A few daus ago, I found a great last-minute airfare, and the El Mirador was one of the only hotels that had availability, so I booked it. I saw on Frommer's.com that it was rated, so I figured that I had found a diamond in the rough. It certainly wasn't a diamond....more like fool's gold. You see, when traveling to a place like Mexico, the "star" system there is their version of the star system...not what one would expect from the same rate of hotel in the USA. However, I came into the El Mirador with an open mind. However, after seeing the first room that they gave me....I was not impressed. They had one of those dorm/evaporative air cons in the room, that never, ever got cool. The first room didn't have a deadbolt on the door, and it was completely open to the next room, which was filled with construction materials. I didn't feel safe at all, so I moved to another one. Well, this one was just like the first one, but it was okay...for Mexico. The only problem was that it was facing the square in front of the hotel on a Saturday, and these vendors selling the conch chells decided to blow into them a-la Lord of the Flies all night....a most piercing sound! The next day, I moved to a much nicer room that overlooked the salt water pool (looked funky, plus I heard that it was well-protected and didn't get any wind)...this room was good, clean, and newly renovated. However, the air con only had one setting (arctic) and I had to sleep with the window open and the a/c running just to moderate the temperature. No remotes on the tv's, and most of the buttons were missing.

Now the good: There is a pool on the 6th floor with a bar, and awesome veiws of Acapulco Bay. The staff was very friendly, and was most helpful in getting things done for me. The main restaurant was most excellent...and cheap to boot! Any place that was Frank Sinatra's seal of approval is good with me. The location is really cool....you can see the cliff divers from every open area in the hotel, and the sight of this specticle at night is awesome. Downtown Acapulco is right down the street, and is a very interesting place to shop, dine, etc. I would say that this is a great last-minute place to stay, but if planning a trip, I would look elsewhere.

We have just got back from El MIrador Acapulco. Overall the place is charming with a faded Hollywood glory. The main problem and problem in general though is that not much English is spoken here at this resort and my Spanish is poor. My husband however is quite good. The hotel is old but makes up for it with the beautiful gardens and grounds and peace and quiet, not the high rise gleaming glass towers and commercial Mexico and yelling and screaming tourists. We met some nice people at the Mirador as well - one couple who had been going there for 16 years and they were rather what I would call "an upscale looking couple". A couple of bad pointers though here. It is a bit out of the way - need to take cabs but they are cheap. Remember it is MEXICO. Although the dinner at the La Perla and the divers are excellent - the food for the breakfast at the buffet I found horrible - a PIG's head was on display here on the table. I think perhaps that was because a lot of Spanish in that weekend. There is not much around the hotel for places to eat that I would recommend. We caught a cab down to Caleta Beach and ate there at lunch and at night went out downtown. Also the Mirado is full of stairs and steps with a funicular to take you up and down, but all in all I am now as fit as can be after all the walking and stair climbing. I have been told that next time to ask for a room in the 600 series as they are newer. But we had a patio with a view of the ocean and the waves crashing and a tree in the middle of balcony. It was lovely. I have never been anywhere like it in my entire life and I have traveled a lot.

However, I am glad I visited Acapulco and saw the divers and stayed there, but all in all I prefer Mazatlan or Puerta Vallarta, but each resort is different.'

I would stay at the El MIrador again as I got a good price. However, I would ask for a newer room and brush up on my Spanish.

feel free to email me with any questions - Late801522@aol.com

El Mirador has a fabulous view. But that's about it. This hotel is the divorced woman who got ditched by her husband for a younger woman and is in need of plastic surgery overhaul.

We showed up without a reservation and were quickly shown a room with a living room and "kitchen". The price was right (for four people), and after being stuck in Acapulco traffic for 2 1/2 hours on an early Monday afternoon, we took what they had to offer.

Yes, the view is fantastic and the hotel has a monopoly of the La Quebrada divers that have made Acapulco famous, and you can eat your dinner on the terraces while watching them.

But the hotel, once, I'm sure, a great hotel back when THE LOVE BOAT was still on the air, is in need of some serious repairs and redecorating.

Though our room appeared clean, there was evidence that the room had not been occupied for some time--dead spiders were hanging from the lighting fixtures, dust bunnies huddled in the corners. We later discovered that the shower did not work--housekeeping did show up to repair it, but did not bother to fix the plug in the tub. Nor did they replace two lightbulbs that were out.

The hotel has 3 funiculares to assist you in the climb and descent toward various parts of its properties. Except only one of them was functional, and one of them appeared to be out of commission for quite some time--I'm talking serious rust barnacles.

The pools are fine, except for the "natural salt water" pool. The water was filthy, and I am convinced those fish were looking for a way out.

As for Acapulco itself. I have no idea what the eastern end of it looks like, but that is the newer part and should be fine as it's all resorts. The western part, where Mirador is located, is in serious decline. Not so much in crime as in its aesthetics. It's kind of like the Atlantic City of Mexico.

The view from the hotel is unparalleled. It is truely magnificent. The accomodations are fine, nothing special, but clean. The lower hotel has an amazing view, but is small and there are few chairs. The upper hotel is larger with a horrible view. Unfortunately niether pool is kid-free which makes it hard to find a quiet spot. We got a really good deal on the place so it was fine, but I won't be going back.