Riu Emerald Bay: Excellent hotel

Friendly service, great selection of food. Rooms clean and cool. Kids club was great as well as lots of loungers and pool space. Drinks were good and plentiful. Overall excellent time and all staff were helpful and friendly

Riu Emerald Bay: Very nice and friendly

Very clean and friendly except the bar pool could have used a little more attention. Our preference would to return to the Riu Santa Fe in Las Cabo before Mazatlan for this reason and the food quality was better in Cabo.

El Cid Resort Castilla: Nice resort for the price

We enjoyed most things about the resort. The beds were comfortable, the staff very accommodating, friendly and helpful, and the food was good with enough variety to keep us satisfied. The resort was also kept very clean. It took us a day to understand our parameters of what parts of the four hotels we were allowed to use. On the negative, there were four El CID hotels grouped together and it was frustrating To be told we could go somewhere, but then turned away when we got there. In the end thou [... read more]gh we were just as happy to stay at "our" pool and buffets. The price was right for the hotel for sure and we enjoyed our stay.

Riu Emerald Bay: Wonderful!

The resort is huge and even though it was obviously busy, people are spread out. The service was A+ all around. The food wasn't great but one could usually find something to enjoy. The Mexican restaurant was a huge let down and couldn't understand how it took so long to get a reservation when the restaurant was never full at seating times. We went once and have no desire to ever go back. Highly recommend the restaurant under the stairs for breakfast and supper! (especially breakfast) Asian res [... read more]taurant not like North American Asian but still tasty (we ate there 3 times in the week) The corner restaurant food was hit and miss. Sometimes great or spaghetti soup. Disappointed they tolerate smoking on the lower level despite no smoking signs. As a non-smoking, not thrilled to be waiting for a restaurant to open with smokers smoking beside me. Sports bar is open 24hrs so can always get a drink or really basic food when the restaurants are closed. Can be hard to find a lounge chair outside if you wait too long to go out but overall wasn't too bad. Adult pool patrons can be a little hardcore (all day drinking, never get out until they puke, or just staying) The beach was amazing! Just amazing. But the tide is wild and fast, no swimming. Tell the vendors you don't have money on you or avoid eye contact and they'll leave you alone. Sand is hot hot, be prepared. There is a souvenir type market at the end of the beach, walk on the street side or take a taxi. Have fun bartering with the locals. Room fridge is only refilled every 2 days which can suck but whatever. Room was spacious and clean (I asked for extra pillows) the bed is firm, not hard but quite firm whereas I'm used to a cozy bed at home. All rooms face ocean side of hotel. There were 2 weddings that were quite loud but wrapped up at 10 pm so can't complain. The gift shop charges you in USD but can't accept USD so converts to pesos but being CDN, not ideal. Taxis are waiting just outside the grounds to take you anywhere. Talk price before service, they have a list at the front door (most were on par) Careful of some drivers asking you to timeshare presentations, don't fall for it no matter what! Overall we had a great time and I was sad to leave, I'd definitely go back to the Riu here!

Riu Emerald Bay: Smaller than usual, but great all around

This was the first time to the pacific side of Mexico for us, very nice hotel, very friendly staff with great service. Our room was nice and had amazing views of the ocean and peninsula. Shirt ride into the city short walk to a really cool water park. Only downside is that we have been to the Caribbean side twice prior to this where the hotel grounds are much larger so we were expecting to enable to take a couple hours to wander the resort and see the sights....ended up being a five minute walk  [... read more]lol. It was still great

