La Casa Que Canta

Perched on a hill overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay, La Casa Que Canta -- which means, "the house that sings" -- feels exclusive and sophisticated, with a gated entrance that leads to the character-filled property. First impressions are great, with an open lobby that features design details like vaulted ceilings and rustic-chic furnishings. That same style is replicated in nearly every corner of the hotel. Expect to see accents like rustic wooden plank walkways, traditional Mexican sculptures, and stylish heavy wooden seating. With two pools and poolside service from the on-site restaurant, Mar y Cielo, there's a small social scene during the day, while at night the rooftop bar often features live music. Almost regardless of where you are on the property, there are spectacular views of Zihuatanejo Bay. It's an adult-only hotel, so the romantic and intimate vibe should come as no surprise. All in all, for boutique options in Zihuantanejo, La Casa Que Canta is hard to beat. 

La Casa Que Canta is built into a quiet hillside overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay. The white sands and popular beach clubs of Playa La Ropa are a five-minute walk from the hotel via a wooden walkway. Alternatively, Paseo del Pescador -- a walkway that runs along Playa La Madera -- is a 10-minute walk from the hotel and features popular restaurants, bars, and craft stands. The busy El Mercado craft market in downtown Zihuatanejo will take about five minutes to reach by car. Plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops are within easy walking distance the market in the city center. Ixtapa, a popular nearby resort town, is a 20-minute drive from the hotel and features plenty of restaurants, beaches, and shops. Travelers should allow 25 minutes to reach Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Airport airport by car. Taxis are easily accessible for guests traveling around Zihuatanejo.

The rooms at La Casa Que Canta are just as charming and attractive as the hotel itself, and each is named after a different romantic Mexican song. All are spacious and combine funky and chic design details with undeniably Mexican touches. Expect to see heavy mahogany doors, stucco walls hung with vibrant artwork, and mix-and-match furniture like driftwood stools. There are plenty of pops of color throughout the rooms, with accents like blue and yellow couch cushions, mosaic tiling, and tropical flowers. The hand-woven bed runners and pillows add that extra-special local touch. Given the generous floor plans, the overall vibe is breezy. Rooms are deliberately unplugged, so don't expect TVs, though there is free Wi-Fi and iPod docks. All feature small lending libraries. The balconies that come in every room have stunning views of Zihuatanejo Bay, and many units feature private plunge pools. Other standard features include minibars, air-conditioning, and free bottles of water that are replenished daily. The welcome chips, guacamole, and Coronas are an especially nice perk upon first arriving. Bathrooms are spacious and well-appointed, featuring standing showers with rainfall showerheads. Each bathroom comes with herbal toiletries like bug repellant and soaps.

La Casa Que Canta has plenty of outstanding features, which is a feat given the property's small size. There are two pools -- an infinity pool and a saltwater pool -- both with stunning views of Zihuatanejo Bay. Each is surrounded by a moderately sized terrace with a handful of cushioned wooden lounge chairs. Drink and food service is available to both terraces from Mar y Cielo, the hotel's restaurant. Mar y Cielo is open for all meals and serves upmarket international fare fused with traditional Mexican dishes. The menu is subject to changes based on seasonality, and a prix-fixe three-course dinner is offered every night. Dinner is an especially lovely affair, as the tables are candlelit and there are spectacular views of the sunset over Zihuatanejo Bay. Luz de Luna, the hotel's bar, is open in the evening and has live music on many nights. It also features excellent bay views.A spacious fitness center overlooks the Pacific Ocean with a few modern cardio machines, a separate weight room, and a few weight machines. Free bottles of water, towels, and fresh fruit are provided. If you'd prefer to unwind in a less active way, the hotel's lovely spa offers massages and treatments. While the hotel is technically unplugged, there's a spacious TV room with couches. Other thoughtful touches include welcome hibiscus water and fresh towels, as well as free coffee and tea set out every morning in the lobby. There are a handful of parking spaces available in a covered lot for guests. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.