Riu Emerald Bay - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

6041 reviews

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  Things to know (Dec 2025)

  Things to know (Good and bad)… - no night life/shows!! Have some live music at night but nothing else, quite a disappointment with how large of a resort - Drink service on the beach was very limited and we tipped. - Beds and pillows were hard- did get better(ish) pillows from the front desk - If tv/movies are important for you or your kiddos, bring an iPad or Roku stick etc as only the NFL Network and news were in English. - Mariachi band played way more than it should and even if weddings were going on, they still played so be aware. If going for or having a wedding, maybe pay them to NOT play- bands not affiliated with resort . - If mobility is a concern for you or anyone in your party, I would not recommend staying on the fourth floor as the elevator never stopped at the floor when called. The only time it stopped was when other guests were coming to that floor so majority of the time the stairs were taken down to the lobby (going up to the 4th floor was not an issue). - Mixed drinks were ok- the pina colada's were not great. - coffee was weak but cappuccinos were good! - no cream just milk for coffee - Great food!! Buffets were fresh and delicious with lots of variety. - Best pop/soda in the Las Gaviotas restaurant! - Bamboo à la carte was amazing! - They do have ketchup- just ask! - Always available loungers on the beach - Rooms and entire resort was very clean although rooms could use a makeover; didn’t effect or trip. - Book à la cartes ASAP as they fill up fast (use RIU App) - Friendly staff but Chuy (restaurant server) was top notch! - 20 USD to get into town (one way) nice little day trip for the markets etc. - Great pools! - Ask for the Orendain Tequila as that’s the best on the resort. - Ocean was wonderful and is swimmable!

  Dec 07, 2025
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  Never again!!!

  We have been to different Riu’s throughout the years but this hotel experience was awful! The hotel is getting old and tired looking. Our room was fine, but the bathtub was rusty and no bathmat? Now that was an accident waiting to happen when getting in to have a shower or getting out! There was no shower cap! No little amenities…had to use the one that I covered my sandles ! The food was awful! It was not better than slop!! Even in the restaurants..it was a buffet! We will never stay at any Riu’s again! Please ..if u are even thinking of staying here..don’t waste your money!! Find a better place!

  Dec 07, 2025
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  RIU without all the Benefits of a Riu

  This is a nice resort with lots of choices for pools, including two adult pools, both with swim-up bars. This hotel is huge so I was expecting the same amenities as most Rius. The biggest difference with the Emerald Bay is that there are no RIU parties, that's right, no RIU parties. I spoke with one of the entertainment team members who advised me that hotel management cancelled these but like most name brands, you come to expect the same features (with minor variations) at all the properties. Given that this resort is so large, I expected that they would have the parties on site. Another difference with this resort is that the Foam Party can be on any day. It does not occur on the same day each week and it is not advertised in advance so if you happen to have an excursion booked, you could potentially miss it. I also found the pools to be very cool. Speaking with a staff member, I was told that the pools were not heated and it was not known when they would start heating them. Given that there were a number of cloudy days during my stay and not exceedingly hot weather, it would have been nice to have the pools warmer. Overall, the service was very good. Staff is really friendly and most will acknowledge you even as you pass them walking with the exception of one surly employee who was manning the towel exchange booth. This one fellow was on the borderline of extreme rudeness. Food is good with even more than one buffet restaurant. The "a la carte" restaurants can be booked online so it is an easy process. I was surprised that the Asian "a la carte" was actually strictly a buffet service. There is only one Riu in Mazatlan so if this is the brand of choice, this hotel would be your only option. One last point of irritation centres on the bands on the beach. If you are sitting on the beach, you will be blasted with these bands for the better part of the day. The hotel is not affiliated with these bands and I don't know who pays them to play but they are loud and not that good. You will not get any peace and quiet on the beach as they are just past the roped-off area and face the hotel. Sometimes there is more than one band a short distance away, seemingly competing with each other but playing at the same time. I would recommend the hotel but don't expect a full five star experience.

  Dec 07, 2025
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  All but the very important bed and shower.

  All was great but the very important bed. It was as old as it gets! Also, it was not a king bed, it was two beds put together. They were horrible, the sides were tilted, and kept on sliding sideways. I know they do have king beds because my parents room had one. Did not rest like I was hoping for. Bathtub was horrible, to narrow to stand. I'm only 5'8 and could not stand in it. Bathtub was shaped like a V not a U...terrible design, I almost fell twice.

  Dec 06, 2025
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  Good for families, but missing some magic

  Restaurant and bar staff was fantastic, hotel was very clean. Food was FANTASTIC! Stunning views from the room and patio. Really good resort for the value, and great for families. A few things: minibar was never restocked, including waters. We had to request constantly for water and restocking. We were only drinking the water and a couple sodas out of the minibar, so it wasn't as if we were asking for much. The beds are basically a couple sheets and an old fleece blanket, and not enough pillows. AC was good but a little challenging to figure out at first. Restaurant times were frustrating. Dinner seating didn't start until 630, if you could get in. Eating past seven with a 3 year old was a challenge. Reservations have to be made same day, and even at 8am they would say no seatings until 9pm. You could default to the buffet but we didn't want the same buffet every night, especially when it was basically the only lunch option besides tacos and burgers by the pool. We made friends with the wait staff and tipped them well and they're the ones that would give us a table in the evenings when we showed up for dinner. My biggest problem with the food situation was I could never get an iced coffee in the morning. I was able to get one ONE time, but the other mornings they told me no. There is no room service. You can't get anything brought to the room. If you want anything you have to get it yourself, but with the restaurants closed most of the time, there was almost no options at night. The kids show started at 730, which was late but the biggest problem is the restaurant opens at 630 so it was really hard to eat and then get to the show on time . There wasn't a lot of entertainment going on outside of the two shows. There was some live music but after a certain time the only thing to do was drink at the bar so most nights we just went back to the room early. The pools close at dusk . We got kicked out of the pool at 530pm! No jacuzzi either unless you make a reservation and go to a separate building. I would have really enjoyed swimming in the evening. Overall, it was a beautiful and clean resort and if you're a family with kids i absolutely recommend it. The staff was super friendly, the food is really good and there's slides, playgrounds and kids activities.

  Dec 06, 2025