Olas Altas Inn packs a nice array of amenities into a relatively modest mid-range package just across from Mazatlan's beach The contemporary, all-day restaurant, outdoor pool with swim-up bar, and rooftop spa and fitness center all feel like a step above most neighboring hotels. Most of the 80 rooms are bright, pleasant, and modestly sized, and include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and private balconies, some with ocean views. However, the easily crowded pool and heavily-trafficked street separating the property from the beach may discourage guests seeking a quieter getaway. The similarly priced The Palms Resort of Mazatlan offers the same amenities plus a beautiful infinity pool right on the beach.
Olas Altas Inn packs a nice array of amenities into a relatively modest mid-range package just across from Mazatlan's beach The contemporary, all-day restaurant, outdoor pool with swim-up bar, and rooftop spa and fitness center all feel like a step above most neighboring hotels. Most of the 80 rooms are bright, pleasant, and modestly sized, and include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and private balconies, some with ocean views. However, the easily crowded pool and heavily-trafficked street separating the property from the beach may discourage guests seeking a quieter getaway. The similarly priced The Palms Resort of Mazatlan offers the same amenities plus a beautiful infinity pool right on the beach.
The Melville Boutique Hotel is an antidote for Mazatlan’s well-known, over-the-top, all-inclusive resorts. There aren't many features here, but the charming decor and Old World atmosphere are more than enough to draw travelers seeking lodging with plenty of traditional Mexican flavor. The hotel is in quaint Old Mazatlan, but will require a 20-minute drive to reach the nightlife of the Golden Zone. Each of the 20 rooms at this value property features a spacious, apartment-style layout that includes free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and separate living and dining areas with kitchenettes. For a bit more money, the more polished -- albeit less charming -- BEST WESTERN Posada Freeman has a rooftop pool and a prime location right near the sea.
The Melville Boutique Hotel is an antidote for Mazatlan’s well-known, over-the-top, all-inclusive resorts. There aren't many features here, but the charming decor and Old World atmosphere are more than enough to draw travelers seeking lodging with plenty of traditional Mexican flavor. The hotel is in quaint Old Mazatlan, but will require a 20-minute drive to reach the nightlife of the Golden Zone. Each of the 20 rooms at this value property features a spacious, apartment-style layout that includes free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and separate living and dining areas with kitchenettes. For a bit more money, the more polished -- albeit less charming -- BEST WESTERN Posada Freeman has a rooftop pool and a prime location right near the sea.
Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay is one of Mazatlan's most upscale resorts, with a ton of features that keep all-inclusive travelers happy. The extensive list of amenities includes three large pools, swim-up bars, three open-air restaurants, a cocktail lounge, and a huge, beautiful spa complex. All 378 suites have spacious layouts with private, ocean-view balconies, flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes. However, the scale of the property makes it difficult to navigate, only paid Wi-Fi is available throughout, and the beach is heavily eroded (as of mid-2016) with no permanent seating or facilities. Although it’s less polished, the sister property, Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan, offers many of the same amenities and a more central location for less money.
Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay is one of Mazatlan's most upscale resorts, with a ton of features that keep all-inclusive travelers happy. The extensive list of amenities includes three large pools, swim-up bars, three open-air restaurants, a cocktail lounge, and a huge, beautiful spa complex. All 378 suites have spacious layouts with private, ocean-view balconies, flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes. However, the scale of the property makes it difficult to navigate, only paid Wi-Fi is available throughout, and the beach is heavily eroded (as of mid-2016) with no permanent seating or facilities. Although it’s less polished, the sister property, Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan, offers many of the same amenities and a more central location for less money.
Hotel Catedral is a charming, mid-range boutique hotel that is filled to the brim with color and personality. The walls are adorned with custom murals by Mexican artists, the rooms are named after song titles, and the friendly staff may ask for your preference from a pillow menu. While the amenities are few, the building itself is old, and certain elements are worn (especially the tiny, drab, dated bathrooms), the charm and the excellent location – right in the middle of Old Vallarta, two blocks from the beach – shine through.
