Wonderful Vacation at Riu Emerald Bay Mazatlan.

We just got back from a week's stay at the Riu Emerald Bay. Check in was fast and easy, our room was great on the 12th floor. Every room is Ocean View and the views really are spectacular. The main buffet was amazing, one of the best buffets we have come across in an all inclusive. The Asian Restaurant was also very good. We did not like the Mexican Restaurant and were very disappointed in it but we did give it a try. The lunch buffet was very repetitive but we certainly didn't starve. The b [... read more]each was kept very clean and you could walk for miles on it, we were fortunate to be there when all the sea turtles were hatching. The pools were nice but a little on the cool side, wish they had been heated. The staff were great and very eager to get you anything you needed. High five to Pedro our fantastic waiter who always went above and beyond. We took a cab to Walmart to buy our Duty Free, much cheaper there than at the Airport. Then continued on into town to look around the flea market, cathedral and the cliff divers. Spent a great afternoon checking everything out. We would highly recommend this hotel and would return ourselves.

Lots of locals

riu emerald bay is a great resort good food friendly staff the food and drinks change with the amount of local which in any case is a wild bunch of untraind children people complain about the elevators these people have never been in one and think they are at the c n e also very untrained parents food all over the place then complain about the bird crap on their towels there should be two seasons nov. to apr. canadians rest of the year the locals .

Riu Mazatlan Emerald Bay

hotel - staff was friendly, reception was fast and easy grounds - room was lovely, ocean view, lots of towels, water, cleaned well daily food - good choice at all meals and lots of it, waiting staff most helpful and agreeable excursions - should tell people it is in US money - they said it was Canadian; the Amazing Mazatlan tour spends way too much time at restaurant, games were stupid and time wasters - we were two hours late returning to hotel - beach - could be cleaned better in early m [... read more]orning of garbage, cigarette butts, and during the day - garbage left laying around; lots of chairs available entertainment - okay - not very professional, repetitive money exchange - they are very picky about Canadian bills - can't have any spots, tiny tears in them Bar - staff was very friendly, helpful, games were fun

Fabulous Resort

The Emerald Bay Resort, Mazatland was fantastic. There was a large variety of foods to satisfy anyone; vegetarians, meat and fish eaters, dessert lovers and juices to shakes. It was perfect. The resort was very, very clean. Designated personnel for pool bathroom cleanliness. The whole building was spotless. The staff were friendly, polite and very happy people. Will go to this resort again.

Fabulous

For people like us who love a bit of rough surf - this is the perfect spot - also great if you just want boozing & soaking in one of the pools. Great variety of food plus very comfortable & clean room.

Beautiful spot!

The location of this resort was awesome! Right on the beautiful beach! There is shops and restaurants a short walk from the resort, and we felt safe leaving the resort without being on a designated tour. The waves are okay for surfing if that's what you like, and good for just playing in the water as well. The resort had a huge variety of food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but did not have any "sit down" restaurants. They are all buffet. Overall, a great resort!

Nice hotel

Great hotel..enjoyed our stay.changes Ned to be made in the Elevator an they have to stop locals from vacationing whilet Canadians are on vac...not nice when they started comming in...even the food changed

Beautiful Hotel

Second time stay at this hotel..nice stay only complaint is the elevators...so slow waiting for them and to many locals vacation there the same time Canadians do...as for workers they are awesome......

Nice place

The hotel was nice. The food was good. The biggest disappointment was when we checked in. We were put on the second floor which would have been fine,providing my view didn't consist of a concrete wall. WhenI asked to be moved to a room with a view, they said that was the roomI paid for... Two other couples that travelled with us, received rooms on the 12th floor... and paid the same price. I returned to the front desk, and told them I would pay the 400 pesos per night for the upgrade, but that  [... read more]I was very disappointed. The gentlemen upgraded us to the 10th floor, handed me my cc, and said there will not be any upgrade fee. Antonio at the pool bar, was absolutely amazing!

Riu - clean accomodating resort

The hotel was impecably clean, the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Cleaning staff went out of their way to ensure that the guests were happy (Elizabeth) would return for another visit, the beaches were cleaned daily, the pools as well. Overhaul good value and exceptional friendly people

Excellent resort

We had a great and relaxing vacation. Food was plentiful and a great variety. There was something for even the pickiest of eater. I was worried because my son has a peanut allergy, the chefs were there to direct us to peanut free meals. The grounds were well kept. Rooms were dated, but they were clean and very large. My children loved the place. Fantastic time!!!

Beautiful!

This was my fourth trip to Mexico and this was one of my favourite resorts! Incredibly beautiful, clean, and friendly. Bar staff were great! Huge rooms, make sure to stay 5th floor or higher to watch the incredible sunsets.

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

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

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.

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