We stayed at the Riu Emerald Bay for a week at the end of January 2012 and without a question we would go back!
To start off we were welcomed with drinks and the quickest check in. The staff was super friendly always smiling and willing to help. The hotel was spotless, they were always washing something and sweeping.
The food was excellent, the buffet served a variety of choices for all meals and although there were some dishes that were the same every night there was always something new to try. Most of the food is cooked right in front of you and all the other dishes are kept well stocked and fresh. The fresh fish was excellent, shrimp, steak, ribs, salads and huge dessert bars! The serving staff were friendly and willing to do whatever to make your meals wonderful.
The housekeeping staff were quiet and very polite. Our room was spotless after every cleaning along with towel animals and flower pedals on our bed.
The nightly entertainment was beautifully put together, some nights was dancing (professional dancers) and other nights were comedy. The drinks were flowing and boy do they know how to make drinks!!!
All in all we wouldn't hessitate to recommend this hotel to anyone. Allthough we went a little nervous after the recent attack at this resort but we felt safe the entire time.
We will be back!!

We just got back from the Riu at Emerald bay
Had a GREAT Time. The Beach was wonderful the rooms excellent. Service was fabulous and staff incredible. Food was average but enjoyed their special sea food lunches and barbecue on the beach. Where they lacked was the red meat and red wine but while in Mexico seafood is what I am interest in rather than a steak. White wine was very good with dinner and for the 3 restaurants at the Hotel my suggestion was to stick with the Buffet. Entertainment at the Hotel was very well done and we were always the last to leave the dance floor. The small seafood restaurant up the Beach was incredible for dining. Do not miss this for at least one meal.
For shopping downtown Mazatlan I recommend the market area and surrounding area around the market for souvenirs not the Golden Zone and take the local bus much more fun for 7 pesos then 200 pesos for a taxi. Shopping in the market area your camera is constantly clicking but be aware of pushy venders. They may start out at 30 $ but I ended up paying 16 $ per beach shirt. T-shirts 3 for 10$
ALL in all the resort was Very Good
Would I return to this area or Hotel.... the answer is NO!
The reasons are:
Lack of real site seeing opportunities we did 2 activities and found they were very poor activities.
We prefer the Caribbean over the West coast.

Hope this helps but I can now say we have been to Mazatlan and enjoyed our relaxing vacation on the Beach. The water was wonderful, beach long and sandy and the waves were fun jumping and we had no rain. Nights can be cooler so pack a small sweater or light jacket.

after 2 great weeks-a few important items. The atm machine is "temporarily off line" around 80 percent of the time so when it is working get enough pesos to last a while. American money cannot be exchanged at the hotel. They will change canadian to pesos but you can get a better rate at any downtown exchage (cambio). Do not try to bring back liquor in your carry on-it will be confiscated by airport security screening. The specialty restaurants serve essentially
the same as the buffets and you must reserve them in advance with only a 5 minute tolerance. They seem to rush you as there is more than 1 sitting and they want you to get in, eat, and get out. Do not pay extra for an ocean view room--they are ALL ocean view. Walk down the beach to the right to a restaurant for a delicious lunch of seafood. there is also a neat little market about 1 block away from the restaurant towards the main road with reasonable prices.

If you are adventurous, take the bus to the golden zone of to downtown, it will cost less than 20 pesos for 2 people per trip. Granted some drivers seem to be suicidal but they are used to the traffic.

if you need anything just go to the front desk (or phone) and it will be taken care of, excellent service. we had a light bulb go out in the bathroom-let them know, and it was replaced in 20 minutes, with a follow up phone call from the front desk to see if everything was OK.

recommend sitting in Pedro's area in the Tesl Islas as he has good command of english, lots of knowledge, and provides top notch service, always with a smile.

My husband and I were there Jan 26 - Feb 2nd. Everything was fantastic...the beach, the pools, meals, staff, our room.... They had an incredible beach party for the guests and they put on an amazing spread and great entertainment. If you're looking to go deep sea fishing, look for Emilio who is around the vendors (behind the ropes) 5 of us went out on his boat (lunch and beer included) for $75 a person. We caught 2 seven foot marlin and a couple of other exotic fish. Experience of a lifetime. (Very safe boat and knowledgeable crew) Tell him Lisa from Canada sent ya!
We are hooked on the RIU experience and plan to go to anoether RIU in 2013.

(My only negative was I found the beach vendors a little tiresome after awhile. Calling out trying to get your attention or asking you to look at their items when you're heading down for a swim. You just need to be polite and say no thanks.
They are very nice and genuine people. Especially "Candyman" - he sells hats and sunglasses and Tito (the wood carver)