Casa Iguana Hotel

I have two complaints. One is out of management's control. The Internet was not working the whole two weeks I was there. It was an antenna issue rather than the service itself. This is a problem throughout the Bay. I stayed at another hotel in another area that had the same problem. The second one is the jacuzzi. Some of the old-timers like myself remember the previous management and how the jacuzzi worked then. It was always hot, always full, always bubbling. When It overflowed due to water displacement due to many people, a gorgeous waterfall fell down the rocks. There was also a policy of no children in the jacuzzi. Current management still has the sign saying no children in the jacuzzi. However, they are allowed. Also, for some reason, management does not want to restore it to its original, gorgeous condition. Seeing this decline, this hotel, while a jungle paradise, has kind of a Motel 6 feeling about it. If you don't use jacuzzis and can work around bad Internet connections, then go for it. I plan to return next year.

I experienced serious decline of an exquisite jungle oasis. This is due to management. All the staff are the best I have seen anywhere, coping valiantly with a variety of difficult situations, which this program will now allow me to describe here.

I happened to go during the rainiest time, but the hotel was cute and roomy. There weren't a lot of people there at the time, but I was looked after well. There is very good security there and I never worried about anything. It's on a quiet street in Mismaloya that is really nice. The hotel has a little store which is very handy, and a pool and a nice restaurant. [...]in the restaurant is very nice and welcoming. And he makes fabulous Margaritas, and the food is good too.The room had two bedrooms, one queen and one with two doubles, perfect for a family. There was a kitchen and living room and bathroom - just a cute place. It was nice to sit out on the deck on rainy nights and just watch the rain falling. The hotel is close to the Vallarta Zoo, which is interesting, because you can get right up close to the animals, pet the giraffe, and touch a lot of them. They sell food in the store at the beginning so you can feed the animals and birds along the way. El Eden and the Ziplines are right up the hill too. I hear that the ziplines are great - very fast. El Eden was a nice little waterfall that you could slide down or swing on a rope into the pool. There was food and drinks there. It was a nice little place too.The beach is just a quick walk away, and although it's small, you can sit under a palapa and eat or drink there. There are lots of interesting Mexican people working and hanging out there - they're a lot of fun. The guys with boats will take you snorkeling or fishing or to Yelapa or wherever you like. You can always find something to do there. Everyone there is wonderful and a lot of fun. I love the beach vendors there, they are a lot of fun to talk with. If you need to catch a cab, just walk up toward the Barcelo and you can catch a cab or the bus into town. There is an ATM there as well. Mismaloya has some interesting places down the street, such as the Tequileria, a grocery store and places to eat.

For me it is a paradise. The only two problems I found were weak wifi internet connection and noise from the adjacent playground in one wing and noise from the restaurant in the other wing. When I told the new owner that the internet connection did not reach all the rooms, she was surprised and would take action. The next day she called the company. This is a major operation, as it was obvious they would have to install another router. As the hotel does everything to keep prices low, the hotel many not choose this extra expense. Therefore, you may have to settle for dragging your computer poolsize after sundown to avoid glare. As for the restaurant noise, it is a separate concession and management has no say. However, it is not loud and stops promptly at 10:00PM. I asked the manager to turn the volume down on occasion and he was most accommodating. All in all the management and staff are exceedingly friendly and eager to accommodate whenever possible, which is most of the time. They are eager for people to return and have repeat business. The last week in January, ending February 2, however, is a big, noisy religious festival in town. If you are in the wing that backs up to town, plan on not getting any sleep the last two nights of the festival. If you are in the other wing, bring earplugs.

This was a comfortable, clean establishment with a friendly staff and low-key vibe. If you want super pampering and attention like you get at a luxury resort, this is not the place for you. I loved that it is in a real neighborhood and near the zoo. A highlight was the restaurant adjoining the hotel, Serrano Restaurant. The manager, [...], is a welcoming host who just happens to have a great singing voice and a wonderful chef.