My husband and I stayed here on our honeymoon for one day/night in October 2009. This is a long overdue review so there is no option under "Date of Stay" so I picked the same month for your reference. It is off season and it is HOT, uncomfortably so midday. It was a stopover sandwiched in between a stay at a big resort and a boutique hotel in the city of Mazatlan. We would have had a hard time getting from the resort to Stone Island Gardens but the owners wife PICKED US UP in her car - an hour to and an hour from - as well as getting us on the ferry (which is like Anthony Bourdain in Vietnam-we were the only ones with life preservers on... and luggage that could capsize the "ferry")! Already we knew this was an excellent choice. The room was as pictured. Maybe a little more worn but clean. Obviously, at these prices you know it's not going to be The Ritz. Beach and restaurant immediately outside. This was the first time we encountered the endless parade of peddlers. I wanted to make a T-shirt that said "No Gracias!" It was not that crowded as it was off season. It's a small beachfront and the water is nice. We took a nap before dinner and did not realize that all those beachfront bars and restaurants would be closed - we basically had to wander the streets in the dark and find a child who spoke English to direct us to a woman's backyard where she ran a sandwich shop and grocery store. Our food was cooked on a tailgating grill. So Anthony Bourdain. All in all, we were glad that we went to Stone Island and stayed here. The owners could not have been more helpful and if the waves were ride-able, my husband would have enjoyed it even more.

My husband and I had the best time at Stone Island Gardens. Our room was affordable and clean with a beautiful ocean view. The family that runs the hotel is so great and will do anything to welcome you and help you enjoy your stay. I met so many wonderful people, I cried when we had to leave.
The restaurant had really good food and service and right on the beach. The location is a friendly small island, only a few minutes boat ride to the central downtown of Mazatlan.
Everything on the island closes at dark, so having the kitchen in our room was perfect for making dinners. Bring earplugs for the roosters, they are everywhere! Its an authentic Mexican experience.

Me and my girlfriend left the city of Guadalajara for a round trip through México. Once we discovered Stone Island Gardens on Isla de la Piedra near Mazatlán in the state of Sinaloa, we changed our minds... The fact that we spent ALL of our vacation time at Stone Island Gardens says it all! The hotel is a family business, the athmosphere is very laid back, welcoming and friendly. The rooms are clean, comfortable and high standard. As no room looks like the other, you quickly get the feeling of a unique experience. Not just the hotel itself, also Carmelitas Restaurant on the beach front (which belongs to Stone Island Gardens) is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy first class fresh and organic food. It opened up in the 1930s and is still run by the same family - so good quality and good service seem to have a long tradition here.

With the incredible silhouette of Isla de la Piedra in the background, we loved to take walks on the clean beach, go for a swim or just sit back with a fresh coconut in your hands. We also did activities like fishing with the local fishermen or riding a moto along the beach, which was big fun.

As "individual" travellers we really liked the exclusiveness of the place. It´s not overrun by mainstream tourism, the village of Isla de la Piedra has kept it´s traditions alive which allows you to discover the authentic México.

We had an unforgettable experience at Stone Island Gardens! We would love to come back any time! See our attached photos to convince yourselves about this lovely place.

Stone Island is safe and yet a great place for an adventure. You can walk all day and perhaps not get to the resort that is safely tucked away at the end of the island nearest the airport. They will let you breakfast there but truthfully the orange juice was from a carton and I preferred the OJ back at Carmelita....although the resort does have the wildlife refuge for the sea turtle.

Try out both of the the ferries. They are fun fast and safe. One runs all night. Take a flashlight if you plan to be coming back from the 24 hr. ferry from Mazatlan after dark.

The island also has a sea horse farm and several little markets. i liked to watch the cruise ships come in on Tuesday and enjoyed eating pizza at Benjis...ask and you will find it.....

The rooms at Stone Garden are ample in size, clean, and all you need. The staff is wonderful. An american lives on the premise and is very helpful.

The early morning activity of the fisherman is great watching and I purchased fish from them for 8 pesos. I learned the names of 5 new kinds of fish and took them to a small restaurant that even cooked them for me!

I enjoyed buying wares on the beach, music, dress, and food. The jewelry and dress items come from as far away as Qaxaca! The food.....delicious is made locally.

When the cruise ships aren't in some of the grass huts close....but the pool is still opened if you aren't an ocean swimmer. There are even yachts off the isla.

The fishermen will take you to another island for the day for a low price.
Horseback riding etc. is available. It's the bes t of both lives....go see busy Mazatlan and come back to the quiet island to rest.

I have gone twice and would love to go back in carnival time. I hope to be there this December. Great place, safe, great people. Salem, Oregon melisalua@juno.com