Hotel Suites Villasol

Hotel Suites Villasol has two very different faces -- an old-school resort that's well-maintained, though the decor could use a refresh in places -- and a beach club that's a mini tropical paradise. The former is a series of three- and four-story buildings that surround a vast, open-air courtyard filled with lush landscaped gardens, lofty palms, and a sapphire-blue pool. But guests are quick to hop on the hotel's shuttle to hit Villasol Beach Club, where they spend most of the day. The Club is set in a sprawling, private inlet on a beautiful stretch of beach. The action centers around the main pool (which has a swim-up bar -- if you can snag a spot) and Pez Gallo, where meals under the palapa roof are a must. Cool, easy listening tunes play through speakers, and elevate the vibe without it becoming a party scene. Families, couples, and groups soak it up -- and after dusk, head back up to the hotel for more of the same. 

Hotel Suites Villasol is situated in Puerto Escondido, about a 12-minute walk (down a steep, winding road) to Bacocho Beach, where the resort’s beach club is located. There's a free shuttle to the beach -- just a two-minute ride -- that leaves every 30 minutes. 

The beach has a rough surf, but there are others nearby that are more suitable for swimming, including Carrizalillo Beach, roughly a six-minute drive, and it’s about seven minutes by car to Playa Puerto Angelito, and to Playa Manzanillo. 

Night markets at Benito Juarez and along El Adoquin are both about a six-minute drive from the resort. Shops and eateries are within walking distance, but the main tourist scene unfolds along Playa Zicatela, which is famous for its surfing, and is about a 14-minute drive from the hotel. Taxis can be arranged at the front desk, and generally arrive pretty swiftly. Puerto Escondido International Airport is about a three-minute drive from the resort. 

Guest rooms at Hotel Suites Villasol are tidy and comfortable with colorful accents, but decor feels a bit dated. There are candy-striped bedspreads, walls splashed with bold pops of coastal blue, and adobe-style reading lights above beds. But ceilings are stucco, and floors are covered with aged tile or linoleum. However, overall spaces are cheerful and pleasant, with 32-inch cable flat-screen TVs, desks with cushioned chairs, and full-size closets. Some units have balconies with bright Acapulco chairs for chilling and checking out the pool scene. Bathrooms are basic, and some are more spacious than others. They all have roomy, stand-up showers, toiletries, hairdryers, and free bottled water. 

Room categories include Standard, Standard with Balcony (with king or double beds), and Master Suite -- a two-bedroom apartment-style layout with a full kitchen and a separate living area -- that accommodates up to six people. According to management, room renovations were in the pipeline during our visit, but they were only in the early stages.

The hotel has an inviting pool, surrounded by cushioned loungers and palm trees -- but the resort's main attraction is Villasol Beach Club (aka Club de Playa). It’s off-site, but just two minutes away via a free shuttle that leaves every 30 minutes throughout the day. The Club's sprawling grounds have lush gardens, with a path leading to the main pool. Its submerged sunbeds and swim-up bungalow bar is about as resort-y as it gets, and there's also a kiddie pool. There's shaded seating on the beach, with a few chairs and hammocks. Poolside drinks and snacks are on offer all day, and activities include a volleyball court, plus a swing set and other equipment for kids. 

Guests have two restaurant options. There's Bugambilias on-site, which offers free breakfast, and seafood-inspired Pez Gallo at the Beach Club, where guests can dine in an open-air palapa. Other resort features include concierge services, room service, laundry and dry cleaning services, and free parking and Wi-Fi throughout. There's also a turtle nursery a little farther up the beach where guests can pay to see turtles released into the ocean, if the timing is right.