Park Royal Ixtapa All Inclusive

This is our second year spending a weeks vacation in Ixtapa and if we were coming back we would only choose this hotel if we were getting a great deal for it.The Radisson in Ixtapa has a fair number of positives and negatives and depending on how these variables affect you may impact your desire to stay there. It is located about ¼ mile north of the downtown area of Ixtapa a 5 minute convienent and safe walk at all hours. There are two towers in this hotel one that faces south west and the other with balconies that face north looking up the beach. We stayed in the north tower which has a beautiful sunset view. The downside of the north tower is you have a very popular bar Carlos & Charlies three properties north and from the upper floor we were on one can hear their music thumping until they close whether or not your sliding glass door is closed. The beach view was nice and the north tower gives you a great view of he pool area out to the ocean. While the balcony was nice they are very small and only appointed with one chair (not a chaise lounger) and small table. We had to bring the desk chair to sit out there together.Maid service was adequate but the room was never made up until 3-4 in the afternoon. The maid showed her appreciation for the $40 pesos I would leave for her each day by decorating something in the room with flower petals or ferns. A very nice touch.Safety deposit service is available at the front desk which can be a pain expecially if there is a line at the desk. The deposit for a lost key is $100 usd.The pool is beautiful with a nice island for tanning and a few palm straw cabana s to stay out of the sun. There are only maybe 20-30 places around the pool that have shade so if you want one you have to leave things out on the chairs VERY early (4:00 am) or many people did it the night before to assure a place for the next day there is an area with many cabanas right on the beach with good cover from the sun. If you walk a five minute walk up the beach you can get a fairly good massage right on the beach form three competing vendors for $100 peso s daily form 8-6.There is a small gym with a couple of cardio machines and a weight machine on the second floor. There were two restraints and bars in the hotel. One in the lobby open only in the evenings and the pool bar (swim up or walk up) open during the day. The main restraunt is out by the pool bar and serves three meals a day. There is a snack bar/grill by the pool as well. There were three different colored wristbands for the different plans staying there one was for all inclusive. Everyone we spoke to said this was a bad deal and nobody was much impressed with the food. The next is a tap/beer rail drinks inclusive. But the beer is served in 12 oz styrafoam cups and the service for the  all inclusive was practically non-existent. If you stay room only they give you a wristband good for 20% off on all purchases for food and beverage. We went across the street and purchased a styrafoam cooler and beer/soda/water. (there is a local beer that competes with corona called  Sol that the hotel dosen t serve and we like it much better than Corona) They didn dnot serve glass bottled beer by the pool except in styrafoam and we were careful to bring cans down to the pool and were not hassled about doing it the BYOB plan as there were mny who were doing it themselves.The following are issues and quirks of the hotel that really annoyed us.The hotel has three small elevators and the majority of the week two of them were out of commission. We waited up to 15 minutes one time to get up to the room only to find out the room key demagnetized and then waited to go back down to get it fixed!! One of the days they did have two elevators running people were stuck in there for a while until they could get them out.Staff attitude at the front desk was less than helpful. While waiting at the front desk a party had a problem with there room the electricity didn t work and they insisted on being moved and the desk clerk argued with them that he wasn t sure they could do that because he had to first see how many people were checking in that day. This was only one of several examples I can point to of how the front desk had a less than helpful attitude with guests though we didn t have any problems ourselves.When you check in you get an envelope with your remote control ($50/deposit if you don t return it to the desk) two room keys which if you lose one it will cost you $5.00 There are also two towel cards that will cost you $28 ieach if you dont return them.Bees and wasps by the pool bar were aggressive and plentifulFront desk ripoff exchange rate of 10 peso s to the dollar (go to the currency exchange winbdow next to the bank between the Dorado Pacifico and Rivierra for the best rate (5 minute walk). The bank was exchanging for 10.77-10.90 and the currency exchange varied form 10.90-10.92 for the same period. At one point there was a 1.2% difference between the bank and the currency exchange window. If you exchange at the hotel you would have lost 9.2% of the value of your money.If you wanted to have a cup of coffee in your room there was a two dollar charge for the coffee packet for the 4 cup coffe pot. There is no charge to use the coffee maker so we knew this and brought our own (collected from our hotel stays over the last year) This is not unique to Radisson and may just be how its done in Mexico as the Dorado had the same charge last year.General condition of the property is fair to good with the age of the property showing. This isn t the Taj Mahal but it isn t a total dump either.Overall impressions. We enjoyed our stay but we didn t pay to stay there as we used a RCI certificate we got for selling a house (and were shocked to find this popping up when we did). It seems the average rate for a night here in high season is around $100-125/night. For what you get it would seem high as there are many places you can get a better deal and a nicer property for the same price. I d definitely stay at the Dorado before going back and would consider the Barcelo or Krystal as well as nice properties.

