By admin I have visited Mexico many times, but admittedly almost always go to the same destinations (Cabo, Punta Mita, Riviera Maya). However, the country has so much more to offer! If you are looking to get a bit off the beaten tourist track, but still want luxurious accommodations and stunning sea views, then you should check out Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. I visited both towns in March 2022 and absolutely loved the hotels that I chose to stay at–and I should mention that they each offered terrific value.
Located on Mexico’s Pacific coast, about 150 miles north of Acapulco, each of the neighboring towns has a very different feel. Central Ixtapa is full of high-rise hotels and condos set on the beach, while Zihuatanejo is a more relaxed fishing village-turned-resort-community.
A small local airport services the region; from the U.S., nonstop flights are currently available from LAX, SFO, Chicago, Phoenix and Houston (although only LAX and Houston offer daily flights at this time). I flew from Mexico City, a quick and easy one hour trip. I split my four night stay between two hotels so I’d have the opportunity to check out each town and a couple different accommodations. In my opinion the two properties I selected are the best that the area has to offer, but there are a few additional options that I would also recommend depending on your priorities and preferences.
Best Ixtapa Hotel: Cala de Mar
Cala de Mar is situated on a hill a short drive from town, so it feels quite secluded even though it is technically in dense, high-rise-friendly Ixtapa. There are a couple condo buildings visible from the hotel, but for the most part the views are of the expansive sea and bright blue sky (or the star-studded night sky, depending on the time of day of course).
Design and Aesthetic
And OMG those views. Because the property is built into a hill, every single room has unobstructed views of the ocean. No garden view rooms here. Also, each of the 59 rooms has a private plunge pool. Recall how I said that these hotels offer great value? Booking an entry level room and getting an ocean view and a plunge pool is hard to beat.
Cala de Mar features a relaxed modern aesthetic with numerous local touches (think baskets as wall art, cactus plants on the terraces, and lots of burnt sienna, tan and pale yellow accents). The property isn’t brand new, but it still felt luxurious and comfortable. It took me a while to find my way around the place–by the time I had the lay of the land I was already checking out. However, I thought the winding pathways and staircases just added to the charm. Wandering around the property and discovering new viewpoints created a sense of serendipity and helped make the hotel feel even more unique and intimate.
Suite Options
So, which room to book? Cala de Mar offers four options of room categories: Cliffside Ocean Front Suites, Romance Deluxe Ocean Front Suites, Family Adjoining Suites (essentially two of the Romance Deluxe suites combined), and Penthouse Master Suites.
I stayed in a Romance Deluxe Ocean Front Suite (despite the name, it was still a great choice for a solo traveler, although I questioned my boyfriend’s sanity for not joining me on the trip). As a sun lover, I thought the upgrade from the Cliffside Ocean Front Suite was well worth it. I had a larger terrace and pool, and a lot more sun, as the Cliffside Suite terrace and pool are mostly shaded. My bedroom and bathroom were also slightly larger.
The Penthouse Master Suites look beautiful–the main selling points are more space and the best views available. Personally, I was quite content with my Romance Deluxe Suite but if you want to ball out for an even better room, I say go for it!
Rates start at around $360/night for a Cliffside Ocean Front Suite.
Food & Beverage Offerings
With four restaurants onsite, I didn’t need to leave Cala de Mar to eat. The indoor A Mares restaurant was closed during my stay due to the pandemic, but I was happy to enjoy all of my meals at the other three al fresco restaurants. Las Rocas is the daytime restaurant that serves both breakfast and lunch. I appreciated that breakfast was served until noon, although the service was rather slow, so don’t expect a quick meal.
I had dinner at Seafood Market my first night. Located on the lowest level of the resort, the restaurant offers romantic views of the waves crashing against the rocks below. The concept befits the hotel’s oceanfront location; rather than providing me with a menu, the server, Santos, walked me over to a display table full of different cuts of fresh fish. I chose a cut of tuna, then selected a starter (salad), a side (grilled veggies), and a sauce (chimichurri). It was all incredible and I wish I had been hungrier because I couldn’t bring myself to finish everything.
The next night I was tempted to return to Seafood Market and order the exact same meal again, but I did want to check out the other restaurant, so I restrained myself. Featuring tapas, sushi and a vast selection of tequilas and mezcals, the Terrace Bar is located on the top level of the resort, so it offers a different perspective than Seafood Market, but no less impressive. I chose a ceviche and some sashimi–paired with a margarita of course. The food was good, but it was impossible to beat Seafood Market.
