Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa

Traditional and tasteful Mexican decor is incorporated via a stunning yellow stucco entranceway bedecked by a colorful stone driveway and tropical flowerbeds. Guests are greeted at the tranquil hotel with fresh towels, water bottles, and their personal assistant for assistance with registering. The spacious and modern lobby is decorated with stone seeded floors, vibrant pillows, and accent artwork. Lemongrass is the signature scent and lemony fragrances throughout the common areas of the hotel add a lovely touch. The hotel features open-air spaces, such as stunning infinity pools and sophisticated patio restaurants. Since each room has a private dip pool, neither of the communal infinity pools ever get too busy. However, thanks to free snacks and poolside service, the main pool is a great place for socializing throughout the day. The vast majority of guests are couples who want to relax and enjoy the ocean views. 

Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa is located on the edge of the small resort town of Ixtapa. The location of the hotel is both a strength and weakness. It's far enough away that guests are assured tranquility, but it's not within easy walking distance of any beaches. Taxis are easy to come by at the hotel, but renting a car is the best way to get around. The nearest beach is Playa el Palmar, an eight-minute drive from the hotel. Boulevard Ixtapa, the main road in the resort town, is a 10-minute drive from the hotel and hosts popular restaurants, clothing stores, and grocery stores. The small fishing village of Zihuatanejo is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. It's well known for Playa la Madera and Playa la Ropa -- about a 30-minute drive from the hotel. The popular boardwalk, Paseo del Pescador, is a 25-minute drive from the hotel and has a high concentration of restaurants with spectacular views overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay. Travelers should allow at least 30 minutes of travel time to get to the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Airport. 

There’s a lot to like about these stylish rooms, which manage to be rustic and sophisticated at the same time. A mostly neutral color scheme keeps rooms bright and airy, while allowing the gorgeous ocean views to steal the show. Expect to see king-size beds with white bedding and yellow bed runners, wooden chairs with white cushions, and beige stucco walls. Straw thatched stools, baskets, and art pieces add a touch of Mexico's culture.The highlight of all the rooms are the stunning step-out balconies. All rooms include private dip pools and lounge chairs, along with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning. Free Wi-Fi is provided, though the signal is spotty. Honeymooners like the Penthouse for its massive balcony decorated with cacti and flowers, and a larger dip pool.The sleek bathrooms are massive and include a closet area with shelves, wicker baskets, and hanging space. Bathrooms feature standing showers with rainfall showerheads and separate water closets. There are plenty of towels, soft bathrobes, and Vert de Terres toiletries.

There are plenty of thoughtful extras on offer at the Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa. Snacks like frozen fruit, bottles of water, and frozen margaritas are on offer all day and there's a popsicle tree in the afternoon. In the morning, free coffee, tea, and breakfast bars are provided in the library, which also features a book exchange and laptop for guests to use. The two infinity pools are the hotel’s best features. Both pools have ample terraces, stunning ocean views, and plenty of cushioned heavy wooden lounge chairs. Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa offers a host of dining and drinking options. Las Rocas is the hotel’s main restaurant for breakfast and lunch from morning to late afternoon in a casual, open-air setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The restaurant serves an elegant Mexican menu fused with international fare. Expect to see regional specialities like _tiritas _(fish strips) as well as upscale mahi-mahi tacos and casual club sandwiches. The Terrace Bar is open in the afternoon until late into the night for cocktails and sushi with spectacular sunset views. Dinner (and theme nights) is served at the Seafood Market, an upscale balcony restaurant built into a hill. Room service is available 24 hours.There are a few wellness options here as well, including a moderately-sized fitness center with a handful of LifeFitness cardio machines and a few free weights. A spacious spa includes steam rooms, tranquility rooms, and a hair salon. Treatments include manicures, massages, and body wraps. Bikes and helmets are available for free for guests to use. Valet parking is free, which is a luxurious perk. A small shop is located at the entrance of the hotel and has jewelry, tourist items, and resort-style clothing. A personal assistant is assigned to each room and helps guests with dinner reservations, taxis, and area activities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though it can be spotty in some rooms.