The Princess Mundo Imperia is a large, garden-filled property seven miles from downtown -- there's virtually nothing within walking distance, but the resort more than makes up for that with a dizzying array of restaurants, pools, and entertainment options (more so if you count the facilities of its two sister properties, which guests can also use). The cute, nautical-themed kids' club offers supervised activities, books, toys, games, and Apple iMacs. 

The Pierre Mundo Imperial is an upscale hotel located in Acapulco’s secluded Diamante district. Its 229 guest rooms are large and offer views of the coast or the landscaped property, but the decor is drab and old-fashioned. Highlights include four superb restaurants, three beautiful pools (including a shallow kids’ pool), an outdoor kids' club with organized activities, a play area with slides and swings, and direct access to Playa Revolcadero, one of the area’s prettiest beaches. 

Features at the 354-room Grand Mayan Acapulco are intended for full-blown relaxation with little need to leave the grounds: a striking pool with a snack bar and a winding lazy river, a pretty beach, several pleasant on-site restaurants, and a large game room with a variety of arcade games. Guests can also use the extensive facilities of the Mayan Palace resort, with which the Grand Mayan shares its gated grounds. This is a fine luxury property, though room rates are exorbitant for guests who are not members of Vida Vacations, a vacation ownership company that offers access to a collection of resorts across Mexico. 

Located in Acapulco’s Golden Zone, the Emporio Acapulco Hotel offers direct access to Acapulco Bay and popular Playa Condesa. Its 422 rooms are cheerful and well-maintained overall, but the bathrooms and furniture could use an update. The three pools are gorgeous; one is geared towards children with a fun pirate ship. The large and colorful kids’ club, Club Pireutes, has a massive play area that includes a ball pit, slides, bridges, swings, and craft tables. There’s also a private kids' party room.

Set on Acapulco Bay, the Crowne Plaza Acapulco is surrounded by shops and restaurants. The hotel’s eight pools are arranged in one sprawling, interconnected complex facing towards the beach. Arched bridges make it easier to move around the crowded area, and there are a few small children’s playgrounds with slides. With regular contests and games organized by staff in the pools, live DJs, and tons of families with children, the energy here is buzzing and loud. Guest rooms are appealing and the facilities are modern, but the crowds and generic decor are on par with mid-range expectations. 

Expect plenty of adults clinking beers in the enormous, beautiful pools that overlook Acapulco Bay, but a playground, shallow pool section, and kids’ club help to maintain Fiesta Americana Villas Acapulco's family-friendly atmosphere. The 324 guest rooms are simple, but offer mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and private balconies with ocean views; some suites have separate living areas and full kitchens.

Copacabana Beach Hotel is a three-pearl hotel located in Acapulco’s tourist-friendly Golden Zone. Countless bars, restaurants, and shops stretch in both directions along Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán out front, and the sands of curved Santa Lucia Bay are accessible out back. The hotel’s 430 guest rooms are basic but inviting with flat-screen TVs and some ocean views from private balconies. There’s no wow factor here, but there eight restaurants and bars, a colorful indoor kids' club with supervised play equipment and video games, and two pretty pools with plenty of lounge chairs. All-inclusive rates are available. 

The 59 guest rooms and bungalows at Sands Acapulco Hotel & Bungalows are clean, but their decor is drab and needs updating. Geared towards families with young children, the hotel offers three playgrounds (each with extensive equipment), mini-golf, a kid-size bungee jump area, a lovely outdoor pool, and an inviting open-air restaurant. There are dozens of shops, bars, and restaurants found within a five-minute walk of the hotel, and Playa Condesa is located across the street. 

Ritz Acapulco is a lower-middle-range hotel located in the city’s Golden Zone on prime beachfront of Acapulco Bay, making the hotel a convenient base for water sports, shopping, and bar-hopping. Its 240 rooms are generic but clean, with the majority featuring furnished balconies and shower/tub combos. The supervised kids’ club with games and crafts and the crowd-pleasing buffet are ideal for families (the hotel’s all-inclusive package is extremely budget-friendly). Nightly entertainment, including dance and comedy, takes place in the hotel’s theater; the performances are pretty amateur, but they’re a hit with most families.