In the morning the sun stays behind because the facade faces west, and the coolness of the Polanco tree foliage is mixed with the wind of the Mexican plateau
The Polanco Neighborhood
Polanco is a neighborhood in Mexico City’s Miguel Hidalgo borough. It is an upscale colonia known for its luxury shopping along Presidente Masaryk Avenue, Mexico’s most expensive street as well as various cultural organizations. Polanco, known as the Beverly Hills of Mexico, has one of the country’s densest concentrations of luxury shops, high-net-worth individuals and has one of South America’s most expensive real estate markets.
Once a residential region with big single-family houses, the neighborhood’s land use began to shift in the second part of the twentieth century. Former houses were replaced with commercial structures and high-rise buildings, particularly following the 1985 Mexico City earthquake.
The Wild Oscar, Mexico City
As Polanco is known for its high-end clientele, it has amassed cultural capital over the years. This is where Mexico City’s elite used to come together. Then the boutiques followed and today everyone who’s anyone can be seen around this neighborhood. The Wild Oscar launched in this neighborhood and has been welcoming international guests ever since.
The concept of The Wild Oscar surrounds functionality and comfort. The hotel aims to create a home-like environment for business travelers. Using local artworks, furnishings and amenities, The Wild Oscar aims to welcome international travelers to Mexico City.
This hotel’s facade, which is made up entirely of concrete and bricks placed in straight lines, has the appearance of a contemporary coworking space. But once you enter, it seems like something out of a Wes Anderson film. One such example is the collection of old-fashioned-looking room keys that are hung on a luxurious velvet wall behind the front desk.
Ground floor, lobby and restaurant at The Wild Oscar
Black bourgeois parquet and paneling over industrial details. Concrete formwork is left exposed, with gray paint to even them out. The entrance is hidden from the street, descending a few steps below street level. The doors are in iron. In the shade near the tables on the outdoor patio are ferns, facing the restaurant room and lobby.
Among the selection of books is a monograph by Yves Saint Laurent, a history book on the Palacio de Hierro, and a monograph by Mondrian. The light blue velvet sofas contrast with the parquet flooring that improves after use. The tables have marble tops and brass details. On the walls as well as on the concierge’s desk are some iconographic details referencing Oscar Wilde.
A Victorian-style display case was repainted and lacquered in dark black. Leather armchairs are also a revival of a Victorian style updated in Mexico. A small sculpture of a heart according to human anatomy is laid on a small table. The paneling alternates between slabs of solid wood and slabs of gray stone streaked with white, so the floors alternate between worn parquet and slabs of white marble.
The rooms at The Wild Oscar
The rooms with terraces on the fourth floor are worth the visit; they are number 401 and number 404: the terraces are large enough to allow for two chairs and two tables.
In the morning the sun stays behind because the facade faces west, and the coolness of the Polanco tree foliage mixed with the wind of the Mexican plateau give the urban dimension that European habits do not recur. The bedrooms are large as are the bathrooms while the suite lounges are quite small with sofas too small for what would otherwise be a suite by usual standards. The glass in the 1960s windows has wire mesh on the underside.
The Wild Oscar: terraces
There are terraces for some of the other rooms on the east corner as well, these terraces have a metal grating floor in keeping with the industrial details throughout the building. From the top floors one can see the balconies below in a play on image but one that excludes privacy.
In the bathrooms, the marble on the floor meets a decoration also in marble arranged in a herringbone pattern. The modern exterior facade is clean compared to other buildings in the neighborhood: both modern art among the green foliage of trees with the geometric design of its own windows.
Lampoon review: The Wild Oscar
A stay at this property is worthwhile when you choose rooms on the top floor: from here you can walk through the entire Polanco neighborhood to even the anthropological museum. This neighborhood remains the best choice for visiting Mexico City, and the size of the Wild Oscar is reminiscent of a home. Breakfast in the morning is reduced in menu but curated as can happen in a private home.
The hotel includes a modest exercise area with the essential equipment. There are also sizable private work areas and conference rooms available for business travelers in Mexico City.
The Wild Oscar
Lamartine 516, Polanco, Polanco V Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico. A boutique hotel situated in the Polanco area of Mexico City, suited best for business travelers.
The Editorial Team
