Holiday Inn Huatulco

Holiday Inn Huatulco brings a well-known mid-range style of hotel to a coast better known for resorts. For many travellers that is a relief. You know roughly what to expect from the room, the service and the breakfast, and the rate usually sits below the big all-inclusive resorts. It suits visitors who plan to spend their days on boats, beaches and day trips, and who want a clean, comfortable place to come back to without paying for facilities they will not use. Room types and facilities vary, so read the details carefully. Useful questions include whether breakfast is included, what the bed arrangement is, whether the room has a balcony or a view, and whether the pool and restaurant are open at the hours you need. Look at recent guest comments for patterns on noise, air conditioning and service, which usually shape the stay more than any single amenity on a list.

Huatulco rewards a flexible approach. The coast has nine bays and more than thirty beaches, and the best way to see them is by boat, with half-day and full-day tours leaving from the marina at Santa Cruz. A mid-range hotel makes an easy home base for that kind of trip, because you can spend on tours, snorkelling and meals rather than on the room. Ask the front desk to help with bookings, as local operators are used to hotel guests.

Think about the places you want to eat and walk. La Crucecita, the small town at the heart of the area, has the main square, restaurants, markets and shops, and is the best place for an evening stroll. A hotel within a short taxi ride of the town gives you a choice of dinners, while a hotel in the resort strip may keep you closer to the beach. Check the map and the distance to both before you book.

Families, couples and small groups all fit here. Check the policy on extra beds and children, and ask whether connecting rooms are available if you are travelling with several people. If you are arriving on a late flight, confirm check-in hours and whether the hotel can arrange a transfer from the airport.

The dry season, from November to April, is the busiest and brings sunshine and calm seas. The wetter months bring lower rates, green hills and afternoon storms. Compare the total cost with taxes and fees, bring sunscreen, a hat and a refillable bottle, and check the cancellation terms when you book. Ask about early check-in and late check-out if your flight times do not match, and keep a light rain jacket handy for the odd afternoon storm in the wetter months.