For the past 4 winters, we have stayed at Suites Alba for three to four weeks each year. We have just returned from our latest visit, and hope to return again next year.
The hotel complex consists of several buildings, 5 swimming pools, one small beach area in the Bay of Acapulco accessed by a cable car, and one huge water slide. Some suites have kitchenettes, and some units have a view of the beautiful bay. The hotel also has an affordable restaurant on site, which also provides room service upon request (menu in the suites). A lot of the hotel staff don’t speak English or French, but they are generally friendly and patient. The hotel operator speaks English and other languages. There is also a small convenience store on site. The “loza” (kitchen supplies dept.) provides cutlery, pots, dishes as well as beach towels. Some of the older suites need upgrading, but they are kept clean with daily housekeeping services. The hotel also has a playground area for young children, and a kiosko where there is a free entertainment as well as music and dancing about once a week. The kiosko overlooks the bay and is beautiful in the evening. During the high season, the hotel also provides a free shuttle service to the downtown area. The shuttle follows a route so if you time it right, you can pick it up on the way back to the hotel. Otherwise, taxis are cheap, but negotiate before you get in. The hotel is a safe complex with security guards.
Suites Alba is located in older Acapulco away from the noise and pollution of the downtown hotel strip. It’s located up a hill, so if walking is not your forte, you can take the hotel shuttle, taxis, or a “combi” up the hill. “Combis” are vans (pretty rustic) that will take you up the hill for 5 pesos (about 45 cents). The hotel is situated close to Caletta beach (shuttle’s first stop) for beach lovers. From Caletta, you can take a small (near Magico Mundo) to Roqueta Island—a nice place to picnic, hike and swim. You have to pay for chairs and tables, but can get a package deal if you order some beer. One of our favourite spots is the restaurant “La Cabana” on Caletta beach. It’s a great place to have dinner or just have frozen Margueritas and sit on the beach. We also enjoy taking the shuttle down to Caletta and then taxi up to Los Flamingos restaurant, where John Wayne, Johnny Weissmuller (the original Tarzan) and other old-time movie stars hung out. The restaurant overlooks the Pacific Ocean and sunsets up there are beautiful. And if you go there on Thursdays, the "pozole", a traditional Mexican dish, is delicious.
Because Suites Alba is very affordable, the hotel hosts many long-term retired guests during the Canadian winter.
Roberta and John,
Ontario, Canada
- Alba Hotel Acapulco
- Suites Alba
- Alba Resort Acapulco
