CLUB MED IXTAPA is a great family resort located on a nice wide beach.  I was lucky enough to stay at this resort last April. Here is my trip report on this, and the other all inclusive resorts in the area that I visited:

It was a 30 minute drive from the airport to the Club Med Village.  As we passed through Zihuatanejo and began our descent into the valley, the view was magnificent. The valley with its lush tropical vegetation, the beach, the hotels, and the ocean are all spread out before you.  The main beach in Ixtapa (Hotel Zone) is Playa del Palmar.  Along this 2 mile beach are about a dozen hotels, all facing the ocean.  Across the street are numerous shopping plazas, restaurants, and night clubs.  There is usually a strong surf and undertow at Playa del Palmar, with warning flags displayed on the beach.  The 2 all-inclusive resorts on Playa del Palmar are the Barcelo and the Presidente Intercontinental. (I will describe them in detail later in this report).  They are both very centrally located and walking distance to all the attractions of Ixtapa - Senor Frogs, Carlos n Charlies, the Delphinarium (dolphin swim program).  There are buses running up and down the strip every few minutes to take you to Zihuatenajo and other attractions (fare 40 pesos or about 50cents).  There is also a nicely paved 8.5km bicycle trail from Ixtapa all the way to Playa Linda (past the Club Med) that goes through the jungle areas.  At Playa Linda there is a crocodile estuary, an Artisans Market, horseback riding stable, and the pier for the water taxis to Ixtapa Island.

The Club Med is located about 15 minutes north of the Ixtapa Hotel Zone, on Playa Quieta (just before Playa Linda).  A taxi between the Club Med and the Hotel zone is 50 pesos ($6), or you can flag down a bus for 4 pesos.  Just past the Club Med are 2 more all inclusive resorts, the Melia Azul and the Qualton Club.  I thought that the Club Med had a wonderful location.  Playa Quieta is a beautiful beach, about 1/2 mile long, with nice soft sand and a gentle surf which was wonderful for children to play in.  There was not much wind while I was there, sunny and warm every day (high seventies) and cool in the evenings (good idea to bring a light sweater).  The village is very spread out and although it was at 98% occupancy it did not feel crowded.  Lots of lounge chairs at the beach and pool.  No waiting to use the kayaks or sailboats.  Most of the G.M.'s  were from California, there were also charters from Vancouver and Toronto.  Most of the G.O.'s were Canadian or American. 

ROOMS:  There are 4 blocks of buildings: Pueblo (least desirable-too far away), Vista (where I was), Punta (directly on the beach), and on the other side of the village are the Laguna Buildings A and B.  The Laguna buildings are closest to the Mini Club and sports activities, so would be the best choice for families.  Of the 375 rooms at the village, there are 156 connecting rooms, and 93 with king size beds (they call them kings but they are more like a queen size).  The other rooms have two double beds (smaller than what I would consider a double, but larger than a twin size bed). They all have a small window bed that would be suitable for a small child.  The rooms are very small but nicely decorated. Two small closets and safes, very small shower (no tubs), vanity area, lots of mirrors. The have blow dryers but they only operate on one speed(very high). The rooms all have T.V.s and phones.  No clock radio (bring your own).   The connecting rooms will either have all double beds, or one room with a king bed connecting to a room with two double beds.  The majority of the king bedded rooms are found on the ground floor of the Laguna Building, so this is what I would request for most families.  The Vista building does not have any king beds.  The Punta building has 75 rooms all with king beds, and are usually reserved for couples without children , as it is far away from the mini club.  It is in a very quiet, private area directly on the beach.

RESTAURANTS:    The food was great - what a variety!  The main buffet restaurant was open for breakfast from 7:15am to 10:45am.  Freshly squeezed orange juice, made to order omelets,  freshed baked croissants... Lunch was 12:30 to 1:45 at the main restaurant, and from 2:00-4:00 at the El Quetzal restaurant. Dinner 7:00-8:45, and by reservation at the El Quetzal with table service (choice of 2 entrees, usually fish or steak). The El Quetzal was a nice alternative, MUCH quieter and more relaxed atmosphere.   The dinner buffet at the main restaurant had a different theme every night -  Italian, Asian, Mexican. On Passover Sunday they had a special meal (by reservation) for those who were Jewish.  About the drinking water;  the water was safe to drink and everyone was drinking it so for the first time I did not stick to bottled water.  There were coolers of ice cold water available throughout the village - at the watersports center, tennis courts, in the gym, at the bar.  I did not get sick nor did anyone else I encountered. I did not see anyone drinking bottled water.

KIDS CLUB:  There are 3 separate kids club buildings.  The baby club and petit club were both located near the pool.  They did not seem too busy.  The mini club for ages 4-12 is located behind the Laguna building A and is huge!  It has its own restaurant inside, and a nice swimming pool.  It is divided into different age groups with activities going on from 9am until 9pm, with a shower break at 5:30pm.  The staff seemed wonderful with lots of energy and enthusiasm.   It seemed that the kids that enjoyed the kids club the most were ages 7-10.  There were not very many teenagers at the club, maybe 15 or 20.  There were some group activities organized for them (kayaking, sailing, volleyball), but this is only done during school breaks.   There were definitely more younger children at this village.

SPORTS:  Sailing & kayaking (no windsurfing or snorkelling),  tennis (45 min.lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced every morning), flying trapeze lessons for children and adults, trampoline lessons, archery, rollerblading, roller hockey, basketball, beach and court volleyball.  There is a small air conditioned gym with a beautiful view overlooking the ocean. This is where they had the aerobics classes, stretching, kickboxing. There were 2 treadmills, 2 bicycles, hand weights, and several nautilus machines.  It was open until 8pm and got pretty busy at times.  There was also a water aerobics class at 11:30 every morning that was well attended, followed by either a water polo or water volleyball game.

EXCURSIONS:  My daughter did the Dolphin Swim.  We booked it through the Club Med excursion office (same price as booking direct) for $119, included 45 minutes of swimming with the dolphins.  She loved it!  They also have a Dolphin Encounter (20 minutes) for $65.  Other excursions offered: Horseback riding $25 (or you could walk to Playa Linda and arrange it on your own for 100 pesos).   Shopping in Zihuatanejo by bus $20 or by boat $39. We just took the bus to Zihuat and walked around on our own.  There is a nice market with lots of silver jewellery, blankets, etc.  We also took the boat from Playa Linda to Ixtapa Island. There are several nice beaches lined with restaurants and  lounge chairs, lots of watersports available - jet skis, banana boats, etc.