Family-friendly resort in Ixtapa.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(21 discussions)
Hotel Fontan Ixtapa sits on Palmar Beach in the planned resort zone of Ixtapa, Guerrero, offering a family all-inclusive experience on one of Mexico's most reliably uncrowded Pacific beaches. The defining characteristic of Ixtapa as a destination is the combination of wide, wave-friendly beach with the nearby fishing village of Zihuatanejo just 7km away - close enough for cultural day trips but far enough that the resort zone stays calm and uncluttered. Families tired of the Cancun hotel zone crowds often discover Ixtapa as a revelation: similar beach quality, significantly less tourist infrastructure, and a genuine Mexican Pacific atmosphere.
The practical hotel experience at Fontan is solidly mid-tier. The beach is the hero of the stay - Palmar Beach is wide, the waves are good for bodyboarding, and the lack of overwhelming crowds makes it feel genuinely restful. Food quality is competent buffet territory rather than a dining destination. Water taxi access to Isla Ixtapa's four snorkeling beaches and to Playa Las Gatas near Zihuatanejo adds significant excursion value to a stay. The proximity to Zihuatanejo means evening meals in real Mexican restaurants are accessible by short taxi ride, letting families supplement the all-inclusive with authentic local cooking when desired.
Fontan Ixtapa works best for families seeking an affordable Pacific Mexico beach vacation who prioritize beach quality and cultural access over elaborate resort amenities. Compared to Cancun family properties at similar prices, you trade amenity volume for dramatically less crowded conditions and the unique Zihuatanejo combination. Travelers who've done Cancun multiple times and want something distinctly different on the Mexican Pacific with good family infrastructure will find Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo a compelling upgrade to their Mexico travel repertoire.
Pros
- +Ixtapa's wide, uncrowded Palmar Beach directly in front of the hotel delivers a beach experience dramatically less crowded than Cancun or Los Cabos alternatives
- +Proximity to Zihuatanejo, a genuine Mexican fishing village 7km away, provides cultural access that fully isolated resort zones cannot offer
- +Playa Las Gatas near Zihuatanejo offers some of the most sheltered and calm snorkeling waters on the Mexican Pacific, accessible by water taxi
- +Isla Ixtapa, 10 minutes offshore by water taxi, has four beaches with clear water, snorkeling, and basic restaurants for excellent day trips
- +Family-friendly all-inclusive structure covers kids and offers children's programming, making it manageable for parents traveling with young children
- +Significantly less expensive than comparable Cancun family all-inclusives while offering comparable beach quality on a less-crowded stretch of coast
- +Ixtapa Golf Club (Robert Trent Jones Jr. course) is minutes from the resort for golfers wanting to play during a family beach vacation
- +Humpback whale watching season runs December through March in the Zihuatanejo Bay area with excellent sighting rates on local boat tours
Cons
- −Ixtapa is a planned resort zone without the organic character of other Mexican beach towns - the area can feel artificial and resort-y
- −Beach has strong currents and wave action at certain tide conditions - Palmar Beach requires awareness of swimming conditions, particularly for children
- −Restaurant and food quality receives mixed reviews - the all-inclusive buffet is functional rather than excellent, and specialty dining options are limited
- −Ixtapa hotel zone has fewer independent restaurant and nightlife options than Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, or Cabo San Lucas
- −Getting to Ixtapa requires flying into Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) which has limited direct international routes - often requires connecting through Mexico City
- −Rooms and facilities at Fontan reflect mid-tier positioning - comfortable but not recently renovated or design-forward
- −Limited water sports and activities infrastructure compared to Cancun mega-resorts at similar price points
- −The resort's scale means less personalized service than boutique properties, and peak season crowds can diminish the quiet beach advantage
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“Cristian Morales in The Main Restaurant, was super nice and attentive to service exided expectations, Dulce Cristal in the Zumba class was excellent, very nice music and very fast ritdem, it was hard to keep up, but it was a lot of fun.The food in th...”
“Very nice place and service. Food is good, nice pools and the beach is beautiful right in front of the hotel. The facilities could use a little more maintenance.”