Dolphin Cove Inn (Manzanillo, Mexico)

Dolphin Cove Inn is a gem. A real discovery if you are looking for a well-priced, charmingly decorated place to stay with breathtaking views that can?t be surpassed anywhere in Mexico, not at any price. Enhanced by impeccably groomed gardens and brilliant displays of bougainvillea, the bedrooms are nestled in clusters of white buildings hugging a steep hillside next to the world-class Las Hadas Resort. Dolphin Cove Inn is a select group of 35 suites (from studios to three bedrooms), which are run like an intimate hotel within a larger complex called Playasol Manzanillo. Every room has either a balcony or terrace capturing a romantic panorama of the deep-blue sea back dropped by volcanic hills. Every suite has a well-equipped kitchenette or kitchen, a bathroom decorated with hand-painted Mexican tiles, colorful hand-loomed fabrics, and enchanting headboards carved by the Tarascan Indians. If you are economizing, the studios are fabulous, but the one-bedroom suites with huge terraces are exceptionally appealing and offer outstanding value. Because Dolphin Cove has such a rich selection of accommodations (from studios to three bedrooms?plus many possibilities for adjoining suites) it makes an ideal choice for a romantic hideaway, parents with children, or family reunions. A maze of staircases laces the property, leading to the swimming pool and, just below, a beach. The main attraction at Dolphin Cove is just relaxing, reading a novel, sleeping late, taking a swim, a quiet stroll on the beach. However, golf and tennis are readily available. Manzanillo has the best climate on the West Coast of Mexico, dryer than Puerto Vallarta and cooler than Acapulco. The year-round average temperature is 27 degrees C or 80 Degrees F. Note Dolphin Cove?s hillside setting captures incredible views; however the many steps down to the beach, pool, and restaurant make it unsuitable for those with a walking problem.