We booked our trip through Interval International. First the good points, the pool and the beach are amazing. The rooms were quiet, alittle out-dated, but fine for sleeping. The resort is very quiet, peaceful, and away from the main Golden Zone. Very safe, and staff is very helpful and friendly. If you go-find the pool bartender-Martin'-he is fabulous-ask for his special drink-he makes them up--wow!
Now for the not so good! The restaurant closes at 3:30, and isn't open on Mondays, neither is the bar. The rooms are only about half full, so if you have small kids there is nothing for them to do, but swim. They must have gotten new cooks because the food is good, but we only ate breakfast there. We walked down the beach and ate lunch at nearby hotels. At night, we took the bus to the Golden Zone. Don't leave w/o going to Bar LaCosta and Panama Bakery-great prices and food. Ask Martin', the pool bartender-where to go and what to do..he is great! Tip him well and he will keep you happy-speaks English pretty well. We also had a great time at Deer Island, Stone Island, and the city tour.
We had a great time-took our parents with us and they enjoyed it too. Would have liked there to be more people so our little girl could play, but still had fun. Here is a hint-There is construction going on EVERYWHERE you go. The construction right next to the Playa is completed and it is very quiet at night. Ideal place for Family Reunion- or couples 30-90.

We have been staying at Playa Maria for several years over Christmas. Over the years they have let the place go downhill a bit, but it still a pleasant experience. The room was cleaned daily and the staff was wonderful.

We like the fact that Playa Maria is very small. This past Christmas we were the only people at the pool for 3 of 7 days. We felt like we owned the place! Sadly, the bar wasn't open the entire time we were there this year.

We did not eat at the restaurant this year. There didn't seem to be many that ate there. We took the bus each night back to the Gold Zone. Since busses only run until 10 at this time of year we would taxi home. The cost for a taxi was about $3 plus tip.

If you are looking for a small, quiet hotel, this is the place. If you are looking for lots of activity, probaly not. We have already booked for 2 weeks next December.

First time to Mazatlan and it was incredible!
We had a Junior suite that was in the building closest to the beach. The view was fantastic! There were a few things that weren't perfect .. the toaster only browned on one side and the coffeemaker pot was a replacement that didn't fit the unit and so the first pot went all over the floor...toaster and coffeemaker were both replaced within the day of letting the office know. Some trouble with TV reception but hey..we weren't there to sit on our bums and watch tv..lol !
Restaurant seemed to be out of staple items (cheese..so no nachos) and the first week there the pool bar had decent hours and happy hour but the second week they started closing early. First week they were out of triple sec so they weren't making margaritas : (
My Father had the master suite next to us and they showered in our unit several times because they had little or no hot water most of the time.
To us these things were really small in big scheme of life so it didn't bother us.
Housekeeping staff was great! And we enjoyed all the other staff there as well.One small exception was the gal at the front desk... when I asked several days before we were going to leave how much a TAXI would be to the airport she told me $35.00 (it had been $29.00 for TAXI from the airport) Long story short..day before we were to leave I observed another guest dickering in the lobby with a taxi driver about fare to airport... it came down to the guest saying he would call another taxi and it would be cheaper! Taxi driver and desk gal had a short conversation and the driver agreed to the fare of $25.00. I jumped in at that time and told the driver "GOOD! You can pick us up tomorrow and take us to the airport for $25.00 as well!" That followed with the desk clerk and the taxi driver having another conversation and the driver finally said ok, the desk clerk said ok but we weren't to tell anyone else (I don't think so!). Desk clerk will NOT be getting her little kick back! The driver was there on time to pick us up and we had a very enjoyable trip to the airport..he was quite friendly! We gave him a $5.00 tip at the airport but we told him "NO TIP FOR DESK CLERK! IT IS ALL YOURS!" I guess it was just the principle of the matter that angered us.
Loved Mazatlan and we are now planning to go next year for a month... will be staying in an apartment though but if we were going for a short time we would consider the Playa Maria again.

We had a great stay over New Year's, the weather was cold but that's life. The restaurant wasn't open all the time but most people seem to cook in their rooms. The staff were warm and friendly and most spoke good English (or would try). Only down side was we when checked in were told the time share had been sold to a bigger co. and we had to go there to see what the new benefits were. WRONG, it was a time share "free breakfast"!

It is definitely a long way from any excitement but a nice easy stay if looking for a "get-away" holiday.