Let's embark on a journey of my recent stay at Krystal Ixtapa Hotel, where some experiences shined, while others dimmed in the shadow:
Pros:
Ocean Views: We were graced with an unobstructed, breathtaking ocean view from our balcony. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing was a lullaby at night and a gentle wake-up call in the morning.
Bogart Restaurant: A gem amidst the ordinary. This Moroccan-inspired dining oasis transported us to a scene straight out of Casablanca, with tasteful decor and a culinary expertise that outshone its counterparts.
Breakfast Buffet: If you're an early riser, the breakfast offerings won't disappoint. From spicy chilaquiles to a colorful spread of fresh fruits and a variety of both cold and hot dishes, it was a meal to look forward to each day.
Cons:
Elevator Woes: Of the three elevators, only one was in operation, and it carried with it a damp, musty aroma—a blend of chlorine, mildew, and other less-identifiable scents, perhaps from guests returning from the pool.
Dining Hurdles: Evening meal reservations felt like a competitive sport, requiring an early morning commitment. The desserts, in particular, were lackluster, ranging from unimpressive arroz con leche to dry, uninspiring cakes.
Room Discomforts: The balcony door seemed to require Herculean strength to open. Meanwhile, the bathroom, with no ventilation, trapped humidity, and the associated odors. The absence of shampoo and other toiletries felt like a glaring oversight.
Fitness & Pool Shortcomings: The gym was a disappointment—dated treadmills groaned underfoot, weight machines sat unusable, and while free weights were available, they were limited in range. The pool, despite its family appeal, had inconveniently specific hours of operation and lacked a peaceful adult sanctuary.
Wi-Fi & Bar: Our digital lifeline, Wi-Fi, was noticeably weak, especially on the second floor. The bar, on the other hand, offered drinks that tasted more of artificial additives than authentic flavors.
Snack Bars: For those with adventurous palates, tread carefully. The frozen offerings at the snack bars were a direct path to regret, with potential hygiene concerns making themselves known via post-meal stomach disturbances.
Suggestions for Improvement:
Enhance Staffing: With more hands on deck, especially in cleaning and concierge roles, guest experiences could be significantly improved.
Culinary Overhaul: Focus on quality ingredients, preparation techniques, and ensuring all staff are knowledgeable about the dishes they serve. Also, better labeling for dishes could assist in avoiding dietary mishaps.
Amenities Upgrade: The gym could greatly benefit from modern equipment, and expanding the pool's operating hours could improve guest satisfaction. Additionally, incorporating popular regional tunes into the hotel's soundtrack might uplift the ambiance.
To sum up, Krystal Ixtapa offers certain joys, especially for families and large groups. However, considering the price and potential, certain aspects left much to be desired. If serene Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is your destination of choice, ponder if this hotel will offer the experience you seek. I would recommend you spend a smidge more and choose a nearby option with better amenities, food...
Read moreI have been going to Mexico for 20+ years on vacations and have stayed at tons of all-inclusive resorts. This one is by far the worst one we have ever stayed at. I very rarely give a bad review, but this resort is beyond bad. I will give you the pro's and con's. ||Pro's - |This is by far the best beach in Mexico. It is beautiful and clean, and the water is so warm. |The location is perfect. It is right across the street from downtown Ixtapa (which is good because that is where you will be eating every night). |The beach service is amazing. Victor was our server and he was fantastic. We never had to go to the bar for service. |We never had a problem finding chairs on the beach. The pool was another story. ||Con's - |The FOOD - It is terrible! Everything was cold and tasteless. We ate at the Italian restaurant and the food was warm, but not good. The breakfast buffet was very sparse. The best thing was you could get an omelet made to order, that was it. We went to Bogarts one night. The food was awful. It is a 5-course meal and nothing was edible. Besides the fact that we waited 20 minutes before anyone even acknowledged us. I do not recommend you waste your time here. We ended up eating downtown every night, which was delicious, but it gets spendy. |The ROOMS - The rooms were modern looking and had fantastic views! The problem is that the air conditioning did not work, there are no refrigerators in the rooms, and the water would shut off mid shower! The beds were hard as rocks and not one English channel on the TV. I usually do not complain about the rooms because that is not what we are there for, but the no air conditioner thing is a deal breaker for me. It was 90 degrees every day! |*The ELEVATORS - They are the worst! We are not against taking the stairs, but we were on the 10th floor. We had to wait 10-15 minutes sometimes! There are only 3 elevators for the entire resort and only 6 people fit in each. It was ridiculous! ||The last thing I realized is that the resort caters to the locals. This is not a bad thing, but they all but ignore the other clients. Very few of the employees at the resort spoke English. All the other resorts I have ever been to, they all have employees who speak at least a little English (I speak a little Spanish, but I'm not fluent). It was very difficult to communicate. The resort is not very full during the week, but on the weekends it fills up with locals that are there for the weekend. Good luck getting anywhere near the pool because it fills up with screaming kids! No adult only pool or swim up pool bar. ||The best part of the trip was going to downtown Zihua. It is beautiful there!||I will for sure visit Ixtapa again, but I will...
Read moreThis was not a place we would come back to. The food was repetitious and un appetizing. If the hotel is going to cater to Canadians and Americans as well as Mexican people, perhaps they should learn about our foods as well instead of only preparing foods for Mexicans. Our all inclusive was useless as, other than breakfast , the food was awful at lunch and dinner. The coupons for the 2 restaurants on site gave us a dining experience but little else. They were both mediocre at best. The outside bars served watered down drinks and I observed the bar tenders collecting the used glasses and rinsing them under cold water and reusing them. Disgusting! The hotel is very old and certainly not up to par with others in the area. Ixtapa is lovely and it is too bad we are left with such a bad impression from the Krystal. The housekeepers do a good job on the rooms and the beds were comfortable although our "deluxe ocean view " room was overlooking the many compressors for the AC and its accompanying racket. We had to keep our patio doors closed at all times so could not hear the ocean as We love to do at night. Definitely not a...
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