Between the violence and the tacky, expensive high-rise hotels, Acapulco these days is a place we wouldn't DREAM of staying. But, Pie de la Cuesta just down the road is a world away. We first stayed here New Year's 2011. What brought us back: the not to be missed experience of waking up before sunrise and sipping coffee from adirondack chairs on the adjacent lagoon as flocks of birds whooosh by us. Then, across the street to catch the crash of Pacific waves followed by a delicious and generous Mexican breakfast in the courtyard. Over 20-plus years, Mexico City-based Helmut and his late wife Coco created a lush, fantasy-land jungle retreat, now run by friendly Helmut and his gracious daughter Erika. Think quirky, but efficient German hospitality meets the tropics. Fountains, orchids, coconut trees, a grotto-like pool, a shaggy horse roaming the back of the property, a cherub who squirts you if you come within range -- make me chuckle just remembering the details. You can hang out all day drinking and eating or head up the road for fresh red snapper/huachinango at an almost always deserted strip of beachfront palapas where the road ends. This is a low-keyed, relaxing place; we have had friends for whom it has been too rustic. But, for us, Quinta Erika offers a unique experience we highly recommend and are ready to return to next time we hit Guerrero's Pacific coast.
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Date of stay: February 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I was expecting a rustic, charming, romantic little place. Here's what I got instead: (1) Tiny lizard poops all over the bed. They were the size of grains of rice, and even when our room was cleaned, the poops reappeared soon thereafter. (2) Lots of bugs. The inn is not in the city, so I knew to expect some bugs and mosquitos, but I didn't expect thick spider webs all over the leaves and all around the hammocks. There were so many gnats and other bugs hovering over and around the lagoon that it made relaxing there impossible. (3) The lagoon itself was unappealing, slimy, unrefreshing. (4) They have a small pool on the property. It's pretty, but just try sitting in it. The inescapable smell of some kind of animal poop (horse?) wafts all over you. (5) Just as we were going to bed on our last night there, an enormous cockroach made its way across the floor. This thing was huge! And I live in a major US city and have seen some big roaches. My husband was able to trap and kill it, but I could not sleep that night for fear of what other creepy crawly thing might appear.
The breakfast (included) is okay, but far from stellar. The rooms' windows are screened but have no glass, and the rooms are located closely to one another and to the main house, so don't make any noise you wouldn't want anyone else to hear! The shower in the bathroom is tiny and dark - I avoided it and went for the outdoor shower instead. It's only cold water, but it's refreshing on hot days. But overall, I felt this place was unclean. When I got to our next hotel, i had to take two long showers to get all the grime from this place off myself.
If you're looking for a budget-type lodging, this is an option. I would probably have liked it fine in my backpacking, hostel-staying days, if I were traveling with a friend and not a romantic partner.
The property is across the street from a quiet beach. It's not the prettiest beach, but it's secluded and pretty clean. Getting dinner is pretty inconvenient. You'll need a car, or there's one place down the road, about a 15-20 minute walk each way, that's on the beach and has pretty good food and cold beer. It was okay for us, but the walk might be a bit much for older folks or little kids.
Also of note: What they charge you for transportation is pretty inflated. But you're at their mercy because, like the other reviewer said, it's difficult (or impossible) to get a cab on your own.
One final thing: This place is not in Acapulco. It's about an hour out of town, basically in Pie de la Cuesta. So it's pretty boring. I'm not a big "doer" on vacations - I like to laze about on the beach, mostly - but I still found this place boring. Maybe because there was not any spectacular scenery to "entertain" me.
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Date of stay: March 2011Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
If you look for a place to relax and enjoy the silence I highly recommend Quinta Erica. The place is owned and lead by a German emigrant and his Mexican wife. He built a amazing place with nice little cabanas, a open air shower and pool. Everything is nestled into the nature around and looks like a unit.
The lagoon is directly connected with the hotel and to reach the beach you just have to cross the street.
