Hotelito Swiss Oasis

The hotel is nestled in a private gated pocket a short stroll up a quiet road off the main Zicatela strip. Behind the black security gate, which remains locked at night (guests have keys), courtyard grounds unfold with lush, lovingly maintained floral and fruit tree gardens with star fruit and sky-high palm trees. At the rear, two palapa buildings forming an L are finished in blond brick and burnt orange render. Rooms are contained over two levels in one section; with the check-in area, kitchen, and owners’ on-site apartment in the other. It's all open-air, and there’s an alfresco cafe-style setup of tables and chairs in the courtyard. Given the communal open-plan layout, the space has a hostel-like ease about it, although it feels more grown-up and cleaner. The vibe is instantly relaxing, and Swiss owners Manuela and Rene warmly welcome guests, who can be found reading books, playing old-school games like hacky sack and Connect Four, and lounging in hammocks in the garden. During a typical afternoon, the pool also becomes a relaxation zone as guests take dips, quietly sip beers, and chill out until the temperature drops. With only eight rooms, the property is fairly intimate, so it’s not unusual for guests to strike up friendships and prepare meals together in the communal kitchen. The crowd is mixed -- all ages, singles, couples, and friends -- but a “no kids under 15” policy preserves the peace. 

The hotel is located in a peaceful laneway pocket, just a few feet off the main beach road -- right in the heart of Zicatela. It’s a speedy 30-second walk to the main road where an abundance of bars, restaurants, tourist outlets, surfboard rental spots, and shops of all kind unfold in either direction. The beach itself is directly across from the main road, but it's not suitable for swimming. Nine minutes on foot takes guests down to the lookout between Zicatela and Marinero Beaches. The latter is home to the town’s fishing fleet; another (more intimate) strip of restaurants and bars; and the area’s famed "El Adoquin" night markets which take over a stretch of Antonia Peres Gasga every night of the week. It’s about 12 minutes by car to Benito Juarez Markets. Nearby beaches more suitable for swimming include Carrizalillo Beach, Puerto Angelito Beach, and Manzanillo Beach, which are about 12 minutes by car or a cheap cab ride away. It’s around 13 minutes by car to the international airport

Available in two categories, Standard Double and Duplex, rooms are basic but still warm and welcoming. Each flows to a private patio or balcony at the rear through glass sliders. Although there's no real view from here, rooms offer plenty of privacy plus decor in summery, happy colors. Vibrant yellows, pinks, and oranges in walls, bedding, towels, drapes, and fun beachy artwork offset beige floor tiles. Black-tiled bathroom vanities with tropical bright hand-painted basins add bold Mexican contrast, and bathrooms are straightforward with simple showers. All in all, decor is cheery, but it's not exactly high style. Rooms are also missing several standard amenities, like TVs or phones. They also lack air-conditioning, but the ceiling fans tend to do the trick. Guests can also leave windows pulled right back (there are screens) to enjoy fresh air all night. There aren’t wardrobes per se, but a handful of plastic hangers are neatly suspended on walls for hanging garments. Reliable free Wi-Fi is provided, too. Duplexes offer a second attic-style room beneath a high palapa roof with two extra single beds, but the ladder access isn’t suited to the mobility challenged.

Hotelito Swiss Oasis has several on-site features that enhance its value. The hotel features a clean, sizable pool and a whirlpool, which is a nice luxury given Zicatela isn’t considered a safe swimming beach. There are loungers with shade umbrellas. The garden offers a number of dining tables and chairs with shade umbrellas, too, which guests can use at their discretion; and a handful of hammocks offer more spots for chilling. While there's no on-site restaurant or breakfast service, there’s a community kitchen where guests can prepare meals, and a drinks fridge is always full of beers, water, and soft drinks from which guests may help themselves 24-7. It operates with a nifty little honor system -- guests just tally their consumption on the whiteboard and settle the tab at the end of their stay. Plenty of other handy extras are for the taking. The reception area offers a selection of books, and a bunch of things to borrow for the beach, like a frisbee, snorkel and mask, and sunscreen. Resident on-site hosts, Manuela and Rene, are multilingual, helpful for non-Spanish speakers; they’re full of local insight and are always happy to point guests in the right direction. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the property as well.