Pros

  • Smart rooms feature balconies and flat-screen TVs
  • Direct access to popular Playa Condesa beach
  • Central location, within a five-minute walk of extensive dining and entertainment options
  • Vibrant pool complex with live DJs and staff-organized activities; plus a swim-up bar
  • A la carte and buffet dining options on-site
  • Some rooms offer separate sitting areas and picturesque views over Acapulco Bay
  • Lobby bar features live music on weekends
  • Rooftop tennis and basketball courts
  • Modern fitness center
  • Free Wi-Fi in lobby
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Cons

  • Decor is tired in some areas
  • Fee for in-room Wi-Fi (unless you're a member of the loyalty program)
  • Most restaurants closed on Sundays and are tired overall
  • Vendors frequently solicit guests on the beach (common in the area)
  • Noisy and crowded beach and pool (a pro for some)
  • Fee for valet parking
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Bottom Line

Formerly Crowne Plaza Acapulco, Gran Plaza Hotel Acapulco is a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel located in the city’s Golden Zone. Backing onto the sands of Acapulco Bay, the hotel is surrounded by shops, restaurants, bars, and beach-related activities. Guest rooms are appealing and the facilities are modern, but the crowds and generic decor are on par with mid-range expectations. Highlights include a swim-up bar in the sprawling pool complex, a modern fitness center, and live music. The atmosphere is perfect for those interested in high-energy activities and parties, but guests seeking romance and privacy aren’t going to find it here. Nearby Fiesta Americana Villas Acapulco has similar amenities and rates can be cheaper. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

HS HOTSSON Smart Acapulco

Scene

Chain hotel with pyramid architecture

Like the other hotels in the city’s Golden Zone, Gran Plaza Hotel Acapulco -- formerly Crowne Plaza Acapulco -- is wedged in the middle of two activity centers with the beaches of Acapulco Bay on one side and the bars of the Costera on the other. It’s perhaps no surprise that all this commotion spills over into the hotel. Towels mark a claim on virtually every lounge chair around the pool, and adults hold cocktails carefully to avoid spills as kids run and splash around them.

The hotel’s distinct pyramid architecture sets it apart from the many other hotels crammed along the Costera. The front facade has an interesting U shape, providing a nice perspective over the city for guests with rooms in this area. Semi-open-air stairwells and hallways look more budget than luxurious. Self-serve pitchers of lemon and cucumber water are a thoughtful touch for guests waiting in the small lobby, which is set with a large mural of Acapulco in 1940. With its creative design and almost-elegant guest rooms, the hotel seems to have glamorous aspirations, but falls shy of the mark with its average restaurants and limited guest room extras.

See More Scene

Location

Beachfront location in Acapulco’s Golden Zone

Gran Plaza Hotel Acapulco is set along the city’s main tourist road, Avenida Costera Miguel Aleman, with restaurants, bars, and hotels stretching for miles on either side. It’s a fairly gritty, urban road with a lot of traffic, people, and noise, but it’s the place to be for guests here to enjoy the city’s nightlife and casinos. The shops of Galerias Diana can be reached in less than five minutes on foot.  CICI Waterpark is a 10-minute drive away. The Acapulco International Convention Center, Zocala, and La Quebrada can all be reached in about 20 minutes by car. Acapulco International Airport is just under 14 miles away. Parking at the hotel is only available via valet, for a small fee per day. 

See More Location

Rooms

Attractive guest rooms include bathrooms with long countertops and shower/tub combos

Guest rooms at Gran Plaza Hotel Acapulco are attractive overall, with sand-colored stucco accent walls and glass-topped tables. The crisp white sheets and beige linens on the beds look sleek, but the orange block pattern decorating the couches and chair cushions is downright ugly. Rooms are mostly clean, although slightly dusty surfaces can be spotted here and there.

All rooms include flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, as well as personal safes and iron facilities tucked inside closets with sliding doors. Rooms also feature unfurnished balconies, many of which provide wonderful views over Acapulco Bay. Bathrooms are plain but bright, offering long countertops stocked with off-brand toiletries. Sinks are set outside a separate room that contains the toilet and shower/tub combo. Views of the ocean are best from the higher floors. Wi-Fi costs extra unless you're a member of the loyalty program.

See More Rooms

Features

Direct beach access, lively pool area, and a modern fitness center

The hotel’s eight pools are arranged in one sprawling, interconnected complex facing towards the beach. Pretty arched bridges make it easier to move around the crowded area, and there are a few small children’s playgrounds with slides. The concrete deck surrounding the pool offers ample seating on soft lounge chairs. Vegetation provides extra shade towards the back of the area, away from the beach, and there’s a palapa with a few hammocks in one of the far corners. With regular contests and games organized by staff in the pools, live DJs, a swim-up bar, and tons of families with children, the energy here is buzzing and loud.

Like the other hotels along Acapulco Bay, the hotel’s stretch of beach is bustling and the sands are coarse. The view of the bay is often blocked by vendor tents, set up to offer massages and activities.

The hotel’s fitness center is set in a small, independent building across from the lobby. The facilities are modern, with plenty of treadmills, free weights, and elliptical machines, but the glass walls and separation from the rest of the hotel creates an odd, caged-animal-at-the-zoo atmosphere. The hotel also features two tennis courts and a basketball court on its rooftop.

Free Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby. There’s a pleasant business center located in the lobby with ergonomic chairs and dividers between the desktop computers, providing privacy. The hotel also offers 24,000 square feet of function space, including six meeting rooms and a ballroom.

