Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo

Perched on a hill with stunning ocean views, the upscale and all-inclusive Club Med Pacific Ixtapa has a privileged location that's beachfront to the white sands of Playa Quieta. All of the 516 vibrant rooms at the hotel are spacious and modern with strong air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. With a kids’ club with its own restaurant, multiple pools, and plenty of activities like trapeze, tennis, and evening shows -- this is an ideal place for families. There are a few wellness options that appeal to couples, like a moderately sized fitness center, quiet pool, and relaxing spa. Overall, this is a family place. Travelers looking for something quieter should check rates at Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa where all rooms have private dip pools. 

The 219-room Emporio Ixtapa offers three-and-a-half-pearl features that provide a mostly pleasant stay, though some flaws are showing. The clean pool, wide beach, modern salon and spa, and grand lobby are mostly on par with comparable area resorts. However, the resort’s stark, aging design make the hotel feel like it's past its prime. Rooms in all categories offer a solid list of essential amenities, but the dated decor and lack of balconies or terraces in most rooms are disappointing, especially given the more modern competition in the area. In this case, the whole is less than the sum of its parts, though rates here can be a bargain. Those willing to spend more should investigate the Pacifica Resort Ixtapa, a large upscale option with more attractive rooms.

Along with three large pools, a lovely, soft sand beach, kids’ activities, and up-market a la carte restaurants, Hotel Barcelo Ixtapa Beach Resort fulfills the basic requirements for a family-friendly all-inclusive getaway. However, the three-and-a-half-pearl hotel’s aging decor, tiny spa, and per-stay a la carte dining limits may be a deal-breaker for some. Most of the 398 rooms are typical of other nearby Ixtapa resorts -- pleasant, though dated, with expected amenities such as minibars, flat-screen TV, and private balconies with beautiful sea or mountain views. For a more luxurious, family-friendly alternative, check rates at the adjacent Azul Ixtapa.

Located in Ixtapa’s bustling oceanfront tourist district, the upscale Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa is an all-inclusive resort that offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. With a large pool, five restaurants, a sprawling beach, and a fine spa, there's plenty here to keep guests occupied, and the town's main tourist area is only five minutes away on foot. The bright and modern rooms are spacious and include minibars and private balconies with partial or full sea views. A dedicated kiddy area, a supervised kids’ club, and a long list of water-sports and land-based activities all provide plenty to keep children occupied as well. Families may also want to consider the Azul Ixtapa Beach Resort & Conference Center, which has better kids' pool and lower rates.

Las Brisas Hotel Collection Ixtapa has one of the area’s best locations on the outer edge of Ixtapa’s bustling tourist core. The 426- room, four-pearl resort offers almost every essential and upscale amenity imaginable, including four pools, a handful of restaurants, and a beautiful beach. Every category of room is clean and sophisticated, with a nice dash of local character and bright color, plus stocked minibars, flat-screen TVs, and large, ocean-view terraces with hammocks. Some rooms even have private pools. Relative to comparable area hotels, the lack of a dedicated spa and long walk down to the beach are the only notable drawbacks. Check rates at the Azul Ixtapa Grand Spa & Convention Center for a similarly priced alternative, though its rooms have a bit less style.

Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa is a three-and-a-half-pearl all-inclusive hotel in the heart of Ixtapa’s resort-heavy tourist district. There is a long list of amenities here, including a large, curved pool, three restaurants, and a wide, clean, soft-sand beach. The hotel also has a nice kids' club with video game systems and toys for those traveling with little ones, but unfortunately food at the buffets receives mixed reviews. The 420 rooms are bright and simple, with modern furnishings but a dated color palette. Features in all rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies, many of which have ocean views. It might be worth checking rates at the nearby Pacifica Resort Ixtapa for a similarly appointed alternative with more upmarket polish.

Surrounded by Ixtapa’s many sprawling all-inclusive resorts, the small, 110-room Posada Real is a distinctly mid-range alternative with few frills. The list of amenities is relatively short, however, a wide, clean beach, oceanfront infinity pool with swim-up bar, and rates that include unlimited drinks are enough to make a stay here pleasant. Rooms in either category are bright and clean, though simple and dated, with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, and bottled water. There are no balconies or terraces, though, which is disappointing given the oceanside setting. For the area, it's hard to beat rates here, but travelers can investigate the nearby Las Brisas Hotel Collection Ixtapa, which has more resort amenities and a slightly higher price tag.

