Description:
I peered out of the filthy open window of the hotel transfer bus, wondering what that oasis in the distance would really be like.
Compared to the immediate surrounding shanties filled with poverty-stricken children, this resort did appear to have a sparkling appearance. However, as we got closer, we realized that it may not be the diamond in the rough that we were expecting.
Upon closer inspection, the Radisson was indeed beginning to fall apart . . . literally. We could smell the mold as we made our way down the hallway leading to our room. We noted that, while this resort appeared to be somewhat clean, it didn't even resemble a spotless quality. We had paid $180 per night to stay here, so we expected more.
At first glance, the place reminded me of a cross between a Motel 6 and a Howard Johnsons. The smell of mold strengthened the longer we were there. It was not a pretty sight: cheap comforters; moldy bathroom; ceiling tiles missing in several places; water leaking from the ceiling in the bathroom through a missing ceiling tile; and old, rundown carpeting. It was far from being well maintained. We weren't exactly getting our moneys worth.
We exited our room, anxiously anticipating what the pool would look like. To our relief and surprise, the pool looked nice. I noted a nice swim-up bar and newer, comfortable lounge chairs. The best part of the pool to us seemed to be the very shallow area built into the pool, where you can stay cool by laying in just a few inches of pool water while you tan. See pictures of the pool below.
The beach here is a medium-light beige color; the ocean water here just doesn't have the brilliant color and clarity that the Yucatan Peninsula does. However, this is a nice beach. I would compare it to the beaches you may have seen in the movie 10 with Bo Derek, which was filmed on location in Manzanillo, Mexico (just north of Ixtapa).
Overall, the prices of this hotel have gone down substantially since we stayed here, just as they should have. On Radisson's website, they rate this hotel as a five-star accommodation. In all honesty, at best, it's a three-star. I'd say the rooms are two-star. The lovely beach, scenic views, higher end pool, quiet hotel location, and low European-plan nightly rates would be the reasons to stay here. If you decide to stay here, skip the all inclusive prices since meals here were not good. The non-inclusive rate right now is $65 a night on the Radisson website. You can take a short ride via a cheap taxi (or bus) to the fishing village of Zihuatanejo for cheap meals. Alternatively, take a bus out to Playa La Ropa for the day and have your meals at a variety of reasonably priced, casual beachside restaurants there.
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