See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

Buffet and a la carte options 

The hotel’s four restaurants collectively offer a mix of Mexican, Italian, and international cuisine, including both buffet and a la carte options. Keep in mind that almost all restaurants are closed on Sundays and the food is average. Nude at the Beach features a terrace overlooking the coast. Los Arcos and I Pagliacci both offer air-conditioned, indoor seating. The open-air lobby bar is nothing special with its basic metal tables and wicker chairs, but it does include a small stage where live music is featured on weekends. All-inclusive packages are available for dining. A limited room service menu is served until late. 

See More All-Inclusive / Food

Things You Should Know About HS HOTSSON Smart Acapulco

Also Known As

  • Crowne Plaza Acapulco

Address

Av. Costera Miguel Aleman No. 1803, Fracc.Magallanes, Acapulco 39670, Mexico

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

HS HOTSSON Smart Acapulco

Scene

Chain hotel with pyramid architecture

Like the other hotels in the city’s Golden Zone, Gran Plaza Hotel Acapulco -- formerly Crowne Plaza Acapulco -- is wedged in the middle of two activity centers with the beaches of Acapulco Bay on one side and the bars of the Costera on the other. It’s perhaps no surprise that all this commotion spills over into the hotel. Towels mark a claim on virtually every lounge chair around the pool, and adults hold cocktails carefully to avoid spills as kids run and splash around them.

The hotel’s distinct pyramid architecture sets it apart from the many other hotels crammed along the Costera. The front facade has an interesting U shape, providing a nice perspective over the city for guests with rooms in this area. Semi-open-air stairwells and hallways look more budget than luxurious. Self-serve pitchers of lemon and cucumber water are a thoughtful touch for guests waiting in the small lobby, which is set with a large mural of Acapulco in 1940. With its creative design and almost-elegant guest rooms, the hotel seems to have glamorous aspirations, but falls shy of the mark with its average restaurants and limited guest room extras.

See More Scene

Location

Beachfront location in Acapulco’s Golden Zone

Gran Plaza Hotel Acapulco is set along the city’s main tourist road, Avenida Costera Miguel Aleman, with restaurants, bars, and hotels stretching for miles on either side. It’s a fairly gritty, urban road with a lot of traffic, people, and noise, but it’s the place to be for guests here to enjoy the city’s nightlife and casinos. The shops of Galerias Diana can be reached in less than five minutes on foot.  CICI Waterpark is a 10-minute drive away. The Acapulco International Convention Center, Zocala, and La Quebrada can all be reached in about 20 minutes by car. Acapulco International Airport is just under 14 miles away. Parking at the hotel is only available via valet, for a small fee per day. 

See More Location

Rooms

Attractive guest rooms include bathrooms with long countertops and shower/tub combos

Guest rooms at Gran Plaza Hotel Acapulco are attractive overall, with sand-colored stucco accent walls and glass-topped tables. The crisp white sheets and beige linens on the beds look sleek, but the orange block pattern decorating the couches and chair cushions is downright ugly. Rooms are mostly clean, although slightly dusty surfaces can be spotted here and there.

All rooms include flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, as well as personal safes and iron facilities tucked inside closets with sliding doors. Rooms also feature unfurnished balconies, many of which provide wonderful views over Acapulco Bay. Bathrooms are plain but bright, offering long countertops stocked with off-brand toiletries. Sinks are set outside a separate room that contains the toilet and shower/tub combo. Views of the ocean are best from the higher floors. Wi-Fi costs extra unless you're a member of the loyalty program.

See More Rooms

Features

Direct beach access, lively pool area, and a modern fitness center

The hotel’s eight pools are arranged in one sprawling, interconnected complex facing towards the beach. Pretty arched bridges make it easier to move around the crowded area, and there are a few small children’s playgrounds with slides. The concrete deck surrounding the pool offers ample seating on soft lounge chairs. Vegetation provides extra shade towards the back of the area, away from the beach, and there’s a palapa with a few hammocks in one of the far corners. With regular contests and games organized by staff in the pools, live DJs, a swim-up bar, and tons of families with children, the energy here is buzzing and loud.

Like the other hotels along Acapulco Bay, the hotel’s stretch of beach is bustling and the sands are coarse. The view of the bay is often blocked by vendor tents, set up to offer massages and activities.

The hotel’s fitness center is set in a small, independent building across from the lobby. The facilities are modern, with plenty of treadmills, free weights, and elliptical machines, but the glass walls and separation from the rest of the hotel creates an odd, caged-animal-at-the-zoo atmosphere. The hotel also features two tennis courts and a basketball court on its rooftop.

Free Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby. There’s a pleasant business center located in the lobby with ergonomic chairs and dividers between the desktop computers, providing privacy. The hotel also offers 24,000 square feet of function space, including six meeting rooms and a ballroom.

See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

Buffet and a la carte options 

The hotel’s four restaurants collectively offer a mix of Mexican, Italian, and international cuisine, including both buffet and a la carte options. Keep in mind that almost all restaurants are closed on Sundays and the food is average. Nude at the Beach features a terrace overlooking the coast. Los Arcos and I Pagliacci both offer air-conditioned, indoor seating. The open-air lobby bar is nothing special with its basic metal tables and wicker chairs, but it does include a small stage where live music is featured on weekends. All-inclusive packages are available for dining. A limited room service menu is served until late. 

See More All-Inclusive / Food

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.