After many hours of deliberation & research, I decided on exploring a new-to-us area of Mexico. At first, I planned to return to a favorite (Todos Santos), and then quickly changed my mind and booked flights to Tulum (I haven’t been since 2016!). After a few days, I switched our flights because Tulum didn’t feel quite right for a vacation with an infant. That’s when I discovered Troncones + Zihuatanejo. They were just what I had been looking for: still somewhat undiscovered by American tourists, slow-paced, casual (there would be no late night ragers with a 10-month old in tow), and well-designed beach-front hotels & villas!
Where did we stay? We started off our 7-night trip with two nights at The Thompson Zihuatanejo. I had an amazing experience at The Cape in 2020, so my expectations were high for the Thompson Zihuatanejo. In terms of the resort grounds, room & views my expectations were exceeded. But sadly, my expectations were not met in regards to the service and food. Due to low season, there was a bit of construction going on throughout the day, and several of the resorts restaurants were closed. I’m also convinced that the head chef (who has rave reviews) was on holiday while we were there. Mistakes were frequently made with our order. The food was.. good. But not mind-blowing, rave-worthy or even memorable. Hopefully this was only a fluke, because the beach, pools, resort grounds and views were all incredible! Absolutely nothing beats eating on a gorgeous stretch of beach while the palm trees sway above and the waves crash nearby.
Which Room? We booked the “lagoon suite with plunge pool” and loved it. Now that we are a party of three, I prioritize rooms with their own outdoor space where Alan & I can relax during nap times & the early evening. This suite was perfect. We ordered margaritas to the room and soaked in the pool while reading a book. The dream.
I actually loved being on the first floor because there was a small patch of grass perfect for baby girl to crawl in. Though I imagine the upper floors may have the allure of views of the ocean, we were still able to hear crashing waves from the ground floor.
We saw the inside of a “beach suite with plunge pool” and I personally didn’t prefer it due to less privacy.. anyone at the beach can see you on your patio, whereas we were in our own little hidden oasis in the lagoon suite.
I had researched & bookmarked off-site restaurants & shops, but once we arrived at The Thompson I had no desire to leave the gorgeous property. Had I known the outcome of each meal, I may have ventured out to some other restaurants. Though in May, midday treks are a sweaty endeavor.. and I will realistically always opt to stay by the pool and order guac. Here’s some of the spots I would check out next time:
- La Casa Que Canta – a beautiful spot for a romantic dinner (we tried to go for my birthday, but they do not allow children)
- Mercadito Zanka – a food court made up of food trucks that looks like a great local experience
- LOOT Surf & Lifestyle Store – a cute shop that was closed during our trip
- Fika Concept Store – a local home store
- Playa las Gatas a public beach walking distance from The Thompson .. the water is much clearer here and looks like it would be a beautiful spot to check out on a morning walk.
Overall, I absolutely loved our stay. It was exactly what I hoped for: relaxing, beautiful and very easy with a little one.