Las Brisas Ixtapa

With its unique, pyramid-inspired architecture, the Las Brisas is a distinct departure from the area’s bland also-ran resorts. The stepped, bright orange exterior is a striking blend of ancient construction -- it's a riff on Mayan pyramids -- and modern design. The added benefit of this shape is, of course, that all rooms have great ocean views. The lobby, halls, and many common areas are cavernous and minimally-appointed in a cohesive, well-thought-out way that feels sophisticated and upscale. Materials give everything a nice polish, from the travertine and rough-stone tiling throughout the hotel's lobby, to the contrasting rustic contemporary art and vibrant contemporary colors (hot pink is a tough color to get away with in contemporary design, but Las Brisas manages to pull it off). The sprawling property provides several distinct social spots, including a large, four-pool terrace, restaurant and bar complex, and a wide beach. A kiddy pool, supervised kids' club, and playground all provide sufficient kid-centric activities though guests are more likely to find couples here than families on vacation.

Las Brisas is well-situated on the far southern edge of the area’s popular tourist district. The outlying location is quieter and more secluded than most of Ixtapa’s frenetic resorts, while the downtown core is still just an eight-minute drive away. The 18-hole Palma Real Ixtapa golf course is three minutes away by car, while the Marina Ixtapa course is only a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The popular Delfiniti Ixtapa dolphin encounter is likewise just 10 minutes away by car.Given the hotel’s distance from town and lack of adjacent attractions, guests looking to venture off-property will likely need to rent a car. Alternatively, the area’s taxi service is reliable and affordable. The cost of the 30-minute drive to and from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport is on par with similar Mexican resort cities. Group shuttle transportation is another, even cheaper option with rates priced on an inexpensive per-vehicle basis.

Room decor is a blend of traditional Mexican design elements and rustic accents -- including marble flooring and white and orange stucco walls -- and contemporary furnishings and colors. Bright fabrics add subtle, tasteful hints of tropical color amid all of the white and warm, dark-wood tones. Hand-embroidered throw pillows are a particularly sharp choice that complements the lime green notes throughout. Solid wood headboards and furniture with classic Mexican silhouettes all work together to appear understated and chic at the same time. The overall look is crisp, sophisticated, and airy -- and a welcome step up in terms of design from the area's many area resorts. Vibrant wall art in higher-category rooms completes the look.At 548 square feet (51 square meters), entry-level Deluxe Grand Rooms and Brisas Beach Club Rooms are spacious, though comparable to nearby four-pearl chain hotels. However, the addition of an oversized ocean-view terrace with a hammock makes both categories feel larger. Square footage steps up considerably in Suites, which offer larger-than-average, split-design floor plans with separate living and sleeping areas and spacious terraces. Additionally, one-bedroom Junior Suites offer outdoor whirlpool tubs and twice the space at 1,172 square feet (109 square meters). Fiesta, Viceroy, and Emperor Suites offer similar features, plus outdoor plunge pools and floor plans up to 2,850 square feet (265 square meters). The Presidential Suite is a massive, 6,000-square-foot, three-bedroom villa with all the above amenities plus additional terraces, upgraded, contemporary fixtures and furnishings throughout, and a private outdoor plunge pool as well.All rooms feature a solid list of standard amenities, including minibars, coffeemakers, phones, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and turndown service. Surprisingly, in-room Wi-Fi service is only available for a per-day fee and irons are only available on request.Entry-level bathrooms are adequately sized relative to most four-pearl chain hotel bathrooms, while Suite categories provide even more space. Modern fixtures and the use of glass and open-concept shower stalls adds a distinctly upscale touch. From the countertops to the showers to the floors, marble and limestone tile covers almost every square inch of designable space. Even Standard Rooms have generous marble vanities, and all include Neutrogena toiletries. The result is a warm, upscale design that’s notably above typical resort bathrooms, especially in higher-category rooms, which have details like square vessel sinks.

The large Las Brisas Hotel Collection Ixtapa offers nearly every imaginable amenity Mexican vacation-goers would expect. Four large pools, a wide, private beach, and a handful of restaurants all top the list. However, the lack of a spa and the long, steep walk to the beach could disappoint some travelers.Keep in mind that while all-inclusive rates are available, they do not include features like Wi-Fi or use of the business center. The resort offers a fairly exhaustive list of services, with everything from a concierge to business services and supervised child care in high season.

The hotel’s four separate pools are clean, with ample space for its 416 rooms’ worth of guests. Rows of white metal and canvas lounge chairs line the edges of each pool, with a layout that’s relaxed and that allows plenty of room to maneuver. Guests seeking shaded lounge space will find plenty of tall trees and umbrellas as well. A separate adult-only pool and kiddy pool both provide distinct relaxation and play areas. A poolside bar and snack shack service the entire outdoor terrace, while the adjacent Solarium Restaurant offers an additional mid-day dining option. Poolside drink service is also available with a full menu of beer, wine, and cocktails and we found the staff to be attentive.

The hotel’s soft sand beach is wide and clean, and despite Mexico's laws against private beaches, is free from the throngs of hawkers and tchotchke peddlers found on most nearby beaches. Like each of the pools, the beach affords ample lounge chairs and palapas for shaded relaxation. The adjacent beachfront snack shack/bar provides convenient mid-day drinking and dining opportunities. One notable downside is that beach access requires trekking down a long, moderately-graded staircase which could present an issue for young children and travelers with disabilities.As with most area beaches, the water conditions change dramatically based on the season and weather. The shape of the surrounding horseshoe bay adds sufficient protection to ensure the water is typically calm and swimmable. However, the area’s weather can quickly create unsafe conditions, particularly for children. Unfortunately, the hotel does not provide free or paid water-sports equipment. Guests will likely need to visit nearby Playa Quieta (an eight-minute drive) to find kayaking, catamarans, windsurfing, and more.

With five full restaurants, two snack shacks, and four bars, Las Brisas offers no shortage of drinking and dining options, and all-inclusive plans are available. The resort features a diverse selection of food -- including Mexican, Italian, and themed buffets -- however, the quality receives mixed reviews. Bars in each restaurant offer a decent drink menu of beer, wine, and liquor.Like most area resorts, only one on-site restaurant, Bellavista, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual, open-air space with lovely beach views. All meals are served buffet-style, with a focus on Mexican and international cuisines. The former is poorly reviewed as inauthentic, with food frequently served warm (not hot), while the latter is a typical mix of Western dishes like baked chicken and pasta. Solarium Restaurant serves a similar lunch and early evening service in a relaxed atmosphere near the pool.Three additional restaurants offer more formal, dinner-only service in three distinct spaces. Portofino Ristorante provides authentic Italian food in a venue that vaguely resembles an upscale chain restaurant. Faux stone columns, large candlelit urns, and stucco walls contribute to an atmosphere that’s quiet, elegant, and slightly fancy. Restaurante el Mexicano expectedly serves traditional Mexican food, however, many reviewers complain of poor quality. Decor is mostly traditional -- think: dark wood furniture, crisp white linen tablecloths, and beige marble tile flooring -- with bold pops of pink adding a touch of chic modernity. La Brisa II Restaurant (open only in winter) offers alfresco dining on a lovely patio with great views of the hotel’s beach and surrounding cove. All three require reservations and dress codes that, in our experience, appear to be enforced.Two additional snack shacks -- Las Fuentes Bar and La Brisa Snack Bar -- serve poolside and beachfront drinks and basic finger foods respectively.

Given the resort’s size and long list of amenities, the lack of a dedicated spa is conspicuous. However, a full menu of in-room massage treatments is available for an additional fee.