Hotel Riu Emerald Bay - All Inclusive

The staff were incredibly friendly, and the newer side of the hotel looks gorgeous. The beach could use more shade, though, and the sports bar was awful, with hot dogs sitting out in open wrappers. At night, the entertainment wasn't good either. In the tall ocean-view building, the room itself was okay, but the bathroom had no ventilation and a bit of mold. The elevator also needs attention, it jolted twice. They were meant to refill the mini fridge every two days, but I had to call reception each time. Keep track of your towels too, ours were taken twice, and reception said they'd charge us if it happened again. The buffet barely changed from day to day, and getting a booking at the other restaurants was hard. Checking every day, we could only visit each one once during the week. We tried Riu for the first time, but the old Princess building feels dated. Having stayed in a five-star hotel before, the mold, food, and fridge service felt closer to a three-star standard. Riu should update the rooms in the big building and add slippers and robes to make them feel five-star.

The friendly staff were always ready to help when I needed something, and I felt at ease throughout my stay. The hotel was clean and comfortable, with a welcoming atmosphere. There was plenty of food to choose from each day, and I enjoyed it. I had a pleasant visit to Riu Mazatlán and would consider coming back.

The Italian restaurant was a favorite, so book a table ahead. The food in general was very good, and our room even had towel animals waiting for us. This was our second time at Riu Emerald Bay, five nights starting December 10, 2025, and we enjoyed it more than our first visit. The staff really stood out. From housekeeping and the waiters to the bartenders, everyone worked hard, smiled, and made us feel welcome. I'd recommend staying here.

We had good internet even down on the beach, and the entertainment was decent. Getting a booking at the specialty restaurants was required, unlike at other RIU hotels such as RIU Dunamar. The regular buffet food was good quality. We booked through Sunwing for the second week of February 2026. The rooms and service were very nice, and the staff were exceptional. The beach was great, with plenty of lounge chairs, and we could walk both ways along it for long, safe strolls.