Well, I just thought I would tell everyone about our trip to Ixtapa on the 5th of April this year. We arrived in Zihuantenajo on time, and so we arrived at the Krystal on time also. Checked into our room ,the Krystal staff were not so nice unfortunately, they made us feel like we interrupted their day by checking in, I mean really, how dare we disturb them???
The beach area was kept clean, and there were plenty of seats available, so we were happy about that. After a bit, we went to eat. We did the all inclusive package . The food was okay the first night, they had some Mexican, and they tried some Canadian. We did not really care because it was the first night and we were really tired anyway.
Our room was clean enough, as long as the bed and bathroom were clean, I really did not care. The rest of our holiday there, the bed was always clean and so was the bathroom.
From that first night on, some things just got worse at the Krystal. Every day the food was the same. Not just the same food, but the actual food from the meal before was re-used for 2 to 3 meals after that!! Our potatoes for breakfast were also the potatoes at lunch and supper, or supper that night and then the next breakfast, they would just add more stuff to try to hide the re-used food. The meat and pasta from lunch was then the meat for supper and then soup the next day, also main meat in the next lunch too. It got so bad we could not eat there. We asked if we could use the fridge, because they keep the fridges in your room locked. We went out for supper and ordered extra for a snack later because the Krystal does not have any snacks available, we were also going to get some food and bring it to our room for lunches so we could at least have something fresh every day. Well, we made 3 calls to the front desk to unlock our fridge, and they never did. We were also informed if we use the fridge we had to pay a $5.00 US per day rental for it. While we were being informed of the rental, we were also informed that we could use the coffee pot in our room, but had to pay for our coffee and anything we may have used from the fridge if it were to be unlocked. We were aloud 1 bottle of water between the 2 of us per day in our room, and that was that. So the snacks we brought back to our room went bad because they never did unlock the fridge.....was I happy??? NOPE!!! We ( and a few others ) complained large!! And most of us were already getting stomach issues because of this food we had eaten at this hotel.
Thank god for our West Jet reps because they not only told us where we could get some good food, but told us how to get there. One rep ( Ulises) took us down to where the safest food was supposed to be. Most of the people that were at the Krystal were in these same restaurants everyday too, most would not eat at the hotel anymore. None of us were happy about the re-used food we were being served. Our West Jet reps were busy with all of us for meals that’s for sure!!! The last couple days we were there, we were tired because we were not well , and so spent a little more time at the hotel and decided to try to eat there again. Well the food was the same as it was when we got there originally!!! We ate it anyway trying mostly soups hoping it would help. Big mistake!! We both ended up getting sicker ...........we spent the first week at home on prescription medication because of how sick we were!!! It was not good!!! We also found out that alot of the other guest also spent the first 5 days home on meds because of the food in the Krystal, they too were really mad!! I can tell you, if it were not for the West Jet reps we had at our hotel, we would never known where to go for good safe meals because the hotel food was horrible, the hotel only served some beverages as all inclusive, not a very good list to choose from either, and we would never have found any good shopping either, cause the front desk people did not want to talk to you about the area either. When I tried to ask them, they only said that “our West Jet Vacation advisers would be back the next day and we could ask them.” Not so helpful if you ask me!! They really did not want to talk to any of the guests at all as we heard this same comment from the others we met there.
The Krystal is also the ONLY hotel in Ixtapa that does not do currency exchange for its guests. We had to find the bank and do it that way. They did tell us at the front desk that we had to go to the bank and that we had to take a photo copy of our passport with us and a second picture ID also. So we took our passports to the front desk to copy for the bank. Weeeeelllllll, they used recycled paper to make the copies which we thought was okay, we then walked 20 mins to get to the bank to find out that they will not take recycled paper, and that the hotel had been told. Back we walked for another 20 mins to get another copy. The front desk then said they only do 2 free copies, then we have to buy them. The 2 free ones they did on recycled paper, so we took our passports because by this time, we were getting angry and just wanted to go get some breakfast cause we were hungry.

So between the lack of friendly people ( and that is a large lack ), and the crappy food ( more like toxic food), I would not recommend this hotel as an all inclusive, or as a good holiday spot. Ixtapa itself is ok I guess, but not the Krystal!!
We will never stay at a Krystal anywhere ever again, this was the worst experience EVER!!!!!!!!

I spent 4nights/5days at the Krystal Ixtapa as a single adult in November, 2009. It was a much need vacation and what a pleasant surprise the service was! My room had a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and the balcony was panoramic. The guys that work the pool and beach areas as well as the outdoor dining venues were outstanding. I never had to wait on anything. They knew my name from the first day and I was always treated with respect and kindness. I wish I had the budget to go back today!

