We just got back from a 2 week holiday at Tesoro. We loved it! I really don't understand all the negative reviews. First of all our room: we were on the 14th floor facing the ocean and pool. The view was fantastic. The fridge was restocked every day with 2 beer, 2 bottles of water and I requested diet coke and it was refilled every day. We had 2 beds and they were definitely not hard, very comfortable, the sheets were changed every day and the maid kept our room very clean with a change of towels and bath mat every day.
The food in the 2 buffet resteraunts was very tasty. There was always something for everyone, chicken, pork beef, spagetti, all kinds of salads, and the desserts were to die for. I am a fussy eater and the meals here were very good. The 2 resteraunts which you had to make reservations for were also very good, except if you go to the one accross from the buffet, don't order the ribs (there was no meat on them) The hamburgers in the snack shack were very good as well as the smokies and it was nice to have french fries for a change. The staff at the hotel were very friendly and if you have a problem, all you have to do is go to the front desk and explain what the problem is and they will accomodate you. Our friends had an adjoining room to us but the fridge made so much noise, they requested to be moved and they moved one floor below us and had a room like ours. All was well. Yes there are some rooms that are in dire need of remodelling, but if you don't like it they will let you move and even give you an opportunity to check out a couple of rooms. There was a problem with the elevators because most of the time only 2 of the 3 worked. We never got stuck anywhere. I really can't understand why people get so upset about having to wait a few minutes, after all you are on holidays, it not like you will be late for work. If you have little or no paitence, then I would suggest you request the newer section that has only 5 floors and one elevator. The entertainement staff were great during the day and the nightly shows they put on were very good as well.
Overall the Hotel Tesoro was very good and well worth it. Yes they do need to do a major overhaul on alot of rooms, but remember if your not happy with your room, ask to move. I don't understand why someone would allow anyone to move there belongings, only you are responsible for your own stuff. We had moved from one room to another in another hotel and did it ourselves. It only takes about 1/2 hour to move.
The Beach- Of course this is not the fault of the hotel, but the sand is very hard to walk on as it is course and you sink into it. This is not the beach for people who have problems walking. The water was very warm. We were on the beach everyday at 9:00 and never had a problem getting loungers. The biggest probllem was getting one by the pool, but I can't see paying for a holiday to sit by the pool. People must know that salt water is very good for the soul.The waves are harmless. except that water gets deep very fast and getting out can create a problem because of the hills of sand left by the waves. We went snorkling at the end of our beach near the rocks, takes some bread with you and you will see many beautiful fish. The drinks were very good, try a Miami Vice, Dirty Monkey and of course Bannana Mamma. Overall, I would recommend this hotel to everyone and still can't believe all the negative reviews. This is a good hotel for the money you pay and I would give it 3.5 stars and if they did some rennovations, it could be a 4.5 star hotel.

Before you put too much stock in anyone else's review of this resort, please ask yourself, "What am I expecting from this vacation?"

If you're expecting a 5-star luxury resort, Tesoro isn't the place for you. If you've booked this resort because you got a deal, your expectations will probably be met.

We picked this resort since Manzanillo is one of the few places that is bascially guaranteed to be sunny and warm in the middle of January. We got a stellar deal through MLT out of Minneapolis ($800/person for 7 nights, including airfare). At this price, most other hotels were room-only. So, we thought we might as well try Tesoro as it offered the most ammenities in this price range. Tesoro was also located on a great beach, Playa Audencia, and it's possible to snorkel directly from this beach (Tesoro offers free snorkel gear, too).

The food at the reservation-only restaurants was fairly good, but you're only allowed to eat once at each restaurant during the week. The resort was not a organized as others we've been to. They don't hand you a map when you walk in, you just have to ask around and read the guide in your room. There were times where you couldn't find an open bar or only had one choice of restaurant (ie: on Wednesday night when the only place to eat was the Oriental buffet). Also, the disco isn't rockin very often.

