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Summary of reviewsReal de Chapala stands out as a charming lakeside retreat, nestled beside the serene waters of Lake Chapala, offering guests a beautifully scenic location that combines tranquility with convenience. The hotel's position allows easy exploration of Ajijic's attractions while maintaining a peaceful ambiance surrounded by lush gardens and captivating lake views. Guests are consistently impressed by the spacious and comfortable rooms, which provide ample space for relaxation and showcase picturesque views of both the gardens and the lake.
The hotel excels in delivering a generally positive breakfast experience, noted for its variety and flavorful selections in a buffet setup, complemented by attentive and friendly service. Even though there are occasional logistical challenges, the overall breakfast experience remains satisfying. Dinner receives mixed reviews, with praise for certain dishes like pizza, but suggestions for increasing menu variety and improving service efficiency to better meet guests' expectations.
Real de Chapala is commended for its cleanliness across the property, with particular note of the well-maintained pools and landscapes. While some areas require maintenance to address the hotel's age, the cleanliness of the pools and gardens stands out. The staff is frequently praised for their warmth and dedication, helping to create an inviting and pleasant atmosphere, although improvements in attentiveness during busy times are suggested.
The hotel offers decent Wi-Fi, though connectivity can be spotty in certain areas, and parking is ample and secure, albeit lacking shade. Ideal for families, Real de Chapala provides excellent facilities, organized activities, and a family-oriented environment, ensuring a memorable experience with opportunities for both relaxation and fun. While the beds receive mixed reviews regarding comfort, many guests find the beds and new bedding to be cozy, though some variations in firmness are noted.
Despite a few areas for improvement, such as dining services and Wi-Fi connectivity, Real de Chapala remains a sought-after destination, cherished for its stunning natural setting, spacious accommodations, and the personal touch of its dedicated staff. The combination of beautiful views, comfortable amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere ensures that visitors leave with fond memories and a desire to return. Show more
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Categories
Hotel with Swimming Pool
This hotel features a hot tub and a seasonal outdoor pool, offering guests recreational amenities. It is located in Zapopan, providing a convenient location. The hotel offers both relaxation and seasonal enjoyment.
Heated Pool Private Pool Outdoor Pool
Hotel with Parking
Offers free parking and parking is included with the stay, ensuring guests have access to parking facilities during their visit.
4-Star Hotel
This hotel offers a hot tub and a seasonal outdoor pool, ideal for relaxation. It provides recreational amenities and is well-maintained, with good food and friendly staff.
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
This family-friendly hotel features a seasonal outdoor pool, a children's pool, a poolside bar, and a hot tub, providing various options for leisure and relaxation.
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Business Hotel
Accessible Hotel
Hotel with Private Pool Rooms
Hotel with Heated Pool
Room Types
Double Room with Two Double Beds with Lake ViewThis 2nd-floor room features excellent lake views, a cable TV and a desk. Guests also enjoy a wardrobe and a private bathroom with a shower and toilet.
Double Room with Two Double Beds with Garden ViewThis room features excellent garden views, a cable TV and a desk. Guests also enjoy a wardrobe and a private bathroom with a shower and toilet.
Suite with Private PoolThis spacious suite features a seating and dining area, as well as a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Guests also enjoy a terrace with a private pool.
Please note children cannot be accommodated in this suite.
Guest Reviews
8.1
Very Good
Location
Nestled beside the tranquil waters of Lake Chapala, Real de Chapala boasts an enviable location that many guests find truly magnificent. With its serene atmosphere and sweeping views of the lake, this hotel allows visitors to soak in the natural beauty of the area from the comfort of the restaurant or garden. It is conveniently situated within walking distance to the heart of Ajijic, making it easy to explore the town's charm while still enjoying the seclusion offered by its beautiful green surroundings and peaceful neighborhoods.
The hotel is praised for its spacious and comfortable rooms, providing guests with a sense of relaxation and openness, while the expansive grounds and gardens make for leisurely strolls. Guests appreciate the blend of rustic and quaint charms along with the excellent facilities, including lovely pools and fast internet access.
Real de Chapala's location is not only ideal for a picturesque retreat but also places guests in proximity to downtown attractions and necessary conveniences. The warm and attentive staff add to the welcoming ambiance, ensuring a pleasant stay. While some mention the hotel’s age, it only adds to the character and old-world charm that make Real de Chapala a uniquely restful destination.
Breakfast
Real de Chapala offers a breakfast experience that is generally well-received for its variety and flavorful offerings. Many guests highlight the buffet setup, noting its extensive selection and delicious options. The brunch buffet is particularly praised, with visitors enjoying the rich and varied menu. Guests appreciate the attentive and friendly staff during their morning meals, underscoring the appealing combination of good food and commendable service.
While the surroundings enhance the overall dining experience, adding a scenic view of the lake, some mention the need for better logistical organization. Issues such as long waiting times, a lack of variety on certain days, and occasional service hiccups have been pointed out. A desire for more continuity in service and better-trained staff is suggested to elevate the breakfast experience further.