Pools, Spa & Activities
Because Cala de Mar is set on a rocky cliff, it does not have direct beach access, so that is something to consider if you are a beach lover. I am personally just as happy at a pool, and fortunately Cala de Mar has two outdoor pools in addition to the private plunge pools in each room. The resort also offers complementary bicycles that guests can take to explore the beaches nearby.
There is also a spa and fitness center onsite, although I didn’t visit either (for the record I did do HIIT workouts in my room every day of the trip though). Reservations were required for the fitness center during my stay due to the pandemic.
While I ultimately decided to stay at the resort for my entire stay, Cala de Mar does have a large number of activities on offer if you want to get out and explore. After booking my stay, a Personal Assistant (basically a concierge) reached out to me with a list of activities so I could book tours and outings in advance if I so desired. Options included a cooking class, golf, snorkeling tours, a sunset cruise, a boat ride to Ixtapa Island for the day, diving, surfing, horseback riding, deep sea fishing and more. You could easily stay at Cala de Mar for a week and not be bored.
Final Thoughts
Is Cala de Mar the most luxurious hotel in Mexico? No. But it is very nice, and with rates starting at $360/night for an ocean view room with a private terrace and plunge pool, I would be hard-pressed to find a resort that offers better value. The staff was also so friendly; Santos in particular remembered me by name and always took the time to strike up a conversation.
Finally, one unique perk of staying at Cala de Mar that is typically only offered to VIP guests (like those that book through travel advisors!) at other hotels: flexible check-in and check-out times. I would expect that this perk is based on availability, and it may not be an option if the hotel is fully booked. I arrived after 4pm so I didn’t need early check-in, but I was reluctant to leave my plunge pool and took full advantage of late check-out, leaving the hotel at 3pm on my last day.
If you’re looking for a high-end resort in Mexico that offers lavish amenities without breaking the bank, then I’d urge you to check out Cala de Mar.
Best Zihuatanejo Hotel: La Casa Que Canta
For my second two nights in the region, I chose to stay at the boutique hotel La Casa Que Canta, located a short walk up the hill from Playa La Ropa and overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, La Casa Que Canta has just 25 suites as well as two 4BR/4BA villas that would be perfect for groups of friends traveling together. Similar to Cala de Mar, the property is built into a hill, so every room offers expansive ocean views and private terraces (although only some have private plunge pools). The entire hotel is adults-only, which lends a particularly romantic vibe to the ambiance.
Design and Aesthetic
La Casa Que Canta has a very specific aesthetic, so I could see people either loving it or hating it. Each room features completely unique design and decor, including local artwork and artisan handcrafted furniture. The vibe is maximalist–bold splashes of color and eclectic pieces that somehow find a way to all work together. If you prefer sleek, contemporary, minimalist design, La Casa Que Canta probably is not for you. But for the right person, it is an incredibly special masterpiece.
As I mentioned, La Casa Que Canta is built into a hill, and the property is a seemingly never-ending labyrinth of stairs, winding pathways and hidden nooks and crannies offering different views of the bay. The 25 suites are spread out across three different buildings, and while I was given a map at check-in, I still found myself getting lost easily as I tried to explore the property. At one time I even accidentally wandered into someone else’s suite! The front door had been propped open briefly while housekeeping was servicing the room so it looked like a continuation of the hallway I was walking down. Fortunately I realized my mistake before anyone else saw me.
Suite Options
Every single room at La Casa Que Canta is a suite with a private terrance and sweeping ocean views. Rates start at just $305 for the entry-level Oceanfront Terrace Suites, with the smallest room measuring a very comfortable 685 square feet. I booked a Deluxe Master Suite, the next category up, which offered a bit more space. Next up is the Master Pool Suite, with even more space and a plunge pool. I’ll admit that after Cala de Mar, I wished I had spent a bit more for my own pool, although the constant bay breeze at La Casa Que Canta made my pool-less terrace comfortable throughout most of the day.
If you want even more space, go for the Mexico Lindo Signature Suite (1,760 square feet with a sizable private pool) or the Owner’s Luxury Pool Suite located on the penthouse floor (“only” 1,200 square feet but with 180 degree views, a massive terrace, and a plunge pool).
Food & Beverage Offerings
La Casa Que Canta has just one restaurant: Mar y Cielo, which is also open to non-guests for dinner. As you may be able to guess from the name, the open-air restaurant overlooks the sea and the sky. Most room rates include breakfast, which you should not skip! I loved the chilaquiles so much that I ordered them both mornings. Also, the spicy “salsa picante” packs quite a bit of heat, so be sure to ask for some on the side if you’re a spice lover.
