Puerta del Mar

Charming but dated hotel/condo complex just 2 blocks from the beach. Beautiful pools in a lovely garden within a walled complex. Upper floors have west facing ocean views. Popular with locals and Canadians.

Nice smaller building 1 block behind the strip in Ixtapa, easy walk to Merca - pharmacy- and liquor outlets. Shopping right across the street. Pool bar served nice drinks food portions were fair and the prices were below fellow restaurants in area.

For the price, the location, the pools and the grounds I'd give it 5 stars. We haven't tried the restaurant since it's across the street from Ixtapa centro with literally dozens of restaurants and bars, of all kinds. Short walk to the beach, cheap taxi ride into Zihua for the big super market, fishing pier, water taxi to Las Gatos beach. Staff is very nice, very helpful. Grounds are immaculate and several round-the-clock security guys roaming the complex. It is, however, dated and the rooms aren't perfect. Limited kitchen stuff, but our room has a microwave, decent size refrigerator, coffee maker, hot plate, so everything we needed to a breakfast or a simple meal. We absolutely love Ixtapa/Zihua and this is an inexpensive, but nice Mexican resort. Don't expect NYC Hilton. I've read several negative reviews and I wonder what people expected, at this price point. It's clean, it's secure, the service is good, the grounds and pools are excellent. I made do with the one universal machine that makes up the 'gymnasium', but not a cruise ship gym. We'll be back.