His daughter Erica is serving the breakfast which one for such a kind of b&b places delicious and fair enough. For lunch we went along the beach and choose some of the cousey small restaurants who serving you fresh fish and ceviche as well as a cool bear.
We took a cap from Acapulco what cost maybe 200 Pesos. To return you can take a collectivo what comes along the street every couple of minutes. It will take you back to the center of Acapulco and cost around 5 pesos per person.
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Date of stay: September 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
If you’re looking for typical 5 stars, catered to, 5 star resorts like they have in New York City, then go to New York City. If you prefer loud speakers vibrating the items off your end table at 4 am, then go down town Acapulco. But for those who prefer a very nice relaxing vacation in a clean and beautiful setting, and without a personal butler, then Quinta Erika is for you. It is located about 20 minutes outside of down town Acapulco, on Barra de Coyuca, 8 km from Pie de la Cuesta, now on a much improved costal highway. Taxis are available to Acapulco for around 140 pesos, 5 - 6 pesos on a very interesting yet efficient public bus system. Small public vans can be taken to the end of the Barra or Pie de la Cuesta all day long for about 6 pesos, just go to the side of the road and raise your arm. Yes sometimes other passengers have a live chicken or a bag full of fresh fish on their lap, (seldom seen in New York).
The property has the nicest grounds on the entire Barra and is located on the lagoon side about half way down the Barra. A very short walk across the road brings you to an endless and very private beach, although swimming is not recommended due to he current and high waves. The B&B has 4 nicely appointed rooms, plus a fully functional, fully furnished, self containing bungalow. While in the rooms, you will enjoy a fantastic breakfast every morning. Las Panchita is about a 10 minute walk and is one of the finest and extremely clean restaurants in the area. There is also a nice, natural stone wading pool located amongst the palms with several loungers for relaxation. At the lagoon is a large patio over-looking a million dollar view. Half has a shaded area, and half is for sun bathers. This is the number one place to enjoy your first cup of morning coffee and watch the sun rise over a small mountain near Acapulco. This is also one of the best spots to enjoy a cuba libre (although every place is a good spot for a cuba libre). The hosts live on the property and are eager to assist you or answer your questions. Safety and security is never an issue at the Quinta Erika.
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Date of stay: February 2012Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:The bungalow is by far the best for families with a couple children.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The location is perfect for an out-in-paradise experience: it is far from the bustle of the larger resorts and beaches, and yet close enough to major tourist infrastructure in Acapulco. The hotel has the necessary amenities to enjoy your stay, but still has a rustic feeling which makes you feel more in contact with the surrounding nature. If you are willing to forgo a few luxuries (the rooms only have climate-warmed shower water, not cold, but definitely not hot), you can have a great experience. Nature will be all around you, which for us was an amazing experience, but if you are put off by insects, lizards and geckos, perhaps this is not for you. There is a small deck on the lagoon which is perfect to read a good novel end to end. Definitively the most valuable asset of Quinta Ericka were our hosts. You will truly feel welcome into a home more than to a hotel. Helmut and Erika are kind, fun and are great conversationalists if you want to approach them. It is clear that the property is a big part of their lives, and they have built and decorated it in their own personal style. (Helmut has a sense of humor and mechanical skill, which he can use to make a couple of contraptions that will amaze you and maybe make you laugh). The pool is not very large, but is built with stone, giving you a wonderful rustic feeling. We only had breakfasts during our stay, and they were nice homemade meals. If you have some food restrictions, do tell them the day before since there is a fixed menu. The beach is about a half a mile from the hotel, so you will have to drive or take a taxi to one of several “enramadas” on the beach. Enramadas are very simple and inexpensive “beach-clubs” that have bathrooms, showers, restaurant and bar service, and some even have a swimming pool. Usually they will charge you $7 USD for all day admission, or ask for a $15 USD minimum tab. Sunsets fall right on the water year round.
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Date of stay: December 2016Trip type: Travelled with friends
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
