Quinta Real Acapulco

Quinta Real opened in 1998 and is probably Acapulco’s poshest hotel. Its grounds are gorgeous, the views are stunning, and attention is paid to details right down to the Quinta Real’s logo stamped into the beach sand and ashtrays. Guests are greeted with a free scoop of traditional Acapulcan handmade coconut ice cream upon arrival. The hotel is built along an 80-foot tall cliff so just about everywhere in the hotel has amazing ocean views. The open-air lobby has a double-high thatch ceiling, bar, and restaurant with a gorgeous terrace located atop the cliff. This is arguably the best spot to watch the crashing ocean waves. The cliff-side location has its down side, too. Navigating Quinta Real requires either lots of stairs or multiple elevator banks and none of the rooms have direct oceanfront access. The pathways through the hotel are framed by lush gardens and blossoming flowers, and accented with stone mosaics. The pool is located along the ocean and is surrounded by lounge chairs and Champagne-branded umbrellas and cabanas. Quinta Real attracts mostly couples and families from Mexico City, but since it's one of the poshest hotels in Acapulco and has multiple meeting rooms, it's also where politicians and corporate travelers stay. 

Located in Acapulco’s Diamond Zone, Quinta Real has a fabulous oceanfront location at the very end of Revolcadero Beach, a wide sandy beach with surfable waves. The hotel’s built above and in front of a steep cliff and the surrounding hills are sprinkled with condos, hotels, and private homes. There’s not much within walking distance of the hotel other than a handful of simple ceviche restaurants. Getting anywhere definitely requires a car or taxi. A 10-minute drive from the hotel is an upscale shopping mall, a Texas-style barbecue restaurant, fast food restaurants, pizza restaurant, seafood restaurant, and Mexican restaurants. There’s a public golf course a 15-minute drive from the hotel and the convention center is a 20-minute drive away. A bit further afield (a 26-minute drive) is La Diana market, one of the best spots in town for artisanal gifts. La Quebrada, the spot to watch professional cliff divers jump from 80-foot cliffs, is a 45-minute drive from the hotel. General Guan N. Alvarez International Airport is about a 22-minute drive from Quinta Real.

There’s little doubt that Quinta Real’s ocean-view suites are some of Acapulco’s most luxe guest rooms. The bright and airy rooms have single king beds or two double beds with plush headboards. Decorative floral and shell-shaped wall moldings, marble floors and counters, and tan marble floors finish out the look. Minimally-paint washed standalone wardrobes tuck away flat-screen TVs with cable and premium movie channels and mini-bars. Most rooms have neutral toned love seats or plush lounge chairs and tables for two. Rooms also have safes, luggage stands, iHome iPod docks, irons and ironing boards, and free water. Wi-Fi is available and it’s quick and free. Bathrooms are gilded in marble from the floors, to the huge vanities, to the walls and rims of the stand-up shower and separate whirlpool tubs (The most budget option, Master Suites, have shower/tub combos, and no whirlpool bath). River stone mosaics are placed on the bathroom floors. Bathrooms also have beauty mirrors, hairdryers, scales, robes, and natural sponge loofahs. The included Diptyque toiletries are impressively wide. Expect: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, face soap, bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, a razor, bug repellant, shower cap, sewing kit, nail file, cotton balls, earbuds, and a shoe-shine towel. All rooms feature ocean-view balconies, but most aren’t more than a few-feet deep and are too small for outdoor furniture or chairs. For a splurge, the spacious, apartment-like Governor’s Suites have massive ocean-view balconies and private plunge pools. 

Quinta Real Acapulco's features are mostly geared to upscale tourists on a beach vacation. Like all Acapulco beaches, Quinta Real’s beach is technically public, but with its location at the end of Revolcadero Beach, has a degree of privacy. There’s a lifeguard, a security guard, and lots of lounge chairs and cabanas. The hotel’s two freshwater pools are located on the beach level and overlook the ocean. There’s an infinity pool and a shallow kids' pool. Both are surrounded by wood lounge chairs with plush tan cushions, sun tents, and thatch cabanas. Quinta Real has two pricy restaurants that get mixed reviews (and there’s no designated smoking section, so diners can smoke at the table next to you). La Bocana is the oceanfront lunch spot that serves seafood, Mexican cuisine, and snack food. Restaurant Buena Vista is located next to the lobby and has beautiful ocean and beach views. It's open for breakfast and lunch and the menu ranges from seafood to international to Mexican cuisine. Room service is available 24-hours a day. Terrazas Bar is located near the lobby and has a rustically tropical interior with a towering thatch-roof ceiling.  The spa is built along the cliff and offers massages, manicures, pedicures, wraps, and a whirlpool tub. Some of the treatment rooms have ocean views and others are built into the cliff with with natural, exposed rock walls. The mirror-walled gym has floor-to-ceiling windows and is located next to the spa. Expect a Life Fitness recumbent bicycle, Star Trac treadmill, an elliptical machine, Cybex weight machine, and free weights. Salva Rosa Gift Shop sells sundries, magazines, snacks, and lots of swim and beach gear. The hotel’s cliff-top meeting rooms have gorgeous views. Other amenities include laundry service, free valet parking, currency exchange, an ATM, and scheduled kids' activities during the high season. There's also a taxi stand so waiting for or calling taxis isn't necessary. Wi-Fi is fast and free throughout the hotel.