Just returned from Villa Mexicana on March 1st, let's get one thing straight. . . the beds are hard and the pillows would be better if I used my jacket in a pillowcase. That being said, I've found that the beds are almost always hard in Mexico and for a couple of bucks you can go to the super tienda and buy a new pillow. It's not like we're paying $400 per night for the room.

I think the beach is very good, rarely crowded, with numerous vendors, some are more aggressive than others but none we couldn't shake with a no thanks. Sand is not as nice as the Mayan Riviera but very good for the Pacific - and oh - the sand is not white its sandy colored.

The hotel staff is very nice and helpful, we were stuck in a corner of a courtyard next to the tool shed and asked to be moved the second day we were there and were moved immediately to an ocean view on the second story. The second floor would be my choice every time since we just left our slider open with the screen closed, no worries. I honestly believe the staff would do anything they could for you within reason. The manager seems to be less accommodating.

The food is fine, although we found Casa Cafe in town a better and cheaper choice for breakfast and I think I could eat every diner at Gorrobols also in town, but I could really not find much wrong with the restaurant on site. The cab fare to town is always 30 pesos unless you make a stop or detour. I did have one driver try and get an extra 5 pesos one time, but we came to an agreement at 30. Although, who needed the 50 cents more him or me?

The pool is small, round and very clean, there is even a small swim-up bar. It never seemed to be crowded. At the afternoon happy hour you can get 2 for 1's on certain drinks.

There were numerous cats and dogs of unknown origin around most of the time and while their presence wouldn't be tolerated in the States, again, think Mexico.

Being right on the beach gives you plenty to do and watch. Besides walking the beach there are Hobie cats to rent, $30/hr u.s., fishermen wanting to take you out, jet skis, parachute tows (although, I'd think twice since I saw one guy get his line caught on a sailboat mast and splash down in the water) and people watching.

All in all I'd come back to Villa Mexicana again I think for the price, it has to be one of the best values out there.

After spending one night at a different hotel without AC, we went to the Villa Mexicana for the rest of our stay. The rooms were nice and clean with a phone and a TV. The view was amazing, the Playa Ropa is a gorgeous beach, great for long strolls and delicious restaurants. The only down side was the up hill walk to town, although you could get a cheap cab easily. We would go back again.

Hotel Villa Mexicana was a restful paradise for four stressed American professionals. We stayed a week. Here are the pros and only one con:
Staff was helpful and polite.
Rooms were spotless.
Beachfront area has perfectly white sand and comfortable lounge chairs under palm frond palapas. It is only a few feet from the water. Staff kept the area spotless also.
Three pools reflect the waving palms above. Spotless again!
Many excellent restaurants are close. We walked to a few in bare feet through the sand. Should you choose to go downtown for dinner, a $40 peso cab ride gets you there.
Massages, manicures and pedicures are available on site at a reasonable price. Those ladies are good!
We walked and jogged along beautiful Playa la Ropa beach.
Two of the four members of our party thought the beds were too hard. I slept like a baby!

I could go on and on about this very nice hotel BUT just read the other reviews and you'll get a feeling for this place ! We had three rooms - one for my wife and I, one for my daughter and son-in-law and one for our German foreign exchange student who is living with us for a year. WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME ... pool was great , beach was clean and fun and the hotel restaurant was reasonably priced and the food very good. Staff very helpful. There is a Tour Arranger in the lobby named Rodrigo ... he was extremely helpful and knowledgeable and made reservations for us for two very special tours... you can use his services with complete confidence. Some people in other reviews have complained of the sellers on the beach... that was a minor problem and the hotel staff did a good job of keeping them at bay. Taxis ARE 30 pesos ! - I was surprised that I was never asked for more as some have said. Took a couple of trips into town... for fun, a drink and good food go to 3 Amigos near the Pier. Banditos was ok also but the bar service was slow the night we were there. I've been all over the Caribbean and Central America on "get away" vacations - Zihua and THIS hotel are places that I would good back to in a New York minute ! Henry Higgins, Greeneville, TN