HOTEL but NOT IN THIS CASE!!!!!!!
SICK - 6 people that I talked to got sick down in Mexico and all attributed it to the restaurant at Villa Mexicana. It simply wasn't sanitary. I personally was more ill than I have ever been in my entire life and it was after eating dinner there. My girlfriend also threw up a lot hours after eating there.
PRICES - The prices of their beers were extremely high, not to mention their piña coladas. They were over 5 bucks for each – you don’t even pay that downtown when you’re out for dinner.
RUDE - I was at the front counter one time when a woman asked for a towel and was told only one was left, she was an American tourist and white. Immediately after a man, local, asked for 2 towels and she went in to the back and got him 2 towels and smiled at me as she did it. They also didn’t provide a key for the safe in the room and acted like I really put them out when I asked for it, they agitatedly described that if I lost the key I would have to pay $100 for its replacement. In addition they wanted $175 dollars if I was going to lose the remote. The young man behind the counter was very unhappy to be there for our day of check-in and it still sits with me now.
WORST MEXICO TRIP EXPERIENCE EVER - This was absolutely my worst vacation I have ever been on in my life and will definitely not go back. I sincerely urge you to not make the same mistake as well. I booked with AppleVacations so I would also steer away from them as they obviously don’t monitor the hotels they have in their search criteria.
I know that many people have said this is a good place to stay… I urge you to look at the dates the reviews were written and also thing about the type of vacation you want to take.
EXTREMELY DISSAPOINTED

Don’t fret it’s just a parody , heck I”am poking fun at myself soon !!
We just finished a fantastic two weeks at villas Mexicana (we is two kids 2+4 yrs and us parents )
My entrepreneurial juices are flowing, I have figured a way to get rich quick in Zih and in particular at Villas Mexicana . All I need to do is set up a shop that sells mobility products , men’s knee high socks and pension investment advice , I will have it made !!!.
Okay fun aside, this was probably the best trip in a long time, I wish we had been to Zih sooner !!
Hotel
Location –location!!! Come on, the beach is steps away and the views amazing. La ropa beach is strikingly beautiful , gentle surf , our kids had a hoot playing in the water and sand .
We found the hotel surpassed our needs, clean, charming rustic feel to the property.
Room are basic but lots of cubbies for storage, large bathrooms, hot water and cold A/C.
Beds are a bit hard but you can request a foam topper.
Most rooms has a small sitting area with a table and chairs.
We had room 1303 which was perfect, it was steps from the smaller pools and seconds from the beach.
This is a great room if you have kids as they can splash around, while you sit and watch from the patio.
The hotel has three pools; we found they had been named by previous travellers, as follows
Kiddies , newlyweds , halfdeads .
Overall the staff were attentive, front desk people fantastic, any issues were dealt with quickly.
We ate at the restaurant a few times it was good but maybe a bit expensive for some people tastes.
We would not hesitate to recommend this hotel for all travellers , Many guests have stayed here year after year .
The only people who would not enjoy this hotel would be high maintence types, for them they can travel next door to the Tides for about $ 750.00 US a night .

We will return to this hotel and ZIh over and over , felt completely safe everywhere and enjoyed dining at many excellent places which I will pass on in the restaurant section of TA .

PS tourism is down here and is evident we tipped our maids 20 peso a day and gave her 200 at the end . We bought lots of goodies from the beach vendors and a few beers for the local beach guys in front of the hotel .
Overall the 100 or so bucks in tipping over two weeks is nothing to us but grateful to them !!!

Years ago with prior stays in Zihuatanejo I'd stayed at Villa del Sol which is now The Tides and very pricey. The Tides was out of my budget so this time I stayed at Villa Mexicana next door to it. Turned out great! Lovely beachfront location and decent rooms at a satisfactory price. Service was a bit slow in the restaurant (really tough to get a second cup of coffee in the morning) and the pool staff is noisy at 6 a.m., but all-in-all a WONDERFUL experience. Do be aware crocodiles can frequent these waters. We saw one swimming in the water near the end of the beach and were warned by another guest they'd seen one the previous evening on the sand near La Perla. Not a bad idea to pack a flashlight for walking the beach at night.

We just got back from our 5th trip to Zih. Second time we have stayed at the Villa Mexicana. The room prices and location of the hotel are still one of the best values in Zih. Easy walking on the beach to numerous restaurants, bars and activities.
One thing we realized after this trip is the hotel drink prices. I don't believe they want guests drinking here any more, or if they sell a drink they wish to capitalize on reduced tourism. Beer 43 Pesos, mixed drinks range between 50 and 90 pesos. There is a happy hour between 5 and 7 where you get 2X1 but not cervesa. Not trying to discourage guests from staying here, just don't drink at the Villa. There are 2 small mercadas on either side of the Villa. Most of the guests would buy drinks and ice and use coolers in the rooms. Or a large % of guests would go next door to Paty's or Elviras for dinner and drinks.
Friendly staff, clean hotel, excellent location. If not for the high price drinks I would give this hotel perfect marks. Will definately be going back.