Acapulco Hotel Classification System

Real Acapulco's Hotel Ratings

Well, the first thing you need to know about hotel rating systems is that the are almost totally subjective. Hearing 5 star or 4 star has a pleasant sound, but it doesn't serve as a basis for comparing hotels and amenities between countries, or even between cities within a country.

In Mexico, the hotel rating system comes from Tourism Ministry and divides hotels into Luxury, Grand Class (what they're also calling six star), five star, four star, etc.. I think that's about seven stars if you're counting. If you deduct a star or two, that will bring this ambitious star-powered system into line with what you might be used to in the U.S., Canada, or the U.K.

I'm not sure what a one-star would be under the Mexican government's system. I guess if I rented out the back seat of my car and called it the Grand Hotel Real Acapulco, it would be a one star. Maybe if I parked it somewhere with an ocean view, it could even be one and a half... before any of my friends in the government get upset at me, I'm kidding.

Anyway, the hospitality scientists at Real Acapulco have come up with a system that I think will be more intelligable to you my dear English langauge readers...

How does Real Acapulco rate hotels?

Five Star Hotels - Would Brad Pitt, Paris Hilton, or Prince Bandar stay there? If the answer is yes, you're probably dealing with a 5 star. A 5 star is a hotel that not only has all the amenities, but puts the lux into luxury.

Four Star Hotels - Could a group of top Japanese business executives stay here when all the five stars are booked without loosing face? If yes, you're probably dealing with a four star. All the amenities and a splash of class.

Three Star Hotels - How do you feel about a jazzy Holiday Inn with a bit of service and nicer view? That's an Acapulco three star. There are loads of three stars in the Golden Zone. Secure, comfortable, clean, and usually a good deal, but nothing to write home about. Ok, you could write home about them, after all they're in Acapulco!

Two Star Hotels - Ok, they're getting a little rough around the edges. Still livable, but not a lot of creature comforts. Don't expect room service or satilite TV. It likely has a pool, maybe hot water, possibly a nice view. Then again, it maybe not. Probably not all three. Air conditioning? A noisy wall unit most likely. Secure? Usually. A good deal? Almost certainly. Recomended? For budget travels, sure.

One Star Hotels - The one star. Hey, its got a bed and it is cheap as all living hell. What do you care, you're going to spend all night at the bar anyway. You can find clean, friendly and decent one star hotels. You can also find dirty ones that'll try to charge extra for the cockroaches. Probably no hot water, no great views, but it might only run you 7 bucks a night and many have a lot of character. Loads of these over in the area of La Quebrada and the Zocalo. Most have ceiling fans. Some have pools and decent little restaurants too! If you need any recomendations, ask us in the forum.

No-Tell Motels - decent options actually and usually have rooms available, though they may look at you funny when you actually want to spend the whole night (but hey, mirrored ceilings, free condoms on the nightstand, and 24 hour porn on TV!). Some cool ones over buy the bull ring in Las Playas including El Toro.

I guess a no star would be those places with rooms by the hour, flop houses with shared bathrooms. These are places where you wouldn't want to leave your belongings unattended, even for a few minutes. Real Acapulco doesn't list no star places. It's not becuase we wouldn't, we would. Truth is, I don't even know if this sort of thing exists in Acapulco with so many decent one stars available and houses for rent on the other side of the mountains for, I kid you not, $50 USD a month or less. If you're looking for a raunchy place like this, save it for your next trip to Newark.

I guess camping or sleeping on the beach (the latter of which I still do sometimes cause it's so enjoyable) are fun options too. Acapulco does have camping grounds and trailer parks (and we've listed them too).

I guess the point here is don't accept crap. There are so many hotel rooms and private vacation rentals in Acapulco that it's a buyers market, even in high season to a degree. Don't ever let anyone tell you have to accept less becuase all the hotels are "full". They're never all full, you just need to know where to look (like *ahem* the Real Acapulco website) ;-)