Las Flores Beach Resort

With a boxy, colorful exterior that includes a long entry walkway lined with towering palms, the property looks a bit more sophisticated than it actually is upon first glance. Inside, the furniture, decor, and overall look and feel offer a degree of polish but never quite rise above the hotel’s three-pearl rating. There are plenty of bright colors like crimson and coral -- fitting for the seaside location -- but everything from the tan marble floors to plastic swordfish hanging on the wall to beat-up furniture give the hotel a decidedly more downmarket atmosphere. A small, dedicated “quiet pool” provides the property’s only adult-centric area to socialize, while the main pool, restaurant, and beach are all decidedly family-friendly. This is a little surprising, as the hotel mostly sees couples, though families do make their way here, as it's a simple, reliably convenient resort option right on the beach.

Surrounded by the hustle of Mazatlan’s Golden Zone, the hotel is central to everything the popular beachfront tourist district has to offer. it also sits directly on the beach. Dozens of restaurants, shops, and services (including pharmacies, mini-markets, and banks) are all within a five-minute walk. Mazatlan’s famous Catedral de Mazatlan and charming, historical Old Mazatlan are just a 20-minute pulmonia ride away.The nearest airport -- Mazatlan International (MZT) -- is forty minutes away by car. While the hotel does not offer airport transportation, taxis and private shuttles are available with inexpensive rates compared to Mexico’s more popular tourist destinations. Several rental car counters are also available in the airport terminal and rates are likewise cheap. However, in light of Sinaloa’s ongoing crime (sometimes targeting tourists), visitors to the area are strongly discouraged from driving outside of downtown Mazatlan.

Decor in each of the hotel’s eight room categories varies widely from dated and barebones to modern and slightly sophisticated. As of mid-2016, some rooms were undergoing renovations. Older rooms reveal the hotel’s age and include unattractively patterned fabrics, dorm-like furniture, and features like tube televisions. More modern rooms are a clear step up, with modern dark wood-veneer furniture, pops of bright reds, stainless steel kitchen appliances, and granite countertops.Entry-level Standard Rooms are clean, basic, and stripped down to an almost budget hotel level. All offer two double beds, plus air-conditioning, cable television and a private balcony. Ocean View and Ocean Front Suites provide the same amenities in a larger floor plan that includes a kitchenette and a balcony with a better view. Junior King Suites and Deluxe Suites with Jacuzzi are substantially more appealing and include full kitchens, additional televisions, and services like welcome cocktails and personal concierges.Bathrooms in almost every room category are modern but modest with stand-up shower stalls and generic bath amenities. In addition to a full bathroom, Deluxe Suites upgrade to a spacious oceanfront balcony with a hot tub.

The resort’s wide terrace runs parallel to Playa Camaron beach, providing excellent ocean views from every outdoor common area. Relative to the modest size of the property, the main pool is large enough to include a waterfall, a children’s play area, and a hot tub. Dozens of lounge chairs and umbrellas ring the space to provide ample shaded seating. While there is no poolside drink service, the bar is just feet away. On the opposite side of the property, a second, smaller pool provides a quiet, adult-only area. All Mexican beaches are technically public, however, the strip of sand adjacent to the hotel is clean, quiet, and feels semi-private. Facilities are limited to a handful of palapas and plastic lounge chairs available only to hotel guests.The only dining area -- Las Rejas Restaurant -- is a bright, modern, relaxed space enclosed in floor-to-ceiling windows with beautiful ocean views. All-day dining is available, and the a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus all include a mix of local and Western fare. The adjacent cocktail bar is equally casual and features a full liquor menu, plus live music on select nights during the week.While there is no dedicated on-site spa, private massage service is available on the beach. Free parking is provided in a secure, off-street lot. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property but only via a paid, daily plan. There's also meeting space for up to 300 guests. Those staying in the hotel's most expensive rooms are entitled to extra perks like personal concierges that may make an upgrade worth it for some travelers.