Hotel Catedral is a charming, mid-range boutique hotel that is filled to the brim with color and personality. The walls are adorned with custom murals by Mexican artists, the rooms are named after song titles, and the friendly staff may ask for your preference from a pillow menu. While the amenities are few, the building itself is old, and certain elements are worn (especially the tiny, drab, dated bathrooms), the charm and the excellent location – right in the middle of Old Vallarta, two blocks from the beach – shine through.
Perched on a hillside overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay, the tiny Amuleto tops the area’s list of upper-middle-range boutique hotels. The decor is an elegant, reserved blend of tropical and Hemingway design with subtle nods to ancient Mexican culture. With a gourmet terrace restaurant and stunning infinity pool, the hotel is a distinct departure from the towering all-inclusives of the neighboring town of Ixtapa. Each of its six unique rooms intentionally omits technology -- there are no TVs or alarm clocks -- while providing high-end amenities like outdoor garden showers, minibars, and private plunge pools in some. Unfortunately, its location outside of town means the nearest attractions and beaches are at least a 20-minute walk away. The nearby Casa Cuitlateca offers similar amenities in a more affordable and low-key package.
Perched on a hillside overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay, the tiny Amuleto tops the area’s list of upper-middle-range boutique hotels. The decor is an elegant, reserved blend of tropical and Hemingway design with subtle nods to ancient Mexican culture. With a gourmet terrace restaurant and stunning infinity pool, the hotel is a distinct departure from the towering all-inclusives of the neighboring town of Ixtapa. Each of its six unique rooms intentionally omits technology -- there are no TVs or alarm clocks -- while providing high-end amenities like outdoor garden showers, minibars, and private plunge pools in some. Unfortunately, its location outside of town means the nearest attractions and beaches are at least a 20-minute walk away. The nearby Casa Cuitlateca offers similar amenities in a more affordable and low-key package.
Like many Zihuatanejo hotels, the 69-room Hotel Irma is a charming, distinctly mid-range property with a short but solid list of amenities. The low-key property offers most of the essentials and a few nice-to-haves including a lovely restaurant, a small spa, and two outdoor pools (including an infinity pool overlooking the ocean). Rooms are dated, though bright and clean, with small tube televisions, air-conditioning, tiny safes, and bottled water. Unfortunately, while technically an oceanfront hotel, the nearest beach is only accessible via a 10-minute walk down a steep staircase. The nearby Aura del Mar Hotel is a slightly pricier, three-and-a-half-pearl beachfront alternative with additional amenities.
Like many Zihuatanejo hotels, the 69-room Hotel Irma is a charming, distinctly mid-range property with a short but solid list of amenities. The low-key property offers most of the essentials and a few nice-to-haves including a lovely restaurant, a small spa, and two outdoor pools (including an infinity pool overlooking the ocean). Rooms are dated, though bright and clean, with small tube televisions, air-conditioning, tiny safes, and bottled water. Unfortunately, while technically an oceanfront hotel, the nearest beach is only accessible via a 10-minute walk down a steep staircase. The nearby Aura del Mar Hotel is a slightly pricier, three-and-a-half-pearl beachfront alternative with additional amenities.
Located in Zihuatanejo's historic district, the two-and-a-half-pearl Villas Miramar is situated right along Playa La Madera. The property is split by a small road, so only part of it is actually beachside, but it's one of the few area hotels with palapas for guests right on the sand. A casual poolside restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, and there's a a beachfront bar slinging drinks throughout the day. All 18 rooms are spacious and simple, featuring mini-fridges, TVs, and balconies. A few even have ocean views, but older amenities like tube TVs and dated style are disappointing. All in all, this is a quiet, simple place to crash near the sane. Alternatively, the nearby Hotel Villa Mexicana has more amenities and nicer rooms, with price tags that are consistently similar.
Located in Zihuatanejo's historic district, the two-and-a-half-pearl Villas Miramar is situated right along Playa La Madera. The property is split by a small road, so only part of it is actually beachside, but it's one of the few area hotels with palapas for guests right on the sand. A casual poolside restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, and there's a a beachfront bar slinging drinks throughout the day. All 18 rooms are spacious and simple, featuring mini-fridges, TVs, and balconies. A few even have ocean views, but older amenities like tube TVs and dated style are disappointing. All in all, this is a quiet, simple place to crash near the sane. Alternatively, the nearby Hotel Villa Mexicana has more amenities and nicer rooms, with price tags that are consistently similar.
