Your private elevator awaits outside your front door. We leave the door open.
Location: Ixtapa, Guerrero, Mexican Riviera, Mexico (Ixtapa is 5 mins. from Zihuatanejo, 20 mins. from ZIH Intl.)
Accommodations: Condominium, 4 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 4 Baths (Sleeps 8-9)
WELCOME TO PARADISE
We did the best we could with our camera but pictures of paradise are just pictures. Paradise is an experience, or rather a mix of experiences that involve memories, emotions, and all the senses.
PLEASE SCROLL THROUGH AND ENLARGE THE THUMBNAIL PICTURES ON THIS SITE
Think of this place as an open-air, 2,200 sq ft, observation platform that is continually awash in warm sunshine, fresh ocean breezes by day, and cool, earthy, mountain breezes by night. Here, you can watch the sunset from the couch, master bedroom, or balcony lounge chair, as easily as you can from Amara's private, beachfront, cabana bar.
While you are doing so, note the captions and PLEASE feel free to add the sound of waves, the smell of salt air, the feel of ocean breezes on your skin, the constant smell of tropical flowers, the AHHH from a dip in the pool, the warmth of the tropical sun, the wonder sunset brings from a 14th floor perch, the peace and tranquilty that beachside living brings, the feeling of having it made while sipping an ice cold beverage in the tropical shade. And don'f forget the AYEEEEEE you and your companions scream as you run headlong and dive into a crystal clear, 80F degree ocean, the anticipation of playing unhurried, uncrowded, inexpensive, oceanside golf, the comfort it is to have your friend or lover beside you as you stroll down a moonlit beach.
In the photos, you can see that, with the floor-to-ceiling glass doors pushed aside, the line between being indoors and being outside, is moot. Think of this place as an open-air, 2,200 sq ft, observation platform that is continually awash in fresh ocean breezes (daytime) and cool, earthy, mountain breezes (nighttime). Here, you can watch the sunset from the couch, master bedroom, or balcony lounger, as easily as you can from Amara's private, beachfront, cabana bar.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: ACTIVE COOLING…………………………………………………………………… Central A/C with separate fan units, digital remotes, and thermostats in each bedroom. The living area also has a separate thermostat and remote control. PASSIVE COOLING……………………………………………………………………… When we arrive, we push aside all six, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors on the ocean/beach side of the condo and, for the most part, leave them that way until we depart. Secure and private on the 14th floor, above mosquito airspace, and at the same latitude as the island of Kauai, who needs glass? We control the incoming breeze through different areas of the condo, by adjusting the amount of outgoing air through the large sliding windows on the mountain/town/golf course view side of the condo. When the winds reverse to offshore (at night), we reverse the process, opening the mountain view side windows wide open and partially closing the bedroom sliding glass doors to the balcony. You will get the hang of it the first time the breeze s
- Washer: Our laundry room is private and located just off the kitchen. It has a new, top-of-the-line GE, front loading, large-capacity washer. We provide purified wash water, liquid laundry soap, woolite, and no-wrinkle dryer sheets.
- Dryer: Our laundry room is private and located just off the kitchen. It has a new large-capacity, top-of-the-line, GE, front-loading gas dryer. We also provide a retractable clothesline (and clothespins), a top-quality, Teflon-coated steam iron, an ironing spray bottle, and a full-size, covered, ironing board.
- Linens Provided: We provide 400 to 600 thread-count linens, 10 large Amara-monogrammed terrycloth pool towels (security requires these at pool to identify owners and invited guests (you) of Amara). We provide eight sets (two for each suite) of wash cloths, hand towels, and bath towels. For the kitchen, we provide dishtowels, hand towels, washrags, scrub sponges, dish soap, and dishwasher soap, and a bag of rags for accidental spills.
- Off Street Parking: Two 14th floor parking spaces are located just to the right and very close to the central stairway and elevators. Our curb is marked 1402B. The parking area is under surveillance w/egress and ingress controlled by security guards at the entrance gate to Amara.
- Elevator: Two small elevators serve the two condos on the 14th floor. There are no hallways at Amara so you will not hear people getting on and off. The elevators land at a semi-private private vestibule (breezeway) (see picture) several feet from your front door.
- Beds
- King Bed: The two beachfront King suites each have one King-sized, medium-firmness, pillow-top, bed. These are the best money can buy in Mexico.
