I just spent 4 nights at this hotel and it was really nice. It's situated at the very northern end of the Golden Zone, so you get a lot less tourist traffic (and noise) while still being close enough to walk to several great restaurants. There isn't much in the way of bars very close, but a gokart-like "pulmonia" taxi is always right out front to take you on a short trip to Old Town, the Malecon, or just down the road to the Golden Zone clubs, if that's your thing. Just negotiate your price before you get in- at the time of this article, it was $60-80 pesos ($5-7 USD) to get to old town or Lost Cerritos (Playa Bruja) on the other end of town, and much cheaper for the Malecon or Golden Zone clubs.
The hotel is as nice as any other resort around there- clean, safe, etc. The hallways are tile, though, so all the kids waking up at 6 were pretty loud coming and going to the pool (not that the hotel has any control over that).
Do yourself a favor and eat at Carlos & Lucia's directly across the street from the hotel. Their Mexican & Cuban cuisine is the best food I had in town, and they're extremely warm and friendly. Carlos or his cousin Marty will definitely tell you where to go for surf, fun, etc.
- Holiday Inn Mazatlan
- Mazatlan Holiday Inn
