5 Key Things To Know About the DoubleTree by Hilton Mazatlan [Review]

Mazatlan is a true vacation paradise. With its tropical climate, expansive beaches, and historic charm, the city is worth visiting for a vacation getaway.

It can be affordable, too, as it’s not unusual to find oceanfront hotels with nightly room rates under $100, even in peak season.

Read about my experience staying at one of these properties, how you can book an affordable stay there, and all the things you should know before you visit the DoubleTree by Hilton Mazatlan.

1. The Resort Is Affordable and Can Be Booked With Hilton Honors Points

Let’s start with the positive aspects of the DoubleTree by Hilton Mazatlan. The hotel is extremely affordable for an oceanfront resort in paradise. Grab an adjoining room if you’re visiting a family, as you can’t beat the nightly rate, even during peak vacation months. Hilton Honors elite status is recognized at the hotel. As a Hilton Honors Diamond elite member, I received an upgraded ocean-view room and complimentary breakfast.

Nightly Cash Rates Are Affordable

The nightly rates at the DoubleTree by Hilton Mazatlan are quite low, even during peak season. With rates that start around $300 for a 4-night stay, including taxes, the hotel is an affordable retreat. If you stay 4 nights or longer, you receive 20% off your stay (Honors Stay Longer in Paradise rate shown below). An upgrade to a junior suite costs just $9 per night.

For travelers with quarterly Hilton statement credits to use, those credits will go a long way at the DoubleTree by Hilton Mazatlan.

Here are the cards with quarterly Hilton statement credits:

• The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express: Up to $200 in statement credits each year for purchases at Hilton properties, up to $50 each quarter. Enrollment is required.
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Up to $240 in statement credits each year for purchases at Hilton properties, up to $60 each quarter.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card: Up to $200 in statement credits each year for purchases at Hilton properties, up to $50 each quarter.

The Hotel Is a Hilton Resort Property

The hotel also qualifies for the annual resort credits offered on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

The Hilton Aspire card offers up to $400 in annual statement credits, split into $200 semiannual credits, for purchases at Hilton resorts. It can be challenging to find a Hilton resort, but the DoubleTree by Hilton Mazatlan fits that category.

The credit is a valuable benefit as it can be used to cover room rates and any other charges billed to your room.

You Can Book With Hilton Honors Points

If you have any level of Hilton Honors elite status, you can use the fifth-night-free benefit. When you use Hilton Honors points to book 5 consecutive nights or more, you’ll receive 1 of those nights complimentary. A 5-night stay at the hotel starts at 88,000 Hilton Honors points.

We value Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cents each. This translates to 88,000 points being worth $440, which is reasonable for a 5-night stay, but check cash prices first. Even without the fifth-night-free benefit, a 4-night stay for $440 in points can still be a good deal, depending on cash prices.

2. The Property Is a Bit Tired

I had several minor quality issues at the hotel, including a bathroom fan that clanged and was always on (I just shut the bathroom door), worn furniture, and scuffed paint. The hotel could use a fresh coat of paint; it was peeling throughout the property. Also, all the pools were drained and closed. I am fine with a closed pool if given prior notice, but there was none.

Nothing about the property felt unsafe, but there were several minor maintenance-related issues. Additionally, the Wi-Fi was occasionally spotty, and the power went out once.

These were not deal-breakers as they did not significantly affect the overall quality of my stay. Plus, the hotel had other attributes, and the service was very good. Everyone at the hotel was pleasant and helpful.

My room was very spacious, clean, and the bed was comfortable.

3. The Location Is Stunning

You can’t beat the hotel’s location in the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone). Although the Mazatlan historic center is about 20 to 30 minutes away, depending on traffic, the Golden Zone has beautiful beaches, resorts, restaurants, shops, and water activities.

When the hotel’s infinity pool is filled, it receives great reviews, and travelers enjoy the view and beach access. The beach is not as wide at this point of the Golden Zone, but it is definitely nice and walkable. The famous Mazatlan malecon (boardwalk) is about a 30-minute walk away.

The sunset is mostly blocked by an island, depending on the time of year, but the surrounding sky still reflects the colors, and it is a magical time of day at the resort.

The fifth floor of the hotel is all about wellness with a spa, fitness center, and access to the 4 outdoor pools.

4. There Are Numerous Dining Options at the Hotel

The hotel has an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant open for lunch and dinner, a grab-and-go market with Starbucks coffee, and a poolside snack bar.

The buffet breakfast is served in the all-day restaurant and includes traditional items, local specialties, and a made-to-order egg station. You can eat at the restaurant any time from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The specialty restaurant had the same lunch and dinner menu as the all-day restaurant, but the space was a little nicer, and you could dine on the patio overlooking the ocean.

At the specialty restaurant, a fish dinner was about $18, pasta was about $11, mixed seafood ceviche was about $13, and 3 large shrimp tacos were approximately $14. As Mazatlan is the shrimp capital of the world, there were several shrimp dishes on the menu, and the ones I tried were very good.

The grab-and-go cafe had several sandwiches for around $5 to $6, breakfast pastries, assorted coffees and drinks, and much more.

There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, as well.

5. The Area Is Convenient

The DoubleTree by Hilton Mazatlan is located in the Golden Zone, where tourists hang out, so it’s filled with restaurants, shops, pharmacies, convenience stores, and more. There is also a grocery store within easy walking distance of the hotel.

For a more authentic experience, head into the city’s historic district. You can take a taxi, which takes 20 to 30 minutes (around $12). You can also book a 4-hour tour for less than $30, and they will pick you up at the hotel. I booked through Viator and had a lovely experience seeing the area’s highlights.

Final Thoughts

Would I stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Mazatlan again? Yes, but only if I can use my quarterly Hilton statement credits, my semiannual resort credits, or book the $65-per-night room rate. The hotel is worth it at a discounted rate, especially once the pool is reopened.

During the same trip, I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlan. The property was much nicer, closer to town, had a wider beach, and a direct view of the sunset. Nightly rates were just over $100, but I received a $10-per-day food-and-beverage voucher instead of the included breakfast I received at the DoubleTree. I preferred that property over the DoubleTree.

Still, to escape the northern Michigan winters, the DoubleTree by Hilton Mazatlan offers an inexpensive getaway that’s hard to pass up. If your family wants to play in the sun, it may be difficult to match the bargain of the DoubleTree.