The Caleta is one of the grand old hotels of Acapulco, one of the first available in the heart of Old Acapulco, where the whole resort sprang up from. In fact in the dining room there are some fascinating photos of the hotel taken from the 1930's through to the 1970's that show how it grew over the years, and Acapulco with it.
We arrived here having fled from a nearby hotel that was just unacceptable, and it seemed like an oasis in comparison. After two days staying here one could see more clearly its flaws, it's a hotel that needs some TLC, but for us it really did the job - a place to flop down after a long day on the beach with the kids, a spectacular view from our room (really and truly an unbeatable vista I defy you not to relax with a beer out on your balcony), a shower that works, and a kitchenette to prepare snacks and breakfasts. Just what we wanted.
We got a really good rate to stay here from room touts nearby that work the plaza just as you turn into Caleta beach. The walk-up rate was around 80 dollars for a double room, but the room touts were offering the same for around 45. I checked it all out with the hotel beforehand and it's all legit, the "mayoristas" block-book rooms at a much cheaper rate and sell them on at a modest profit. Plus they come to the check-in desk while you book and pay, which was reassuring. And this hotel was good value at 45 dollars, but I'd have been less happy with the hotel if I'd paid 80 dollars.
There are just two types of room. Standard has two double beds, a balcony and bathroom, and the one I saw looked perfectly acceptable. They also have suites, which are two standard rooms knocked together, that is, they have four double beds split between two bedrooms, a bigger balcony, two full bathrooms and in middle a small kitchenette with fridge and microwave and a few utensils. And they charge exactly double for the suite (ie. we paid 90 dollars). These suites are *huge*, two king size beds are swallowed up by each bedroom easily - a big family group of 10 or 16 could fit in fine and not be treading on each other toes, just bring a few inflatable mattresses and folding chairs and you're away. The downside is that they are a little shabbier than the double rooms I saw, but not by much, just be sure to check your suite before checking in. Also the air-con was hopeless in our suite, but the rooms are so big we didn't find it a problem.
Hotel facilities:
Swimming pool: Good size, deep with a roped off shallow end for the kiddies. It was clean, although all around the pool gets hot in the sun, you need sandals to walk around it. Noisy (sometimes annoying) music played all day, but this is normal for any Mexican family hotel.
Salt water pool: Closed for renovation, and that looked like it could take some time...
Bar: Pool-side bar
Restaurant: Nothing-special meals but good value if you go for the set menu (and are plenty hungry). Spectacular view from restaurant.
Gardens: Very pleasant and well kept.
Squash court: open air, didn't try it but it looked OK from outside.
Private beach: Not a beach at all but a rocky cove, good for escaping the crowds but not exactly an inviting place to spend your time. Not good for kids.
Best of all you have a small path beating down to Caleta beach which is the best beach in Acapulco for children, especially youngsters, gentle waves, no currents and the rest of the beach will be full of other kiddies for them to play with. Rent umbrellas and chairs for
small fee, take a bottle of water with you and enjoy the fun! There are restaurants along the beach, La Cabaña is the best, the rest are run by a collective (that is, no point shopping around for lunch, they all charge the same and not much less than La Cabaña). Waiters patrol the beach and will bring you food and beers all day. Very relaxing.
Final tips: weddings, events etc take place on the bay side of the hotel, which can be noisy and last well into the night. If you want peace and quiet, get a room towards the Caleta bay end of the hotel. You'll also be away from the noisy pool area. The higher the room, the further from the mosquitos you are.
To sum up:
Good points: Huge suites, acceptable doubles, unpretentious, good pool, bargain if you can negotiate a decent rate
Bad points: Shabby in parts, average restaurant, steep climb from beach, a three-star hotel at best.
- Caleta Beach Hotel
