I just returned to the states from 10 days in Zihuatanejo. Went down with three couples and we all stayed in three different locations. The two girls chose a resort in Ixtapa and were not so happy. Seems that taxis target tourists and charge an arm and a leg to get back and forth to Zihuatanejo. Ixtapa is for young kids on spring break that want no cultural experiences other than booze and [--]. The two other couples stayed at Hotel Catalina on La Ropa Beach. By far the best beach around. Spendy to do so but there are a few cheaper resorts on the beach but I here the service at them is not so great. Plus Hotel Catalina has hundreds of stairs to manuever from room to beach. Not fun drunk or sober. Me.... I stayed about three streets off of the tourist beat in the Centro area. Hotel Imelda has few reviews. The few I read went something like.. I was the only gringo and I loved it. Hotel Imelda caters to more of the mexican families and business men. It claims to be 4 star but maybe not by everyones standards. But you could eat off of the floor it is kept so clean and the view of real mexico on the street below your balcony is entertaining for hours. I met the owners son Juan, he speaks good english but he might be the only one there that does. It is locked up at night and if you need in no matter how late or how drunk you knock on the window and you gain access. I went to bed each night on a bed covered with flowers and little towels designed to look like animals. When I go back I will definetly stay in this hotel again. Right across the street is a very inexpensive restaurant called restaurand economica. Good food low low prices. My favorite bar of the whole trip is also across the street. If you get a chance go there and say hi from Eric. The owners brother manages it his name is Missyle. He speaks excellent english and is an amazing artist. The best thing about this bar is the young couple who work there almost daily. Erika and Emanuel made my trip very unique. We spent every day together improving upon their english and my spanish. They took me places that were amazing and more than a few tears were shed when they drove me to the airport. I had so much fun and spent so little money unlike my friends who spent tons at their local areas. Coincidently it only cost three bucks to get to where they were at and enjoy the beaches in front of their hotels. I do reccomend learning spanish or having the desire to try to speak spanish if you want to have as much fun as I did. My secret was a 10 dollar book from Barnes and Noble titled Hide this Spanish Book. Got lots of laughs and was a great ice breaker. Anyway if you get to Zihuatanejo, definetly say hi to the crew in Amigo Amigo. Cheers Eric