"Zihuatenejo's Neighbor" a Ixtapa Travel Page by aflaneur

Okay, so July's not the best time to visit. I guess the heat and humidity weighs heavily, and the everpresent threat of a cyclone meandering in to do some real damage deserves consideration. But the rate was so compelling, at $150/night that I thought, why not? A private beach, 4 pools, fresh Mexican food, tequila and Negro Modelo beer...what's the worst that can happen?

Last here in 1991 when it was the Westin Camino Real. Amazingly, nothing has changed...except that the property is 15 years the worse for wear. But the Las Brisas folks are busy applying gobs of paint to the crumbling infrastructure so you have to look closely to really see how bad the buildings are getting. But I can be in denial with the best of them, so it's all fine by me. Beautiful unspoiled beach with decently attentive staff that keep my ice bucket filled with beer and limes, and 6 foot waves crashing just offshore. The sun beats down, and the humidity deprives me of the will to move father than dives in the surf to cool off.

Great Mexican food at Cafe Morales in Ixtapa and La Perla in Zihuatenejo. At La Perla, on Playa La Ropa, I dig into a whole grilled red snapper with garlic sauce...Sublime. Las Brisa Ixtapa is where you go to do nothing but lay about, on the sand or by the pool, keep a constant eye on the ocean and sky from your patio hammock (all rooms face the ocean), and pretend you are living life large in a luxe tropical setting. Since the "luxe" part never quite shows up, you have to use your imagination. But, for $150/night, I've got enough of it to last a week.