Altamira Mazunte

We liked the view, and our room looked recently remodeled. The balcony hammock was very comfortable, and the price was very good. I’d stay again, though I’d probably have someone send my emails in Spanish. Some website details weren’t right. We booked a particular room because the listing said it had a view, and said there was no air conditioning, which was fine with us. The confirmation email said there was no view. We emailed a couple of times to check, but got no answer. When we arrived, our room indeed had no view. They moved us from the two-bed room to one with a king bed and a view at the same price, and it did have air conditioning, maybe because of a remodel. We also emailed asking the best way to get there from the airport, and nobody replied. It’s useful to know Spanish, since the staff don’t speak English, apart from the man they sent to open our safe. Google Maps doesn’t show a road to the place, so the taxi driver couldn’t find it. We had to give him the hotel’s number so he could get directions.

The walk into town looks daunting but is easier and quicker than you’d think. The hotel is right by the entrance to Punta Cometa, a popular place for sunset, and it’s about 70 steps down to the beach. Guests can get drinking water, and there’s a mini super about an eight-minute walk away for snacks. Bring mosquito repellent, there are lots of them. Power outages happen in the area, and there was one during my stay. It affects all of Mazunte, and the staff were as stressed as I was. There isn’t much to do but relax until it passes. I stayed six nights at Altamira, and it was the quiet reset I needed. I was there during the week, when it was peaceful; Friday and Saturday got busier, but not enough to spoil the place. I wanted a quiet hotel with great views, a swimmable ocean nearby and an on-site restaurant, without big crowds, parties or a long walk to the water. Altamira met all those priorities, so I’d wholeheartedly recommend it if that’s what you want. The views are incredible, and the freshly made meals are delicious. Everyone I met, both staff and other travelers, was kind and had interesting stories. The staff were efficient and pleasant, and the place felt like real people were looking after me. The pool area gets strong sun, but there are plenty of shady places to sit, and the waitresses quickly brought drinks. I had a room with a terrace and air conditioning, which was totally worth it. I spent hours in the hammock facing the ocean, listening to a nine-hour book. It’s a new favorite memory of mine. If you’re deciding whether to get a better room, I think it’s worth it. A few things weren’t ideal. There was only a single sheet on the bed, and I sleep better with a heavier blanket. There was no fridge or TV. I’m fine without a TV, but having no fridge was tough. I carried a bag of ice and a bottle of wine up the hill twice during my stay, and you’ll understand once you’ve been there. Wi-Fi didn’t reach the rooms, only the restaurant and pool. Also, I’d recommend most of the menu, but not the hamburger. The patty was so thin it was nearly a veggie burger. The oceanfront location, views and restaurant made for a beautiful and rewarding stay. I wrote this in English, but I spoke only Spanish with the staff. I saw other foreigners getting by with translation apps.

The location and garden are beautiful, and the cabanas could be so much better with some attention. Ours felt old and outdated, was extremely hot, and wasn’t clean when we arrived. Some windows had no curtains, and it seemed easy to get in without a key. There was no locker or other safe place for valuables, so I didn’t feel secure. Only a few staff seemed to be working, and they could have used more help. They didn’t make us feel particularly welcome, and there wasn’t much personal contact. Wi-Fi was available only in the restaurant, not the rooms. We booked partly because the place has a restaurant and bar, but it closed in the early afternoon. We couldn’t get a drink or snack by the pool, and there was no fridge for our own things.

The views are stunning, with a beautiful restaurant area above the infinity pool and the bay below. But both rooms we were offered smelled strongly of a musty, dirty bathroom. One was 1,600 MXN without an ocean view, and the other was 2,200 MXN with one. I was honestly insulted that rooms smelling that foul were offered at those prices with a straight face. We’d come to look before booking because we’d had a few bad experiences on this vacation. Needless to say, we didn’t stay.