Mexican hotels aren't necessarily bad, as long as you know what you're getting into. First of all, you'd better know some Spanish, because almost none of the employees speak English, incl. front desk staff. When we were there, most of the guests were native Mexican, this hotel apparently caters to Mexican families.. The rooms were spacious and clean, but had quirks you generally find in Mexican hotels, like hard beds and questionable plumbing. The kitchen sink was not plumbed for hot water, I guess you wash dishes in the bathroom. The hotel is 6 stories tall, yet the elevator is nothing but a hole in the building, looks like it could be a while before that gets fixed. The swim-up bar sells ice cream to the kids, so expect to share your space with other peoples children.
On the plus side, the suites are large, with full kitchen (okay, no oven, and the stove is a 2-burner hotplate), 2 full bathrooms (although no tub), and a nice balcony overlooking the gorgeous, well-maintained grounds, with 2 pools, a restaurant with room service (do you speak Spanish?) and lounge (neither is air conditioned). Fortunately the rooms are very adequately air conditioned, because that's the only air conditioned space for blocks around. When we were there it was mid-90's and muggy. This property is not on the beach like most hotels in Ixtapa, beach access is within walking distance, but limited, the American-style hotels guard their beaches even from American tourists.
Rack rate for this place is $110/night, but we only paid $50/night. If you can get that kind of deal, and can get by in Spanish, and don't mind being 2 blocks from the beach, this hotel may work for you. We liked it just fine, but we're learning Spanish, and don't need to sit on a beach, the grounds of Puerta del Mar were perfect for us. Did I mention the birds? And the staff was very kind and understanding of our language-challenged attempts to communicate.
As for the shopping area across the street, it's a tourist oriented menage of cheap souvenirs, restaurants and bars, with a few upscale shops and a couple of grocery stores. This is NOT a Mexican town!

The hotel does not compare to the beach front hotels. It is more home like. More like authentic Mexico. The service was great. The prices were very down to earth. The garden about the pool is tropical and lush. The walk to the beach is about 500 yards. We drove to the beach but the beaches we went to required a drive. We went across the street to the Dorado Pacifico one day and ordered drinks at the swim up bar. 2 cervesas and a lemonade were $10 american. At the Puerta del Mar, every day was a happy hour with cervesas 2 for 1 at $2 each. The people you would meet at the pool were friendly and nice. We looked forward to the pool each evening. The rooms were kept clean daily by the staff who you get to know if you are there for a week. The staff was very friendly. If we go back, we will stay there again.

One of my friends children got hurt getting out of the pool, the Hotel Manager did come to assiste them but only to take them to the Marina Hospital, not knowing the language they were just left there. At this moment no one in the Hospital spoke english and the Maniger did not ask if they needed anymore help. On getting back to the hotel they then offered to call a Docter that can speek English. After all that we went through.. Well I will not ask friends to stay, If the Hotel Staff says they do not speek English.

I don't know what type of experience other people were looking for when they stayed at this property by I found it to be a charming, wonderful hotel and location. It has a wonderful rustic feel with the adobe-like construction (not "Flintstone-y in any way). The staff were most cordial; the two pools the hotel offered were wonderful. The grounds surrounding the pool area were meticulously trimmed. The location of the property, away from the big resorts on the beach and their constantly blareing music was peaceful and relaxing. Also, a five minute walk to the Ixtapa shopping area meant you had scores of shops and restaurants to choose from. We even had a iguana nestled in the tree canopy out the back visit us each day. What a fun and delightful stay, a place we would definitely consider again.