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Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa All-Inclusive by IHG

Ixtapa, Mexico

4.2(7,593 reviews)

Family

Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa sits first-line on El Palmar beach, and that location is the whole conversation. The resort's fact sheet calls it the most extensive certified coast in Mexico, and it delivers dramatic Pacific waves, west-facing sunsets and a beach energy that is fundamentally different from the placid Caribbean water you get in Cancun or Punta Cana. If you want to feel the actual ocean rather than wade in a flat, warm bathtub, Ixtapa delivers. The resort itself is a four-star by IHG's own description: not the fanciest property you can book, but well-managed and consistent, with a staff culture that generates more loyalty than the building alone would earn. Bartenders who remember your order from yesterday and entertainment staff who learn your kids' names by day two are the reason guests keep coming back.

Traveler Insights

Pros

+First-line position on El Palmar, the beach that runs the length of Ixtapa's hotel zone and that the resort's own fact sheet calls the most extensive certified coast in Mexico. The waves are real Pacific surf, which gives boogie boarders and casual bodysurfers something to do that no Caribbean all-inclusive can offer
+Staff are the consistent standout. Entertainment team, waitstaff and front-desk employees get called out by name in reviews for friendliness and for remembering returning guests, and that hospitality is what brings families back to a four-star property they might otherwise outgrow
+Dining is split between two buffets, La Isla and Frutas & Flores, the a la carte La Terraza, and Caña Brava, a seafood snack bar by the beach, plus a pool bar and a sports bar. La Terraza earns the strongest marks and the made-to-order breakfast stations (omelettes, fresh grilled meats) are a regular highlight
+Chiquiclub, the kids club, runs structured daily activities in the pool, on the beach and in the games room. Air Canada Vacations lists it for ages 4 to 12, and it is one of the better-staffed children's programmes in Ixtapa
+Wi-Fi is complimentary in rooms and common areas for up to four mobile devices per room, and IHG One Rewards points are earned on stays, which matters if you stack hotel rewards across a mid-tier chain
+Hotel zone I location: the resort faces Ixtapa's commercial strip, so restaurants, a crafts market and nightlife are directly across the road, and Zihuatanejo's fishing village and seafood markets are about 8 km away. That is far more accessible local culture than the isolated resort zones of Cancun or Punta Cana
+Two outdoor pools, the larger one with a dedicated shallow area for small children, and an evening programme the resort sells as a different show every night, with the Mexican fiesta on Saturdays as the week's centrepiece

Cons

−Food quality is inconsistent and the buffet rotation is slow. Regular guests note the same dishes cycling through with little variation, and the generic-brand spirits at the bars underwhelm anyone used to better all-inclusives
−El Palmar is beautiful but not a casual swimming beach. Pacific waves and occasional rip currents mean the water can be too rough for young children or non-swimmers without close supervision, so most families with little ones end up in the pools
−Room condition varies by assignment. IHG and its tour-operator partners describe all 431 rooms as renovated, but nobody publishes a date, and the only dated renovation on record is the 2016 conversion from Presidente InterContinental to Holiday Inn Resort. Guests still report musty, humid rooms alongside crisp ones, so it is worth asking for a recently refreshed one
−Air conditioning in some lower-floor rooms has been reported as insufficient, particularly in the humid months from June through October. One 2026 guest switched rooms on the second night to find a cooler one
−IHG itself markets this as a four-star hotel. Guests who read the beachfront location and the price as a luxury all-inclusive sometimes feel it punches below that tier; the product is solid mid-market rather than Barcelo-level polish
−Minibars come only with some room categories (the Air Canada Vacations fact sheet lists them for Garden View and Ocean Front rooms), and whether room service is included depends on who you book through: Lomas Travel lists it as included, Air Canada Vacations lists it as a charge. Check your own package before counting on either

The practical experience is mid-market done properly. Dining runs through two buffets, La Isla and Frutas & Flores, the a la carte La Terraza, which earns genuine praise, and the Caña Brava seafood snack bar near the sand, with a pool bar and a sports bar covering drinks. There are two outdoor pools, the larger with a shallow area built for small children, and the evening programme is sold as a different show each night with the Saturday Mexican fiesta as the headline. The rooms are where expectations need managing. IHG and the operators who sell the hotel describe all 431 rooms as renovated, but no source attaches a year to that claim, and the only dated renovation on record is the 2016 conversion from Presidente InterContinental, so treat it as a description rather than news. Guests report a mix of fresh rooms and musty ones, and the air conditioning in some lower-floor rooms struggles in the humid months. Wi-Fi is complimentary for up to four devices per room, which is a genuine plus at this tier.

This is the right resort for active families and couples who want Pacific beach energy, IHG points and a genuine connection to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, one of Mexico's most underrated coastal destinations. The hotel faces Ixtapa's commercial strip, so restaurants, a crafts market and nightlife are a walk across the road, and Zihuatanejo itself is a charming fishing village about 8 km away with excellent independent seafood restaurants and a morning fish market that rewards an afternoon excursion. Isla Ixtapa is a short boat ride away with snorkelling, beach restaurants and calmer water for swimming. If you are choosing between this and a Cancun or Los Cabos chain property, Ixtapa's distance from mass tourism is a feature, not a bug.

Common Questions

Is El Palmar beach safe for swimming with kids?

