Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great place to stay in Ixtapa

Guest: Lisa in Seattle (Seattle, WA, United States)
Date of Stay: 02/10/12 Review Submitted: 02/19/12

We stayed here last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. There were eight adults (four couples) and we never felt a lack of space. One bathroom to every bedroom is perfect! We cooked dinner three nights during the week; the kitchen has a six-burner gas cooktop and the oven has convection. The owners have stocked the kitchen well with everything you need, including blenders, dishes, utensils, etc. There is also a very nice front-loading GE washer and dryer in a sizable laundry room off the kitchen. It was refreshing to go home with all clean clothes! The living/dining area faces the ocean; the entire window is giant sliding door onto a patio that spans to the far end of the two ocean-facing bedrooms. All of the bedrooms have A/C if you prefer to sleep cold at night, in addition to ceiling fans to keep the breezes going all day. The dining table easily seated the eight of us. The pools are fantastic and right on the beach. The outdoor bar serves drinks and snacks for very low prices (the owner stated they basically charge cost). The owners had two boogie boards and two inflatable lounge chairs, which we used. The surf out on the beach is perfect for the boards. A local woman, Claudia, works with the owners to arrange check-in and check-out. I emailed her in advance of arrival and asked if she could have refreshments and snacks waiting for us, since we all had flights with connections and would arrive thirsty (cerveza). She easily obliged and I later paid her back. Across the street from Amara, there are many restaurants, shops, and banks with ATMs. There is a "super"mercado, also, but is more of a mini-mercado. They do have the basics, but if you are wanting to stock up, I recommend taking a short bus or cab ride to Bodega Aurrera on Blvd Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa or down by the pier (farther into Zihua) to Commercial Mexicana, which is like a Super Walmart. If you want to go surfing, take a 20 minute ride up to the small town of Troncones, grab a beach table and chairs at Hotel Mi Casa Es Su Casa, and eat lunch and drink all day. There are surf board rental shops across the street, one block north, and one block south. The hotel is owned by a Seattle couple and the restaurant staff are friendly. We discovered this place when we stopped there for lunch during a 4-hour ATV ride (we booked with Jose at http://www.toursinixtapazihuatanejo.com/). We also arranged the ride to/from Troncones for the surfing day with Jose. Great condo and location!

Owner response:Lisa, thank you fo ryour kind words. I am so happy you had a great time. I learned some new things, too. I can't wait to ATV there. Please come again soon. Sandy

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Extraordinary accommodations and value!

Guest: Cathy & Ray Berch (Boulder Junction, WI)
Date of Stay: 12/03/11 Review Submitted: 12/06/11

If you haven't been to Ixtapa and specifically this property at Amara and are considering such a trip, this is where you want to be. This is our 8th trip to Ixtapa and 4th stay at Amara in this unit. the only reason we weren't here previously is because it wasn't built. Everything the listing indicates by the owner is even better than described. Since the unit is so well-equipped we're able to travel with carry-on luggage only and avoid checking bags. The view, the comfort, the furnishings and decor are all lovely. With the addition of WiFi for the building, communicating for business when needed as well as family and friends back home is easy and economical. Communicating with the owners throughout the year and coordinating the next stay is easy as well. We strongly recommend the location and this property. It's for certain we'll be back very year!

Owner response:Cathy, thank you for your wonderful review. We love sharing with you and look forward to many more happy times in Paradise.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

paradise in ixtapa!!

Guest: Susan (Springfield, MO)
Date of Stay: 01/29/11 Review Submitted: 02/13/11

We spent one week @this property with 2 other couples. The condo was fabulous. The views off the balcony were beautiful. the unit was very clean. Anything we needed was available to us including beach toys! The food and drinks at the palapa were a good value. It was like opening the door to another world when we walked in. Amarra staff were very helpful even in making some reservations. Our only concern was the noise for the back bedroom from the disco across the street, but the owners association is currently dealing with this issue. Great propery, great location to restaurants and markets and the bus and taxis were always right outside. All 6 of us were truly impressed and had a wonderful relaxing week. Thank you Sandy and Steve!!

Owner response:Susan, thank you for your wonderful review. Yes, we are working on the noise and hope to have it dealt with in the near future. It was a pleasure sharing our condo with you, and meeting you in person.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car.

