Loved it, and hated to go

We were just there March 13-20, 2004. All I can say is: I wish I was still there. The hotel was very clean and well maintained [people cleaning and fussing on it all the time], centrally located in town, and the food and drink was good and reasonably priced [for resort dining], along with the spa services.

We had several choices of places to stay in Ixtapa, but after looking at the entries here at Trip Advisor we decided on the Riviera. We were not disappointed. We went to several of the other hotels on the strip and compared them with the Riviera. There was no comparison as far as we were concerned. We had a great and very relaxing vacation and would not hesitate to go back to this resort. Bravo Riviera and Trip Advisor!

Thanks for the GREAT TIME!

Riviera Beach Resort & Spa - Ixtapa = Service Excellence

My girlfriend (Traci) and I stayed at the Riviera Beach Resort & Spa - Ixtapa between March 13 -20, 2004.First, the Riviera has the best (most central), beach-front location in Ixtapa. Everything you need is either on site or within a very short walking distance.The Riviera is also reasonably priced - one of the main reasons we chose this hotel. Our oceanfront room was very nice, although our intent was to spend as much time in outside activities as possible. And that we did (boogie boarding, para-sailing, jet skiing, swimming with dolphins, snorkling, fishing, visiting other beaches, exploring by Jeep, shopping, eating and hanging out in lively and culturally authentic Zihuatanejo).Most importantly, the Riviera's entire hotel and restaurant staff was the most professional, friendly and accommodating group I have ever experienced, and I have visited 15 different countries. I would recommend that every American hotel and restaurant manager stay at the Riveria - Ixtapa for one week to see and learn how a hotel/restaurant complex ought to be run. It is very obvious that the Riviera employees love their jobs and will do almost anything to make their guests fully enjoy their "experience" in Ixtapa and at the Riviera.I have nothing to gain by writing this review other than the satisfaction of giving praise where it is so well deserved. I would highly recommend the Riveria - Ixtapa to everyone.James A. - Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Great, but.......

Just returned from my 3rd trip to Ixtapa. As always Ixtapa did not disappoint, with beautiful weather, warm (though rough) water and great food. Our prior 2 trips we stayed at Las Brisas and knew we were a bit spoiled. The Riviera has a great location, right across from the town, a wonderful open lobby that opens up to the pool and ocean. Sit there anytime and enjoy a great sea breeze. The beach was great with about 30 palapas for cover, the pool large and shallow with a swim up bar. Be prepared to fight for chairs at both locations. Everyday people would go early and put shoes or towels on the chairs hours before they showed up. Overall, the Riviera was a very nice hotel, well taken care of and good service. Rooms are nice (NO BALCONY). There is a large patio like door that opens though. However, there was one big exception. This hotel has got to have the hardest beds I have ever slept in....ever. I know that sounds like a petty complaint but by the end of the trip I was pretty sore. Our maid was wonderful and noticed our attempt to make the bed more comfortable and would make our comforter into a mattress pad. If you dont have back problems this is a great hotel. Dont forget to explore Zihu for a few hours.

Great hotel

The Riviera Beach was great. Went the for Valentine's day week-end this year. The staff was really friendly, the food was inexpensive considering it's amazing quality. This place has a nice pool with a swim-up bar, 2 very good restaurants to choose from in the night (4 restaurants total, but some opened during the day only). Try the Lobster Club, the restaurant which is right on the beach, to enjoy a magnificient sunset and the nice sound of waves while eating. The morning buffet was also very nice, changing every day, and usually included with the night. I would definitely go back. Ixtapa is beautiful, and this hotel is awesome. Ask for the ocean view room, it's worth it.

Mixed experience!

The Riviera is very clean and it is very conveniently located to all the shopping and dining. Food at the hotel was ok for breakfast but expensive 12.50 for buffet. Dinner was excellent. Pool towels were not always available early in the morning, we would get clean ones the afternoon before so we had them. we were there the 1st week of Feb and it was busy towards the end of the week due to a Mexican holiday. But in the beginning of the week pool chairs and beach huts were plentiful.

The rooms were nothing fancy but were very clean and well maintained.

The beds were like sleeping on the tennis court. I like a firm bed but these were rock hard and very uncomfortable. We did ask for another mattress and they brought one however it only covered 3/4 of the bed.

