We just returned from a week stay at the Qualton Club, Ixtapa and I must say that I had a wonderful experience there. Before our trip I had read some negative reviews about this resort and I have no idea what these people were talking about! Of course the rooms could of used some small upgrades (like a small refrigerator in each room), but who really spends alot of time in there room. All the staff and entertainers work very hard and it really shows, as they are all very nice and treat you with alot of curtosy and respect. During my stay we were fortunate enough to get to know some of the sports/entertainment team which really made our trip special as they truly make you feel at home. I also enjoyed the many games and activites offered- the bingo, water arobics, volleyball, etc were very entertaining and fun for most of the children and adults I travelled with. Overall this is a great resort and I look forward to returning in the future!

We just returned from a week at the Qualton Ixtapa, which we picked for its location at the end of the beach next to the nature reserve.

Our only big surprise was that we could not buy any guidebooks anywhere in Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo. We went down on a last minute deal and didn't have time to buy a travel book for Mexico, a Spanish phrase book or a book on Mexican birds. Nothing like that is available there, nor were any guided nature tours advertised, so go prepared. The nature reserve next to the hotel is gorgeous and the birds were spectacular (also crocodiles, iguanas, butterflies, etc.) The island across from Playa Linda has coral reefs and amazing crabs. Pack binoculars and a telephoto lens.

We desperately missed having a Spanish phrase book because we wanted to talk to the Mexican guests at the hotel, few of whom spoke English. Midweek the hotel contained a lot of older Canadians, and on the weekend it filled up with Mexican families. There were very few Americans. Happily, that end of the beach is free from aggressive hucksters and <shudder> time share salesmen, who abound in the centre of the Ixtapa strip.

We found the food perfectly OK. I talked to a celiac and a vegetarian who both said they were finding enough to eat. With buffets its always advisable to be early--no meal that's been sitting around for hours is going to be great. The drinks were excellent and the house wine was more than acceptable. The staff were great. It's a good idea to take a wad of US $1s for tipping.

The beds are hard and there is a lot of noise--both from other rooms and from the huge hotel next door that has a pounding nightclub. It seems that nothing at a resort can be done without loudspeakers, including aerobics and bingo during the day. Bring earplugs.

The hotel's bikes are beaters and only available for scheduled rides. If I had to do it again, I'd rent a bike in Ixtapa for the week. There's an excellent bike path from the hotel to central Ixtapa--8.5 km.

Oh, and thanks to all you folks who posted the reviews we read before going. They were very helpful!

My ladyfriend and I stayed at the Qualton for 9 days and loved every minute of it. The staff is extremely pleasant and courtious. The housekeeper rotinely weaved our towels into animals and fashioned them with fresh hybiscus flowers while cleaning the room,(daily).At breakfast,the foodservers would would insist on getting our coffee for us even though it is cafateria/buffet style. The food is not like a 5 star but is OK. The head food inspector, Amado was always present at mealtimes to insure proper tempatures and good sanitary conditions were always maintained. The front desk personel were also receptive and helpfull, namely miss Riveria, who clued us into the cheapest way to call the states,( Hello calling card),bus routes and times. And last but most definently not least are the drinks. Anytime anywhere and head barkeep Jorge was fabulous in his ability to manufacture anything we wished.
I thank them all and will return in the near future.

We went with an other middle age couple to enjoy the beautiful park-like setting of this hotel. The staff was very friendly and the guests just had a blast! Evenso the rooms are a bit simple and old, but very clean, the only thing we missed was a coffee maker or a thermos. The food was a bit exotic for the average steak-loving north american, but for open mided people there was a lot to be discovered. Some of the staff was on dual duty and did a great job to provide the evening entertainment. All drinks are included and the last watering hole to close at 2am was the disco, which is covered by palm leaves and is wide open to the beach. Activities offered at the beach are jetskiing, paragliding, banana boat riding, kajaking, and fishing trips (100-250 Pesos)
For the more adventurous minded, the endstop of the public busses is near the compound gate and a trip to Zihuantanejo is only 7 Pesos (about 70 cents US). Wondering if those questionably maintained rigs would make the trip at all, I experienced my first bus tour with screeching tires and squeking brakes. The two bargin shopping places are the Bodega (Wallmart) and the local Market, where you can haggle over prices from textiles, fish, meat, shoes to jewelry!