Even as a guest, the hotel recommended making reservations for dinner, so I took their advice on my first night and was rewarded with a table on the lower level closest to the ocean. I unfortunately missed sunset because of a client call, but would suggest planning an earlier dinner for the most spectacular experience.
The highlight of the meal was actually the salsa prepared table-side–I found myself ignoring my salad and main dish because the salsa really was SO good.
Since the hotel only had one restaurant I chose to eat offsite on my second night. The concierge was very helpful at offering suggestions and making a reservation for me at a neighboring resort, Tentaciones (see the “Alternative Options” section for more on this).
Pools, Spa & Activities
Since I didn’t have my own plunge pool at La Casa Que Canta, I was relegated to lounge by one of the two outdoor pools at the hotel if I wanted to dip in the water and cool off. Fortunately both pools are stunningly beautiful in their own ways, and each offer myriad nooks and crannies with private sun decks so guests can relax without feeling like they are on top one another (well, unless you want to be on top of one another…this can also be done without feeling like you are putting on a show!)
While the hotel does not have direct access to the beach, I was able to walk down the hill less than ten minutes to Playa La Ropa. It was okay. I enjoyed meandering through the waves and feeling the sand between my toes, but I didn’t see any beachfront restaurants or clubs that were calling my name so I completed my walk and then settled back in at La Casa Que Canta.
The hotel features the Spa by Clarins, which I’m sure is lovely, but I did not make time for a visit. In addition, guests can book a number of activities (snorkeling, sunset cruises, city tours, fishing, etc.) so there is plenty to do to keep active if you don’t want to relax by a pool, at the beach, or on your terrace all day long.
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt in my mind that La Casa Que Canta is a special place, particularly for the right person who will appreciate all that it has to offer. I would recommend it for romantic couples’ trips for people that will be wowed by the unique, local design and decor. If you want to party, go somewhere else. If you want a modern, minimalist aesthetic, this is not the place for you. But if you are open to some local color and flavor paired with gorgeous views and warm hospitality, check out La Casa Que Canta.
Personally, I would love to rent one of the villas with a group of friends for a long weekend on my next trip to the area. Who’s in?
Alternative Options: Amuleto, Lo Sereno Casa de Playa, Thompson, Tentaciones
I have not stayed at any of these hotels, but they come recommended from trusted sources, so here are some other options if Cala de Mar or Las Casa Que Canta don’t do it for you.
Amuleto
Located in Zihuatanejo on the other side of the beach from La Casa Que Canta, this five-suite property is another incredible romantic option for couples. Think barefoot luxury ambiance with thatched roofs, canopy beds and locally-sourced tiles and ceramics. All of the suites at Amuleto offer private plunge pools and the infinity pool overlooking the bay is simply a dream. They do have a minimum stay of three nights, but rates are in line with other properties in the area (starting at $350-400/night).
Lo Sereno Casa de Playa
A 30 minute drive up the coast in sleepy Troncones, Lo Sereno Casa de Playa is a 10-suite boutique hotel on the beach with access to great surfing. Part of Design Hotels, the decor is clean and modern with a black infinity pool. I’d recommend for younger couples that are more interested in chilling vs. partying. Rates start at $270/night.
Thompson
If you want a high-end Zihuatanejo hotel on the beach, go for the Thompson. The property mixes the brand’s signature mid-century aesthetic with local touches, maintaining a contemporary feel throughout. With 56 rooms, it’s larger than some of the other properties in the area, but that comes with additional amenities. A main selling point is its central location on Playa La Ropa–it may not have the majestic views of the hilltop properties, but it does have direct beach access.
My brother stayed at the Thompson the weekend before my visit and he enjoyed it, although admittedly prices were jacked up for President’s Day (because of course most visitors here come from the U.S.) so it didn’t offer the best value. Low-season rates start at around $300/night for a room with a garden view.
Tentaciones
While I did not stay at Tentaciones I ate dinner here on my last night in Zihuatanejo and I absolutely loved it. Located a short walk even farther uphill from La Casa Que Canta, Tentaciones boasts a prime location for sunset. The tasting menu was much better than I expected from a hotel restaurant in a resort town and the views overlooking the infinity pool and the bay were constantly changing as the sun made its daily descent–or the earth made its daily rotation, if you want to be technical about these things.
Nature put on quite a show for me (okay, not just for me, but it felt pretty special when I was seated a table overlooking the bay–it literally felt like a throne). This adults-only, four-suite hotel has a higher starting rate than others in the area ($500+), but if you want the best views possible, look no further.