Overall, Real de Chapala delivers a satisfying breakfast buffet that many find impressive for its breadth and taste. However, improvements in service efficiency and menu diversity could strengthen its offerings even more.
Dinner
Real de Chapala offers a mixed dining experience at its on-site restaurant, particularly during dinner service. While the quality of food receives a nod for good taste, diners frequently express a need for improved menu variety, especially for guests who plan a lengthy stay. Pizza is highlighted as a delicious option, proving that some dishes can delight taste buds. However, many reviews suggest that the dining options are limited, often leaving patrons wishing for more expansive choices, including a la carte services.
Pricing is a common concern among guests, with many feeling that the cost does not match the quality delivered. Service speed is another area with room for improvement; diners often experience delays despite the restaurant staff's friendly demeanor. The overall atmosphere benefits from the availability of outdoor seating, which allows guests to enjoy meals amidst the pleasant weather. Nonetheless, certain dietary preferences, such as vegan or vegetarian options, are noticeably absent.
Real de Chapala shows potential with positive remarks about specific dishes and the overall ambiance, but consistently faces challenges in menu variety, service efficiency, and pricing. Improvements in these areas could enhance the dining experience significantly.
Rooms
Real de Chapala offers notable accommodations that consistently impress with their spaciousness and comfort. Guests often comment on the large size of the rooms, which stand out compared to many other hotels, providing ample space for relaxation. Many rooms feature beautiful views of Lake Chapala and the picturesque gardens surrounding the hotel, enhancing the overall experience with a breathtaking backdrop.
The rooms are often praised for their cleanliness and comfort, with beds that offer a restful night's sleep. Additionally, guests appreciate the tranquility and privacy the hotel offers, making it a peaceful retreat. Despite some maintenance issues, such as outdated furniture and occasional damp smells, the rooms are generally clean and the hotel itself exudes a serene atmosphere.
Some guests note drawbacks in terms of maintenance, where certain amenities like air conditioning and shower facilities may not always work optimally. Other concerns include uncomfortable mattresses and pillows, suggesting potential improvements. However, the spacious rooms and stunning views often overshadow these minor inconveniences, leading many guests to express a desire to return for another visit.
Overall, guests find Real de Chapala to be a pleasant destination, particularly valued for its generous room dimensions, comfort, and scenic views that beautifully complement its serene lakeside location.
Beds
Real de Chapala offers a mixed experience when it comes to the comfort of its beds. Many guests commend the beds for being extremely comfortable with large, cozy pillows, making them excellent for a restful night's sleep. The bedding and towels are reported to be new, enhancing the overall comfort. However, opinions vary significantly, with some guests finding the beds and mattresses too firm and uncomfortable, sometimes leading to a less than restful experience. Issues with plastic covers on the mattresses causing warmth have also been noted. Moreover, the size of the beds can be smaller than expected, and there have been mentions of the pillows lacking freshness and being too firm. Thus, while some visitors enjoy the sleeping arrangements, others suggest that improvements in mattress comfort could enhance the experience significantly. Overall, the hotel provides reasonable comfort with room for improvement in bed quality to ensure a consistently pleasant stay for all guests.
Cleanliness
Real de Chapala offers a generally clean and well-maintained environment with attentive staff contributing to a pleasant stay. Guests appreciate the cleanliness, particularly in the main areas, bathrooms, and pools, which are described as exceptionally clean and well-maintained. The hotel's surroundings, including its beautiful gardens and views of the lake, add to its appeal, providing a tranquil atmosphere that many find enjoyable.
Certain aspects of the hotel, such as the rooms and certain facilities, reveal the building's age and need for maintenance. Some guests have pointed out issues with room cleanliness, inconsistent water temperature in showers, and occasional pest problems, indicating a need for more thorough cleaning and upkeep. However, the natural beauty of the property and the comfort of the spaces make it worth considering for a stay. Despite a few shortcomings, the overall cleanliness and staff professionalism generally leave a positive impression on visitors.
Staff
Real de Chapala exudes warmth, much of which is attributed to its dedicated staff, who are frequently described as friendly, cordial, and attentive. Many guests highlight the reception and cleaning staff for their excellence, noting their helpfulness, politeness, and welcoming demeanor. The front desk, in particular, stands out for their efficiency and warmth, with individuals like Natalia and Luis receiving special praise for their professionalism and support.
Those staying at the hotel often find the environment to be inviting and safe, underscored by a family-oriented atmosphere. The character of the staff, many of whom have provided years of service, is seen as a testament to good management. The overall service is described as first class, with many guests appreciating the quick check-in process and the helpful, informative guidance provided.
However, some issues related to attentiveness in specific areas, such as the bar and restaurant, are mentioned. A lack of sufficient staff occasionally leads to slow service, especially during busy times when more personnel would be beneficial. Despite these challenges, the staff's eagerness to meet guests' needs shines through, ensuring many a pleasant stay.
