Casa Mermejita Mazunte

We’ve stayed here twice now and intend to come back. Our room, Casa Rectangular, was roomy, clean and bug-free. My wife and I especially enjoyed breakfast on the terrace, made fresh by the personable staff. The views of Playa Mermejita and the sunset are extraordinary, and the place feels very private. The pool and terrace are both lovely. Getting around means climbing stairs, but we think it’s well worth it.

For a peaceful stay with a beautiful setting and not much else, this could suit you. It sits on a hillside above the ocean, with sunset views, and the rooms are beautifully and individually designed. Our second room felt much airier than the first. But at $100 a night, I expected more. The pool wasn’t clean, and there was no way at the bottom of the 175 steps to contact staff at the top if you needed help with bags or wanted to check you were in the right place. Staff I met didn’t speak English, which made it hard to get local directions or information about buses. We were sent on an indirect route. I also wanted a fridge for drinks. They offered an ice box, but had no ice.

The setting feels almost magical, secluded and away from the usual paths, with incredible views. The climb up all those steps is a lot, so travelers with disabilities should take note. Once you reach the top, though, it’s worth it.

We hadn’t planned on staying here. During high season, we were looking for somewhere quieter than Mazunte and came across this hillside place surrounded by forest. Its architecture fits skillfully into the natural landscape. We stayed four nights in the “circular” room, watching amazing sunsets over nearby empty playa marmejita. The outdoor bathrooms were beautiful, though there was no hot water. The two young brothers working in service were responsive and did their best to understand guests who didn’t speak Spanish.