We arrived in Ixtapa without luggage and reservations at a villa "1 block" from the beach. When the "1 block" turned into 3 blocks and the hotel turned out to be 2-3 stars we decided to move to the beach. We ended up at the Radisson and really enjoyed our stay. Manuel (at the Travel Agency) arranged a really great snorkelling adventure and was incredibly helpful.

My fiance and I went to the Radisson Jan. 2003. It was certainly and upgrade from the Posada Real (we changed hotels while we were there b/c the Posada Real was sooooo terribly noisy). The rooms are big but the funrishings are older. Great oversized balconies with wonderful views of pool and bay. Huge pool with tanning island in the middle and swim-up bar, waterfall. There were bees all over so be careful, I got bit. The food was ok, good nachos, tacos, and club-sandwiches (like everywhere in Mexico). I did not like the beer, only Corona and Pacifico (I am a Dos Equis girl) but all drinks are included. Very clean resort, fun Super Bowl party in conference room with buffet, drinks, tvs etc. I would return.

From the outside and the pictures on websites this place looks great, but if I were the Radisson chain, I'd be embarrassed that this place has it's name attached to it. I've never been used to staying in luxury hotels so I'm not very picky but if you want to go somewhere romantic or w/ the kids this is not the place. Sure there's a nice view and there's a pool and I wasn't picky about the food, but beyond that it was like staying in a, sorry to say, 3rd world hotel. My wife being from Mexico and me from South America are accustomed to staying at moderate to dingy places throughout Latin America so we naively thought that with the Radisson name would come some professionalism and comfort. Nope. We had to put up w/ quirky Latin rules/procedures/customs throughout our trip. Even though I called the hotel a day before arriving to assure that they had booked us in a nice room, they day we got there, their computer system was down so my confirmed room was lost. We initially got a dark room on the first floor w/ balcony but no view. I argued it so we got a better one on the 3rd w/ a nice view. The front desk staff seemed to be figuring out their jobs as they went along or pretending to be the staff until someone noticed. They forgot to give us the key to the minibar (which leaked, wasn't stocked and never cold even after sending us 2 repair men who just wiped the leaks), the remote to the TV (yup you've got to check one out at the front desk), the Do Not Disturb sign, and the pool towel cards. So by having to go downstairs everytime we were doing the work for them. The pool was too warm and was no deeper than 3 1/2 feet all around. There was a baby island in the pool but kids under 5 could only hang out around the steps which is what my 4 yr. old had to do.

The pool closes at 7 p.m.(during daylight) but if you don't return your towels by 6 p.m. you get charged! Crazy! Yup it's not enuff to show them your cardkey to get a towel you need these laminated cards for each person. So every day you gotta have all cards on hand, and you're in trouble if you lose 'em. Walking by the other hotels, I noticed that about half of them were still open and w/ lights on past 8 or 9 at nite. There is live music (not quality music, more like your goofy aunt singing and uncle on the keyboards). The hotel basically shuts down by 10:30 or 11p.m. The travel/excursion staff person got to be annoying after hounding us to purchase one of his deals to beaches, fiestas etc.