- Queen Bed: The two mountain-view, Queen suites each have one Queen-sized, medium-firmness, pillow-top, bed. These too are quality beds.
- Convertible Bed: The larger of the two mountain-view, Queen suites has a bench-style, built-in platform sofa that housekeeping will gladly make up as a comfortable single bed. The bed has an extra firm, 4-inch thick, high-density, foam mattress.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV: We have Sky Cable. Our package includes some US networks and 5 billion spanish stations, plus GREAT digital music selections. NOTE: We discovered this package includes some X-rated programming and some does not require special purchase arrangements: monitor your kids!
- DVD
- Video Library: Just a few videos. Nothing special.
- Video Game Console: We don't provide the console but our Phillips home entertainment unit provides every port imaginable to hook up your gaming system. Bring your cords and cables.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library: Bring your Ipod or other MP3 or MP4 player. We have a universal docking station for portable/digital listening devices.
- Private Pool: It might as well be this place is so uncrowded. Very typical to have 0 to 4 people in the two infinity edge pools. I have never seen a youngster in the kiddie pool and it is really nice, with partial and shaded lounging for Mom and Dad.
- Shared Pool: Amara Ixtapa has three beautiful, crystal-clear, blue-tiled, pools. The family pool (enormous) and the adults-only pool (quiet and private) have infinity edges that are just six feet above the beach. You can watch the surf and passersby as you keep cool in the pool. The third pool is our circular kiddie pool. It has nice lounging accomodations for Mom and Dad. Each pool has its own set of partial-shade pergolas that allow you lounge and read with just a hint of tanning sun. Between the family pool and the adults-only pool (see pictures), stands our beautiful, open air, Amara Home Owners Association bar/snack bar. Our bartender(s) charge you what they pay for refreshments at the supermarket plus a little more to offset their Amara Home Owners Association wages. A beer is a little more than a buck. Please these individuals as you would for a full price drink. Sign a tag for our room. Administration will reconcile your bar/snack bar tab with you before you leave.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Our WHOLE-HOUSE WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM delivers water that surpasses all US Government Drinking Water Standards for Municipal Water Systems. Includes particulate filtration to 5 microns or less, carbon filtration, and UV PATHOGEN STERILZATION. It produces PURE, SAFE, GREAT-TASTING water from every source in the house, including water from our refrigerator's ice water and ice dispenser, kitchen faucet, shower heads, and bathroom faucets. Similarly, it provides purified water for the washing machine and dishwasher surpasses all US Government Standards for municipal drinking water. You do not have to buy purified water or lug purified ice bags up from the car. Sweet and safe. Large capacity, GE, self-lighting gas range with standard or convection modes. Includes six-burner stove top with two-burner griddle (optional). Double stainless steel sink.
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Everything you can think of and more from bowels to carving knifes. Blender, coffee maker, toaster, lots of tupperware, 10 sets of dishes, tortilla griddles, range griddle, lime squeezer, the works. If you find yourself missing something for the kitchen, buy it and give the receipt to the adminstrator. We will reimburse you.
- Refrigerator: Large GE side-by-side refrigerator with in-door ice and icewater dispensers and UV purified (not just filtered) and carbon filtered water.
- Dishwasher: Large capacity GE Dishwasher with Sanitation Settings. (Not really necessary because of the water purification system)
- Microwave: Large capacity GE 1300 Watt, turntable microwave.
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio: Well
- Balcony: Please see "Lanai" Only 20% of the condos at Amara have this feature (though all have generous balconies in front of their living areas). Our balcony extends beyond the living area and serves as a semi-private sitting area for the two beachside (King) suites. Instead of a picture window and no balcony, 14th floor occupants can exit onto the balcony through large, floor-to-ceiling, sliding, glass doors.
