We’re biased, but I’ve tried to lay out all the reasons that I think our place is better than a hotel. Sometimes a hotel or hostel makes more sense. But all things being equal, if you are spending a week in Zihua, then a Vacation Rental is the way to go! If you have a property and are interested in hosting through AirBnB, then please use our link: www.airbnb.com/r/zihuatravels
CUSTOMER SERVICE. A hotel may have 10 rooms or 250 rooms. Hotels have a lot of customers to handle. We have a property manager dedicated to you, and a housekeeper dedicated to our place. We started coming here as tourists, so we provide a guide in our condo with info on all tourist activities. Things can go wrong anywhere. But we are available throughout your stay to ensure that you have a great time. It’s vital that we have a 100% satisfaction rate.
In front of the Parthenon of Zihua
SPACE. A hotel room and sharing walls with 2 other hotel rooms? Or a 2 bedroom casa with no shared bedroom walls? Your own kitchen and dining area, living space for reading, cards or games, a bar, and a large lounge overlooking the beach and water? Which sounds more appealing to do anything other than sleep (if the neighbors at the hotel aren’t too loud)?
POOL. Hotel pools often close at 8 or 9pm. With our pool overlooking the beach and town I have to take a dip every night before going to bed. At our pool we are almost always the only people there. 13 units in our complex, and there is rarely a time when all 13 units are occupied. The hotel next door has 45 rooms, and a nice pool, that always has way more people in it than ours.
Also: Music. We pick our own music.
Also: Drinks. Way cheaper bringing your own drinks to the pool over buying the hotel stuff.
GROUPS. Best for travel of 3+ people. The social aspect of having space to enjoy each other’s company (and get away from each other when you need to) will make your trip loads better. Our place is 2 bedrooms, but you can find 3 and 4 bedroom places pretty easily.
Out near Ixtapa Island
KITCHEN. In Mexico I couldn’t imagine not having a freezer of ice and a freezer of frozen waters on hand. Plus picking up a case of beer and some snacks for when you want to relax in your spacious casa. If you have any interest in shopping for meats, spices and vegetables and cooking up your own meal, then go for it. We stock our kitchen with everything you would need to cook and host a gathering of friends.
LAUNDRY. Our rental includes a washing machine. If you are staying somewhere for a week or more, being able to easily wash your beach clothes after a day in the sun can make life more enjoyable. We’ve all had trips where you try to stretch 2 pairs of clean underwears over the last three days. Having to send clothes out to get cleaned can be a pain. Just one more benefit to renting a home.
SUNSETS. We have a large and private living space with amazing views of the water. The closest hotel has 4 floors of rooms, each with a small patio, and each patio separated by a see-through barrier to the patio beside it. Enjoying a drink and watching the sunset with a stranger 2 feet away just doesn’t seem as nice.
COMFORT. There is a level of security and comfort with most rental properties. Only a few condos at our complex rent out consistently year-round. Most our occupied a few months per year by retirees. Waiting in line at reception to check-in or deal with an issue, a constant stream of hotel guests coming and going, fighting for lounge space at the pool, overpaying for drinks at the bar, sitting on bedroom furniture that has been shared by 100 different guests over the past 200 nights, etc etc. No thanks.
COST. You can always find a cheaper hotel, no doubt. But bang for your buck there are great vacation rentals out there. Factor in the savings of having a kitchen, avoiding the stress of the noisy neighbor and the annoying pool guests with fifty kids running around. And the owners of vacation rentals know the area and are going to be able to answer any questions you have before you even arrive.
CLEANLINESS. This is our home. There isn’t a comparison between cleaning a hotel and the home you live in. Who do you think treats their place better? A bunch of random hotel guests or someone who lives in the house when they aren’t renting it out?
For a night or two, a hotel or hostel works great. Do you plan on removing your clothes from the suitcase? Do you want to maximize your holiday? Then stay at a Vacation Rental!