Hotel Krystal Ixtapa

The hotel was built in a style typical of many ‘70s-era resorts with few noteworthy architectural flourishes. The towering lobby atrium and hard, clean lines throughout feel less minimalist and more institutional, without much in the way of local charm. A few bold pops of tropical color in the lobby and guest rooms -- along with hints of modern furnishings and accents -- keep things from feeling too dated, but expectations will need to be managed here. A large pool, swim-up bar, and clean beach combine to create the hotel’s primary gathering space. A beachfront restaurant and bar, sports bar, and nightclub offer more late-night, adult-centric entertainment than most area resorts. However, with a large water slide, dedicated kids’ club, and most rooms offering two or more beds, the hotel is also popular with vacationing families as well.

Krystal Ixtapa is located on the area’s busiest tourist road, Boulevard Paseo, within a five-minute walk of dozens of shops, restaurants, and bars. Because much of “downtown” Ixtapa is within 10 minutes by foot, a rental car is likely unnecessary. Travelers looking to eschew the area’s tourist-heavy core can check out the more locally flavored town of Zihuatanejo, which is just a 15-minute cab ride away.

In lieu of a rental car, taxis provide the most reliable and easily accessible form of public transportation. While not the area’s cheapest way to get around, fares are zone-based and inexpensive. The area’s ubiquitous shuttle buses are an even cheaper alternative for travelers who don’t mind riding with strangers to save a few dollars. The area’s only international airport, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International, is 30 minutes away.

Rooms in all categories are bright and spacious, however, there is little decor to speak of, and what design there is includes a curious mixture of dated and generically modern elements. The dark, simple box furniture has the straightforward feel typically found in mid-range chain hotels. Walls are largely devoid of decoration, and the only real pops of color are the bright orange bed spreads -- though these aren't the most attractive choice by any stretch. On the other hand, the almost bespoke-looking small, framed abstract prints on the white walls are a nice touch.

Entry-level Deluxe and Deluxe Oceanview rooms offer identical 369-square-foot (34-square-meter) floor plans with private balconies, except for the water view in the latter. Floor space increases dramatically in the three upgraded suite categories. At 707 square feet (66 square meters), Junior Suites offer double the floor space plus a large, wraparound corner balcony. For families or groups up to five, Family Suites provide a spacious 1,249-square-foot floor plan (116 square meters) with two separate bedrooms, a separate living area, and two balconies with full ocean views. The property’s top-tier Presidential Suite is a massive 2,530-square-foot (235-square-meter) space with all of the above features, plus an additional bathroom and full kitchen.

Expected amenities in a hotel of this class -- air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a balcony -- are all standard. Minibars are a nice additional touch for a three-pearl hotel, though free bottled water is limited. Wi-Fi is notably lacking and only available in the lobby. Beds in all categories garner mostly positive reviews.

Bathrooms in all categories have a nice amount of floor space that's on par with other mid-range hotels in the area. Fit and finish is one notch above average, though, with modern fixtures and materials throughout. Generous use of brushed nickel, along with travertine tile on the floors, walls, and countertops provides a slightly more upmarket feel compared to the area’s typical cookie cutter bathrooms. Vanities are large and toiletries are provided.

Relative to the area’s larger, sprawling resorts, Krystal Ixtapa offers many of the same amenities in a more compact package. The lovely, soft sand beach, large pool, late-night dining opportunities, and nightclub are all noteworthy features, though quality throughout can be a bit of a gamble.

The hotel’s only pool serves as the centerpiece for its large, outdoor communal space. Even with a single pool, the area never feels overcrowded. Canvas and white plastic lounge chairs surround the pool in a loose layout that never feels cramped. Tall palm trees and an ample number of umbrellas provide plenty of shade throughout the day. A swim-up bar creates an adult-centric area at the southern end of the pool while a large rock feature and kid-friendly water slide anchor the opposite end. An additional bar and snack shack add convenient dining and drinking options to go along with guests' sunbathing.

Adjacent to the pool, the hotel beach is a strip of sand that’s part of the area’s popular Palmar Beach. Rows of palapas and wooden Adirondack chairs create a shaded, semi-private lounge space approximately 100 feet from the low tide line. The beach is clean, with soft sand, and mostly calm water. While the water is generally swimmable, even for children, the weather and season can strongly affect its condition.

In addition to the poolside snack shack, three on-site restaurants provide all-day dining options and all-inclusive options are available. However, no one restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and food is only mediocre (and overpriced for those not on all-inclusive plans). The hotel’s main Aquamarina Restaurant serves a buffet breakfast with a typical list of Western and Mexican fare. At night, the menu switches to a la carte dinner service. Bogart’s Restaurant offers dinner-only service in the most formal dining space on the property. The theme is distinctly Casablanca-inspired, complete with piano music and a level of faux old world extravagance that seems like it’s trying too hard. 

Krystal Ixtapa offers more adult-centric fun than most area hotels, including an on-site sports bar and Bogart’s that both provide late-night dining and drinking options. Most noteworthy is the all-night Christine Club -- a large nightclub that offers live music, DJ sets, and rotating drink specials.

The on-site spa is small, though clean and well-maintained. However, the decor is stripped down to the essentials, with little decor of which to speak. Services are limited to basic treatments including facials, Swedish massage, hot stone, and couple’s massage. Other features included a children's play area, and Wi-Fi is available, but only in the hotel's lobby.