Ramada Resort Mazatlan

Unlike typical, no-frills Ramada properties in the United States, Ramada Resort Mazatlan offers just a bit more panache. The lobby and common areas feature refined, minimal decor that feels more Miami Beach than Midwest motor lodge. While nothing about the property is exactly high style, the look and feel is more polished than most travelers might expect, and a decent step up from many of the dowdy resorts in the Golden Zone. Just keep in mind that this isn't the place to come for peace and quiet. The property consists of several social spaces -- a winding, freeform pool, a wide stretch of Playa Camaron beach, and two restaurants (including the wildly popular Joe’s Oyster Bar). From mid-morning until after midnight most nights of the week, the atmosphere ranges from lively to raucous. During the summer months, guests are an even mix of local Mexican families and couples. From December to April, the clientele is mostly Canadian and American couples seeking an alcohol-fueled beachfront escape from winter.

Immediately west of the hotel lies the Sea of Cortez and a lovely stretch of Playa Camaron Beach. Just east is the heart of Mazatlan’s most popular tourist district -- Zona Dorada (Golden Zone). Within a five-minute walk, there are dozens of restaurants, shops, and services (including pharmacies, banks, and a large, Mega supermarket). Guests looking for a slower change of pace will find the city’s historical Old Mazatlan district a 15-minute pulmonia drive away.Mazatlan International Airport is 35 minutes away by car, however, the hotel does not offer free transportation. Rental cars are available in the airport terminal with reasonable weekly rates. However, due to Sinaloa’s ongoing drug crime issues, taxis and private shuttle buses are the safest alternative for travel to/from the airport.

There's little to say about the style of the rooms here, as they are the definition of plain. The lack of artwork, monochromatic brown-on-white color scheme, and IKEA-esque light fixtures don't do much to create a sense of place. However, as most guests are here to drink in the sun and frolic on the beach, this fact doesn't seem to bother most of those who stay here. Entry-level Standard Rooms offer one-room floor plans with square footage typical of most mid-range chain hotel rooms. They have either a single king or two queen beds, a small desk, and a tiny, minimally furnished balcony. One Bedroom Suites have more room to spread out, however, the space is divided among a series of tiny rooms and hallways connected at awkward angles. The small living room features a pullout sofa plus a mini-fridge and microwave. Two Bedroom Suites almost feel like villas, although much of the extra space feels wasted. Every room category provides additional amenities that most would expect of an upper-middle-range property -- flat-screen TVs (with mostly Spanish-language cable programming), air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. We found the Internet service frequently slowed to a crawl during peak hours.Marble covers almost every surface in the bathrooms, from the sinks to the floors to the deep shower/tub combinations, though the travertine does make things look a bit dark and unintentionally retro. Cava brand bath products are standard.

The hotel’s only pool features a long, narrow, freeform construction that winds through the center of the property like a river. Plastic and wooden lounge chairs line every edge of the space, however, the number of chairs feels inadequate given the hotel’s size. Unfortunately, the lack of umbrellas makes for precious little shaded seating. The adjacent Bar Gaviotas provides a full liquor menu along with lovely beach views. The wide stretch of Playa Camaron that runs just behind the hotel is a great spot to swim and catch rays. As with all Mexican beaches, the space is technically public. However, the hotel has palapas and lounge chairs exclusively for guests. Just keep in mind that hawkers can still be pervasive.The hotel has two restaurants and a popular bar, which is a major draw for tourists. Joe’s Oyster Bar is among Mazatlan’s most well-known late-night party spots. The music is going strong by noon every day of the week and often continues until after three o’clock the following morning. The tile and stucco architecture of the hotel ensures the sound carries to every room. Steps from the pool, Beach Grill offers a casual indoor and alfresco dining space with a whiff of polish. The a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are a predictable mix of Western and Mexican fare. Across the street, Vittore Italian Grill (technically part of the hotel) provides a la carte dinner and room service menus with a focus on traditional Italian dishes and wood-grilled pizza.A spa and a fitness center are located in standalone buildings near the parking lot, though they feel like an afterthought. The former offers a full menu of massage treatments, plus a small private pool, a hot tub, and saunas. The latter features only a handful of cardio machines plus a small stack of free weights.Free self-parking is provided in a large, off-street lot with 24-hour security. Wi-Fi is also available property-wide, however, we found the service finicky and unreliable at best.