Wi-Fi
Real de Chapala offers complimentary Wi-Fi across its property, yet experiences seem to vary considerably among guests. Some visitors have reported excellent connectivity throughout the hotel, praising the fast internet speeds that cater well to basic online needs. Conversely, several guests expressed dissatisfaction, especially in certain parts of the hotel, such as building two and surrounding areas, where connectivity was either slow or unreliable. Thick walls in the rooms appear to contribute to the challenge of maintaining a good signal, resulting in frustrations for those needing reliable access. Overall, while some areas offer commendable speeds, others fall short, suggesting that expectations should be tempered regarding consistent Wi-Fi connectivity during a stay.
Pool
Real de Chapala offers a picturesque getaway with its beautifully maintained pools and lush gardens. Guests frequently rave about the property's stunning views of Chapala Lake, creating an idyllic backdrop for relaxation. There are two large pools and a jacuzzi, with one pool consistently noted for its delightful warmth, making it perfect for cooler days. The cleanliness and upkeep of the pool area are commended, with pristine and well-maintained facilities contributing to a refreshing experience.
Visitors appreciate the spaciousness of the rooms and the friendly, attentive staff, which enhances the overall experience. The heated pool is a favorite feature, providing an inviting option for a leisurely swim. While the water temperature in some pools is mentioned as cold, many guests still find their time by the pool enjoyable, especially given the fantastic lake views. The pool environment is family-friendly, and the addition of amenities such as a soccer pitch, tennis courts, and pool tables offers ample opportunities for entertainment.
The hotel grounds, with their well-preserved green areas, and convenient location further amplify its charm, making Real de Chapala a great choice for those looking to unwind and enjoy the serenity of the surroundings. Despite a few mentions of colder pool temperatures, the overall sentiment towards the pool facilities is overwhelmingly positive, providing a relaxing environment for guests to recharge and enjoy the beautiful lakeside setting.
Parking
Real de Chapala offers a spacious parking area that guests find convenient and accessible. There is ample parking space available, ensuring visitors do not encounter any issues with parking during their stay. The parking lot is perceived as safe and secure, providing peace of mind for those traveling with vehicles. While the expanse of parking is undeniable, there is a noted lack of shade in the area. Despite this, parking at Real de Chapala remains straightforward and hassle-free for guests.
Family
Nestled by the shores of Lake Chapala, Real de Chapala emerges as a premier destination for families seeking relaxation and enjoyment. The hotel stands out as an ideal retreat, boasting excellent amenities and cleanliness that cater to families with children. Guests can unwind in the warm pool and jacuzzi, enjoy organized activities, and explore family games designed to delight the little ones. The peaceful environment and beautiful facilities create a family-friendly atmosphere, complemented by the exquisite food that is both delicious and reasonably priced.
Many visitors rave about the spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, which enhance the serene experience. The well-kept gardens and the tranquility at night offer the perfect backdrop for a restful family getaway. The spacious rooms provide ample space and amenities ensuring comfort for family trips. With a great variety of restaurant options suitable for both adults and young guests, Real de Chapala is a comfortable choice for an unforgettable weekend near Guadalajara.
The warm and accommodating staff only add to the pleasant family stay. It isn't merely a place to rest; it's a location where families can reconnect and savor their time together. The blend of delightful pools, comfortable suites, and the enchanting natural setting ensures that guests won’t just visit once but are drawn to return for memorable future experiences.
4 Star
Real de Chapala offers a delightful setting for a get-away with its spacious gardens and picturesque views of the lagoon from the pools. Guests appreciate the comfortable accommodations, and the hotel's excellent location promises convenient access to the area's attractions. The overall complex is considered excellent, providing a peaceful and enjoyable environment.
However, some areas need attention, particularly the dining services, with several guests noting limited variety and a mismatch in pricing for the quality offered. The restaurant service has room for improvement, which occasionally affects the overall dining experience. The property's maintenance has received mixed reviews, with an indication that certain elements could use a refresh to meet guests' expectations.
The ambiance harkens back to the grandeur of a classic Mexican 5-star hotel, with well-kept facilities adding to the charm. The staff, described as super friendly, enhance the stay with their attentiveness, although there are mentions of understaffing at times. While marketed as family-friendly, some suggest greater inclusivity for children could enhance its appeal. Despite these points, many find Real de Chapala a great place to stay, valuing its enduring charm and comfort.
Romantic
Real de Chapala offers a tranquil escape for couples seeking a peaceful retreat in the charming town of Ajijic. The serene atmosphere of the hotel, nestled by the shore of the lake, provides a perfect setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. Guests appreciate the quiet surroundings, making it an ideal spot for unwinding over a romantic weekend. The hotel's comfortable accommodations allow visitors to bask in the view and soothing sounds of nature, fostering a sense of calm. Moreover, the establishment is noted for its very good service, ensuring a delightful stay. Whether enjoying time with a partner or sharing moments with family, Real de Chapala serves as a lovely place to kick back and savor the beauty of the lakeside environment.
Yes, Real de Chapala has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Heated Pool, Private Pool, Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Real de Chapala.
No, Real de Chapala doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Real de Chapala.