Riu Emerald Bay: Superb Staff, Service, and Security

Our experience at this resort was exceptional. The grounds are inviting, relaxing, and fully equipped to accommodate a wide variety customers - families; young, middle-aged, and elderly couples. Our ocean view room was immaculately maintained and cleaned daily, and well-stocked with large towels. The shower water pressure and hot water supply was great! The bed mattress, and room temperature were comfortable which facilitated a good quality sleep experience. An in-room bar was fully stocked w [... read more]ith alcohol and soft drinks. The pool areas were sufficiently furnished with comfy lounge chairs and small tables that were sheltered from direct sunlight. Sun worshippers could relax in any of the many lounge chairs abundantly available on the beach. Each pool area catered a different demographic of guests. The adult only pool with the swim-up bar afforded couples quality time and privacy from families with rambunctious children. A children's pool was strategically situated closer to the bathrooms, and was designed to engage kids in water activities under the supervision of a trained professional. Other pool areas catered to both active and sedate guests. An array of pool side and water activities scheduled throughout the day, created an engaging atmosphere for hotel guests. The hotel spa was relaxing, and the gym was furnished with current fitness equipment. The all inclusive restaurants provided guests with a plethora of culinary options including vegetarian preferences. Food was well-presented, freshly prepared, and appealed to most discriminating customers. The staff was absolutely incredible! Polite, extremely hard working, helpful, enthusiastic, pleasant, efficient, and genuine. We never felt like the staff expected tips at any time. Therefore, on the our final day at the resort, we generously rewarded our housekeeper, the bar tenders, and restaurant servers. Finally, hotel security was phenomenal! Guests were well protected at this resort. The beach was fenced off and personally monitored by security to prevent locals from harassing guests as they relaxed on the beach. Security at the front entrance was strictly enforced 24/7. We have previously visited and stayed at 5 star resorts in Acapulco, the Mayan Riviera, and Puerto Vallarta and felt much safer at the Riu Emerald Bay. The food at Riu Emerald Bay was comparable to other 5 star resorts, but their staff and service is far superior!

Playa Mazatlan: great Mexican vacation

Great public beach access, wide beach front. Only 5 stories high not alot of time in elevators. Wide variety of rooms. Renovations and improvements being done, keeping up to date.Variety of restaurants, and also pools. Great dinner buffet and show every night. Easy access to historical town and day trips. Felt very safe. Staff at hotel friendly and helpful. Staff always cleaning. Travelled 1 adult and 1 child (5 year old). Great kids club daily programming. Please take into account I speak Span [... read more]ish.

Riu Emerald Bay: Riu Emerald Bay

The hotel is very clean, you walk into lobby and feel like royalty. Food was amazing but sometimes cold. The beach access was great & is quiet. 3 pools good sized & always cleaned and chemicals at night.

Riu Emerald Bay: super

this our 9th time to this resort it only gets better but the first 2 weeks of april are march break in mexico so there are lots of locals at the resort.but its still great.place to go.the staff is so friendly you almost think you live there .it is the cleanest resort we have been to and we travel a lot.

Riu Emerald Bay: Beautiful resort

We stayed here as a getaway after our engagement. We loved the pools, friendly staff and the nice clean beaches. The food was great too. This hotel is good for family and couples it has something for everyone

El Cid Resort Castilla: Long Overdue Getaway!

Not even the bee sting on the very last day could dampen our spirits! But let me get back to that… It was a really long winter in fact it was a considerably long 2016 without much reprieve or downtime so this was a welcome change of pace so long overdue! My daughter and I happened upon this resort, and that was the starting point to a most amazing adventure. Let's start with the hypnotic lull of the ocean that set the backdrop. The scenery? Oceanfront, need I say more? A livel [... read more]y tapestry of activities danced daily across the beach line. Crystalline pools, thatched roofs, and constant service with a smile! Let me start with Violette. Room 4082 was not just cleaned but artistically dressed by a special lady who made concerted effort to take our stay to the next level - it was incredibly nice to feel so spoiled with the fancy bed displays and bathroom swans… all the extras. Attention to detail is the thing - always has been. But more than that, it was her sweet and gracious energy. And Ivanx, our server in the lounge - the relaxing pool and ocean view lounge with the gigantic wide open windows - was fast, friendly and helpful. Always available to assist. Fun Juan who smiled broadly upon our arrivals, always with a welcoming air. When we said our farewells he welcomed us back soon...though doubtful about that tomorrow thing 😂 Johny, our tour guide - last but not least was a master at handling the details and follow thru. My daughter and I enjoyed his fun-filled nature, suggestions and guidance. The bee sting? It became tangled in my hair - much to the little guys distress, and ahem...mine. Tried to help him out but in his panic - and ultimately mine - (bees aren't keen on being touched) I was stung. Our fast to react pool server put priorities first and although orders were rapidly mounting for the adult beverages - he prepared the ice pack - my daughter ran for the balsamic in a flash of an eye (vinegar reduces inflammation and numbs the pain) and unbeknownst, our waiter who had disappeared - I assumed to serve thirsty patrons - reappeared instead, with the lifeguard who immediately removed the venom and stinger. I survived, with minimal discomfort in fact. When you think about every single one of your lifetime experiences…the maps, the compasses, locations, and settings... It's the people that we choose to join us on our journeys that really do make the difference. We made some five star choices this getaway❤

Riu Emerald Bay: Great place to stay!!!!!!!

