Hotel Playa Mazatlan

The beds were the best part of the room, very comfortable. The room itself wasn’t clean and felt very dated. There are a few pools, but the one tucked between the buildings is empty because it’s completely shaded. The second has chairs around it, but the music is so loud you can’t even talk. The third is really nice, though there aren’t any chairs around it, so you have to sit somewhere else after swimming. The beach is nice and there were always chairs available, but they’re hard plastic and you have to put up with the mariachi band noise. Bands play on the beach from noon until about 8 pm at the loudest, so an ocean-view room was actually a downside. The food was terrible, and I think they recycle it. I couldn’t find anything good to fall back on at mealtimes. We got sick about four days in, and I’m sure it was either the ice or the food. Most guests were from Mexico, which I’d expected to be a plus, but that couldn’t make up for the food and poor service. Most staff weren’t friendly, though one or two were polite. It was the worst travel experience of our lives.

The ocean view was great, and the heated pool was nice. Walking around the streets felt safe, and it’s a decent area, though there are lots of tourist traps, including fake Tequilla shops like PACIFIC TEQUILA and vendors selling the same TEMU type goods. We visited the aquarium in Mazatlan, which advertises Penguins and Flamingos, but apparently those had not been there for some time. The beach vendors were aggressive and persistent, approaching every 30 seconds, which made it hard to relax. There was loud beach music most of the day and evening, plus lots of armed military and police on the beach. At the hotel, the pool bar and hot tubs were closed and apparently had been for a while, despite the email we got a week before arrival. There was little to no entertainment, as they said December-April was low season. Food was decent but nothing special, with little variety at the restaurants. The tequila at the bars for all-inclusive guests was a watered-down 25% ABV spirit, not real Tequila, which seemed odd in Mexico. Rooms had no fridge or smart TVs. The hotel caters to locals on staycations. The experience was decent, but definitely not a 4-star hotel like they lead you to believe.

The resort has no nightlife, and there isn’t much down the street either. Most guests seemed to be between 50 and 80. The hotel is older, and my room had nothing but a bed, no TV or minibar. The pools are nice but have no cabanas for shade. The beach cabanas are great, though the chairs are hard plastic and only comfortable for so long. There aren’t any lounge chairs on the beach.

It felt like authentic mexico, with a rustic look and beautiful scenery. This is my favorite of the several times I’ve been to Mazatlan. There are five pools, a hot tub with a gorgeous beach view, and a lush garden to enjoy. The food was delicious and the staff were great. My room was good and had everything I needed. The hotel sits right on the beach in a perfect part of Mazatlan, close to great restaurants and shopping. Wow, it was even better than I expected. I’ll be back.