Flanked by the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains and a number of other from Mexico Metropolis and Acapulco by automotive, the sleepy fishing village turned low-key resort city of Zihuatanejo has fortunately escaped the type of overtourism its extra well-trodden counterparts like Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, and Cancun have endured over time. Opened in 1953, the airport first introduced native Mexican vacationers to its fairly palm tree-fringed seashores earlier than overseas vacationers (together with two Rolling Stones and counterculture determine Timothy Leary) found the charms of “Zihua” a decade later. Most of the resorts have been constructed again then, too, together with attractive personal properties (designer Betsey Johnson has a spot there) that also discreetly dot the hills hugging Zihuatanejo Bay, together with hidden gem lodge, Thompson Zihuatanejo.
A Modern Intimate Resort
Being simply fifteen minutes by automotive from the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Worldwide Airport means you may be in full trip mode (learn: cocktail in hand underneath a seashore palapa) at Thompson Zihuantanejo not lengthy after touching down. The 56-room lodge sits in a main spot on Play La Ropa and is a Shangri-la vacation spot for sunseekers, surfers, and artistic varieties or anybody searching for a low-key but luxe place to remain steps from the sand.
Native architectural agency, Andrés Saavedra Design labored alongside the in-house Thompson design crew on a significant renovation of the property in 2019 with lodging and public areas benefitting from a glossy new look that fuses mid-century fashionable with conventional Mexican paintings. Colourful handwoven rugs, mosaic tiling and native stone options throughout visitor suites, plus furnishings and authentic prints by native artist collective, Casa Studio. Warning: you’ll most likely need to put at the very least one piece in your suitcase to take residence with you.
Swim-up Suites & Non-public Plunge Swimming pools
Intimate but spacious the property is dotted with walkable gardens punctuated by a meandering lagoon. Impressively every of the visitor rooms and suites get pleasure from Pacific Ocean views it’s only a query of deciding whether or not you’d slightly have a personal terrace with a plunge pool or plump for one of many 11 swim-up suites. With its personal outside leisure space, together with a moist bar and personal terrace with an outsized day mattress, the grand Poobah Thompson Suite boasts third-floor ocean views and loads of seating areas for entertaining do you have to be on the town to social gathering with mates or household. Whereas the Beach Suite with Plunge Pool is one other enjoyable choice for {couples} with one thing particular to have a good time. Completed in darkish granite loos additionally really feel like luxe affairs and are available stocked with coveted DS & Durga merchandise.
The brand new mural at Thompson Zihuatanejo by Mexico Metropolis artist, Oscar Torres
Barefoot Beachfront Eating
Keri Bridgwater/JustLuxe
Newly appointed government chef Javier Garcia Cerrillo is main the cost at each of Thompson Zihuatanejo’s culinary ideas sourcing a lot of the components used throughout the dishes domestically – from rock oysters and ricotta cheese to greens from close by farms. At palm-thatched palapa restaurant Ceniza (the Spanish phrase for ash) dish elements get the wood-fired therapy, together with a sesame–charred serrano chili salsa and a huitlacoche truffle-corn ash clemole (a Mexican fashion rooster stew). Romantic dinners on the seashore will also be organized and employees may arrange a bit of personal hearth with cushions in order that {couples} can retire for a dessert of toast s’mores and stargazing. In the meantime trendy all-day eatery Hao has an intensive menu of native favorites, like huevos rancheros, plus recent juices and classics like French toast, making it excellent for breakfast and lunch.
Whereas it’s taco night time on Saturday on the Thompson, in Zihuatanejo Thursdays are for pozole. Don’t really feel like venturing into city? Chef Cerrillo makes a hearty but deliciously aromatic inexperienced pozole utilizing poblano peppers, inexperienced tomatoes, and pumpkin seeds amongst different key components. It’s historically served with a shot of mezcal to sip alongside the soup with a slice of grapefruit to open the palette and tantalize tastebuds even additional.
SUP, Yoga & Spa Time
Regardless of downtown Zihua being only some minutes away by taxi, many visitors want to spend their time ensconced on the resort. And with the golden sand of Playa La Ropa stretching out in both route and the glowing Pacific Ocean steps away from suites and solar loungers, it’s onerous accountable them. For a change of scene, there’s an adults-only oceanfront infinity pool and a family-friendly pool with a swim-up bar.
Whereas the spa affords a collection of rituals and coverings, like massages and facials, visitors who need to get out on the water can borrow SUPs and cruise round on the bay – dawn is a good time for this when the water is at its calmest. They’ll additionally schedule a tennis lesson with a neighborhood professional or put their names down for the 7 a.m. beachfront yoga class earlier than grabbing breakfast at Hao.
Round “Zihua”
Made well-known by “The Shawshank Redemption,” (when Tim Robbins’ character escapes jail, he’s headed straight to his dream paradise, Zihuatanejo) and regardless of seeing a gradual however regular inflow of vacationers over the many years, Zihuatanejo has held onto its laid-back charms. Regardless of extra hip and up to date fashionable additions just like the Thompson and idea house, Loot, the tempo is gradual and unhurried, and the city’s fishing village roots are nonetheless evident. Fishermen line Playa Principal each Saturday morning, promoting their catch to residents and restaurant house owners. The Mercardo Municipal is one other venerable spot promoting the whole lot from fruit and fresh-baked bread to molcajetes (Mexican mortar and pestle units) that’s effectively value a nostril for folks watching and memento buying.
Lower than an hour north alongside the coast, mellow seashore cities Troncones and La Saladita draw surfers from California, Canada, and past who come looking for lengthy peeling left handers the area is known for and never so secret breaks like “The Ranch”.
Getting There & Away
Playa La Ropa by way of Flickr
Alaska Airways operates a direct day by day service from Los Angeles (LAX) whereas nationwide service Aero Mexico additionally flies to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Worldwide Airport (ZIH) from main hubs like Dallas/Fort Value (DFW) by way of Mexico Metropolis (MEX). From the San Diego-Tijuana Cross Border Xpress (CBX), Mexican no-frills airline Volaris operates a twice-weekly direct flight each Wednesday and Saturday. Mexico is open to vacationers, and there’s no want to offer a unfavourable PCR take a look at or quarantine on arrival whereas a COVID-19 take a look at can also be not required for returning CBX passengers.
All photographs courtesy of Thompson Zihuatanejo until in any other case famous.