I went to Ixtapa in March 2011, it was my first ever trip to Mexico. Needless to say I was slightly worried about a lot of things, the hotel included. I read a lot of mixed reviews about the Krystal but the trip was booked and it was now or never. Truthfully? I was pleasantly suprised. Krystal was listed as a 4.5 star through Air Canada Travel. Coming from Canada this is not exactly what I would consider a 4.5 at home, but after all it is Mexico!

When we arrived via bus, the hotel staff were happy to accomodate us. They greeted us with a smile, and were happy to check us in and get our wristbands on etc. The elevator honestly was a bit shady, but I remained optomistic. When we arrived in our room, again I was pleasantly surprised. It was quite clean, very Mexican decor. Nothing too fancy. We had a small table by our balcony and some chairs outside. Nothing special, but absolutely nothing was wrong. I think everyone needs to take into consideration the country they are staying before jumping to conclusions about the reviews.

The food was average, always good but not a ton of variety but good none the less.

There were always activities going on, water aerobics, beach volleyball, water volleyball etc. Everyone that worked the pool area was exceptional! Be sure to get a chair early in the day if you expect to get one at all. The swim up bar and bar staff were also absolutely amazing, zero complaints there!

We didn't eat at Bogart's the specialty eatery next door, and we did not go to the Christine nightclub so again nothing to report there.

We took a cab into the village of Zihuatenjo and wandered around and did some shopping at the market.

All in all our trip was a 4 out of 5. No complaints, no problems, please just remember people you are going to a foreign country, Mexico has different customs and expectations. I find a lot of the negative reviews amusing, maybe some people are far too picky and should stick to Sandals resorts or maybe even the Hilton?

First of all don't believe everything you read whether it be a good or bad review. My wife and I have stayed at the Krystal for 8 years straight. We keep coming back. Why you ask? Because we are satisfied. One, we love Ixtapa/Zio. Two, we stay at the Krystal for multiple reasons. location, friends (both locals and people we see every year from the states), price is right, weather, pool and proper expectations of Mexico. Frankly reading many of the negative reviews makes me chuckle. I really get a kick out of them with some of them truths as well as others far too picky to even know how to enjoy a vacation. The extra cost to stay elsewhere is not worth it. Many other hotels do not have anywhere near as nice of pool and location that the Krystal has. Please read on for a little history on this property.

The Kystal like many properties that have been around for a few decades go through good times and bad times primarily based on various owners over the years. Most recently in in late 2010 or early 2011 the hotel was bought back by its original owners who previously ran the property in a professional manner. NH, in my opinion, just sucked the property dry financially. Bleeding as much revenue out of it as possible without any reinvestment. At one time the Krystal was the place to stay. I believe the hotel was built in 78. It still is for different reasons as mentioned above. It is my belief that the new original owners will invest for the long term in the property and one will see continual improvements. This will be slow due to the current economic conditions that have beening going on for the last 4 years or so. Please read on for more insight.

Sure the rooms are average, but for my wife and I this is ok as long as we have a place to sleep and drink morning coffee with a view. That is pretty much what the room represents to us as well as a place to shower. That is it. For the most part who cares about the room. Our priority is the pool, beach, location and great places to eat so we lower our hotel expectations to have additional finances to do other things. The people are great. There are always a few at any property that may offend you. Who cares. Don't expect 300 plus rooms and service for 100 to 130 a night particularly in Mexico. If you want fancy rooms and have the money to burn book at another hotel at a much higher cost. Jose and Jesus that work the pool and beach have become good friends. They work very hard for thier earnings and are good human beings with families. They treat us well and we look forward to seeing them every year. One who goes to Ixtapa or Mexico for that matter needs to stop trying to bring the US to Mexico and set expectations for what Mexico represents and blend into their culture and not try to make Mexico like the US. You are the vistor to thier country. So now you have my opinion on that front. The Krystal is just fine and try not to have any expectations at all and enjoy the vacation and be flexible. Don't blame the staff for anything. If you experience a problem it is the management to blame not the staff. They just work under poor management conditions. Treat them well and not as servants and they will provide hospitality that you will have a hard time finding anywhere else. Most of the problems with the Krystal are in the past and now the new owners are in the position to make improvements. Sure there is room for improvements at the property, but I highly recommend the Krystal. I just today booked 13 nights in February. Set your expectations properly. I agree the AI is not the way to go. Too many good places to eat and experience both in Ixtapa and Z. Spend the extra money for cab fare and go into Z every third night to eat out. What a great experience and isn't that what vacation is for. Mexico has a great culture if you let them show you. All you have to say is Jose "another bucket of 4" and he will take care of your needs. Relax and chill out.