We love this hotel - our third time staying here. Everything is so clean and meticulous. Staff friendly and attentive and very caring. Great selection in the Buffet with different specialty nights. The pool, grounds and beach are beautiful. We highly recommend this hotel as a great getaway!!!!!

El Cid Granada: Relaxing vacation

A large resort with a quite side at the Granada and a busy but fun area on beach side Marina part down the road is amazing staff is great food is good beach is fun room was nice Town is great and safe Loved it

Riu Emerald Bay: Nice and clean, staff very friendly,food very good, beach beautifull, water a bit rough!

The only things I can complain about this resort is it's very noisy, not only a in the hotel itself but around the pools. The music is far too loud, there should be a pool for kids only! They don't observe any dress codes at all in the dining areas for dinner! Then there is the "band on the beach"!?!?!?! Every day about 3.00pm till late in the evening you hear what sounds like a grade seven band practising for the first time! This is the second year we have been and they are still there....Why a [... read more]fter so many complaints from everyone?

Riu Emerald Bay: Love this resort

This was our third stay at this resort. It is tall and compact as opposed to spread out. Everything that you want or need is near. It is also wheelchair accessible. The food is good with lots of selection and the rooms are comfortable and clean. The elevators are slow but it is a 20 plus floor building so they are very busy. This was the first time that we have had to wait for our room to be ready. We arrived at the resort at 1 pm and did not get access to our room until shortly after 3 pm. [... read more] We went for lunch then sat in the lobby for a while. We were disappointed with this as the other 2 times our rooms were ready when we arrived. There was one day out of the 7 that we felt that our room was not cleaned to the excellent standard of the other 6 days. The staff works very hard to make your stay enjoyable. Everyone smiles and are very pleasant to you. One word of caution, if you wear progressive lens eyeglasses, when going down the stairs between the lobby and the lower lobby watch the last step. It blends right in with the floor so it is very difficult to see that there is another step. Overall, this is a great resort that we will likely return to.

Riu Emerald Bay: Great vacation in Mazatlan Mexico with perfect weather to boot!

Hotel beds not too comfortable, but maids meticulous about cleaning and I am a clean freak! The pools and beach were all fabulous. Miles of beaches! Never a problem finding lounge chairs. Lots of activities and extremely friendly staff( not just looking for tips). Food good, but not 5 star quality. Overall a good value! Great vacation!

El Cid Resort Castilla: TERRIFIC VACATION

So glad we chose Mazatlan as well the El Cid Castilla. The resort was with in walking distance to stores, restaurants , and nightlife . We were all inclusive but being able to go off the resort and feel safe try some restaurants was a bonus . The resort was clean the rooms were nice , staff spoke very good english and were extremely helpful with reservation or just information. We took our own excursions , and toured the Marina , as well as downtown the cathedral market.Food was good variety,  [... read more]and the shows were on while the buffet dinner was taking place a nice touch. Argentina restaurant was really good . The only complaint and for me personally the beds were too hard and the flight times were awful. Sherrie

Riu Emerald Bay: 8th time

we love emerald bay the staff are super.food is good beach is great.roons are realy clean.what more could you ask for other than a different air line SUNWING SUCKS the airport is small to start with but you get your Mexican tourist card once insideanother great mess its funny cabos,viartta every one but Mazatlan fill them out on the plane

Riu Emerald Bay: Holiday Paradise

Enjoyed our stay at the Riu. The staff was very helpful and friendly..Check in and out went very quickly and smoothly. We asked for a room change and were accommodated immediately, even though the hotel staff were very busy. My only wish was that there would have been free Wifi in the rooms, as I had to spend a couple of days there due to a tummy bug....I would recommend this resort hotel if you are making Mazatlan you holiday destination. Thank you to the hard working staff that made our vac [... read more]ation memorable.....

Riu Emerald Bay: Great Resort

The resort was great, it met all my expectations and more, hotel staff is going out of their way to make sure you are satisfied. Very clean, food was great.It was one of the best resorts I have been in.