Culture Trip Guide to the Best Hotels in Acapulco

Relive Acapulco’s glory days at this hillside retreat tucked away from the main tourist areas overlooking Acapulco Bay. There are different casitas (small homes) spread across five levels and you can either choose to have a private pool or share with others. The deluxe casitas include sweeping terraces too. The decor has an air of 1950s-cool, with soft pink hues, exposed stone walls and swiveling rattan chairs. Over the years, the secluded setting of this place has attracted numerous celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Liz Taylor, Clint Eastwood and Madonna – and all have left their handprints behind in pink concrete.

The 422-room Emporio Acapulco is a pool paradise for adults and children, thanks to a pair of adult-only pools (with a swim-up bar, naturally) and a children’s pool. Kids will be further entertained at the kids’ club playgrounds, slides and swings. The property, in the bustling Golden Zone, is right off Playa Condesa. On the accommodation side of things, the rooms are spacious and fresh, with polished tiled floors and calming shades of duck egg blue. All include glass sliding doors and terraces so you can recline and admire the view.

Elevate your vacation with a stay at this smart beachfront resort which sits on the handsome Playa Diamante. The rooms feature stylish yet simple furnishings with bold pieces of art adorning the walls. All feature terraces, some with jacuzzis and others with plunge pools. The crowning jewel at the Grand Mayan is the lazy river that snakes through the verdant grounds whilst for kids, the aqua park is a dream come true. After working off some energy at the water attractions, there are 15 dining spots to skip between. Mondo is one of the fine dining spots with its Costeño-style chicken burrito being a must-try dish.

If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary, this unique resort might fit the bill. Set on a clifftop in the Diamante District, this upscale hotel blends traditional and modern design, with a peppering of thatched buildings surrounding the main property. The rooms have a luxurious feel with a gold and cream color palette and elegant furnishings. The Presidential Suite comes with a private pool but otherwise, there’s a collection of pools for all to use just in front of the resort’s stretch of private beach. The restaurants here are also elevated from the beach so you can feast on top-notch views, along with authentic Mexican cuisine.

Prepare to be dazzled by the theatre of this place. The Monyoli – which sits one street back from Playa Bonfil – serves up eclectic interiors with fresh plants, natural wood furniture and plenty of color throughout. There are eight uniquely designed rooms and one features a private jacuzzi. The property wraps around a central pool, where there are cute areas to sit back and relax. Another unique feature of this place is that for each reservation made, an endemic tree is planted on the premises and cared for until it is robust enough to be transported elsewhere.

The sweeping beachfront views are the focal point of this imposing resort, which overlooks Playa Condesa. The spacious and sunny rooms and villas feature floor-to-ceiling windows so you can lap up the vistas from dawn to dusk. Another perk of this place is the fact you’re slap bang in the Golden Zone. If you don’t fancy eating in the open-air hotel restaurant, there are plenty of dining options on the doorstep and some fun party spots come nightfall. The next morning, a relaxing dip in the vast pool might help soothe a sore head and there are various spa treatments available.

Casa Lisa by Villa Vera boasts seven hassle-free deluxe rooms in an elevated garden setting. Stained dark wood and dark tile feature heavily in the large airy accommodations. The crowning jewel here is the pool, with a lovely sundeck and some top views of the city beyond. At night, this area really has a magical feel. While this boutique destination isn’t on the beach, it’s close to the Acapulco Golf Club, should you want to get a few rounds in. If looking for a breezy place to unwind – and you don’t want to deal with a bigger resort – Casa Lisa ticks the box.

Shimmy your way over to Hotel Boca Chica to get a taste of the ’50s heyday and splendor of Acapulco. The exterior has been preserved, meaning you can lounge around poolside – while enjoying the spectacular views over Roqueta Island – and pretend you’re enjoying a long weekend with Don Draper. Stepping inside, the beautiful ’50s-inspired interior with its modern touches is the work of design team Frida Escobedo and José Rojas, who also had the input of the Mexican artist Claudia Fernández. Don’t miss the opportunity to try out the amazing Japanese food Chef Keisuke Harada can whip up for you in their onsite restaurant.

For art lovers, this gallery-cum-hotel is the place to be, as works by famed Spanish artist Fernando Bermejo are dotted around the place. The artistic prowess of Acapulco’s Hotel Encanto doesn’t end inside, however, as the entire place is a work of art in its own right. Architecturally striking and set high up on the cliffs of Acapulco, this spot sits immersed in lush jungle. Clean, white and geometric, architect Miguel Ángel Aragonés designed the hotel as an homage to the ocean.

A mere stone’s throw away from Acapulco, Casa Yal’ma Ka’an is actually situated just outside the center of this bustling holidaymaker hub, making for a more relaxing spot to take up residence. Small and intimate, this spot is made up of rustic cabanas which are located on their own private strip of beach. Bamboo in the bathroom, tiled stone floors and a quaint balcony make for an attractive mix. Enjoy a temazcal – a physical and spiritual cleansing ceremony – and rest easy in the knowledge that the sights and sounds of Acapulco are less than an hour away.

Banyan Tree Cabo Marques’ location is spectacular. The villas are built into the cliffside and offer an abundance of vantage points from which to admire the lovely view of the Pacific, although this is by no means the main selling point of this hotel. There is a distinct fusion of cultures notable in all aspects of this popular Acapulco spot, from the divine Saffron restaurant which marries Indian and Thai flavors to create an unmissable dining experience or the contemporary Mexican design with Asian artwork accents. Sink into the infinity pool at this AAA Five Diamond Award winner – which regularly features on best hotels in Mexico lists – and soak up your luxurious surroundings.

Another option located just outside of Acapulco, Nuestra Casa-Sai is located in the lovely Pie de la Cuesta and is known for being one of the only pet-friendly hotels in Acapulco. They have pet menus and lots of open, green areas for your furry friend to enjoy. For the human companions of the pampered pooches, there’s a pool area, surrounded by swaying palm trees which really help you feel like you’re in paradise. This is the ideal option for anyone looking to enjoy the culture of Guerrero with their four-legged (or otherwise) friend.