Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay Resort and Spa, El cid

Derek, on your next visit try the Mega super market as an alternative to the Walmart. A few years ago we tried the Walmart and found it to be expensive. We ran into a tourist from back East (USA.) She and her daughter too were surprised the prices were so high. I explained one reason is because the products are "imported" from the States so we were off to the Mega. Just as large as the Walmart with local Mexican QUALITY products at a much reduced prices. Extremely clean, helpful staff and convenient. About a ten minute bus ride from Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan. We're looking forward to going back the first week in November.

Beautiful location! Great service! Fabulous restaurants! It is quite far from anything (except for a 40 peso taxi to Restaurante Play Bruja which is amazing, and cheap) so if you are truly looking to "get away from it all", this is a perfect choice. We just spent our first two week vacation in a long time here and thoroughly enjoyed it. Jose and Raul at the adult pool were perfect hosts! The food, drinks and groceries around the resort are quite expensive but a trip to Wal-Mart helped with that. The front desk and concierge staff were very helpful. Most importantly: we definitely would stay there again!

My young adult daughter and I just got back from a 'girls trip' before going back to school/work, this was our 2nd time at Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay (1st was last Dec with husband too). The entrance/lobby/walk ways/buildings/grounds/pools are all tropical and beautiful, 5 star all the way. Our junior suite this trip (rm 1341) with 2 beds, 1 bath, table w/4chairs & 1 occasional chair was plenty of room for two and being on the top floor we had a great view of the ocean and most of the resort from our balcony that included 2 cushioned lounge chairs. Both trips we have been happy with the cleanliness and service of our rooms as well as the service all around the resort. Everyone is very friendly and accommodating, wishing the guests to be happy and satisfied. To correct a problem mentioned in an early post- the maids do not wash the dishes for you; there is a note card on the kitchen counter indicating this. A sponge, dish soap, draining rack and towels are provided along with everything you need to cook and serve food (even a toaster & blender!). A full size fridge with freezer is also included! They also provide hand/bath soap bars, shampoo and lotion in the bathrooms (no hair conditioner) & hair dryer. Plenty of closet space including hangers and shelves and a few drawers under the TV. Several TV stations are offered, a few in English, all with subtitles and many English pay per view movies. Yes, even in paradise we watched TV… it’s a long day that wears you out so vegging later at night just happens. Each suite also has a safe to use with your own code to lock. We fit our 2 laptops, extra camera & money, etc. with room to spare. To update info here- there are 3 separate pools now, 2 restaurants + pool grill + sandwich shop at deli + Kelly's bar for drinks and socializing. All the food is delicious; deli is best deal then pool grill then Bistro then La Cordeliere. Try a Miami Vice or Dirty Monkey at the swim up pool bars (2 of these). Daily drink specials and happy hour 2for1 deals will save you money along the way. Dinner at the sister resort Cilantro’s is a must, arrive just before sunset. Amazing view and food. Tony’s, just a short walk south from PBM is also excellent food right at the beach. Attending the timeshare breakfast will get you a coupon for 1 free drink for each in your party, a food/drink credit to apply to your bill at checkout (hold out for $200USD), a tour of the suites and villa you are not staying in along with the gym and spa (very nice!)- easy to say no if you are not interested in buying and gets you familiar with where you are and tips about town. Even as 2 women we went into town on the free shuttle, took a pulmonia further south to the Centro Market area and walked all around that area as well as to the Old Town area and to the waterfront, during the day it seemed completely safe. I would not do the walking around part after dark but there are pulmonias around constantly to give you cheap rides if needed. This trip we took a taxi from/to the airport for $400 pesos ($30 USD approx) each way. Since our flight back was later this allowed us to stay at the pool until the last minute before changing and heading to the airport. PBEM is the best- try it!

