We have been staying at the Catalina every November since 1995. Because; the Catalina has the best location on Playa La Ropa (the best beach in Zihuatanejo), the staff are wonderful, the restaurant food excellent and the Sun Set bar the perfect spot to watch the sun set. The hotel is dated but they are slowly updating the amenities without ruining its unique ambience. The Cat is our home away from home! If you can't do stairs it may not be for you but the layout adds to its charm and the exercise is great! Can't wait for Nov 2012.

Catalina is a resort that can coast on its prime location and beautiful property. The advantages: reasonable rates. private balconies with hammocks and lounge chairs, overlooking the ocean. generous breakfast included in the rate. fridge in the room so you can keep leftovers or your own snacks/drinks/lunch. generous room size. consistently cleaned rooms. friendly accommodating service. The drawbacks: it seems like owners or mgrs have chosen to defer investment in upgrades. examples: threadbare towels and linens; rusted ceiling fans; inadequate room lights consisting of small lamps with bulbs that looked to be from 1950; beach lounge chairs in some disrepair with some cushions looking rather worn, same for the beach umbrellas, a few needed repair.

we had a wonderful visit because of the easy beach access and amazing balcony views. this made up for a lot but folks should be aware of the limitations as well.

NOTE: mgmt should be more clear that all services at the hotel include a tip. you don't need to tip for anything on your own because you are already being charged a gratuity.

My 3rd and last stay was before Christmas, 2011. We booked our room thru a travel agent, not the hotel directly, selecting one in the mid price range. The room we were given "the hotel is full and this is all we have for you" was dirty with furniture dating from the 1960's or earlier. Water pressure in the shower (tiles caked with scum) was slim to non existent While the location is wonderful with easy beach access (that is why we keep trying to love this hotel) the views can be iffy. In all our stays here the view has been of vegetation with a bit of ocean thru the trees. We did some exploring and found several small very tidy hotels in the Madera neighborhood with better views at a much better price even during the peak Holiday travel season. If we had not prepaid for the hotel we would have moved since there were vacancies. For the value the short ten minute walk to La Ropa beach is certainly worth it. We are very flexible travelers and do not expect a lot...how much time are you in your room when on a beach vacation...but keep wondering if the other reviewers were at a different Catalina Beach Hotel given the glowing reports.

We have been to Zihua 16 or 17 times over the last 25 years. For the last 5 or 6 of them, we have stayed at the Catalina. It has been maintained nicely given how long it has been here and the climate impacts that take their annual toll. The staff are wonderful and extremely helpful. The many stairs between the beach and the road are one of the things we look forward to as a workout in keeping us fit.

The hotel's restaurant (Linda Vista) has great food and service and should be a destination point for dinner for those staying elsewhere in Zihua. It has been hard for us to justify eating out with what is available at the Catalina. We were there over Thanksgiving this year and enjoyed the special T-Day meal that was exquisitely prepared and presented.

We have made a number of friends from the U.S and Canada from these stays, visiting them outside of Zihua as well as annually as we crisscross paths in the November timeframe. After enjoying the beautiful La Ropa beach in the afternoon, we transition to our room via the infinity pool and its great view of the bay. Can't say enough about this experience!

Stan & Maggie