Pacifica Resort Ixtapa

The large, four-pearl Pacifica Resort Ixtapa offers virtually every amenity imaginable in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere. The architecture is classic Mediterranean -- from the outside you'll see thick, square columns, white stucco walls, and orange clay roof tiles. Tropical design touches -- rattan seating and tables, thatched roofs, woven wood furniture, and wicker -- mix with rustic, Mexican elements like limestone tile and exposed wooden ceiling beams. From the rooms to the lobby and common areas, the overall look and feel is a sophisticated, cohesive blend of Mediterranean and Pacific.

The beachfront area serves as the hotel’s prime social space with two activity pools, numerous water-sports activity options, and two restaurants and bars. The atmosphere throughout the hotel is lively and boisterous, yet family-friendly, and rarely rises to the level of an all-out Spring Break-style party. A pool area near the spa provides an alternative, adult-centric outdoor lounge space with two additional pools and a hot tub. While the resort is family-friendly, the lack of dedicated children’s facilities like a kiddy pool or kids’ club make it less than ideal for travelers with small children. Many of the bars, pools, and other facilities close early, however, ensuring the property is quiet after dark.

Situated on a steep hillside that meets the Pacific Ocean and overlooks downtown Ixtapa, this resort offers some of the area’s best views. It's tucked away from the main road into a complex of other resorts, and the setting insulates the property well against road noise and provides a more private atmosphere than many other area resorts. Numerous restaurants, shopping, resorts, and the 18-hole Campo de Golf Ixtapa are all a five-minute drive from the hotel. Alternatively, it's a 15-minute walk to the center of town. The steep, hilly property may be tricky to navigate for children and guests with disabilities. Free shuttle buses are readily available, however, the need to call for transportation between every point on the property quickly grows tiresome.

The Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport is located 30 minutes away via a modern, well-maintained freeway. Like most nearby hotels, Pacifica Resort does not provide guests with airport pick-ups. Private shuttle transportation is easy to arrange at the airport, however, and is often the most affordable option for groups as rates are priced on a per-vehicle basis. For couples and small groups, standard taxi service is likely the best option as rates are zone-based and inexpensive.

As the hotel has acquired a neighboring property, the list of room categories can prove confusing here, so let us break it down for you. Essentially, there two categories of rooms -- Luxury Suites and Premium Suites -- that are divided between distinctly decorated and appointed zones throughout the resort. The Mediterranean-meets-Pacific decor of the lobby and exterior carries through to many of the rooms. While each building is uniquely decorated, the overall look is bright and slightly upscale, with the exception of Pacifica Golf Rooms. The list of apartment-like amenities in each room is lengthy and ideal for self-catering travelers. Full kitchens, spacious dining and living areas, and private balconies or terraces are standard. The resort’s on-site market makes it possible to cook in-room and stay entirely on the property without ever leaving.

Entry-level Senior Golf Premium Suites are the smallest on the property, but still provide a generous 613 square feet of floor space (57 square meters). Two sofa-beds supplement a single queen bed, making it an ideal space for families traveling on a budget. However, the rooms are the resort’s most dated and only offer limited “interior” views of the El Palmar golf course. Mid-level Pacifica Club Premium Suites offer approximately 1,000 square feet of living space (93 square meters) and all of the amenities above. Even within these middle-of-the-road accommodations, several sub-categories offer different benefits ranging from ocean views to hot tubs to private plunge pools.

The resort’s Luxury Suites are its signature offering. The list of standard amenities includes all of the above, plus larger floor plans, and private balconies with the best ocean views on the property. Most rooms in this category provide approximately 1,300 square feet (111 square meters) of floor space with the largest at nearly 2,000 square feet (186 square meters). Fit and finish in these rooms is notably above that found in Premium Suites, with handsome wooden furniture and cabinetry, polished travertine floors, breezy fabrics and color schemes, and beautiful blue-tile plunge pools. There's even attractive local art hanging above the bed that adds a rustic-chic touch.

Like their respective rooms, bathrooms in the Pacifica Golf building are the hotel’s smallest and most dated. With a tiny shower stall, cramped layout, and aging fixtures, they stand out against the clean, modern bathrooms found in nearly every other room category. All other bathrooms are ample for a hotel of this category, with upscale fixtures and materials. Generous use of beige tile, stone, and marble on the floors, walls, and countertops lends a warm, sophisticated feel that’s a step above many of the area’s cookie cutter bathroom decor.

As a large, full-service resort, Pacifica Resort Ixtapa has almost every conceivable amenity that vacationing Mexican travelers might expect. Five pools, seven restaurants, a hillside beach, and a spa with panoramic views all top the long list of communal amenities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort, and parking is also free. 