Jason and Kari Soukup- Thornton, Colorado

Guest: Jason&Kari (Thorton, CO)
Date of Stay: 06/06/10 Review Submitted: 06/14/10

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL AND INCREDIBLE!!!!! Thank you so much Steve and Sandy for sharing your beachside paradise with us. We spent a week here for our honeymoon and left with memories that will last a lifetime. Although the listing photos accurately reflect the rentals appearance and amenities, upon entering this condo we still were left breathless with the unbelievable beauty that awaited us. The staff at the Amara were extremely helpful, thoughtful, and caring and were eager to assist us with any questions we had. There are endless opportunities for beachside activities such as banana boat rides, jet skis, parasailing, boating, snorkeling, sailing, and fishing just steps from the condo and swimming pools (biggest and best we've ever seen). We tried various restaurants throughout Ixtapa and found each of them to be very delightful and excellent. If you are truly looking for a place to relax and unwind this place will not disappoint you and most likely leave you wanting to come back for more, as it did for us. Thanks again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Guest: Mary Haigh (Hopkins, MN)
Date of Stay: 03/03/10 Review Submitted: 03/03/10

2/25-28/2010 WOW! What a fantastic spot. Thank you for sharing your slice of paradise with us. Everything was perfect. We are already making plans to return. Thank you again!

Owner response:Thanks so much for your kind words. We love it too. We hope you will come back! Would it be OK if we contacted you every couple of months and send you our booking calendar and rates? Steve and Sandy

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Guest: Rich Throner (Lakewood, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 02/08/10 Review Submitted: 02/08/10

We forgot to enter our very positive comments when we stayed in this condo for a week in early November 2008...but we are returning again in about 3 weeks! This place was fantastic! It's very relaxing and the photos are truly representative of the condo and surrounding - exceptionally furnished, all you could desire for comfort and relaxation. Additional water purification system and gated security while not necessary, provided extra "peace of mind." Close in restaraunts and stores were convenient and good; our breakfasts at the adjoing hotel were great. Loved the pools and cabana service, and of course the beach, parasailing and the banana boat rides. Also enjoyed the side trips to Isle Ixtapa and Zihuantanejo. Can't wait to return and will report on our second visit this March.

Owner response:Thanks so much for your kind words. We hope you come back! Would it be OK if we contacted you every couple of months and send you our booking calendar and rates? Steve and Sandy

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Guest: Cathy & Ray Berch (Boulder Junction, WI)
Date of Stay: 12/30/09 Review Submitted: 12/30/09

This property is a fabulous vacation spot! Not only is the view spectacular and the location extraordinary, the amenities and furnishings provide for everything needed to make our stay easy, comfortable and relaxing - everything from towels for the pool to kitchen utensils, washer and dryer for laundry, games. We love this unit! We love it so much that we are planning two trips per year instead of just one.

Owner response:Thanks for your kind words. We hope you come back! Steve and Sandy

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Guest: Karen & Steve Sutherland (Santa Cruz, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/16/09 Review Submitted: 11/16/09

When we walked through the front door, our jaws dropped. The view is outrageous from the 14th floor. This home is beautifully furnished and has every amenity you could ever want. In fact, everything was so nice, we never wanted to leave. The pools (3 total-1 adults only, 1 family, 1 toddler), cabana and grounds are lovely. What could be better than sipping margaritas, swimming and relaxing all day long? It was a great stress reducer and we can't wait to go back. The owners have outdone themselves.

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Guest: Bobbi2 (Santa Cruz, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/01/09

We had a fantastic time at this beautiful condominium. It was very comfortable for a group of 8 and had all the amenities we could ask for. The views and sunsets from the condo are amazing and the ocean is perfect for boogie boarding and body surfing. We'll likely visit again!

Owner response:Thanks for your kind words. We hope you come back! Steve and Sandy

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Guest: Cathy & Ray Berch
Date of Stay: 12/31/08 Review Submitted: 12/30/08

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!

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Guest: Neil (Santa Cruz, CA )
Date of Stay: 11/18/08 Review Submitted: 11/18/08

Luxurious. Amazing views. The VRBO ad is right on. This is a perfect place for a mix of couples and/or singles. There are four nice bedrooms, each with either a king or queen bed (comfortable). Two have balconies overlooking the beach. The pools are clean and clear and the beach is very clean. Be aware of the surf there. The smooth sandy bottom forms sandbars and the waves can break sharply at times (depending on the tide and the size of the waves).

Owner response:We thank you for your kind words. We hope you will come back! Steve and Sandy

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Guest: Cindy and Kelley Trosudale (Aptos, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/14/08 Review Submitted: 03/14/08

We had an incredible vacation.The accommodations were brand new,and furnishngs were high scale. The ocean view was commanding from four different rooms, with an endless powerful scenic corrider. The restaurants and stores are within walking distance. The pools were crystal clean, and the grounds perfectly manicured.Enjoy for a romantic get away or share with friends and family. Beautiful beach right out the door of the pool area!

Owner response:Thanks for these kind words. We hope you come back again! Steve and Sandy

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