He gave me a ticket to reserve a spot for us while we thought about it, but then wanted to charge me for it after I lost or threw it away. The rooms were fine, nothing great. The majority of guests were from w/in Mexico and I guess they're accostumed to the accomodations and quirkly rules, but I've already had enuff of this in my past travels and just wanted a nice relaxing time w/ my family w/out any hangups.

Unfortunately, the Radisson is not the place to go to. Funny and appropriately enuff, I noticed someone had scratched the Radisson sticker on the balcony window to read "Badisson". The other hotels in Ixtapa may have the same quirky rules or experiences but now that you know this hotel is guaranteed to have them, try another one out. So if any Radisson staff are listening, I suggest you check this place out (go unannounced) and get ready to be ashamed of your name!

We read at least one negative review regarding the Radisson Hotel in Ixtapa so we were apprehensive about the accomodations. We found the rooms to be every bit as nice as any 5 Star hotel we have ever stayed in in Mexico. The bed was very comfortable and every room has a nice deck with an Ocean View. The best part about this hotel was the service we received and the charming personnel. We were treated at all times like VIP's and we appreciated the pampering. The pool area, palapas and all public areas were clean and well cared for. Even the food was good! Not usually true of hotels in Mexico.

We checked into this supposed 5 star resort and the minute we walked in the room we knew we needed to change hotels. The room seemed clean enough but was in dire need of updating. The furniture was very old, chipped wood. The cover on the bed looked like something out the sixties and to top it off the bathroom was need of all new fixtures. The toilet wouldn't even flush. We got out of there as quick as we could.

my husband i just went to ixtapa in early march for our honeymoon. the radisson was better than i expected. our room was clean and we got a kick out of seeing what the maid would make with towels and leave on our bed. the staff was polite. ixtapa is quiet and laid back which we thought was wonderful. we never dideat at the hotel as we found some wonderful restaurants within walking distance. if you want quiet, relaxing and beautiful this is a place to go. lots of nice beaches. my favorite was las gatas. we were lucky enough to get our drinks free. we do plan another trip back there next year

In March we will be taking our 6th trip to Ixtapa Mexico. We love it there and will be returning for the second time to the Posada Real (Best Western Hotel). We really enjoyed their "new" pool with the wall of the pool that over-hangs the beach. It is beautiful! The hotel is smaller, great rates, clean, quiet and very comfortable. We thought the service was very good. The only draw back is that the hotel does not have balconies, and not all rooms face the ocean front. But if you are patient you can wait at the pool when you arrive until a beach front room becomes available. For this trip we emailed the hotel and made a direct request for beach front and they replied that they would accomodate us! We highly recommend!

We went to the Radission in Feb. 2002!

We got a GREAT deal on airfare and hotel! Oh ya Did I mention "FREE" drinks! We had ocean view, and the rooms were nice. I would refer anyone there! I loved Ixtapa and the hotel!

We'll go back there FOR SURE!!!

Room was clean - but sparse. Minibar barely cold and no freezer. Advertised "bathtub" is half sized...which feels like you're bathing in a utility sink. First night had no hot water - had to wait 2 hours. Buffet was too expensive ($12!) and most of the food was unidentifiable. Go across the street to the Capri restaurant and eat for $8 (for 2) on good plain fare. Staff are usually helpful but for the goons at the front desk (chased me down to pay for coffee as I was leaving...come on, it was in room and less than $1) and somewhat rude. Activies were fun...recommend the water volleyball. Drinks were expensive...so if you can get the drinks free inclusion it's recommended. Plain fare like nachoes, quesadillas, etc. are good. Outside activities overpriced! Pool is spacious but is too deep for small children (3 1/2 feet min) Although I've seen reviews of live music I never heard any. Most of the staff are helpful and speak some english. Local calls are direct dial, otherwise the hotel operator dials your calls. Towel art was sporadic. This hotel is nothing special (although I've heard from the staff that they're going to expand their childrens' services) but it was clean and cheap. I'd go again with my husband (but not the kids) and use it as just a place to sleep, sun, and swim in the pool.