Clean, gracious and efficient. A quick walk to the historic center (but no really convenient Metro station at hand, as there is no line that follows Paseo de la Reforma).
Before accepting room: verify that strongbox (no charge) is operational and, if you care, verify that refrigerator is operational, too. Good hot water (shower and tub) and excellent beds.
You will not be able to get a radio-taxi from here, unless you call it yourself. There are a few English- and Japanese-speaking drivers attached to the hotel, so-called "taxi turistica." These are pleasant and friendly but don't offer best rates unless you insist beforehand.
NB, in Mexico City it is NOT advisable to hail taxis on the street.
The buffet breakfast is ample but for much less you can order coffee, coffee with milk, or tea
and delicious sweet rolls, if that is all you require.
There is a Sanborns mini-department store across Reforma and several adjacent convenience stores for beer, snacks, and other needs.
Don't forget to have your shoes shined on the street for a dollar. Be generous and pay with a 20-peso note. You could never achieve this brilliant shine yourself. Don't try it at home.
The Hotel Emporio down the street is also a good bet, with a jacuzzi in each room.
Except for traffic noise, both these hotels are respectable, quiet, and helpful.
The State-run arts and crafts shop with fixed prices, FonArt is just down the street same side.

Though the self-bestowed 5 stars are a little on the generous side, nevertheless the Hotel Imperial is a great place to stay. The lobby, upstairs restaurant and friendly and accommodating staff rate full marks. The bedrooms have been modified from their original colonial decor and are a bit of a mixed bag. The first time we stayed, the coat rack bar and hangers were missing as were the little luxuries (such as Kleenex tissues). The second time, everything was in order. Noise from the street (if you want to have the window open) is fairly intrusive as is to be expected from the location in the heart of the commercial district.

Museums, the cathedral, the 'zocalo' are all a short distance away and the rates on both of our previous visits (booked in advance over the internet) were at least half of the rack rate. Highly recommended!

A friend and I stayed at this lovely historic hotel in September 2011. It was walking distance to the MONUMENTO A LA REVOLUCIÓN and Mercado Artesanal de la Ciudadela. There's a Sanborn's across the street and a few good restaurants (including the hotel restaurant) in the vicinity. What struck us was how helpful the staff were. I left my cell phone in a cab on the way to the airport. The phone was returned to the hotel and then they held on to it until I could send for it once I arrived home. Room service is prompt and courteous as was bell staff. Rooms are basic but clean and comfortable. I highly recommend a stay here while you explore this gorgeous city.

the 1st room was small - the AC the refrigerator a couple lamps did not function.
i arrived t 2 AM and the ride up the elevator was nice - on the floor is no light? at night.
so finding the room is tough. there are lights, but they turn them off early.
in the day the sky light is great, but at night the only light is reflected up from the lobby -
four floors below - so it is very dark upstairs.
I told the desk about the broken items, but two days later - nothing was repaired?
i fixed the lamp and opened the windows for air, but the shower too had problems.
at 6AM the road noise starts - the third floor was being renovated - and the hammering started Early!
and went all day long - no rest for the weary. lol

they did move me to another room the third day. only 1 lamp did not work. the shower had problems. not clean and the sliding door did not glide. you lifted and drug it as many had done in the past. you could see the damages from previous guests dragging the door.
the AC worked. the window was higher so the road noise was suppressed. the room service was good, but room cleaning was sporadic and done by request - multiple requests and most days the beds were not done until after 3 PM - one night they did not come until after 6 PM - So i told them
not tonight. But Please clean the room in the morning. Please.
about 1PM the room was done the next day -

the restaurants are very nice, the food was ok.
the lobby was very nice and a classic eye pleasing place to stay.
the Land mark style of the hotel Imperial was easy to find. so i did not get lost - all the taxi knew how to find the place. :D
the staff at the desk were very very helpful. it is an impressive building and i would stay there again.
as i like the location and the classic look - my girlfriend will not stay there - she say "yuck"
my sisters would not stay there either - but i liked the old style and a few roaches dont bother me.
but the price was too high for a roach hotel - - - - -