We stayed at the Barcelo from April 26th to May 3rd, it was our first "All Inclusive" vacation, and we had an absolutely wonderful time. We would definitely go back, in fact, we wish we never had to leave.
We were one of the first ones through customs at ZIH, and instead of taking the Air Canada Vacations bus with everyone else, we spent the 320 pesos on a private taxi. When we got to the Barcelo, there was no line to check in, it took two minutes to get our room, and we were showered, in our shorts and flip flops, and on our way to the buffet before the others had even checked in. We also avoided the timeshare/tour sales people. The view from the ninth floor was incredible. The room was clean and comfortable, some things were in need of updating, like the light switches between the beds and the hair dryer, but anyone who would complain about things like that, probably wouldn't have a good time anywhere. The beer, sodas, and water in the mini-bar were AI, but everything else would be added to your bill.
The best thing about the Barcelo Ixtapa is the amazing service from all the wonderful staff. Everyone was gracious and friendly. The bar servers were outstanding, Virginia and Maritza were always so friendly, even though I think they were secretly trying to kill us with tequila. The cleaning staff were constantly keeping the entire property spotless. Luis, the line cook at the breakfast buffet was a omelet making machine. We made sure to tip 50 pesos here and there to whoever was taking care of us, as much as we could. They really do appreciate it, and they make sure you are never without a drink (which are NOT watered down).
The food was mostly good, sometimes very good, sometimes just OK. The buffet had some average cafeteria fare, good salads, and excellent authentic, traditional Mexican food. The lunch buffet burgers were awesome, the Mexican Fiesta night buffet was incredible, and the Rack of Goat (Boat) was a misprint, it was actually lamb, and it was excellent.
It's important to remember you are wearing a plastic wrist band at a Mexican all inclusive resort, some things are not going to be the same as a Las Vegas or New York hotel, and that is what makes a place like the Barcelo so great. There are lots of Mexican couples and families, and guests from all over the world. If all the chairs by the pool are taken, there are lots more on the beach. The food is good, the band is great, and the margaritas are even better.
By the way, I proposed to Teresa on the beach our first night there. She said yes.

Barcelo Hotel Resorts are and excellent way of going on vacation. The Ixtapa Barcelo is nothing less than wonderful. It is very clean, and when I say clean I mean they temperature check the food, they check the pool water. They have monthly inspections of their rooms and laundry facilities. I even saw them examining the hands of their employees making the food.

Service is wonderful. - This is an all inclusive Resort but the attention that you get is incredible. At the pool there was a waiter in my section that would come around every 20 to 30 minutes to bring us drinks and food. The bar guys never had you waite to take your order. The restaurant was excellent and reception was attentive to all our needs. Bell boys got our luggage up to our room within 5 minutes of our check in and got our vehicle parked immediatley. We also let them know when our check out was and they made sure all our luggage was down from the room and loaded back into the vehicle.

Entertainment- Ixtapa is small and doesn't have a nightlife like Acapulco, but the hotel provides nightly dinner show and it also has a nice lounge/bar that you can go to after or before dinner.

The hotel is also across the street from the shopping strip so you can go out and walk around without having to take a taxi.

My wife and I spent seven nights at the Barcelo in mid April. The hotel itself is very clean with beautiful grounds and an amazing view. The staff is very friendly and accomodating. Unlike previous posters we found the room to be very clean and recently updated. The only problem with the room was the hot water faucet which did not want to be shut off. We were on the ninth floor witha beautiful ocean view. As far as the drinks they were very good if you like margaritas or pina coladas or beer and the service at the swim up bar and at pool side is very quick. No problem with pool side chairs as they now have a strict rule about reserving chairs and then leaving. Also the number of chairs is tremendous. The Don Quixote restaurant was good, not great but the wine list is excellent and fairly priced especially the Mexican national wines, which were excellent. The breakfasts were very good with a "cook to order" station, as well as a buffet and the lunches were good as well. The only down side to the food was dinner. While plentiful, I felt it was unimaginative and did not represent Mexican cuisine as I would have liked it. There was no chili verde, chili colorado, carnitas, mole, etc. just basic buffet food. The other problem we experienced was the number of children there. This resort seems to attract a large number of Mexican families, whom we found to be very warm and friendly. But they all had children and they were not confined to the kid's pool and they also sat at the stools at the swim up bar all day. The pool bar area is posted for 18 years and over, but the staff did not enforce it. The nightly entertainment varied from amazingly good to poor depending on the theme with Fantasia being the worst and fiesta antillieano being the best. One final note is that after looking at numerous " book it yourself " web sites we settled on Apple which actually beat the prices of the others, but provides to-and-from the airport transportation included in the cost which is worth $50 or more and also meets you at the airport and has a rep. at the hotel and gave us a guaranteed upgrade to ocean view at no additional cost.

Stayed the week of March 29 - April 5/08.

This is my 3rd trip to Mexico, and my 3rd all-inclusive. Have been to Cancun and Playa Del Carmen previously.

I truly loved this area of Mexico. The sunsets are the most beautiful I have ever seen. The ocean is alot rougher than the Caribean side, but I actually enjoyed it more. The beaches are amazing. The beach at the hotel was great. Nice and wide, and very clean. Great for walks.

The resort is, for a lack of a better word, good. The pool area is excellent. I would say the best out of all the hotels I saw on the beach. Closest to the ocean! Bar service was great. My room was on the 6th floor and I loved the view! It was kept clean and I had no issues. I was not very impressed with the main buffet, but the burgers at the pool area were amazing! I really did not like how you could not get a late night snack though.

Spent a day in Zihua, and it was lots of fun.

We also went to Ixtapa Island and was VERY DISAPPOINTED! I do not recommend it at all!!!! It really is the epitomy of the term "TOURIST TRAP"!! The reason? Because you are actually trapped, as a tourist. The second we approached the dock to catch the water taxi, we were approached by, what we thought at the time someone just helping, salesmen trying to get you to their part of the island. He went on the taxi with us and constantly herded us towards his part of the beach. We tried to stop and sit down for a second and the workers for that particular restaurant come out right away and tell us we can only sit there if we are buying food or drinks! The whole island is just a bunch of different bars. There is no were else to sit. The snorkeling was terrible. We only stayed an hour or so and left.

I ate off the resort several times, usually at Franks. Very good pizza! And then, I spent the last 2 days of my trip in my room with food poisoning! I think it was from this small place I had breakfast one morning. Oh well, its the risks you take.

Oh, and defintley walk down the beach to Carlos and Charlies! It was lots of fun! Right on the beach. Great service. Cold beer!

I would go back! The weather was perfect every day! You will not regret the Barcelo Ixtapa and the area!