The former Villa del Sol was already a fine resort, but it is now under the Tides brand of the Kor Hotel Group, a company that also operates upscale hotels in Los Angeles, Miami, Palm Springs, and in the Riviera Maya of Mexico. The new managers have been busy with improvements to the rooms and spa and this resort now competes with the best anywhere in Mexico. For a beach vacation, it is hard to match Tides Zihuatanejo for several hundred miles in either direction on the coast.

While Casa que Canta's main draw is its panoramic views, here the main draw is the easy access to the excellent beach. Some suites are only a few steps from the sand, while others are further back but never more than a minute's walk––without any steps to climb. The resort staked out its spot long ago and manages to sprawl along 600 feet of Playa La Ropa, a gleaming stretch of picture–perfect crescent beach with a view of the hills on each side. Quality wooden lounge chairs under the palms are topped with terrycloth covers and neck pillows, with waitresses breezing by regularly to take drink orders. The waves here can be a bit rough for small children, but are great for surfing or boogie boarding and a booth handles parasailing or catamaran rides.

Four swimming pools provide calmer options. You can choose from a lap pool, an infinity pool for adults facing the ocean, a shady circular pool, and a large family pool with a waterfall and a swim–up bar. Two lighted tennis courts and a well–equipped gym allow a good workout, while the newly expanded spa goes all out with an array of massages and treatments.

Finding other ways to relax isn't difficult. With only 70 rooms and suites, there is never a fight for chairs by the beach or pools and there are lots of little nooks and quiet corners where you can settle down with a book. Even the bars are built for lounging, with stretch chairs and built–in sofas facing the waves. The bartenders offer a wide variety of tequilas, including some high–end brands that are hard to find, and they are glad to set up an informative tasting.

The two restaurants here are a clear cut above all others save Casa que Canta's, with polished yet friendly service that keeps guests coming back. Fresh seafood and local specialties are the highlights, with a presentation that always comes with a flourish. This even extends to the water offered with meals: a waiter brings a flavoring tray loaded with items such as ginger, cinnamon, raspberries, and lime. You can also order lunch on the beach, where staffers will set up your own private table, complete with white tablecloth and stemware.

The smallest rooms (annoyingly called "superior") were the original first 10 built here, surrounding a small pool. These feel like private casitas, with beamed ceilings and a balcony with a hammock. The others are larger, ranging from the "deluxe mini suite" to several two–bedroom suites with their own plunge pools. While the presidential suite is the largest and comes with a butler and its own infinity pool, the beach suite has a prime location by the ocean and oodles of space to stretch out. Officially, children under 12 are only allowed when parents have booked one of these two or the garden suite, but you may have some luck with other arrangements in the off season.

The design here goes beyond the usual hotel room mold and no two rooms are exactly alike. Most beds are situated in the center of the room, draped with white gauzy fabric, containing a vanity area behind the headboard. Even the smallest rooms have a nice sitting area and a terrace or balcony, while marble baths with an array of quality toiletries allow plenty of space for two to get ready at the same time. At night the quarters are especially impressive, with a variety of well–placed lighting creating a dramatic effect. All the expected amenities are in place here, including satellite TVs, fluffy robes, and a DVD player on request.

Tides Zihuatanejo is an improvement upon the already outstanding Villa del Sol and apart from a lack of water views from some rooms, there's little to fault in this attractively designed and well–run getaway spot.


Web Address: The Tides Zihuatanejo
Total Number of Rooms: 70
Published rates: $330 to $1,700

Review and photos by Timothy Scott