Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo info?

Has anyone driven from Lakeside to Zihuat. recently? Any suggestions for budget hotels, areas to stay, road conditions etc? Prefer to be on the Zihuat. side of the area and any info is most welcome.

Can't speak to road conditions but friends of ours who live here at Lakeside just finished a three-part series of blog posts from their recent travels there. I don't travel anywhere in Mexico without checking their amazing blog, as there's great info on sights, restaurants, etc.

http://cookjmex.blogspot.mx/2013/02/zihuatanejo-part-3-playa-municipals.html

We like to stay in Troncones and go to Zihuatanejo if we feel like it. Forget Iztapa you could be anywhere...

I am going for the Guitar Festival so want to be right in Zijuatanejo.
Thanks CG, the blog is great.

I've been the Zihuatanejo a handful of times. I really like staying on Playa Madera (instead of the more famous/popular Playa la Ropa), because it's an easy walk to town from Madera, less of a "scene", etc. There are several pleasant places to stay on Madera. My favorite was Bungalows Ley, which apparently changed ownership and is now called Arena Suites.

Arena Suites - Zihuatanejo