Looking for anyone who's been to Ixtapa. Where you stayed, what you did. Thinking of a trip there early in 2006, but interested in some details. Any info will be appreciated.

We stayed in Ixtapa for two weeks in 2003: one week at the Melia Ixtapa (all-inclusive resort located a few miles north of the hotel zone) and one week at the Dorado Pacifico, in the hotel zone. The Melia is a gorgeous property with a beautiful swimming pool and fairly decent food, however it sits on a very poor section of beach. The Dorado Pacifico was just O.K. - nothing great nothing bad. If I returned to Ixtapa, I would probably consider an all-inclusive resort in the hotel zone. The hotel zone rings Playa del Palmar, a beautiful, wide & 3-mile long beach that's great for sunbathing, jogging and long walks. The beach is named after the large bay it sits in (Bahia del Palmar). Across the street from the hotels are several small malls, filled with souvenir shops & restaurants (from inexpensive to expensive). We mostly opted for the small, traditional Mexican restaurants; mostly dining on fish, tortillas & refried beans (plenty of lobster places if you desire). I spent most of my time in Ixtapa, hanging out by the pool & swimming in the ocean. The waves were 4-6' high and the ocean current was fairly strong - don't know if that is normal for Ixtapa. Also took a short water taxi to Isla Ixtapa, a small island with eating/drinking & bathroom facilities, water activity rentals and fairly good snorkeling. A few miles south of Ixtapa lies the charming town of Zihuatenejo. It's worth the short trip to see the beach side promenade on Bahia Zihuatenejo, with it's narrow brick-lined streets, small restaurants and tourist shops. We enjoyed our stay in Ixtapa and plan on returning in the next few years.

Sceneisle-What else can you tell me about Zihuatenejo? I just read an intriguing article about it in the NWA magazine. It seemed like a good trip to take for 4-5 days. Are there enough decent looking restaurants there? How's their beach area compare to Ixtapa's? Thanks!

LM: I should defer to someone who has actually spent a few days there. My experience in Zihuatenejo is limited to a day trip on our Ixtapa vacation and a 6-hour visit on a cruise ship. I do know that it is a very tranquil place and the bay itself is beautiful. As far as "decent" restaurants, I don't recall seeing too many along the promenade, near the pier. There are some small, upscale hotels on the far side of the bay that probably have their own restaurants. These hotels are located near the nicest beach in the area, Playa La Ropa. Overall, I would say the beaches in Ixtapa have a decided edge. I also recall reading an article several months ago regarding high pollution levels in Bahia Zihuatenejo. For me personally, I would prefer to stay in the Ixtapa hotel zone and take the short drive to spend some afternoons in Zihuatenejo.

If you decide to stay in Zihuatenejo, you should look into La Casa que Canta. When I went with my boyfriend, we stayed at Las Brisas in Ixtapa, but went to La Casa for dinner one night and it was absolutely beautiful. They told us that it had been in the movie "When a Man Loves a Woman" with Meg Ryan. I just looked at their website and it's making me want to book another trip there right now....
http://www.lacasaquecanta.com/