This hotel is the last place you want to stay if you’d like a tranquil vacation. Ixtapa is a beautiful place, that’s why we decided to return. Our stay was part of an all-inclusive vacation package. I’m not going to beat around the bush with any fluff on this hotel. The management has zero (CERO in Spanish) training in hospitality. Rooms are small and the typical Mexican flair. By no means are they updated or clean to the lowest hotel standard in the US. The food was less desirable than a school cafeteria. Hot dogs for lunch, hot dogs in BBQ sauce for dinner and what do you know HOT DOGS labeled as sausage the next morning on the breakfast buffet. No swim up pool bar as advertised and no adult only pool as advertised. Don’t bother putting in any complaints with the front desk…THEY don’t care. The manager…Yeah he doesn’t care either. I do my fair share of traveling and this is the 1st time I’ve ever written a review. This is to warn you in advance not to waste your vacation and hard earned money at the Krystal.

Ixtapa is a beautiful place to see. Very friendly people and very safe feeling! Our second time to the Krystal and as the first time very happy with accomodations, staff, and beach location. Rooms have pretty much been all remodeled. All rooms are ocean view so don't pay any extra when booking. Very clean, excellent staff, and good food always available. It's a smaller place and that's what we like the best, service is incredible around the pool, it's a holiday to relax. Some evenings are quiet, some evenings they have things going on if you want to join in. Great shopping and restaurants and everyday is HOT!
They have beautiful sunsets, highly recommend the evening Picante catermeran tour, good time!

We were sad that the Dorado Pacifico changed to all-inclusive but the Krystal offers a good, affordable alternative. If this hotel fits in your budget, go for it, you'll have a great trip! Check-in went well (we arrived very early, 10:30 a.m.) and everyone was very accommodating about storing our luggage and directing us to the restrooms to change. Once at the pool, Jose took care of our order for lunch and drinks (simply charge to your room if you're non-AI) and provided consistently good service all week. Menus are available for eating at the hotel restaurants and breakfast looked yummy.
The rooms have been updated with new bathrooms, the mattress was comfortable and our view was wonderful. This hotel is very quiet, no discos to ruin your sleep and the elevators worked fine. The staff is continually cleaning the pool area, it's immaculate. During the week the occupancy was lower and plenty of chairs were available in the pool area. Our only disappointments were the swim up bar, which has been closed permanently, and the inconsistent activity schedule. The first couple of days there was nothing going on other than bingo. But our last two days there was yoga, pool volleyball, water aerobics, a cooking demonstration, beach volleyball, etc. People who had been at the hotel awhile (one couple had been there 4 weeks!) said that this was the best two days of activities so far, that the person in charge was new and not very reliable about scheduling things.
We would certainly return to the Krystal, especially for the price we paid! It was a great place as a home base for exploring and enjoying Zihua and Ixtapa.

I thought the hotel was great value. The location is beautiful & the fact that you're right in town makes it convenient. They offer dinner coupons to other restaurants which is also a good idea. The food in the hotel was tasty too. My friend & I had an ocean view, it was fantastic!! People were very warm & friendly.