We just came back from the Melia Azul and were quite happy with it. We paid 3400 taxes in for 3 people and knew going we were'nt staying at a Palace. We've been away a lot so do have some places to compare to.

The food was good but the buffet was repetitious (I know buffets usually are but this one is more so). To be fair at the Oriental they had someone to cook up fresh tapanyaki (sp) and at the Italian they would cook up fresh pasta of your choice. The two are joined so we often started in one and finished in the other. The two a la cartes were both good. Someone mentioned the saltiness and I noticed it too but I didn't find it overpowering and no one else in my party mentioned it.

Rooms all have oceanview. We had 1507and 1508 in the main tower and they had massive balconies. We'd asked to be higher up but the rooms were being painted. It took a couple of days but we did get these two which adjoined (which we'd asked for) as we had a single friend with us. Tanya from Nolitours was great in clarifying what we wanted. Any room requests, print off your emails.

We never had any problems with the staff or our rooms being cleaned. If we wanted anything we'd call down and within 5 minutes our request was met and then they'd call back to make sure we'd gotten it.

The beds are very hard!! We called down and got extra mattress covers which helped a bit. I don't know if in the newer towers its the same problem.

Everything is very central and as we usually go to the Mayan side this was a plus here, but it is kind of annoying that you have to walk around all the pools to get to the beach. But whatever, you need to walk a bit anyway yes? This is the first place I've been to which really gave us beach drink service, and frequently throughout the day. They'll put your chairs and umbrellas wherever you want. The beach isn't white here but there was no humidity either which was a plus.

We found the shows pretty good considering and a few are definately targetted at a younger audience. This is a great place for kids.

Ixtapa island: A great photo op from the hotel but we wouldn't go back. The current was too strong to snorkel in and they'll charge you for chairs without telling you until you leave. But there is a great little market by the pier. A 5 minute walk from the hotel and the crocodile habitat was also nice to have nearby.

There have been a lot of comments made about the Mexicans. Hello this is Mexico. We always heard the entertainment announcements in Englsh, Spanish and even French. We had no problems with any of the kids behaviour although the occasional Canadian or American kid would have a meltdown. They're kids and they're not mine so no trouble for me.

All in all for the right price I'd go back, but hopefully with newer mattresses... I can't imagine anyone would have any questions after that meandering review but I will put a forum comment in if anyone's interested.

Well it started off OK.....then Saturday the Mexican holiday season started (Now that I know I will never go to Mexico the last two weeks in March - crazy busy) and the Hotel was stretched far beyond what it could handle.

Also Never book your deep sea fishng with Bennie Guzman located in Zihuatanejo Even his fellow fisherman friends called him a liar. I suggest book via your tour co or hotel even if it costs you a bit more. Make sure you see the boat too.

I read the reviews on here before I decided on the Melia. You can make your own decision:

The Pros:

- The waterpark
- Nice pool
-Ocean view rooms
-lots of life gaurds around the pool
-night shows

Cons:

-Getting to the pool, retaurants, beach is a bit of an adventure - you have to switch elevators after a walk down a hallway or change to stairs - not easy with a stroller or wheel chair
-For an "all inclusive" the Food options are controlled and not made known, if we didn;t see someone eating ice cream on the 3rd day we would never have known, it was available, as it is not posted anywhere or on menus, several hidden items
-If you are not Spanish speaking it is difficult for your kids to particpate and win a prize and you are always 2nd.
-Kids clud and games was mostly in Spanish so my 5 year old who is very well spoken felt left out as she said she can't understand the the games as they were explained in Spanish so she went once and never wanted to go back.
-The food was always the same
-Only 2 a la carte restaurants were open until Saturday when the Mexican Holiday season started, All of a sudden all the restaurants opened
-The food is not good at all which was a surprise from the reviews in here - Very Very salty - Cozumel Iberostar has had the best food in Mexico out of 5 different places I have been too in Mexico
-Had to call for my room to be cleaned everyday or it would never have been
-Never had turn down service
-Never had clean towels delivered to the room in the evening, had to call ever night
-Always ran out of beach towels
-Never had enough poolside seats
-No clocks anywhere except front desk, not even in your room
-My bed sheets weren't changed
-The room was extremely dusty. Dust bunnies on the floor everywhere
-Wiffs of sewage smell around the pool
-Some sort of run off of used water drains over a concrete ally by the side of the hotel over the beach directky into the ocean

Could go on but this was my experience and observations

Much has been written about this resort in these pages. Most of it true. Some that cause you to scratch your head over too, but that is normal in these reviews. All things are relative after all.

We just returned March 4th, from a two week stay at the Melia Azul. Generally, we liked it very much. Biased somewhat, by the check-in news that our room was not available, but that we would be put in a suite instead. And a beautiful one it was, in the new block. But even after moving to our booked, Deluxe room with balcony (meaning King bed) it was fine. No suite, but fine. Yes, the air-con is loud and the beds unbelievably hard, but the rooms and overall complex is spotless and very well maintained. The staff, as written several times here are terrific. So much so, they tend to make up for some of the resorts wantings.

The food? Adequate, nothing more. And unusual for many all-inclusive travelers. They have three buffet restaurants and only two al a cartes. The buffets are themed, (Mexican, Italian and Oriental) and where the weak link here. Adequate, and nothing more, with the breakfasts in the Oriental area, the best of the bunch.

The two al a cartes where much better. Most people focus on the Oyster Bar, as it is the best spot for a sunset dinner, perched over the ocean directly across from Isle Ixtapa. The Costa Azul, found next to the lower lobby, is also, very nice. In both cases, it is the service and/or location that adds to the measure of that meal.

The facilities? Above average. Tennis courts, covered paddle ball courts, Private bike path tours, three swimming pools, swim-up bar, and of course, Flintstones. The place is definitely kid friendly, and if that bothers you, it will be a factor.

Yes, lots of Mexican national use the resort. (it is only three hours drive to Mexico City from here) And yes too, to the number of children they bring. In both cases, I personally have absolutely no problem with. I love the Mexican people and find that generally speaking, their children are remarkably well behaved and mannered.

Add a very friendly and attentive staff, clean, safe surroundings, (they have six para-medics on staff and always visible on the resort) and great facilities, this is an easy resort to recommend.

...keep your fingers crossed for that suite upgrade. :)

We found the hotel facilities to be adequate but not 4 star. We had large sections of mold on our bathroom ceiling. This made the smell quite bad especially when the air conditioner was on. So we didn't turn it on and it was difficult to sleep. We tried to get a new room but they said none were available with King beds.
The pools were great and the staff, especially the waiters and guys putting out the deck chairs on the beach, were friendly and helpful. The food was predictable for an all-inclusive. We found the squealing from the kids in the restaurants and early in the morning annoying. We knew this was a family resort but as school is still in we didn't ever think that there would be so many kids. And there were hundreds. Not too relaxing.