Best Value Hotels in Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo

The 219-room Emporio Ixtapa offers three-and-a-half-pearl features that provide a mostly pleasant stay, though some flaws are showing. The clean pool, wide beach, modern salon and spa, and grand lobby are mostly on par with comparable area resorts. However, the resort’s stark, aging design make the hotel feel like it's past its prime. Rooms in all categories offer a solid list of essential amenities, but the dated decor and lack of balconies or terraces in most rooms are disappointing, especially given the more modern competition in the area. In this case, the whole is less than the sum of its parts, though rates here can be a bargain. Those willing to spend more should investigate the Pacifica Resort Ixtapa, a large upscale option with more attractive rooms.

Relative to the area’s sprawling upscale and luxury resorts, everything about the three-pearl Hotel Fontan Ixtapa feels “average.” This all-inclusive's list of amenities includes three restaurants, four bars, a wide beach, and two large pools -- all of which look good on paper. However, two restaurants close frequently based on the season and occupancy, both pools are in need of some TLC, and finding chairs at the beach can prove frustrating. Each of the 472 rooms is bright and airy, though with a sparse, budget look. They included basics like private balconies, flat-screen TVs, and bottled water. The nearby Posada Real Ixtapa is an equally budget-friendly three-pearl alternative with fewer amenities but a more intimate vibe.

Surrounded by Ixtapa’s many sprawling all-inclusive resorts, the small, 110-room Posada Real is a distinctly mid-range alternative with few frills. The list of amenities is relatively short, however, a wide, clean beach, oceanfront infinity pool with swim-up bar, and rates that include unlimited drinks are enough to make a stay here pleasant. Rooms in either category are bright and clean, though simple and dated, with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, and bottled water. There are no balconies or terraces, though, which is disappointing given the oceanside setting. For the area, it's hard to beat rates here, but travelers can investigate the nearby Las Brisas Hotel Collection Ixtapa, which has more resort amenities and a slightly higher price tag.

Compared to the area’s larger, more full-featured resorts, the all-inclusive Tesoro Ixtapa feels decisively mid-range, though it's seen better days. On paper, the hotel offers many of the amenities guests expect in a mid-range beachfront all-inclusive. That being said, everything from the underwhelming pool and the bland main restaurant with mediocre food screams “average.” Room decor and amenities range from passable to dilapidated, with aging fixtures, tube televisions, and a general lack of attention to detail. Guests looking for a cheaper, better-appointed all-inclusive alternative may wish to check rates at the nearby three-and-a-half-pearl Emporio Ixtapa.

Situated on a corner in a quiet residential neighborhood, the tall white buildings of the three-pearl Gamma de Fiesta Inn Plaza are easily seen from the main road through Ixtapa. All 153 rooms are spacious and simply decorated, and many come with balconies or spacious terraces. The hotel has nearly every amenity a traveler might expect: a massive pool terrace, swim-up bar, and 24-hour reception desk. The casual restaurant serves a buffet of both Mexican and international dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a few a la carte menu items. One major downside is that it's a 10-minute walk to Playa el Palmar. For those looking to be closer to the beach, the Park Royal Ixtapa is a great choice with similar amenities but with a higher price tag.

The Ixzi Plus Hotel is a spacious mid-range hotel situated in an upscale residential district in Ixtapa. The hotel features 54 modern and chic rooms with minimalist decor and private balconies. The rooms range in size from Standard Rooms to Two-Bedroom Villas, and all are spacious. Limited features include two pools with spacious terraces, lounge chairs, and umbrellas -- plus a yoga studio and free Wi-Fi. There is small, open-air breakfast area and the bar is open seasonally. The hotel’s location outside of town means the restaurants and beach are a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Those looking to be closer to the beach should consider Park Royal Hotel, with more amenities, but at a higher price tag.

The two-and-a-half-pearl Puerta del Mar is an inviting Ixtapa hotel with Colonial Mexican decor and relaxed family-friendly ambience. All 45 guest rooms are one- or two-bedroom suites with separated living rooms and spacious private terraces with lounge chairs. The spacious suites also feature full kitchens, dining tables, and TVs. The hotel is an ideal choice for couples and families, with two pools (one with a slide), an open-air restaurant, and two casual bars. The gated hotel has beautifully manicured soccer fields and grounds with lovely tropical flowers. The biggest downside is that it's a 15-minute walk to Playa el Palmar. For those looking to be closer to the beach, consider the Park Royal Hotel. It has similar amenities and a lively vibe -- but at a higher price. 

The Hotel Villas Paraiso is a decent two-pearl option just outside of downtown Ixtapa. All 96 suites are spacious and simple, with separate bedrooms, full refrigerators, and living rooms. Spotty housekeeping and faulty air-conditioners can be an issue. Features include a busy open-air restaurant for Mexican breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, as well as a spacious pool terrace that includes plenty of seating. With a handful of common areas, a small children’s pool, and spacious rooms, this is a fine option for families and leisure travelers on a budget. As an alternative, check out Holiday Inn Royal Ixtapa, which has more amenities and sits on the beach. Just keep in mind that rates there are higher.

Located along a popular tourist road, the two-pearl Hotel Suites Ixtapa Plaza is within easy walking distance of Ixtapa’s restaurants and shops, and a seven-minute walk to Playa el Palmar. The 17 rooms are simple and basic, ranging in size from tiny to spacious. The rooms have simple amenities of flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and work tables. Features consist of a pleasant rooftop pool and a handful of common areas. This value option is ideal for those wanting a starting point for exploring Ixtapa and its sister city Zihuatanejo; but those wanting a little more action and amenity choices should consider Park Royal Hotel -- it’s a more sophisticated, but pricier alternative.