The small Aura del Mar Hotel is a charming, upper-middle-range hotel with modern Mexican style and more amenities than most area hotels. Just five minutes on foot from Zihuatanejo's bars and shops, this relaxed garden property provides plenty of essentials, including a casual beachfront restaurant, clean pool with a waterslide, and a garden terrace with excellent bay views. Each of the 30 rooms is spacious and has a rustic, local flavor along with a mini-fridge or kitchenette, free Wi-Fi, and an oversized private balcony with water views. Unfortunately, the modestly sized beach is public and tends to crowd quickly. While it lacks direct beach access, the nearby Hotel Irma is a more affordable, three-pearl alternative with similar amenities.
The small Aura del Mar Hotel is a charming, upper-middle-range hotel with modern Mexican style and more amenities than most area hotels. Just five minutes on foot from Zihuatanejo's bars and shops, this relaxed garden property provides plenty of essentials, including a casual beachfront restaurant, clean pool with a waterslide, and a garden terrace with excellent bay views. Each of the 30 rooms is spacious and has a rustic, local flavor along with a mini-fridge or kitchenette, free Wi-Fi, and an oversized private balcony with water views. Unfortunately, the modestly sized beach is public and tends to crowd quickly. While it lacks direct beach access, the nearby Hotel Irma is a more affordable, three-pearl alternative with similar amenities.
On a quiet hillside overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay, the two-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Catalina Beach Resort is a simple and laid-back option on the edge of Zihuatanejo. All 45 rooms here are spacious and simple, and include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and air-conditioning. Most also feature balconies and ocean views, though interiors are a bit tired and Wi-Fi isn't great. The resort has a few dining and drinking options, including a beachfront bar and casual open-air restaurant with sweeping views of Zihuatanejo Bay. With a moderately sized pool terrace and private beach club, expect to see families and couples. Travelers looking for another laid-back alternative might consider Villas Mexicana, which offers similar amenities and nicer rooms at a consistently similar price tag.
On a quiet hillside overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay, the two-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Catalina Beach Resort is a simple and laid-back option on the edge of Zihuatanejo. All 45 rooms here are spacious and simple, and include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and air-conditioning. Most also feature balconies and ocean views, though interiors are a bit tired and Wi-Fi isn't great. The resort has a few dining and drinking options, including a beachfront bar and casual open-air restaurant with sweeping views of Zihuatanejo Bay. With a moderately sized pool terrace and private beach club, expect to see families and couples. Travelers looking for another laid-back alternative might consider Villas Mexicana, which offers similar amenities and nicer rooms at a consistently similar price tag.
The Thompson Zihuatanejo (formerly a Viceroy property) is a distinct departure from the area’s ubiquitous budget and backpacker-friendly hotels. The small, luxury property is arguably at the very top of Zihuatanejo’s hotel offerings. Two a la carte beachfront restaurants, three beautiful pools, and a rustic-chic, Moroccan-inspired spa top its list of notable features. Each of the 47 rooms likewise features an extensive list of standard amenities -- including spacious floor plans, minibars, and private terraces, some of which have plunge pools. While there are a handful of restaurants nearby, the lack of additional attractions within walking distance may be the property’s only drawback. No hotel in the area offers a comparable level of luxury, though the Azul Ixtapa Grand Spa & Convention Center is a four-pearl, beachfront, all-inclusive alternative in neighboring Ixtapa.
The Thompson Zihuatanejo (formerly a Viceroy property) is a distinct departure from the area’s ubiquitous budget and backpacker-friendly hotels. The small, luxury property is arguably at the very top of Zihuatanejo’s hotel offerings. Two a la carte beachfront restaurants, three beautiful pools, and a rustic-chic, Moroccan-inspired spa top its list of notable features. Each of the 47 rooms likewise features an extensive list of standard amenities -- including spacious floor plans, minibars, and private terraces, some of which have plunge pools. While there are a handful of restaurants nearby, the lack of additional attractions within walking distance may be the property’s only drawback. No hotel in the area offers a comparable level of luxury, though the Azul Ixtapa Grand Spa & Convention Center is a four-pearl, beachfront, all-inclusive alternative in neighboring Ixtapa.