Your Guide to the Top 5 Best Hotels in Mazatlan (Sinaloa)
Planning a trip to Mazatlan, Mexico, and looking for the perfect place to stay? You’ve come to the right place!
I’ve carefully selected the best hotels in Mazatlan for different tastes and budgets, from boutique hotels to luxury beachfront resorts.
In this guide, you’ll also discover my feedback from the Raices de Mar hotel, an ideal option for those looking for value for money and a central Mazatlan location.
To book your stay, simply click on the orange links or green buttons you’ll find throughout this article.
And don’t forget to check out My Comprehensive Guide to Mazatlan with all the best activities you shouldn’t miss during your stay!
Sommaire
My selection of the best hotels in Mazatlan
I chose the Hotel Raices de Mar where I spent 5 days, which is very well located in the historic center, ideal for those who like to explore on foot.
You can book your stay at Raices de Mar by clicking here:
Before making your final choice, you can also check out these other great hotels in Mazatlan to suit all budgets:
- One Mazatlán (Zona Dorada): Offering great value for money, this new hotel is just steps away from the beach in the Zona Dorada. With modern amenities, comfortable rooms, and a refreshing swimming pool, it’s an excellent choice starting at only 70 $usd per night, including breakfast!
- Royal Villas Resort (Zona Dorada): For added luxury, consider this well-appointed hotel nestled in Mazatlán’s Zona Dorada. Enjoy a pool overlooking the sea, direct beach access, and spacious rooms with kitchenettes and sea views. With facilities like a gym, spa, restaurant, and bar, rates start at just 91 $usd per night.
- Casa Lucila Boutique Hotel (Historic Center): Experience the charm of Mazatlán at this intimate hotel near Olas Altas beach. Offering stunning ocean views from its terrace with a sea-facing pool, this boutique hotel features elegant rooms, a spa, and a restaurant. Prices start at 158 $usd per night and provide easy access to the malecon and other attractions.
- Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan Beach Resort (All-Inclusive, Zona Dorada): Indulge in luxury at Mazatlán’s premier all-inclusive resort. With accolades from Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, this 5-star property offers spacious rooms, direct beach access, multiple pools, restaurants, and a spa. Rates begin at 300 $usd per night.
The Historic Center charms visitors with its scenic colonial architecture, including the cathedral, Pino Suarez market, and various plazas like Plazuela Machado. It also grants access to numerous beaches, with Olas Altas being a personal favorite for its beauty and ambiance.
On the other hand, the Zona Dorada, located along Avenida Camaron Sabalo, faces the ocean directly. This area is perfect for beach lovers wanting easy access to extensive sandy shores and boasts a wide selection of restaurants, bars, and even a few casinos, providing a vibrant atmosphere day and night.
My experience at the Raices de Mar hotel (Mazatlan)
Choosing Raices de Mar: The Location Factor
Visiting Mazatlan for the first time, I noticed the city was big and spread out.
Deciding where to stay was my first big decision: should I stay in the city center, near the malecon (long walkway by the sea), or in the lively Zona Dorada?
Even though there were many good hotels, I was traveling by myself, didn’t have a car, and liked old, pretty streets more than new buildings. So, I chose the historic center of Mazatlan.
After spending several days walking around Mazatlan, I’m happy to say I made the right choice!
Raices de Mar Hotel is right in the middle of Plazuela Machado, surrounded by lots of places to eat and coffee shops. It’s very close to the Angela Peralta Theater, a quick 5-minute walk from the big church (cathedral) and Mazatlan’s colorful houses, and not far from the malecon, right across from Olas Altas beach where I started each morning.
But after talking to people who live there, I felt sure, and I really did feel safe walking back to the hotel at night on the small streets.
Choosing this hotel also depended on my budget and the really good things people said about it on Booking and Google.
You can book your stay at Raices de Mar by clicking here:
The rooms
There are two types of room: 5 deluxe queens for two people and 18 deluxe doubles for four people, all equipped in the same way.
My room was on the 2nd floor: with wifi, TV with netflix (and other apps), a small table with chair, a small wardrobe with hangers, air conditioning (in February, I didn’t use it), a comfortable bed.
The bathroom was compact yet tidy and well-equipped, featuring nice touches, a hairdryer, and hot water. Everything was clean and well-maintained.
My room faced the hallway, but thanks to the window shutters, privacy wasn’t an issue.
The one addition I would have appreciated is a safe – always useful!
The restaurant
The hotel boasts an on-site restaurant with a terrace overlooking Plaza Machado. Its charming decor makes it a pleasant spot to unwind after a day’s exploration, enjoying the bustling scene.
Within the hotel, there’s another terrace featuring a bar.
I didn’t try a main dish, but their margarita cocktail and generously portioned guacamole with chicharron were delightful.
Included in the stay is breakfast, which I sampled on my last day due to early starts on other days. On recommendation, I tried the chorizo and cheese omelette, which was indeed delicious!
However, the service seemed a bit off, possibly due to it being off-season with fewer guests.
There seemed to be coordination issues between the kitchen, restaurant, and hotel services.
The facilities
In addition to the rooms and restaurant, there’s a small swimming pool on the first floor and a rooftop terrace.
The hotel pool
Interestingly, I initially mistook the hotel pool for decorative due to its small size and lack of facilities like deckchairs. It seems it’s more for a quick dip to cool off.
The roof terrace
The second-floor terrace offers a view of Plazuela Machado, though mostly obscured by trees, showing mostly rooftops. The space is nicely decorated with tables and various seating areas.
There was a bar, which appeared unused, possibly only operational during peak season?
My Thoughts on Hotel Raices de Mar
I adored the hotel’s central location.
The downside was the service, which was almost non-existent at both the reception and restaurant.
Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed by a friendly receptionist whom I never saw again. For the remainder of my stay, reception was often unmanned.
For checkout, I had to find someone in the kitchen to return the key.
On the upside, the location was unbeatable.
As a solo traveler, I appreciated the mix of locals and tourists for both the lively atmosphere and sense of safety.
Be prepared for weekend noise from the bustling square, but my room’s rear location meant my early nights were undisturbed.
The hotel was clean, well-kept, and offers great value in Mazatlan, making it a reliable choice for me.
Rent a car in Mazatlan
Renting a car is for sure the best way to discover Mazatlan and make the most of your stay!
To rent a car, personally, I always use Booking.com Cars, for a few reasons:
- You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
- Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
- Booking Cars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies, so it’s an instant saving with no effort
Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price:
Discover the Best Flight Offers
Mazatlan International Airport (General Rafael Buelna International Airport) boasts excellent connectivity, welcoming flights from major Mexican cities such as Mexico City, Los Cabos, San José del Cabo, La Paz,, Monterrey, Chihuahua, Hermosillo, Querétaro, and Tijuana.
Moreover, it serves as a prime entry point for direct flights from the US, including cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, Houston, and Minneapolis, as well as from major Canadian airports.
To find a cheap flight to Mazatlan and discover the best domestic flights across Mexico, make sure to use our flight comparison tool in partnership with Skyscanner. It’s your ticket to securing the best prices!
🚗 Rent a car
🗽 Book entrance tickets and guided visits
🏄 Book your sports activities
🌍 Take a travel insurance
🙎 Book a tour
✈️ Book your flight
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