boutique hotel and bed and breakfast — but by any name, it’s a charming, intimate, and extremely stylish stay.

The rooms, fittingly, are roughly one part contemporary boutique-chic and one part eclectic, bohemian residence. Some rooms face the terrace or interior patio, others the street, and all feature modern tiled bathrooms — some with beautiful roll-top bathtubs. The furnishings are substantial, the artworks are unique, and there’s no compromise to be made between character and comfort.

Only breakfast is served, but the hotel’s location places you within easy reach of a shocking number of Mexico City’s best restaurants. There’s also a gym across the street, for which day passes are available for a fee. Anything more would compromise Casa Goliana’s air of tranquility — this is a pied-à-terre, not an urban resort, and you’re meant to get out and experience the city.