For the past three years, we have been lucky enough to spend two weeks over Christmas at Villa Carolina. I can honestly say that there is no place I'd rather spend the holidays. The only way I can face checking out is to make a reservation for the coming year. As a seasoned traveler who enjoys new adventures, I am often asked why I would choose to return to the same place year after year...
Villa Carolina is like a home away from home. Entering the front door of Villa Carolina the vacation begins as the weary traveler is immediately greeted by two love birds perched outside the villa's office. Checking in is like seeing old friends. From Tim and Carolina, the genuinely down-to-earth owners, to the ladies who clean the suite and write messages on the bed using pieces of flower stems, to Jose the gardener who warmly invited my son to his home where his wife cooked him authentic Mexican tamales, to Cyntia, the newest gem of a staff member, who was never too busy to make dinner reservations, change them, act as translator to the hairdresser in town...every member of the Villa Carolina team is a friend. The Villa itself is small and intimate, but amazingly it never feels crowded. The beautiful pool is a highpoint of our vacation. Quiet mornings spent reading around the pool turn into interesting chats/book swaps with the other guests (some repeat visitors that we always look forward to catching up with, and others, interesting new friends). Late afternoon, Informal cocktails with hors d'oeuvres prepared by staff member Marta round out a perfect day at the pool. Writing this review brings back so many fond memories of Villa Carolina...I can't wait to return in December!

This was our third stay at this architecturally stunning property. Constructed in an adobe style with the typical regional thatched roof (palapa) this seven suite villa is a short walk from Playa La Ropa. We spend most of our time at the unique free-form pool quietly reading while enjoying the interesting guests that the villa seems to draw year after year.
This villa is spotlessly clean with sweet little touches by the maids on a daily basis. The owners Carolina and her son Tim are wonderfully personable and most helpful. Located practically next to the notable Casa Que Canta, we find it every bit as nice at half the price.
There are many restaurant choices close by. Town is a quick five minute ride away with some unusually fine handmade craft stores available.
As a world traveler i would highly recommend this property to anyone who is looking for a truly laid back Mexican vacation.
My only caution ... beware of the hidden costs of a car rental at the airport

my wife and i stayed in one of the master suites at villa carolina for our honeymoon back in january of 2007 and loved it. through some good fortune we found ourselves able to go back this past january '08, again in a master suite and loved it even more. the villa is modest in size, feels private and comfortable and yet it still maintained feeling a little decadent and luxurious. the staff are very sweet and friendly and kept the place immaculate and the guests happy. we noticed some of the same guests both years, so i'd guess, like us they find themselves coming back every year they can, and everyone seemed very polite, at peace and happy.

i can't recommend villa carolina enough. the master suites are dreamy. the 'sauna' (it's mexico, it's really a great plunge/relaxation pool) was big enough for two to stretch out in. it has a great modest kitchen in the lovely open air half of the suite. and the bedroom was spacious, 2 leveled and lovely. look at the pictures i've posted, you can get a better idea then the villa's website. we were blown away the first time we walked through the door into our suite.

looking forward to being back.

We were back for our 6th trip to Villa Carolina this year. It remains just as great as it has been in the past. Lovely spacious rooms, with everything you could need for a relaxing vacation. Our favorite spot for breakfast in Zihuatanejo is on our patio with fresh coffee, fruit and yougurt. Late at night after a strenuous day of beaching it, and a great dinner at one of Zihuatanejo's great restaurants, it's time to use the microwave to pop some corn and throw a DVD in the player and just hang in the "living room" for a while before drifting off into the arms of Morpheus. This year they've added a layer of foam to the usually hard mattresses and the beds are quite comfortable. The bathrooms are spacious and well appointed. You're a hop skip and a jump away from La Ropa. Even when the hotel is full it is a sanctuary with as much privacy as you would care to have. Caroline, Tim, Cyntia and the rest of the staff are simply great, doing everything they can to make your vacation memorable. We've already made our reservations for next year and this time for a full two weeks. A word to the wise, when we made our reservations three weeks ago for next year, they only had a couple of rooms available. If they keep up the marvelous work they have been doing for the past 8 years or so, in the near future those of you who have never stayed ther will have to wait for those of us who are regulars to get to old to travel. (grin)