We have stayed at nicer resorts, but Tesoro lived up to our expectations. Yes, the elevators are slow and the buffet food does get repetitive. Yes, the bed are hard. But, the rooms were always cleaned and we did not have any problems with insects. At first, we were put on the 13th floor, and this was pretty inconvenient. But, we asked to be moved down after the first night, and were moved to the 2nd floor. Once we were on the 2nd floor, we almost never had to wait for the elevators again.

~~~~~TIPS:~~~~~~~~

1. We did bring along about 50 singles for tipping, and used most of them. We were never asked for tips but we felt the tips did make a difference with the overall quality of service. For example, at breakfast, we were always poured coffee and orange juice. At lunch and dinner, we were always offered mixed drinks from the bar. We also tipped our maid $1/day and never had problems with empty fridges. Since we'd gotten such a deal, we felt an extra $50 added to the trip was worth the price.

2. If you do go on a boat/snokel tour, be sure to negotiate. There are 2 competing businesses, Pacifico and the guys with the yellow shirts. They try to charge $20 USD per person, but will cut their price in half if you bargain.

3. Beware of beach chair hoarders. Many older people get up early and scout out chairs, pile them up and guard them all day. We were never able to get chairs on the beach, but there were always plenty of empty chairs which had been 'saved' by others. This was really annoying, but we just spread our towels out on the sand and enjoyed the sun.

My family and I have travelled a lot though Mexico and other hot destinations, but to be honest this resort is not a 4.5 it is more like a 3-3.5. The food after 4 days became the same and there was really nothing special about it. My brother-in-law was there last year when it was a different name and he loved it. I do believe since the new owners took over they are trying to make some money. The people at the resort are very nice we never had anyone ask or imply they wanted a tip. The activity staff are wonderful, please say hello to Roberto (sweet boy), we made friends with most of the people there (guests and locals) the disco says they are open 7 days a week, no it is not, it was open 3 out of the 7 days we were their. This is the only place I have ever been that did not have a self walk up bar. The fridge in our room was working very well, and yes they only put one beer in the fridge but I wrote a note asking for more and they gave me 2. The drinks are good and strong, they are not cheap with the alcohol. There is 3 elevators but only 2 work, well ok 1 works, the other one kept getting stuck with people in it, the 9 flights of stairs is really not that bad, and besides lifting a drink to my mouth that was the only exercise I received that whole week. The beds are hard, but I have never been to a resort anywhere that the beds were ok. There are many things that they need to improve on (a lot) but like I keep telling my husband you get what you pay for and we paid cheap. If you go to bed early and you have children and you are just happy that they are happy then this is the place for you. If you are a younger couple with no kids than this is not the place for you. I am a couple with older kids and it was not that bad but I do go to bed at 10, because I drink all day.

My husband and I returned from our two week trip Jan 17/07.
We were quit disappointed in this resort. Once again rated a 4.5star I would like to know by who. We have taken a winter holiday the last four years, and found that this one made us think and research a little further on a resort for our next holiday. I will not say it was terrible but only OK. Three elevators and only two worked the whole time we were there, totally unacceptable, some people cannot walk up and down 12 flights of stairs. We found the place not the cleanest, neadless to say ant infested. I know that in these countries bugs can be an issue but come on. The most annoying was the supposed stalked daily bar, what a joke we had to phone down twice in the first few days, to get our wonderful one beer per room, what a joke. The fridges don't work anyway and should just be removed from the rooms. But I have to say the most uncomfortable feeling we felt was this tipping business. We noticed people handing tips right left and centre, and I'm not sure for what. We always tipped thinking that was going to give better service, not. Half the time we served our own coffees, etc. We were taught that you tip for service at the end of your meal, both being in the service industry ourselves. I'm not sure how others felt and we realize these workers don't get paid well and have no problem giving a tip when we feel not feel like you have to. We have always brought alot of gifts and giving money tips to who deserved.
As for Manzanillo we absolutely loved it, and did most things on our own and found the people to be very friendly and felt very safe. As for the tours from the hotel I was not impressed they do not let you know you have to get there or back on your own and we were left to find that out after getting us there to a deep sea fishing tour we arrived back to no ride.
We probably would go back to Manzanillo, but definatly not back to Tesoro.