5 Key Things To Know About the Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlan Beach Resort [Review]

I enjoy heading to Mexico each year for a relaxing beach vacation. My normal go-to destination is Puerto Vallarta, which I visited in January. However, with the northern Michigan winter weather continuing to bring snow and cold temperatures after my return, I decided to try another Mexican destination on my travel list.

Mazatlan is a major Mexican coastal community on the Pacific coast, across from the Baja California peninsula. The city is in north-central Mexico on the Pacific Ocean and is a popular tourist destination.

I was curious about the area, and after deciding to go, I booked a room at the Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlan Beach Resort. Here are all the things you should know about the property before you go.

1. The Hotel Is More Like a Full-Service Marriott Than a Courtyard

I’ve stayed at dozens of Courtyard by Marriott hotels over the years, but none had the same ambiance as the Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlan Beach Resort. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the second-floor entrance, the grand lobby, and the sea view from the reception area.

I wouldn’t call the property luxurious by any stretch, but it was dynamic, pleasant, and certainly better than any Courtyard by Marriott I’d ever stayed at.

The downside of the hotel being a Courtyard is that complimentary breakfast is not included. Even as an elite member, you’ll only receive a daily voucher. In my case, the voucher was $10 per day as I was traveling solo. Fortunately, the hotel’s food was reasonable, and there were numerous restaurants nearby.

Hotel Amenities

The hotel has some of the same amenities you would find at a full-service Marriott. The infinity pool and swim-up bar are the first things you’ll notice when you check in, but there’s also a spa, sauna, restaurants, and a fitness room (with a view).

While I did not partake in the breakfast buffet while I was there, I did browse, and it was well-stocked with common breakfast items, including local specialties. There was also an omelet station.

One thing I liked about the hotel restaurant was that its menu included some à la carte items. I could order a couple of shrimp tacos for lunch instead of a full meal. This option could come in handy if you are traveling with children. Mazatlan is commonly known as the shrimp capital of the world, so shrimp dishes are plentiful and delicious.

There is also a small pantry near the hotel’s front desk with snacks and drinks for purchase.

2. Its Location Is Stunning

With an expansive beach, islands in the distance, and a front-row view of the nightly sunset, the hotel couldn’t be better positioned for a relaxing vacation experience.

Access to the beautiful beach and watercraft rental is also right in front of the hotel.

The property is located about 30 minutes from Mazatlan International Airport (MZT). Expect to pay around $25 to $30 for an official taxi, which is the best way to reach the hotel.

The hotel is located in the Zona Dorado (the Golden Zone) and not near the city center. Still, the area has incredible beaches, a lively atmosphere, and plenty to do.

While it’s easy to take a taxi into town (approximately $9), be cautious about using Uber. I ordered an Uber twice while in Mazatlan and received receipts for 5x the initially quoted price each time. I later learned from the front desk that this is not unusual, so beware. Uber, to their credit, reversed the extra charges.

3. The Hotel Is Affordable and Bookable With Loyalty Points

Whether you choose to pay cash or use Marriott Bonvoy points, the Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlan can be an affordable getaway. I paid $114 per night, including taxes, in late February. Even during prime spring break, the nightly rate was less than $130. And, you can be assured of an oceanview room.

I used Marriott gift cards I had purchased at a discount using an Amex Offer to pay for my room. If you have any to use, just know that the hotel is efficient at processing them.

If you decide to pay with Marriott Bonvoy points, the property is a bargain as well. A 5-night stay in March 2026 could be booked for 78,000 points.

Personally, I find that I receive great value from my Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card. After spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year, I earn an award night certificate worth up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Earning on the card is easy, as it earns 4x points at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery), up to $15,000 in purchases each year.

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Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

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Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Welcome Offer

Earn 175,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026.

175,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,225

Annual Fee

$250

APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2x points)
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $250 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit

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Card Highlights

• Earn 175,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®.
• Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy^® 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Terms apply.
• Earn up to 18.5X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 25% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Gold Elite status.
• With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy^® Gold Elite Status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy^® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year, receive 15 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy^® member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
• Booking the trip is easy. Avoiding delays is next to impossible. If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Plan It^® is a payment option that lets you split up large purchases into monthly installments with a fixed fee. A fixed monthly fee is shown upfront so you'll know exactly how much you’ll pay. Plus, you'll still earn rewards for the purchases you plan the way you usually do.
• $250 Annual Fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

All Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards earn well at Marriott properties, but the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card is one of the best cards for Marriott loyalists. The card offers an annual dining credit of up to $300 (up to $25 monthly) and an annual award night certificate worth up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Plus, you can add up to 25,000 points to any Marriott Bonvoy award night certificate and redeem for a higher-level award night.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026.

200,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,400

Annual Fee

$650

APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• Steep annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Earn 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• A Marriott Bonvoy^® Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member.
• Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®, such as Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Paris. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy^® Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton^® or St. Regis^® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck^® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
• With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks and internet access in a comfortable location.
• Trip Cancelled or Interrupted? If you purchase a round-trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, we may be able to help. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

4. Every Room Has an Ocean View

Regardless of the room you book at the Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlan, each one will have a western-facing sea view and a balcony. The sunset is always amazing, and the balcony is a great place for morning coffee.

From a distance, the hotel looks like a major high-rise, but it occupies only the bottom 10 floors. It’s more of a boutique-style hotel than a mega-resort.

My room, as a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, was not spectacular, but it was clean, comfortable, and very functional. I was very happy with it, especially for the price I paid.

5. The Surrounding Area Offers Plenty of Activities

You can walk for miles from the Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlan. The 13-mile paved Malecón, which stretches along the beach, is about a 13-minute walk from the hotel.

Also, within feet of the hotel, there are shops, restaurants, pharmacies, and more. As soon as you step out the door, you’ll hear live music.

The hotel is located in the Zona Dorado (the Golden Zone) and not near the city center. It’s easy to get to the Old Town by taxi, but there are also pulmonias (golf-cart-style tour vehicles) located just outside the hotel.

I chose my go-to tour consolidator, Viator, to book a $27 city tour because it uses only local providers. It was a great decision, as the 4-hour tour included everything a visitor would want to see during their initial visit. The tour took us to the famous cliff divers, the coastline, the Old Town, the shrimp ladies market, the central market, the cathedral, lookout points, and more.

There’s so much to see in Mazatlan that you won’t want to just hang out at the hotel. Fortunately, transportation from the hotel is widely available and affordable.

Final Thoughts

I had a lovely time at the Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlan Beach Resort. It was a comfortable and affordable stay, and I would return.

The highlights included the view from my room, the infinity pool, the beach, and the service. The front desk employees were pleasant, helpful, and very patient in answering my questions.

Is Mazatlan better than Puerto Vallarta? I give the edge to Puerto Vallarta, but perhaps only because I have been going there for many years. I’ll need to spend more time in Mazatlan to get to know the destination better.

One thing is for sure: The Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlan delivers great value for the money and would make a good choice if you’re planning a visit to the city.