$100–200

Of the Tangolunda luxury hotels, both the most economical and with some of the most spacious rooms is the Hotel Crown Pacific (Blv. Benito Juárez 8, tel. 958/581-0044, toll-free Mex. tel. 800/711-0044, fax 958/581-0221, reservaciones [at] crownpacifichuatulco [dot] com). Despite its lavish facilities, the major drawback of the Crown Pacific is that it’s not actually on the beach: guests must either walk or shuttle a couple of blocks to the beach club. Although standard rates are about $150 per person, bargain packages can run as low as $100 per person, low-season double occupancy, including all meals, drinks, sports, kid’s miniclub, and in-house entertainment, all with a/c. During high winter season season and holidays, the same costs about $200 or more per person.

The Club Gala Resort Huatalco (Blv. Benito Juárez 4, tel. 958/583-0400, 958/581-0220, toll-free Mex. tel. 800/712-7401, fax 958/581-0220, infohux [at] galaresorts [dot] com [dot] mx, reservhux [at] galaresorts [dot] com [dot] mx, www.galaresorts.com.mx, $125 per person all inclusive), originally built and operated by the competent Mexican Club Maeva chain, ranks among Mexico’s better all-inclusive resorts. The beach setting is gorgeous, the tile floors in the halls and rooms shine, and bright bedspreads, immaculate bathrooms, and private oceanview balconies grace the accommodations. Kids seven years or under go free; 8–11 half price.

The Barceló Huatulco (Blv. Benito Juárez, tel. 958/581-0039, toll-free U.S./Can. tel. 800/227-2356, fax 958/581-0113, reservas [at] barcelohuatulco [dot] com, www.barcelohuatulco.com, $125 per person all inclusive), originally a Sheraton hotel, is now a worthy member of the worldwide Spanish Barceló chain. Rooms are comfortable, deluxe, and decorated in soothing pastels, with private bay-view balconies, phones, cable TV, and a/c. All lodging, food, drinks, and in-house entertainment are included. Kids 2–12 stay for about $55.

Perched at the west end of Bahía Tangolunda, the Hotel Las Brisas Huatulco (Lote 1, tel./fax 958/583-0200, fax 958/583-0240, toll-free Mex. tel. 800/227-4727, toll-free U.S./Can. tel. 888/559-4329, lasbrisas.huatulco [at] brisas [dot] com [dot] mx, www.brisas.com.mx, $150 s or d), formerly Club Med, is now owned and operated by the highly respected Mexican Las Brisas hotel chain. The place is huge, spreading from its grand open-air lobby, from which carts ferry guests to hundreds of spartan-deluxe view rooms equipped with all modern amenities. Hotel facilities include many sports, three pools, gym, secluded beaches and coves, kiddie activities, and much more. Two kids under 12 go free with parents; breakfast is included.

Over $200

If the Camino Real Zaashila Huatulco (Blv. Benito Juárez Lote 5, tel. 958/583-0300, toll-free Mex. tel. 800/910-2300, toll-free U.S./Can. tel. 800/722-6466, fax 958/581-0461, zaa [at] caminoreal [dot] com [dot] mx, www.caminoreal.com, $300–450 d) hasn’t yet gotten an architectural award, it should soon. Builders have succeeded in creating a modern luxury hotel with an intimate feel. This begins right at the reception, a plush round palapa, where arriving guests are graciously invited to sit in soft chairs while being attended to by personable clerks, who are also seated, behind rustic, designer desks.

Outside, you walk to your room through manicured tropical gardens, replete with gurgling fountains, splashing brooks, and cascading, green lawn terraces. If the Zaashila has a drawback, it’s in some of the 148 rooms, which, although luxurious and comfortable, are entirely tile-floored and could use more color and warmth. However, the arrangement of separate units, nested like a giant child’s building blocks, resembles a space-age Hopi Native American pueblo, each unit uniquely perched among the whole, affording much privacy and light, especially in upper-floor units.

Outside, a few steps downhill, past the big, meandering blue pool, comes the superb beachfront: acres of luscious, billow-washed yellow sand, intimately enclosed between wave-sculpted rocks on one side and a jungly headland on the other. Some units have their own little private pool; all have access to water sports, tennis, golf, and three restaurants.

© Bruce Whipperman from Moon Oaxaca, 5th edition