We love saying there! We go every year and think it is paradise! Unfortunately we have to sell our timeshare! It is 3 weeks a year (Penthouse)- Maintenance fees paid this year and 3 weeks waiting to be use this year! $17000 Email if interested ppphovey@yahoo.com. We can have everything legalized how ever you want and thru Pueblo Bonito. Thanks Jamie

As owners for 8 years we could not get reservations in May for the week we wanted BECAUSE the rooms are reserved for the hotel! A HUGE waste of money to buy at this resort absolutely NO customer service if you are a stupid owner. So $220 dollars later to change our flight we changed our week and----- going forward will change to another resort. There were rooms available that they were giving away for FREE. So the airlines got our money and PBEB isn't getting the $ for the extra night we always stay STUPID!!!!!!!

My dh and I went to visit for our 10 year anniversary...I can't begin to say how much fun we had and refreshed we were upon our return (left the 3 kids behind) We were treated like royality from the moment we arrived, given our choice of room with a view or quick access to the pool (no kids, we picked view!)....it was just like the picture on the website! The pools were wonderful, we stayed at the adult only pool most of the time as the main one was a bit crazy (had we had our kids, we'd have all loved it though, I could totally see returning with them) Cris the bartender took great care of us, (as did all of the staff) with fantastic drinks and just the right level of attention. We loved the opportunity to take the shuttle to PB Mazatlan and spend time there as well. Different feel, venders on the beach, a bit more energy, but same great service. Cilantro's was by far our favorite place to eat, right on the beach no windows just thatched roof overlooking the ocean (go right before sunset!!!) It was full of charm. Yes, a bit loud, but the roar of the surf was also loud so it added to the ambiance. On of the appeals for us of PB Emerald Bay, was the fact that it was a bit isolated from the rest of town, it's in a protected area (of sorts) no high rises and lots of green. They are doing some major expansions, but it's all very "modest" and tastefully done. We did to the free breakfast/time share presentation and it was pretty low key, no pressure and a great way to get our bearings around the property, I'm a snoop so I loved to see some of the other units. I'd suggest not taking the "city tour" that they gave as a thank you for coming to the presentation, dh and I dubbed it "city shang-hi" as we were told it was about 3 hours and we didn't get back to our place until about 5-6 hours, (yes, I even factored in Mexico time) I was sorely disappointed as I feel like I got cheated on my precious time and actually didn't even want to venture back to "town" after that. The other part of our visit that I feel I should share is that we arrived a few days before Hurricane Rick was scheduled to "land". Now, remember, this was our first time away from our 3 dd's so NOTHING was going to ruin my vacation! The resort did a wonderful job keeping everyone informed of the location of the storm (it was down graded to a tropical storm) assured us that they were equipped with food/drink/generator/sewer (didn't think to worry about that until they said it! but glad to know after words) Storm hit in the middle of the night, power went out a/c with it, and dh and I just sat and listened and watched the wonders of the world, there was actually blue lightening. We awoke the next morning to chain saws and macheties cutting down trees and clearing debris. The place was a mess, but by noon, they had the main pool open, the music rocking and the drinks being poured. I was so impressed. (and it takes a lot to impress me) So, the only "suggestion for improvement" that I might have is the housekeepers, I feel that they just didn't have the standards of excellence that everyone else had. Our unit came with a complete kitchen but we only used the coffee pot, and not once was it or our cups ever washed. (I even piled them all into the sink as a big hit) I also left the ironing board out and it was never put away either. Many times I saw them visiting and chatting with each other so they were obviously not super busy; maybe I wasn't leaving them enough in their tip envelope every night but, that's the reason for the 4/5 for service. Also, I must say, the $10 for use of the "spa" was the best money ever spent. (you get to go into the 'wet room' with multiple saunas/showers, hot tubs, meditation stations etc. excellent. I also got a cut and color, at the salon and was very pleased with the service. DH and I ended each night with cocktails in Kelly's Bar. Such a fun place and again, excellent service. Thank you PB!

