Sierra Manzanillo <BR> <BR>Just came back from this place <BR>(1) beach is polluted <BR>(2) hotel is inundated with locals who are sold day passes and thereafter compete with you for goods and services, pool and beach space <BR>(3) hotel is not 5 star <BR>(4) staff rude <BR> <BR>I dont wish this place on anyone. My wife actually cried with frustration! <BR> <BR>Anyway, if you wish further details email me. <BR> <BR>Take care <BR> <BR>Happy travelling

We were in Manzanillo a few years ago at the club maeva over easter break. This is a big holiday for locals and yes they seemed to enjoy buying day passes to the all inclusives. We also had to compete for services in bars and restaurants. They would wait on locals before "gringos certainly. I apprceciated the quaintness of the town as opposed to other Mexican resort towns and the people in town were very friendly and accomodating.

<BR>Next time yo desire to go to a different town in that area go a short distance up the coast to Barra De Navidad. Its almot the same distance from the airport as Manzanillo. Nice, quiet, and quite a few good restaurants.

Thanks Xerex and Dennis! <BR> <BR>Are there accomodations in Barra De Navidad that you recommend?

Try Villa Montana in the quiant fishing village of La Manzanilla just 1/2 hr. north of the Manzanillo airport for a Real Mexican experience (www.choice1.com/villamontana.htm) <BR> <BR>adios!

I've seen a gorgeous ad for the Karmina Palace. Never been to Manzanillo, but it's between there and Ixtapa. Do you think the problem was at your particular hotel, or is the whole town a mess? Thanks for the warning!

<BR>This is the website for Barra de Navidad and surrounding areas. <BR>http://www.eden.com/~tomzap/bar-cmt1.html

Hi to everyone, especially Susan: <BR>I was at the Karmina Palace from April 25 to May 2 this year. Like the Sierra <BR>the Karmina was inundated with locals <BR>(most from Guadalajuara) with day passes. LOTS of children - EVERYWHERE! <BR>Also, there were troups of salespeople <BR>and clients being shown the complex with <BR>the view of buying timeshares. Also, <BR>cruise ship passengers drifted by - <BR>in other words - a zoo. <BR> <BR>The staff were great; the junior suites <BR>very upscale but the food was really sub <BR>standard - there was a large buffet section and the 'style' of cooking was <BR>most definately not to the standard of a <BR>***** resort - more like **. We ate vegetatian pizza from the poolside cafe; <BR>even so all three of us were sick for two weeks.... <BR>The rumour was this place will be upping <BR>its prices for the next season - well, <BR>good luck! This was my first foray into <BR>Mexico and because of this experience it <BR>will be my last. The other two people <BR>have been to PV and Mazatlan in *** resorts and they both felt this was inferior. <BR> <BR>Manzanillo has nothing to offer other than its resorts.....very seedy little <BR>place - back to Maui for me!

Lynne, <BR> I hope you can derive some satisfaction from the fact that you have saved me and my family from a lousy vacation. We've been to many Club Meds, and feel that we'd like to upgrade a bit. We went to a SuperClub in Jamaica last year and were VERY disappointed in the service, food, and rooms. It's so depressing when you've traveled five hours to a place you HAVE to stay for a week AND paid good money for, and it stinks. <BR> I thank you for sharing your experience and can't say I blame you for sticking to Hawaii. At least you know what you're getting.... <BR> <BR>Susan

Susan: <BR>De nada - I reread my negative review <BR>to see if I overstated anything - but <BR>I didn't! <BR> <BR>Have a great holiday whereever you go - <BR>I'm on my way to Tuscany next week - <BR>hope it's from the ridiculous to the <BR>sublime! <BR>Lynne

We go to Manzanillo every year for New Years and spend about 2 weeks. We stay in a 3 bedroom home on the beach and ususally have a great time. I agree that some of the resorts around are not the best but I would recommend the Grand Bay Hotel - just up the coast, about 20 minute from the airport at Puerto De La Navidad. It is absoultyl beautiful - 27 hole golf course and great pool. A great hide-a-way. Just across the bay is Bara Navidad - a small fishing village with some fun and funky restaurants.

I have just purchase non refundable tickets to Manzanillo, for April 2001, our kid's Easter break, your year 2000 post is making me regret this, I know it will be crowded because, most of the hotels are full, are there any other location of Manzanillo or more secludeded hotel, that we might like better that you noticed?, we were planning to stay at Karmina Palace because of the central location, but not if it's a zoo there. help!

Susan...<BR><BR>Don't give up on Mexico....Try Playa Del Carmen on the east coast....It's 50 miles south of Cancun....Lots of great all-inclusive resorts and, to my knowledge, day passes are not sold...We're heading there for the 4th time this year....<BR><BR>LIZ

I truly beleive smaller is better. Not being one to do all-inclusives, I enjoy Barra de Navidad and Melaque has lots of quaint places to stay, and La Manzanilla up the road 6 miles has numerouse private villas that offer kitchen facilities and 3 1/2 miles of open beach (www.lamanzanillamexico.bizland.com/lamrentals). The village is only 1000+ people with a few basic restaurants and mom &amp; pop grocery stores but the tranquility and beauty of Bahia de Tenacatita is great. You also might look into the Blue Bay Resort on Tenacatita Bay as an option other than Manzanillo(bluebayresorts.com).<BR><BR>adios!