Better than nothing. Disappointing was the fact that there are no balconies. Felt trapped in and if you wanted to be outside you had to go down stairs among the crowds. The room does come with a coffee pot but coffee is 2.50 a pot. Bring your own. This hotel offers very little in the way of activities. Volley ball and bingo were about it.

Ocasionally they had water arobics. Nothing else. Some evenings they offered a 3 piece band and singer in the bar. There is no bar to just sit at, only a lounge where the band played. The pool was cold so we didnt use it or the pool bar, we went in the ocean. The weather was beautiful, the ocean warm and we had a very nice week. I think I would stay elsewhere if I chose to go back.

Beautiful Vacation

This hotel was absolutely beautiful, the staff was very friendly and are very hard workers. The hotel was kept exceptionally clean. Almost every night we would sit out on the chairs and watch the beautiful sunset. I think that hotel has the best view of any of the hotels on the strip in Ixtapa. I was on a very tight budget while in Ixtapa and had no problem having fun and not spending a ton of money. I do have some complaints but they might have more to do with booking through Apple. We were told we would have a ocean view room and when we arrived we found out that we had the worst room in the hotel - a room overlooking the parking lot. Loud without any view at all. When we asked to be moved - we were told that there were no other rooms available. But there were people checking in every day so we knew that there had to be some rooms opening up! The weight room was useless - 80% of the equipment was broken! So if you are interested in working out on vacation - this is not for you. We went to ALL of the beaches while we stayed there including Cat Beach (gatos beach), Coral beach & Island Ixtapa. All are beautiful and shouldn't be missed if you want to snorkel. We took the public transportation in Ixtapa - small buses that will take you almost wherever you want to go.Very inexpensive & the drivers were very nice people. There was NO night life while we were there (February 2003) - we went to Christine's on ladies night and were one of 5 people in the whole dance club. Senor Frogs is a lot of fun but we didn't want to go to the same place every night. Hope this helps anyone looking into this hotel. Even though I have some negative things to say about this hotel I would still recommend it - just know what you are getting!

Family Liked the Hotel Stayed March 2003

Just Returned from trip. The rooms were clean. The lobby was very relaxing. The pool and beach were kept clean. The dinner theme menu nights were enjoyable but, they could use children pricing. The food from the afternoon menu was not a good value, overpriced. Great food options accross the street.The hotel has a great location if you stay in Ixtapa. It also connects to other hotels via side walk at the beach. Good value over all. The staff were accommodating. My gripes are the people who get up early and put shoes and books and towels on the pool chairs all day and feel that they own the chairs regardless if they actually use them. The hotel could do better to try and limit this practice. (I found a way around this. I just asked if anyone had seen anyone sitting in the chair in the last one half hour. If the answer was no, my family and I moved their shoes and book's and made ourselves comfortable.) after all we all payed the same price! The head wait staff was very friendly and personable. The people work hard. Good Value.

Wow

My husband and I stayed at the Riviera 5 yrs ago. We were upgraded to this hotel and then upgraded to a junior suite, all at no extra charge. They treated us like royalty. The people were so friendly, the hotel was very clean and it was fabulous. I would recommend the Riviera to all. Go during New Year's, they now how celebrate. We hope to return someday and this is where we will stay. Ixtapa is beautiful!

What's New @ Riviera, Ixtapa

We Stayed at the Riviera 5 years ago and had avery nice stay. Friendly staff, clean beaches, good food and good service. Not all-inclusive so we ate at the hotel and around the strip. We were there for the CHristmas break and the ambiance was very warm.

Spectacular Hotel with wonderful view!

My boyfriend and I chosen this place simply because it was a special and we were low on cash, but we had the best time! We had a standard room, but at the check-in we asked to get a ocean view and they gave us a junior suite for no extra cost. The room was beautiful - vibrant colors, views of the ocean, lots of windows - we couldn't have chosen a better place. The openess in the hotel is what is the best - you enter up the stairs and can see right to the pool and past that the ocean. There is a lounge area right there where you can sit and just take the scenary in. The employees were extremely friendly and helpful. The bartender at the swim up bar was so nice he even climbed up a palm tree to get us a coconut for their "special drink" since they ran out of coconuts!

All I can say is you have to stay at the Riviera!