- Lanai: We are fortunate to be among the 20% of Amara's owners with a full-length lanai (covered balcony) and even more fortunate to have purchased on the 14th floor. Our floor is well above the older, 12-story beachfront highrises in the Zona Hotelera and that provides us with views over the rooftops, of Troncones, Marina Ixtapa, the Playa Marina Golf Course, Isla Grande, and so on. The see-to-forever view is unobstructed up and down the beach, as well as straight out to the islands and beyond. The view, the sea breeze, the ocean sounds, and the smell of sea air, mixed with the constant bouquet wafting from Amara's tropical flower gardens, is a mixture just right catching sunsets, doing some whale or dolphin watching (we provide binoculars), watching the "sunset cruise" yachts slip down the coast, watching the first rays of morning "spotlight" the salmon-colored, all rock islands off shore. The balcony is also a great (even better) spot at night. You can view the beach skyline lig
- Gazebo: Here, it is called a "cabana", and there is none better situated, more private, more intimate, or more beautifully built (rope-lashed/poles) around. Please see the photos. Soley for the use of Amara's owners and guests, it serves as a gathering place for card players, laptop users (wifi), readers, peoplewatchers, (the cabana is 10 feet above the edge of the beach) and folks just enjoying a tropical drink, juice, soda, or snack. We provide mixed drinks, beer, wine, soda and snacks AT OUR COST to ourselves and our guests (you). "Cost" is the price our bartenders pay at the local grocery store, plus a little additional to defray their wages. Just sign a tab. Adminstration will have you settle up before you check out, or failing that, we will bill your credit card. Amara tradition is to show up at the cabana just before last call (Sunset), and raise a glass to The Creator for producing another visual miracle. Soon after, and not one drink after sunset, the cabana closes for th
- View/Location
- Beachfront: Yes. From the balcony, living area, beachfront suites, and breezeway. Please see the photos.
- Mountain View: The queen suites have wonderful views of the mountains that form the backdrop for the beach town of Ixtapa. The are verdant green during the rainy season, and a mixture of green and brown during the dry season. Occupants of the Queen suites can also see the sunrise over the hills that separate Zihuatanejo from Ixtapa, the Playa Marina Golf Course, daytime and city ligths views of Ixtapa, the Ixtapa Botanical Park, the paved bicycle path that runs from Zihuatanejo, past the Amara, and continues for miles along the coast toward Playa Quieta, Playa Linda, and so on.
- Golf Course View: You can see different parts of both of Ixtapa's championship golf courses from different windows in our condo. The Amara is on the beach, exactly in the middle between the golf courses. From either course, there are places where you can plainly see Amara's fourteenth floor.
- Monument View: The tiny islands you see in virtually every "Ixtapa Sunset" and "Zihuatanejo Sunset" postcard are right in front of the Amara. They are indeed beautiful and have no doubt, been photographed
- Communications
- Broadband Internet: Yes. We also provide an all in one copier/printer/scanner unit, however, fax is not available as we do not have a phone line. Instead, we use Skype on our portable.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): Call administration on our white intercom phone and aks for the wifi password. You will need to provide your last name and our room number. Administration answers calls between 9:00AM and 7:00PM Mountain Time. TIP: I take my laptop down to the cabana. You will find that wifi reception there is better there than in our condo. (The sporadic signal strength in our condo is supposed to be fixed soon...Mexcio time).has excellent wifi reception, sturdy tables and comfortable hardwood chairs, tropical shade, warm ocean breezes, great views, refreshments, snacks, bathrooms (below the cabana), swimming pools to cool off, and all the junk email I can stand. Ten out of eleven isn't bad.
- Other Amenities
- Airport – 25 minutes by automobile, taxi, or airporter. Zihuatanejo – less than 10 minutes by bus, taxi or automobile. Harbor Activities – Gorgeous Ixtapa Marina is less than 5 minutes by car (many prefer to walk there via the beach) and offers rental slips for blue water cruisers, individual and charter dinner/sunset cruises, snorkeling/dive boats, restaurants right on the water, and retail shops. Shopping – Grocery Store and native arts and clothing boutiques all within easy walking distance Beach Activities – Ixtapa beach features a smooth sand bottom and is suited for many ocean activities. All beach/water goers are advised to use caution whenever the surf is up! For those with more daring, parasailing rides and jet ski rentals can be obtained right outside Amara’s beach gate. Personal Health – Local spa and beauty services are available nearby. Ocean massage tents are a short walk down the beach. Golf – The north-facing suites in our condo feature golf course views.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations): There are no toilet or shower hand rails for wheelchair-bound individuals. However, two of the four glass walled showers are wheelchair accessible and each has a wand-style alternative showerhead. There is ramp access to all exterior and interior amenities, including the elevators, beach bathrooms, and beach. We have premium parking places very close to the ramps or stairs leading to the elevators. With advanced notice, we can install handrails where neccessary.
