Meagan Drillinger
You'd never guess that the City Centro by Marriott San Luis Potosi was a City Express hotel.
The salmon-colored building dates to the 19th century and is located in the heart of San Luis Potosi's Centro historico. Following a renovation in 2016 and an acquisition by Marriott International in 2023, the hotel manages to combine the original architecture with contemporary design. It's one of three City Centro hotels in Mexico, all of which have been designed to offer cultural significance, modern amenities and prime locations with a price point far lower than other hotels in the same locations.
City Centro by Marriott San Luis Potosi is within walking distance of the city's beautiful parks and architecture. Photo Credit: Meagan Drillinger
Last year, Marriott International acquired the Hoteles City Express brand, a portfolio with 152 hotels across 75 cities in Mexico and three other Latin American countries. The $100 million acquisition included all the Hoteles City brand portfolio, as well as their loyalty programs. Each sub-brand of hotels is geared toward a specific traveler. I recently stayed at the City Centro by Marriott brand in San Luis Potosi, which is the lifestyle brand targeted to leisure travelers.
The hotel is comfortable and clean, with plenty of touches to give a sense of place, but upgraded amenities that make it a great choice for travelers who want to be downtown on a budget.
Mexico is home to three City Centro hotels in three cities: San Luis Potosi, Mexico City and Oaxaca. The San Luis Potosi hotel is an example of how the brand repurposes historical structures into modern-day hotels. Housed in a beautifully restored building, which was one of the oldest original hotels in the city, the hotel has been renovated to include amenities like a rooftop pool with cathedral views and a gym, as well as an attached restaurant and bar. The strategic location puts it within walking distance of the city's top restaurants and attractions like the Plaza de Armas and the Teatro de la Paz.
The hotel is housed in a 19th-century building downtown. Photo Credit: Meagan Drillinger
Rates for City Centro by Marriott San Luis Potosi start at $80 per night, which, considering the location of the hotel, is an impressively affordable rate. I was within a 10-minute walk from the city's most famous museums, historical landmarks, leafy plazas, restaurants and bars. That's part of the brand identity of City Centro hotels -- travelers are right in the heart of the city center. The price point for these hotels hovers around $100 per night. Plus, Marriott loyalists will be able to collect or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points.
In Mexico City, the City Centro is within walking distance of the Zocalo, Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Oaxaca's City Centro is steps from the Santo Domingo Temple and the city's vibrant markets.