I stayed at the Park Royal Villas 1/28 - 2/4. These are timeshare units and I went as a guest of an owner. I have traveled to Cancun (twice), Puerto Plata and Punta Cana and I enjoyed Ixtapa the most. The villas are all oceanfront and anything above the ground level has an open air balcony with a jacuzzi. I didn't see the ground level rooms but I was told the patio was enclosed. The stretch of beach is maybe about one mile with approximately 10-15 resorts along it. I would walk it every morning and it would take me about 40 minutes RT to do the entire stretch. The waves crash and sound like thunder. It was truly mesmerizing and I spent many hours just staring at the waves and listening to the surf crash in the evening. Everything is done throught the Barcelo. You can use all of their facilities, restaurants, towels, fitness room, pools, safety deposit boxes, money exchange. I had a one-bedroom unit and it had two full bathrooms, a kitchen (microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, and mini-fridge) another mini-fridge in bedroom - this one was actually the mini-bar. You stepped down 2 steps into the living room with 2 wide sofas (almost like twin beds), a tv and a huge picture window. The bedroom was to the left of the kitchen and was a nice size and had two double beds, another bigger tv and the bigger of the two full bathrooms. The patio opened from the bedroom and looked over the swim-up bar with the waterfall that would run from about 10 a.m. till late afternoon. This was my favorite pool. There were 4 total and I tried one of the more active/busy pools one day but lasted only an hour. I wanted to relax and read - not have music blaring. The chairs are also so much more comfortable at this pool. The weather was 87 degrees every day, not a drop of rain, no humidity and no bugs. I have never gone anywhere without returning with mosquito bites! The evenings were about 72 and I never needed a sweater. I went into the market in Zihua (there is also a smaller supermarked in Ixtapa) and picked up breakfast/lunch items and ate those meals in the villa. In the evening I would walk across the street to Ixtapa where there are lots of good restaurants and shopping. Not commercialized restaurants - the only chain was a Subway. I ate dinner twice at the Barcelo in the restaurant off the lobby. There was a buffet for $22 but I opted to order off the menu. One night a cheeseburger & fries and another night a club sandwich with fries. Each was $10 and were very good. One night I ate in Zihua (Jarrobo's and had an excellent red snapper meal). Went to Senor Frog's two nights dancing. There is also a Carlos n' Charlie's and disco called Christine's at one of the hotels but I didn't go there. Took a day trip to Isla Ixtapa and snorkeled. I booked through the Royal Holiday but it is much cheaper to take a cab or the bus to Playa Linda and get a water taxi to the island itself. You can rent fins, mask and snorkel (and life jacket if you feel you need it) from Tony Macaroni. I just enjoyed the entire area. It was so quaint and everyone was so nice and friendly. I am a single female (39) traveling alone and felt extremely safe walking through town. Traveled with others at night (not because I didn't feel safe because that is how I feel comfortable regardless of where I am). Staying in the villas you also have free daily internet access from 1 - 4 in the Royal Holiday office. There are 4 stations set up and they ask you to only be logged on for 15 min. although many abused the time. I know my mother appreciated the daily e-mail check-in. Anyone wondering about cell service - I have Cingular and had no problems calling the states. You just have to dial 001 before the area code and number. Sorry that I skipped around so much. There were so many things I wanted to say. The maids came every day and they work hard and did a wonderful job. I tipped $1 everyday. I feel if you wait till the end of your week and tip one time the maid that may have cleaned all week could have that day off and someone who didn't clean all week would get her tip. I know there is so much more - if anyone has any questions about the villas please e-mail me. If I had an opportunity to go back to the area I would (although there are so many places on "my list")to travel to it may be some time till I would get back but only for the reason of wanting to go other places. Enjoy your travels to Ixtapa/Zihuatenjo - I know I did!