El Palmar is a Pacific beach with real waves, which makes it genuinely fun for older kids and adults who can handle moderate surf, but it needs more supervision than a Caribbean all-inclusive beach and the flag conditions are worth checking each morning. Younger children and non-swimmers should stick to the resort pools; the larger of the two has a shallow area built for small children. For calmer ocean swimming, the boat ride to Isla Ixtapa gives you sheltered coves with gentler conditions.

How close is the resort to Zihuatanejo, and is it worth visiting?

Zihuatanejo is about 8 km from Ixtapa, a short taxi ride, and it is absolutely worth visiting. It is a working fishing village with some of the best fresh seafood in the region, a charming bay and a market area that gives you real local colour missing from the resort strip. Many guests spend one full day there and wish they had gone more than once. An afternoon fish taco and fresh ceviche in Zihuatanejo is one of those 'why didn't I do this sooner' experiences.

Have the rooms been renovated, and when?

IHG's own property description and the tour-operator fact sheets all say the 431 rooms are completely renovated or newly updated, but as of October 2026 none of them attaches a date. The only dated renovation on record is the March 2016 conversion from Presidente InterContinental to Holiday Inn Resort, when IHG announced the hotel as newly renovated. Guests report a mix of fresh rooms with updated bathrooms and older-feeling rooms with humidity issues, so request a recently refreshed room when booking rather than assuming they are all the same.

Does IHG status or being an IHG rewards member get you anything extra here?

IHG One Rewards members earn points on their stay, which can be redeemed for future nights across the IHG portfolio. Higher-tier members (Platinum and Diamond) typically receive room upgrade consideration when availability exists, and some members report priority check-in assistance. It is not the most rewards-rich all-inclusive in terms of immediate on-property perks, but it stacks well for frequent IHG travellers who want to earn across their vacations.

How does this compare to other Ixtapa all-inclusives?

Ixtapa's all-inclusive market is smaller than Cancun or Cabo, which is part of its appeal. The main competitors on El Palmar are the Krystal Ixtapa and the Barcelo Ixtapa. Barcelo generally outperforms Holiday Inn on food quality and facilities, at a higher price. Krystal is in a similar tier with different trade-offs in service versus amenities. The Holiday Inn is the value-and-location pick rather than the polish pick, and for travellers with IHG loyalty the points make it the clear default.

What is the best time of year to visit Ixtapa?

November through April is peak season with dry, warm weather and calmer seas. December and January can get breezy and slightly cooler in the evenings, so bring a light layer. May through October is rainy season, with afternoon showers that usually clear by evening and the humidity that makes room air conditioning matter. Hurricane season technically applies, but Ixtapa on the Pacific side is rarely hit directly. Shoulder months like November and April offer the best combination of good weather, lower prices and smaller crowds.

Restaurants (3)

Type	Restaurants
Buffet	Frutas y Flores
International & fusion	La Isla, La Terraza

From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.

What's nearby

Zihuatanejo
9 min drive · 5.2 mi
Playa La Ropa
13 min drive · 6.6 mi
Isla Ixtapa boat trip
14 min drive · 5.3 mi
Playa Linda
14 min drive · 5.3 mi
Troncones
30 min drive · 19 mi

More things to do (18)

Playa Blanca · beach25 min drive · 15 mi
Whale watching cruise (December to March) · excursion10 min drive · 5.7 mi
Playa La Madera · beach10 min drive · 5.5 mi
Ixtapa Club de Golf Palma Real · golf3 min drive · 0.7 mi
Playa Principal (Zihuatanejo) · beach10 min drive · 5.6 mi
Parque Estatal El Limón · nature10 min drive · 4.0 mi
Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande · museum10 min drive · 5.7 mi
Marina Ixtapa · marina10 min drive · 3.1 mi
Zihuatanejo Municipal Pier · marina10 min drive · 5.7 mi
Sportfishing charter · excursion10 min drive · 5.7 mi
Sunset sail on Zihuatanejo Bay · excursion10 min drive · 5.7 mi
Playa Majahua · beach11 min drive · 4.6 mi
Playa La Ropa turtle camp · wildlife13 min drive · 6.6 mi
Playa Quieta · beach14 min drive · 5.2 mi
Playa Larga · beach20 min drive · 9.8 mi
Playa Las Gatas · beach20 min drive · 7.9 mi
Barra de Potosí · town30 min drive · 19 mi
Soledad de Maciel Ruins (Xihuacan) · ruins35 min drive · 23 mi

Amenities

Fishing

Kids Club

Snorkeling

Room Service

Free Wi-Fi

Nightly Entertainment

Buffet Dining

Spa

Show 2 more amenities

Gym

Beach

Seaweed & sargassum

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is not a sargassum destination.See the month-by-month guide →

Every all-inclusive in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo →

Google Reviews★ 4.2 · 7,593 reviews

Pete Q.

2 months ago

“This place is very nice. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is very friendly. The beach area is clean and the wait staff will come out to the beach and bring drinks for you. It’s all-inclusive and the food is great.”

BLAINE M.

2 months ago

“Farely quiet, with not much of a night life.The Mexican entertainment evening with vendors on Saturday was well done, with authentic food. Well kept, dated hotel. Food decent, fresh vegetables and good selection. Buffets done well. Reservation dinnin...”

Chris W.

3 months ago

“If you want a resort that has it all, book yourself into Holiday Inn, Ixtapa. We had an amazing 10 day stay January 15-25, 2025. Pictures do no justice in capturing the true beauty of the amazing sunsets you will see! 😍 Not only is it a great locati...”