Costa de Oro Beach Hotel

With its central stone fountain, polished marble flooring, and exposed wood beams, the first impression here is good. The lobby has a grand, historical vibe that makes for a fine welcome, but almost every other common area just appears old and well past its prime. The gaudy, orange, stucco exterior and much of the dated furniture recall late 20th-century tropical hotel design and the property is only being maintained at a basic level -- we spotted plenty of worn and saggy furniture throughout our visit. The large outdoor terrace serves as an excellent centerpiece for the hotel's social scene, with a zero-entry pool, lovely water views, a full-service bar, and an elevated hot tub. The atmosphere is lively and mostly family-friendly. The summer months, in particular, attract Mexican families taking advantage of school vacation while winter brings in mostly American and Canadian retirees and couples. The vibe is lively and boisterous during months of higher occupancy, and the lively tourist neighborhood means that it's not exactly a quiet spot around the clock (especially at night).

The hotel’s central location in the tourist-centric Zona Dorada is a mixed blessing. A variety of shops, restaurants, and essential services (such as banks, pharmacies, and markets) are all within a short walk. However, the area is loud and busy, and wont' be everyone's cup of tea. Local hotspots include Gus Gus, a  sometimes rowdy bar just across the street, and Rico's Coffee Bar, just two minutes away on foot. The beautiful historic center of Viejo Mazatlan (Old Mazatlan) is only a 20-minute drive away, however.The nearest airport, Mazatlan International (MZT), is 40 minutes away by car. Like most area hotels, Costa de Oro Beach Hotel does not offer an airport shuttle. Taxi service is cheap and readily available to/from the airport, however. Rental cars are affordable and available via several brand name providers in the airport terminal. However, Sinaloa’s ongoing drug-related crime continues to be an issue, even for tourists. For that reason, public transportation is the safer bet.

Room decor is cheap, dated, and reminiscent of a budget motel. Some older, entry-level rooms still have tattered bed linens, red tile flooring, and distressed wood furniture -- all of which reveal the hotel's age. Upgraded rooms are brighter and slightly more polished, with light tile floors and updated wood furniture, though the look is still simple. The lack of wall decor or other decorative flourishes doesn't do much to enhance the charm in any category. It's also worth noting that the local bars and clubs in the area mean that things can be noisy at night.Entry-level Garden View rooms offer a decent floor plan with more square footage than an average, mid-range property. Mid-range Suites provide spacious, multi-room floor plans with separate living and dining areas, plus kitchenettes. Top-of-the-line Superior rooms offer only slight upgrades, including flat-screen TVs and balconies with lovely sea views. Amenities in most rooms include only the basics -- air-conditioning and minimally furnished balconies. Technology amenities are below average and some rooms still feature old, tube-style TVs. Unfortunately, in-room Wi-Fi is only available with a paid, daily plan.Bathrooms have a distinct budget, though they're generally in better shape than the rooms. Generic bath amenities and travertine shower stalls are standard.

The hotel has all of the expected amenities for a property in this category in Mazatlan. Its large, zero-entry pool looks like a miniature beach, and the lagoon-style water feature on the south side adds a bit of visual interest to the entire outdoor space. A shallow end at one edge of the pool provides a place for kids to cool off, while an elevated hot tub offers a relaxed, adult-centric space with lovely water views. The small snack bar immediately adjacent to the pool has views to the sea. Beer, wine, and tropical cocktails are all available, along with a selection of finger foods. Adobes -- the hotel’s main restaurant -- is situated in a casual, open-air space with three stepped seating tiers. All provide beautiful sea views, and the lowest is located just feet from the water. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served a la carte (although all-inclusive plans are available) with a mix of Western dishes and traditional Mexican fare. Overall guest reviews of the food quality are mediocre.The adjacent public beach -- like many in the area -- has suffered substantial erosion during the last few decades. The remaining strip of sand is small at low tide and virtually disappears at high tide. Consequently, the hotel offers no seating, umbrellas, or palapas.Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby and some common areas. However, we found the service to be slow and unreliable during our stay.