Hotel La Posada

Known as the "Pink Posada" for its colorful exterior, Hotel La Posada is a small two-story property away from the main tourism hub of Manzanillo. The grounds are pretty with palm trees and tiled water fountains, but they're a bit worn and have some randomly placed objects. With just 23 rooms that lack TVs, the hotel is largely peaceful, though it's more lively on the weekends when locals come to the property. Most guests, who are pretty evenly split between families and couples, spend their time in a chair by the pool or on the beach. The "sala" is the open-air gathering place with terra-cotta floors, colorful tablecloths, and shelves filled with books and games; it acts as the restaurant for breakfast and lunch, and is where guests go to check their emails using the free Wi-Fi. The owner Juan and his wife live at the property, and will give guests restaurant and activity suggestions.

Manzanillo is Mexico's biggest port city, meaning there's a constant coming and going of cargo ships. Since the city has two bays, it designates one area to ships, while the other is largely quiet; Hotel La Posada is close to the shipping port, so guests will undoubtedly see and hear many of those ships while they're enjoying the beach. This also means it's about a 15-minute drive from the main tourism hub, where guests will find a plethora of restaurants, shops, and the Starbucks and Walmart. There are plenty of restaurants about a 15- to 20-minute walk from the hotel, and the area is quite safe. Cabs are plentiful and inexpensive, and there's free parking at the hotel as well. The Playa de Oro International Airport is a 50-minute drive from the hotel.

There are 22 rooms and one Studio Suite at the hotel. Rooms are simple, featuring terra-cotta floors, wooden furnishings, brick ceilings and walls, and beds with two-tone blankets. Colorful striped serapes hang on the walls and painted vases add decorative elements. Otherwise, rooms lack telephones, TVs, and minibars, though there's a bottle of vodka or brandy in the bathroom. Rooms do have ceiling fans, but it's extra for a room with air-conditioning. Bathrooms have showers and basic toiletries, but could use a deep cleaning. The Studio Suite on the second level is largely the same, except that it also has a kitchenette and balcony. It features a full-size refrigerator, oven, four-burner stove, and a microwave. Aside from two pots, a pan, bowl, and glasses, there's no other tableware or cutlery. 

In addition to the beach area with worn chairs and umbrellas, there's an adjacent small freshwater pool; it has a few loungers, umbrellas, and tables with plastic chairs surrounding it. Beachside massages under umbrellas can also be booked.A free breakfast is provided, consisting of items like eggs, bacon, fruit, and pancakes, and coffee or tea is also available. There's a small lunch menu, primarily catering to American tastes with hamburgers and fish sandwiches. Beer, soda, and water are available anytime in the kitchen; guests simply place the bottle cap in a pot corresponding to their room for payment tracking purposes. The "sala" also has a full-service bar for drinks like a margarita or cocktail, as well as games and books for entertainment. Free Wi-Fi is only located in this area.