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations): There are no toilet or shower hand rails for wheelchair-bound individuals. However, two of the four glass walled showers are wheelchair accessible and all showers have wand-style showerheads. There is ramp access to all exterior and interior amenities, including the elevators and beach. We have premium parking places very close to the ramp leading to the elevators. With advanced notice, we can install handrails where neccessary.
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed: Absolutely not. No pot either. Administration has been instructed to evict, without refund, and with local police help if necessary, any renting party whose members violate this rule.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
LOW SEASON $300/night (May-Nov but see exceptions below)
PEAK SEASON $900/night
HIGH SEASON $440/night (Dec-April but see exceptions below)
THANKSGIVING(November 21 - November 27) $330/night (5 night minimum)
DIOS DE LOS MUERTOS (October 31 - November 2) $450/night (2 nights minumum)
EASTER $600/night
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS (Dec 24 - Jan 2) $900/night (8 night minimum)
To support our staff, we PAY FOR & REQUIRE housekeeping at least every other day.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Property Photos
- Your private elevator awaits outside your front door. We leave the door open. - Ixtapa, Mexico Vacation Condo
- Not Shown: Tropical Breeze, Wave Sounds, Warm Sun, Sea Air, Privacy, and Peace. - Ixtapa, Mexico Vacation Condo
- Private, Beachside, Non-Profit, Cabana Bar for Owners and Guests - WiFi Here - Ixtapa, Mexico Vacation Condo
- Views: beach, jetty, sunsets, moonsets, islands, nite skyline, backs of eyelids
- Our Amara Ocean Suites Have Balconies and Sliding Glass Doors (most do not)
- Family and Adults-only (round) Pools, Lounge Pergolas, Cabana Bar, Beach Palapas
- View: Sunrise, Sierra Madres, Golf Course, Arboretum, City Lights, HeatLightning
- Fading Sunset Shot from the Living Room Couch. Note Heavy, Glass, Balcony Walls
- With Sliders Aside, "Your inside is out and your outside is in! - John Lennon -
- King View: Balcony, Palms, Beach, Blue Pacific, Islands, Moonrise, Night Skyline
- Ready for Reading or... Shot in front of 42" HD TV w/Cable/DVD and 5.1 Sound
- L-Shaped Kitchen - Like Home w/ Premium GE Appliances - Everything You Need
- View: Skyline Looking Up the Beach Toward Marina Ixtapa and Punta Ixtapa
- Nightfall at Amara. The Headland (w/distant lights) Separates Ixtapa & Zihuat.
- The Pause Between Warm Onshore and Cool Offshore Breezes Can Be Breathtaking
- UV Purification Produces Safe, Clean H20 at Sinks, Showers, Icemaker, Appliances
Guest Comments (4)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #171058
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This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - November 19, 2009
Positive Rating
Bobbi , Santa Cruz, CA
Positive Rating
Absolutely perfect! A beautiful setting with all the comforts of home. How wonderful to have top of the line kitchen appliances for making breakfast to be enjoyed on the balcony while the sun rises over the mountains, and dessert in the evening watching exquisite sunsets. The layout of the condominium with four bedrooms and four baths is roomy yet intimate and totally convenient at the same time. The furnishings are luxurious yet casual and comfortable. The décor perfect for the setting. This was a working vacation for me and a relaxing get-away for my husband. I had room to set up office, have wireless internet access and a fabulous view at the same time. When I wanted to forget about work, all I had to do was close a door. There wasn’t a thing that we needed during our stay that we couldn’t find. The owners have it so completely equipped which made our stay effortless. After vacationing for years in hotels, what a bonus to have the washer and dryer. For that and every other well thought out detail, our sincere thanks to the owners! Even for two people, the accommodations are absolutely perfect and a tremendous value!
Positive Rating
Neil Christopherson , Santa Cruz, CA
Homeowner Response:
Thanks for you feedback Mr. Christopherson and thanks for the heads up about water safety. Yes, ocean beaches can be tricky and body surfers and swimmers should use caution. Wave strength can vary from minute to minute, not only by wave height, but by bottom topography and ocean tides (depth). As a surfer for many many years, I have this advice. WATCH before you get in. DECIDE the best place to go out. When you are in the water, NEVER turn your back on Mr. Ocean.
Positive Rating
Cindy and Kelley Trosudale , Aptos, CA
Homeowner Response:
We appreciate your lovely sentiments Mr. and Mrs. Trousdale. Thanks, again, for your kind words. Please come again! IxtapaSteve