1. What have been the biggest achievements for the hotel in 2024 and 2025?
There have been many. 2024 was the best year in the 46-year history of this property. And in 2025, we are already 19.8% ahead. That growth started after the pandemic. Mexico remained open earlier than most countries—the skies, the hotels. That allowed people to rediscover Mexico City beyond Cancún and Tulum. We saw that as a chance to reposition the city as a tourist destination, not just a business hub.
2. What role did the renovation play in that success?
We launched the renovation in 2023, even though the money wasn’t there. People thought we were crazy, but that’s what taking action means. We refurbished the hotel and added three new restaurants. We also began promoting the hotel globally, aiming to turn Mexico City into an international destination for meetings, events, and tourism.
3. What kind of events has the hotel hosted recently?
We hosted Miss Universe. Bloomberg also held its first event in Latin America here. They took over the entire hotel—700 rooms and 8 restaurants. They later told us it would be hard to find a location as good as this one.
4. How does the hotel compare to others globally?
I often compare this hotel to InterContinental Park Lane in London. Both are in glamorous neighborhoods—Belgravia and Polanco. Both face massive parks—Hyde Park and Chapultepec. Both are surrounded by museums and top restaurants. But we have something unique: we are a gastronomical hub with eight restaurants, including the only Péché de Cochon outside Paris.
5. What are the current development plans?
We’re building a new ballroom with a terrace overlooking Chapultepec and expanding our suite offering. We’re also investing in new technology and systems to help staff operate better, from finance to training tools.
6. How is the hotel engaging in sustainability and social responsibility?
We make our own water. We’ve reduced water usage by 20% this year. We also partner with a girls’ school in Chalco, offering internships. Eight girls will be training with us this summer in various departments. Eventually, we want to create a hotel school there.
7. What defines the guest experience at InterContinental Presidente?
We train staff to work as a team, not just as individuals. Every department is responsible for the full guest journey. We meet daily to ask: how do we move from good to excellent? Sometimes, it’s about doing something small with extra care. We also encourage staff to explore different departments, because working in hospitality should be about discovering where you belong.
8. Any final thoughts on the future of hospitality in Mexico?
Mexico is booming. People used to think Latin America was too risky for investment. Now everyone wants in. We’re helping shape the future of this industry—not just through rooms and events, but through people, training, and passion.
