With the new year, we are bracing for a big influx of vacationers and tourists. All of them will be looking for a resort or hotel to stay in while on their vacation. Here is a list and brief overview of the biggest and most popular resorts and hotels in Manzanillo, Mexico.

Manzanillo's Top Resorts and Hotels

Manzanillo's Club Maeva

According to their website Maeva is an all-inclusive Moorish style hotel and resort, situated on 90 beachfront acres facing the beautiful Santiago Bay. Club Maeva Manzanillo provides a playground for the whole family in a tropical setting facing the warm waters of Santiago Bay. There are four restaurants, various bars and discotheques and other tasty treats provided for your culinary delight. The rooms are in the style of a Mediterranean villa with either one or two-bedroom suites.

What makes Club Maeva unique is the vast amount of amenities offered to their guests. Everything from multiple pools, large water-slides, archery ranges, mini-golf, sports fields, and even an ice skating rink is all there to be enjoyed. Manzanillo's Club Maeva makes a great family get away.

Barcelo Karmina Palace

Karmina Palace in Manzanillo looks more like a fantasy land than an all-inclusive resort. The architecture and grounds are modeled after authentic Mayan palaces and decor, two steps in the door of Karmina and you feel transported to another world. A good sales person wrote on their website:

"The awe-inspiring vaults of the Barcelo Premium Karmina Palace's lobby will awaken your senses. Here the Great Mayan Temple of Palenque is reconstructed in larger than life dimensions, paying tribute to one of the most advanced civilizations of the ancient world; you will be able to appreciate the intricate wall carvings modeled after the ruins of Chiapas.

As you walk along the royal grounds of the resort, the legacy of the ancient Mayan culture resonates. From the fallen pillars around the "cenote" (natural sinkhole), to the replica of Mayan inscriptions on the walls, you can truly lose yourself in the atmosphere of this magical "karmic" place.

Whether or not it lives up to that hype is your call, but if you are planning on a Manzanillo vacation, be sure to check these guys out.

Hotel Tesoro

Yet another of Manzanillo's all-inclusive resorts is Tesoro Manzanillo. It was once one of the premier resorts in Manzanillo, but since word has it that it has declined in quality a little. Though this beachfront all-inclusive is still a good choice for the budget oriented who don't want to pay the $300-$400 price tag of Karmina Palace. Here's a quote from the Tesoro Manzanillo website:

"Rising dramatically above its own private beach in La Audiencia, Manzanillo's most historic cove, the majestic Tesoro Manzanillo (formerly Gran Costa Real Manzanillo) rises astonishingly over a charming beach in a tropical mountain frame, this luxury resort features a series of activities and night entertainment. It is an ideal choice for romantic getaways, family vacations and groups and conventions."

Las Hadas

One of the most popular resorts in Manzanillo is Las Hadas Golf and Marina Resort. They call themselves a self-contained resort that offers guests the type of luxurious accommodations and exclusive amenities that seasoned travelers expect from a world class resort.

The styling and architecture of Las Hadas seems to be pulled out of the Arabian Nights. Las Hadas has been ranked among the best 100 Golf Resorts in the world and is has a AAA 4 diamond hotel ranking. Very popular with the golfing crowd its features include an 18 hole championship golf course to rival any Florida golf vacations you could dream of. Also you can enjoy various water sports, a private marina, lighted tennis courts, and fine cuisine. The Las Hadas resort catch phrase is "Dream it, feel it, live it."

Wyndham Grand Bay Hotel Isla Navidad

Finally, you can't leave out Manzanillo's own (and only) 5 star resort the Wyndham Grand Bay Hotel Isla Navidad. From the reviews we've seen and read, very few people leave this place disappointed. Here's a bit of their promotional material:

"Centuries after Hernan Cortes first admired this hidden Eden, history comes alive at Grand Bay Hotel-Isla Navidad Resort. Surrounded by lush, coastal hillsides and acres of stately coconut palms, the hotel is designed to reflect the rich heritage and culture of its native land. Flowing fountains and abundant gardens are enhanced by superb furnishings and original art and blend with the natural setting. The centerpiece of Isla Navidad, a 1,200 acre private island bordered by ocean-sculpted coves and a tranquil lagoon, this magnificent beach resort is blessed with privileged luxuries such as a yacht marina and one of only two golf courses in Mexico to win Golf Magazine's Gold Medal Award."

So there you have it, Manzanillo's top resorts. In the spirit of full disclosure, we haven't stayed at any of these, so if you have any insights or additional thoughts on the hotels and resorts in Manzanillo- please share it with the class. Everybody who is planning a Manzanillo vacation would benefit! If you are looking for a smaller Manzanillo hotel then check out Hotel Real Posada in Santiago.

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