This year, January 2006, it's the Romano Palace in Acapulco for us ones again. Yes we have been there two times in the past. The Romano palace is located at Costera Miguel Aleman No 130 Acapulco, Guerrero 39690 Mexico. The hotel is located in the best tourist and services area of Acapulco and across the street from Condesa Beach. So if you are looking at the pictures like the one I have here it may look like the hotel is right on the beach, but as in this case pictures can be deceiving. The hotel is across the street of the Costera or Main Street. It is also right across the street from Condesa beach, and the only Bungee Jumping in Acapulco. And for those who are interested, they are only about 30 minutes from the airport.

Since we are going back in January or 2006 and will be staying at the Romano Palace for the third time, one has to wonder, do we like it there? I guess we do or we would not be going back, right. They offer an all-inclusive package with 3 Meals daily, plus all drinks (Domestic beer & cocktails, house wine with dinner, 10am-10pm).

Well we are back and so I will bring you up to date! Would we stay at the Romano Palace Hotel again? Most likely, but it will depend on whether we get a good deal or not and a few other factors. So what did we like and what did we not like and what should you know before you go.

Here is what you might like and hate about the Romano Palace Hotel;
The location, it is located right close to the action, now which could be a good thing as well as a bad experience. The good part is that just about anything you want is within walking distance, and the places that are to far to walk to you/we can take the bus or a taxi right in front of the door. It is close to the beach and places to dance and enjoy a drink with friends as we spend many evenings across the street at Paradise or Barbarroja's. So what is the bad part about that is that if you want peace and quiet then the Romano Palace may not be for you as the music goes on until at least 4 in the morning every night.

My sister and brother in law had a room in the front of the building on the 19th floor and can attest to fact that the music not only goes on till 4 in the morning but that at times even the windows rattle from the beat. Couples that we were talking with have also stayed at the Romano Palace many times and they just ask to get a room at the back of the building so that they are not disturbed by the noise. Me on the other hand I enjoy a good party and was most likely across the street till 3 or so most nights and so the music does not bother me.

Our room was also on the 19th floor and we loved it as the view was just incredible and if I don't get a room in the front of the building I will request on as soon as one is available. Of course being a photographer I enjoy the view of a great sunset and an incredible view of the Acapulco Bay. As you view the pictures on this page you might notice the fantastic view in photographs of the bay, bungee and sunsets and of course the great Acapulco Bay, all part of the location.

The only objection that I have on the hotel are the most uncomfortable beds, I can't believe that anything can be that hard to sleep on, but then maybe most beds in Acapulco are that way. The other complaint that I had is that the first few days were the meals, remember all inclusive. It seems that everything is done in some kind of souse and taste the same way, plus there was very little variety. The meals were much better in the past and my friend Max told me that a year ago he ate there a few times because the meals were really good. However we should have gone to the orientation meeting and I always go but it had slipped my mind and I taught about when it was to late. As there we would have learned that if we didn't like the buffet that they had a special menu for all inclusive guests. So four days later we finally found out about the special menu and from then on if we didn't like what was on the buffet we just ordered from the menu, which worked for us.

Another big plus on the location is the main restaurant, located right in front of the hotel, what a great place to sit and watch people, horse and buggies, and friends walk by. It is also a great place to sit after the meal and listen to the music from the organist or guitarist while enjoying a few drinks. At one time the hotel offered a great life band in the front restaurant/lobby. But the organist had a great voice and even bought one of his CD's so we enjoyed the entertainment or warm up for some dancing across the street at Paradise of Barbarroja's. So from year to year this may change so ask your Travel Agent for details before you travel.

But one of the most enjoyable parts of the hotel were the bartender Jesus, our bar girl Diana at the beach-bar. And the waiters/waitresses were great as well, keep up the good job, we love the attention! The hotel is located across the street from the beach, however they offer a beach-bar with a place to enjoy a cool beer, pop or water as you enjoy the complimentary chairs and umbrella. They have no snack bar at the beach, however just go back to the hotel and order whatever you would like at the pool snack bar.

The brochure says that they also have snorkeling and boogie boards available; don't forget to reserve for these. I never asked if they indeed have these available so I cannot say for sure. Since I have my own snorkel gear with the corrective eyepiece I didn't ask if they were available.

There is another reason that we like the Romano Palace and its great location in Acapulco right in the heart of the hotel zone and central to nightlife, restaurants and shopping. One of our favorite pastimes is going for a long walk on the Acapulco boardwalk. It is a great way to see what's going on and who is around, and you be surprised who else is in the city that never sleeps. Just up the street are malls, outdoor shopping areas and flea markets, bars and all kinds of smaller shopping stores and places to visit.

As a photographer I also like the location for another reason, remember that it is a 22 storey giving me a great view of Acapulco. Now the swimming pool is located on the third floor, also with a great view of the Main Street or Costera, Oh yes don't forget the open bar by the pool in addition to one or two more on the main floor and second restaurant. When we were there they also offered a great second restaurant on the second floor again with a great view.

On both our last visits we were able to stay in one of the front rooms, they are of course the largest as well with best view of the Acapulco Bay. They offer one king bed and is great for couples as well as honeymooners. However if you are with a family or three or four people shearing, you will get a Hotel Room with 2 double beds and they even have rooms three beds, imagine that. They are on the slanted side of the hotel with a partial view of the Bay. All the rooms come with a Balcony or terrace as well as Air-conditioned, but if I remember right we didn't use the Air much as the breeze of the Bay is refreshing by itself. Well with the music blasting we kept the windows closed and the air on this year.

The Condesa beach is also a great beach just to sit and relax or go for a long walk. But it's also a great place to meet other people and of course catch a few rays. Now if you are staying at the Romano Palace they offer a beach bar, lawn chairs and palapas/umbrellas for your enjoyment. Another big plus for the Hotel.

Well I hope that this page is helpful and enjoyable for you.
Fred Meulemeester

This year we are traveling with www.sunwing.ca Have a look at their website for more information on what they offer at Romano Palace Hotel

I wish to thank Sunwing for a great flight and vacation at the Romano Palace in Acapulco. However I'm not sure that I will ever travel with Sunwing again nor will I even be able to book any clients with Sunwing again.

On Tuesday January 10, I booked 5 people including myself with Sunwing flight 501. We selected Sunwing because we would be departing for Acapulco at 6:10 am and so we would be there by 12:00 noon and be able to enjoy the better part of a great day in Acapulco (meals and drinks, remember we were all inclusive.)

A couple of weeks before our departure we were told that Sunwing had changed the departure time to 2:30 in the afternoon and with the delay we didn't get to our destination until 9:30 in the evening. HOWEVER on the way back they departed Acapulco at 11:00, meaning that we needed to be leaving our hotel at 8:00 am, to me and about another hundred or so passengers we got cheated out of a day.

I know what you may say; the small print allows us to do this, right!! So if you were to buy 14 items for $1400.00 and on delivery you only got 13 you would say ok here's the money. Or would you want $100.00 back and an explanation why you were being cheated out of a whole day/item?

It is similar for my photography business, if I told my bride that they were getting 14 photographs for their album and now I can only deliver 13 and my contract tells them that this may happen(the small print). I'm sure they will not only want a refund but will want an explanation why they were cheated out of one-fourteen of the promised deal.

I have contacted Sunwing and trust that they will be able to help myself and six other people out by doing the right thing and give us a voucher or refund toward a future trip.

Sincerely
Fred Meulemeester