PB Emerald Bay is a fantastic resort in almost every way. The facilities are clean, and constantly maintained. Beds were soft with lots of pillows. The food at every service point (pool snack bar, fancy restaurant, deli) exceeded our expectations in every way (don't forget to try the chorizo, pepperoni and jalapeno pizza!). The burgers rival any bar burger in the US. Both swimming pools (one for adults only) are clean and creatively arranged. Best of all: the service personnel are some of the best any traveler will encounter. To a person, they were all cheerful, friendly, helpful, and interacted with us as if old pals. They helped to make the trip more fun (get Carlos at the big pool to help with your Spanish). Three small things: the beach slopes sharply to the surf, and may not always be swimmable (go to the Golden Zone EB Mazatlan for beach fun). The resort is about 15 minutes from town, so you won't be able to just walk out and cross the street for a quick cheap beer or a souvenir hunt--though the shuttle runs regularly and on time. And there is no good place to run except on the grounds, and routes are limited, so joggers may miss workouts. I would recommend this resort to couples looking for a romantic getaway, and to families with small children. Singles may not find a party here, but we were there in the off season--New Year's may hop at this place. If you go, get some bottled water and coffee down town or in the deli--don't use the stuff in the room. Pay attention to the many happy hours and drink specials. And try the breakfast buffet--especially the Sunday brunch. This is a great place, folks. Beats El Cid to death.

They did not honor our reservation. On our honey moon, the gave us 2 beds and smoking when we asked for a king size and no smoking. They did absolutely NOTHING to make it better!! They said they were not worried if we never stayed there again because they get plenty of business. This place SUCKS!! No customer service....

This resort is pretty in a disney sort of way. Not authentic at all - rather fake and ostentatious. You get soaked for everything - triple priced bottled water in your room, overpriced ok food, and even the exchange rates in the hotel are lower than money changers. (Best way to get pesos is at the atm) The pool is nice, but crowded and has annoying loudspeaker banter. It's inconveniently distanced from the historic district and from the action. The shuttle only goes to the PB Mazatlan (a little dated, but lovely place) where you have to then walk/bus/plumonie/taxi to the center of the golden zone or go to the more interesting town center. If you go here (or any other resort), be aware that you will be offered substantial incentives to attend a timeshare presentation. WARNING!!! IT'S NOT WORTH IT!!! If you go and end up thinking this deal sounds good and sign on the dotted line, please be aware that no matter what the sales people say, or whatever you sign, Mexican law says you have five business days to get out of the contract!!! Check PROFECO online. Everyone needs to know this before going in to the talk!!! Nothing you are promised will be delivered. Just do a little searching and you will see...plus, if you do the math you'll see the numbers just don't add up. If you would like to stay at PB on a regular basis, you can buy a timeshare after market (probably from people who learned that it doesn't pan out) from owners, ebay or any number of reputable brokers for a fraction of the cost. My main reason for writing this review is to warn before you go about the deceitful, sleazy tactics and illegal practices for selling timeshares, and to let you know you can back out if you, like lots of other people, let the passion of the moment carry you away, and you wake up with buyers remorse. I think pre-knowledge is the best way to combat those who prey on trusting vacation-happy customers. For a getaway PB is relaxing, clean and the service personnel are outstanding, and it apparently is a lot of folk's cup of tea!

We had a great time at Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay. The place was clean and beautiful. Our room was huge, with two bathrooms and plenty of closet space, large kitchen/dining/living room area. We loved the pool, with its many levels and varying depths. The view of the ocean from one end of the pool was spectacular, and it looked as if we could just swim right on from the pool into the ocean. The food in the restaurant was good, and we especially enjoyed the Mexican Fiesta night. We used the shuttle to go to the other facility in Mazatlan, in order to walk around the Gold Zone and the Historic District. We also enjoyed the City Tour and the Mazatlan at Nght Tour that ran directly from our hotel, on a large, comfy, air conditioned bus. The staff was very friendly and helpful. My only "complaint" is that there is only one restaurant and one bar, and no shops other than the "deli" that had some groceries, toiletries, and sandwiches made to order. I'd like to have had a choice of places to eat, maybe a more casual cafe type of place. Otherwise, everything about this place is wonderful. We would definitely go there again sometime.