The hotel offers two pool areas, each with a distinct atmosphere. Situated adjacent to the beach, the two main activity pools are clean and large, even for a 222-room property. The first is primarily an activity pool with water aerobics and other guided activities offered throughout the day. The second is for general use and has a good amount of lounge chair seating and a thatched roof canopy that provides shade. With the hotel at capacity and the constant chatter of the property’s activity pool directors, the overall atmosphere can be loud and frenetic. Two bars located in the adjacent restaurants service the pool area, each with a full liquor menu of beer, wine, and tropical cocktails. Poolside drinks are also available, however, the service is often spotty.

Far from the beach, amid a lovely garden, two additional pools anchor the resort’s second pool zone. While the main pool is open to all guests, the second is curiously roped off exclusively for spa patrons. The atmosphere around both is quieter, relaxed, and decidedly adult-centric. A small, adjacent bar also serves a full liquor menu.

The resort is serviced by a total of seven restaurants, including two specialty restaurants, a beach bar, a large beachfront buffet, and a coffee shop. All alcohol and meals -- except at the coffee shop and specialty restaurants -- are included in the hotel’s standard all-inclusive package. Overall, the food gets high marks (with the exception of the buffets), with a diverse selection. However, aside from Tulipanes, the hours for all other restaurants are unpredictable at best. Open and closing times depend on the season, weather, and occupancy of the hotel.

Tulipanes, the hotel’s primary restaurant, serves an expected mix of buffet food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The large, open-air, beachfront space is busy throughout the day, and its proximity to the activity pools can make for a loud dining experience. The list of menu options is extensive and includes typical Western favorites (pancakes, bacon, cereal, coffee/tea, and an omelet station for breakfast; pasta, grilled chicken, and steak for lunch and dinner) and local Mexican dishes, such as Sopa Azteca, refried beans, chilaquiles, and fried plantains. Reviews are mixed.

Two a la carte restaurants, Bugambilias and Moon Bar, offer additional dining in a casual, open-air atmosphere. Adjacent to the lobby pool, Bugambilias serves a basic menu of burgers, sandwiches, and simple lunch fare favorites during the day. By night, the atmosphere grows more intimate and sophisticated with an Italian-inspired menu. Moon Bar offers Asian dinner-only service in a romantic, open-air, beachfront location with excellent sunset views.

Perched atop the highest point on the property, El Faro and Terraza Maria Bonita serve breakfast and dinner and have the best views of any restaurant in Ixtapa. The atmosphere at both specialty restaurants is upscale and formal (although, in our experience, the dress code is not strictly enforced). The former is well-known by locals as the place to dine for a romantic night out. The latter serves traditional Mexican-inspired dishes (such as chilaquiles, grilled local fish, and sopa Azteca) on a beautiful outdoor terrace with live music most nights of the week. Unfortunately, reservations are required and, if guests don’t confirm their dinner plans early, they may be out of luck (particularly on weekends).

Adjacent to the lobby pool, the tiny El Cafecito coffee shop offers an expected cafe menu of pastries, salads, and specialty coffee and espresso drinks. Curiously, El Suspiro is often listed among the resort’s restaurants. However, it’s actually a 20-minute taxi ride away in Zihuatanejo.

All-inclusive rates are available that include drinks and most meals, plus discounts for children, but guests should inquire ahead as to whether he expense is worth it for them.

The hotel’s soft sand beach is tucked against a hillside with lovely views of the Pacific Ocean. An ample number of lounge chairs and private palapas provide sufficient seating and shade. However, the shallow depth of the beach (depending on the tide, there’s less than 100 feet between the waterline and the back of the beach) means the chair placement is tight, bordering on cramped.

As with many area hotels, the condition of the water depends on the time of year. Pacific waves and rip currents can be an issue, but it’s often calm enough to swim and snorkel. The resort provides free equipment for a number of non-motorized activities including snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing. An on-site PADI-certified dive center also provides lessons, tours, and equipment rental for an additional fee.

Mexican beaches have a reputation for relentless beach hawkers. However, the property’s unique hillside location and distance from nearby properties are sufficient enough to keep many of the area’s tchotchke peddlers away.

The tiny on-site spa is spread across a handful of small, minimally appointed cabanas. With an ideal hillside location near the top of the property, every treatment room offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the center of Ixtapa. The spa features the typical menu of massage treatments (hot stone, facials, Swedish) while an adjacent salon provides basic beauty services such as manicures, pedicures, and nail services.

For a well-thought-out, upscale property, the hotel’s fitness center is surprisingly located in a tiny, bland room that feels like an afterthought. Unfortunately, the entire gym consists of a small stack of free weights, four dated cardio machines, and a flat-screen TV.