Located in Ixtapa’s popular tourist district, three-and-a-half-pearl Azul Ixtapa Beach Resort & Convention Center, an all-inclusive property with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and a plethora of activities to keep families busy. Two large pools, a kids' water park, all-inclusive dining at multiple on-site restaurants and bars, and an enormous fitness center all combine for a fine Mexican beachfront getaway. The 400 rooms are clean and spacious, with amenities like mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and private, ocean view balconies. However, the charge for Wi-Fi and lack of a spa are noteworthy negatives. Travelers may also want to consider Pacifica Resort Ixtapa, where rates can be lower and many rooms have charming local accents.

Situated on a corner in a quiet residential neighborhood, the tall white buildings of the three-pearl Gamma de Fiesta Inn Plaza are easily seen from the main road through Ixtapa. All 153 rooms are spacious and simply decorated, and many come with balconies or spacious terraces. The hotel has nearly every amenity a traveler might expect: a massive pool terrace, swim-up bar, and 24-hour reception desk. The casual restaurant serves a buffet of both Mexican and international dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a few a la carte menu items. One major downside is that it's a 10-minute walk to Playa el Palmar. For those looking to be closer to the beach, the Park Royal Ixtapa is a great choice with similar amenities but with a higher price tag.

The mid-range Park Royal Hotel is an inviting all-inclusive Ixtapa hotel situated beachfront to the white sands of Playa el Palmar. All 228 rooms are spacious and modern, featuring balconies or terrace with ocean or garden views. Rooms come with air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. Features include three restaurants, shops, and a massive pool terrace. There are a host of bar options and entertainment for those looking for late-night options. The hotel also features a few wellness amenities including a small fitness center and moderately sized spa for massages and facials. One of the biggest complaints is that day passers can take over the beach and pool. Travelers looking for something a little quieter should compare rates at the Puerta del Mar -- it's a great choice with similar amenities at a lower price. 

Relative to Ixtapa’s many sprawling all-inclusives, the 255-room Krystal Ixtapa is decidedly middle-of-the-road. The property offers all the amenities most travelers would expect from a three-pearl beachfront resort, including a large pool, several restaurants, and a waterfront location on the area’s popular Palmar Beach. Rooms are also the definition of mid-range -- the style is a blend of dated and generically modern decor -- with essentials like stocked minibars and private balconies, some with ocean views. However, minor details -- including paid in-room Wi-Fi, limited restaurant hours, and pricey mediocre food -- can prove disappointing. Check rates at the nearby, beachfront Emporio Ixtapa for a similar, but more affordable alternative. 

The Ixzi Plus Hotel is a spacious mid-range hotel situated in an upscale residential district in Ixtapa. The hotel features 54 modern and chic rooms with minimalist decor and private balconies. The rooms range in size from Standard Rooms to Two-Bedroom Villas, and all are spacious. Limited features include two pools with spacious terraces, lounge chairs, and umbrellas -- plus a yoga studio and free Wi-Fi. There is small, open-air breakfast area and the bar is open seasonally. The hotel’s location outside of town means the restaurants and beach are a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Those looking to be closer to the beach should consider Park Royal Hotel, with more amenities, but at a higher price tag.

The two-and-a-half-pearl Puerta del Mar is an inviting Ixtapa hotel with Colonial Mexican decor and relaxed family-friendly ambience. All 45 guest rooms are one- or two-bedroom suites with separated living rooms and spacious private terraces with lounge chairs. The spacious suites also feature full kitchens, dining tables, and TVs. The hotel is an ideal choice for couples and families, with two pools (one with a slide), an open-air restaurant, and two casual bars. The gated hotel has beautifully manicured soccer fields and grounds with lovely tropical flowers. The biggest downside is that it's a 15-minute walk to Playa el Palmar. For those looking to be closer to the beach, consider the Park Royal Hotel. It has similar amenities and a lively vibe -- but at a higher price.