Hotels
Most of Acapulco's luxury resorts are clustered within the exclusive Diamante area, situated east of Acapulco Bay, closer to the airport; while the digs here are divine, be prepared to factor in taxi fees averaging about $10 to $15 each way if you plan on venturing to, say, the Golden Zone. There are numerous mid-range and budget properties to pick from – Acapulco has more than 20,000 hotel rooms – including the high-rise mega-hotels along la Costera, as well as the more historic properties in Old Acapulco, particularly on the Peninsula de las Playas. You can find dirt-cheap budget properties if you're willing to walk a few blocks to the beach and stay in older parts of the city; near the zócalo is your best bet. Private villa rentals are a popular alternative; most are located in the Las Brisas hillside quarter. Se Renta (www.acapulcoluxuryvillas.com) is a well-reputed agency offering some of the most palatial property rentals in the market.
Our top luxury picks are led by Quinta Real Acapulco (Paseo de la Quinta 6, Punta Diamante area; 744/469-1500; www.quintareal.com), a boutique hotel perched on a cliff in Punta Diamante overlooking the Pacific. It has panoramic views, a posh spa, swanky rooms with marble bathrooms, and is close to several championship golf courses. We're also quite keen on Las Brisas (Carretera Escénica 5255, Las Brisas area; 744/469-6900; www.brisas.com.mx), a hillside haven built into the cliffs above the bay; jaw-dropping views and sunsets are a given. Since accommodations are strung along the steep cliff, jeeps are available (you can drive one yourself or hire a driver) to whisk you up the mountainous path to your room from the lobby at the base. The 263 casitas have dramatic panoramas of the bay and private or semi-private pools; the resort has 210 pools, some of which weave in and out of the rooms! Prepare to be pampered at the Camino Real Acapulco Diamante (Carretera Escénica KM 14 Baja Catita 18, Puerto Marqués Bay area; 744/435-1010; www.caminoreal.com), a choice property far removed from the commercial tourist hub and overlooking Puerto Marqués Bay. This resort offers polished accommodations and a plethora of services and amenities along with commanding views of the water and beach below.
Acapulco has plenty of high-quality, mid-range hotels; one of the best is the Hotel Elcano (Costera M. Alemán 75, Golden Zone; 744/435-1500; www.hotel-elcano.com), a favorite for its beachside locale, great pool, and glamorous 1950s vibe. The hotel's gracious service, delicious breakfast buffet, and location on one of the bay's best beaches makes it a hit with guests. The 45-room Boca Chica (Playa Caletilla; 744/434-1990; www.bocachicahotel.com) is a waterfront property on Old Acapulco's Peninsula de las Playas overlooking Roqueta Island. It has a secluded swimming cove – great for snorkeling and scuba diving – and a private pier that's ideal for boating and fishing. All rooms and suites offer superb ocean views from private verandas. Hotel Los Flamingos (Av. López Mateos No. Fracc., Peninsula de las Playas; 744/482-0690; www.hotellosflamingos.com) is a great choice if you're intrigued by Acapulco's Hollywood heyday. Hovering above Acapulco Bay on a 450-foot cliff, the property still manages to draw a crowd decades after its debut as Acapulco's hot spot, when John Wayne, Cary Grant, Roy Rogers, and Errol Flynn were among its many loyal fans (at one point they even bought the joint and converted it into their own private playground and club).
For travelers on a budget, Acapulco offers a good selection of low-cost hotels, including Hotel Sands (Costera M. Alemán 178, Costera Hotel Zone; 744/484-2260; www.sands.com.mx), a perfect choice for families. The quiet hotel provides inexpensive, comfortable, and clean digs with a friendly staff and a decent location across the street from the beach; there's also an on-site garden restaurant with impressive Mexican food at affordable prices. Another good choice is the Hotel Mision (Felipe Valle 12, Old Acapulco area; 744/482-3643), a charming little gem with daily breakfast served in a leafy courtyard. The hotel is only two blocks inland from la Costera and the beach as well as the fisherman's wharf and La Quebrada. All 27 rooms come with their own private bathrooms, ceiling fans, and wrought-iron beds. We also recommend Hotel Gilda (Av. Fuerza Aerea KM 7.5, Pie de la Cuesta; 744/444-4462; www.hotelgilda.com), with its killer location on a lonely stretch of sand in Pie de la Cuesta, just outside Acapulco, a perfect antidote to bustling Acapulco Bay. With only three lovely rooms, tropical gardens, a pool, and an exceptional on-site restaurant, you'd better book way in advance.
