For 6 years we have had a fantastic time at the Luna Palace, this year was not the same and we will never stay there again. The pool has fecies in it and sewage the entire time. Here is our stay in a nut shell. I will say to there credit they are refunding out entire stay for us and the reservationest were both kind and understanding to our situation.

*Paid for an all inclusive package $2000.00. Two days into the trip they took the all inclusive away stating that they no longer offer it, even though it is still on there web site.
*the bed was a box spring only- we took pictures to prove it
*The pool was not swimable and they blamed it on the pump not working, literally you could see sewage through out the pool.
*Food in the restaurant was not eatable we had to eat else where for every meal as the conditions were discusting, the buffet was something out of a bad prison movie.
*No poolside activities were offered - when it clearly states it on the web site
*Restrooms had fecies on the floor and walls
*we asked for two towels and were refused, they only allow two your entire stay
*Sheets were never changed and were full of sand and room would not cool off under 80 degree's

I can handle any situation but when it comes to my health and well being, I have to let other traveliers know not to stay here. there are several hotels which we looked at while we were there and ended up spending everyday at the Pueblo Bonito just a block away, there pool was amazing and great food, Highly recommended along with the sunday brunch. Amazing hotel they treated us kind and the conditions were amazing. I am not a high roller but I expect to have the accomidations I paid for, unfortunately after 6 years at the same hotel we will never be going back to the luna palace. I paid for all inclusive and had to eat out and drink at another hotel daily.

This was our first time travelling in Mazatlan, and well... we got what we paid for. The first few days were great, good weather, the buffet was serving good breakfasts and dinners. One bad thing was that we werent allowed to check into our room until 4 and we arrived at the hotel at noon. After a few days of good food (french toast, omelets, homemade hashbrowns for breakfast & chicken, pork, rice, mixed veggies for dinner) it seemed as if the following dinners were the leftovers from breakfast. But as I said at the beginning, we paid for a 3 star, so we werent expecting too much, but we at least were expecting some good meals. The beach was good, the pool was nice, bartenders were FANTASTIC, people very friendly. We would say that the hotel is best during the week, as on weekends its like the hotel opens up to the locals and we had millions of kids running around, jumping into the pool and splashing everyone and screaming at the top of their lungs. Hotel was a bit of a walk to the Golden Zone (about an hours walk each way) but the pulmonia's were nice!! We would definitely go back to Mazatlan, but this time would stay at the Golden Zone.

We stayed at Luna for 1 week in Jan 06 and it was great so we went again for 2 weeks in Jan 07 and it SUCKED....paying almost $4000 all inclusive and they ran out of booze daily and having to go buy our own booze to drink on the resort to eating the same cold, runny food day after day (we ate out lots). Never going back!!!!!!

Our trip took place the week before Easter Weekend. We had been planning a family vacation (kids 8 & 11) from the beginning of the year and decided on the Luna Palace because they offered a one bedroom suite and it looked family friendly (not catering to the Spring Breakers). This will probably end up being a long review but I would like to include as much helpful information as I can.
We arrived in Mazatlan 9:30 a.m. and found the airport to be small but well organized.
Customs was an easy process however we easily waited over 30 minutes to collect our luggage. We were delayed leaving the airport as there seemed to be an issue with the bus driver’s license. When we did get going, the bus trip to the hotel took about 30 minutes. Luna Palace was the last stop. (Now close to 11 a.m.)
I had been worried because the check in time on the hotel’s website said 3 p.m. This didn’t prove to be a problem as we were the last to check in (one person at reception) and were taken to our room immediately. The safe key is 200 pesos. The room was as promised and we were on the 8th floor (top).
The only elevator was working the entire time we were there but it is small and overloads after about 5 people. You’ll end up waiting, or using the stairs, as people will ride the elevator up to the top floor to go back down.
The hotel is older and very clean. There were a lot of families that checked in the same time as us so it is definitely family friendly. I found the staff, with the only exception noted later, to be efficient and friendly.
Suite- included a separate bedroom with two double beds and a bathroom. Two single beds (couches) a kitchenette, dining area, another bathroom and balcony rounded out the other area. Our room did come with a coffee maker although other guests complained that they did not have on in their room. Housekeeping found us basket filters which we appreciated after looking everywhere to buy cone filters and finding nothing. The machine does need cone filters so bring a package with you from home.
As we did not go the all inclusive route, we got the kitchen. (300 pesos to unlock). We did have to ask that the fridge be cleaned out and turned on. That was done very quickly. We kept water (buy lots) and some groceries handy but we did end up leaving quite a lot of food for the maid. I took care of washing our dishes myself and did so using the hotel water. We never got sick. We did use bottled water for teeth brushing though.
The balcony is small but the view is lovely. The benefit to being on the top floors was that very little ground level noise reached us and I had heard from the other guests staying on lower levels had that problem.
The Pool – the kids loved it. There were plenty of other children to play with.
I agree with the assessment of the activity staff in an earlier review. We would do our sightseeing earlier in the day and get to the pool later on. On the few days we spent specifically on the beach, the hotel ran out of towels, as well as boogie boards etc.
Get your towels first thing in the morning and keep in your room for use later. Go to Walmart or Gigantic and pick up boogie boards for the kids, they’ll charge you $10.00 more at the shops outside the hotel.
Beach - lovely beach area. We actually walked from our hotel along the beach to the Fiestaland Complex. The stretch along the hotel is the definately nicer end of the beach.
Ocean swimming –the water was red flagged the entire time we were there. The riptides were very strong. The kids did boogie board but were always supervised and not allowed to go farther than waist deep in the water. There was a lifeguard present the last two days of our holiday but I believe that was because of a tragic fatality caused by the riptide further down the beach.
Forget about snorkeling, anywhere, the ocean was far too rough.
Location – we found it to be rather far from the Golden Zone shopping area although transportation is very handy.
Food - The area does have an abundance of good restaurants. Loco Locos, The Place, Heather’s Place, The Purple Onion, were some of the ones we went to. As far as the kids were concerned, having tacos at any of the local stands were enjoyed just as much and very cheap about a dollar a taco.
Getting around – Very easy. Take a pulmonia (most expensive), taxi or local transit (least expensive)
Attractions - If you have kids, take them to the local zoo/aquarium. This is an attraction meant for the locals, not the tourists which I liked. It is small but the seal show is rather funny.
Local Market – We went to look around Mercado Central Market in Old Mazatlan. It has two sides, a tourist one and a market with everything you could want and a few things you would like to never see again. The restaurants upstairs all serve cheap, good food although the public restrooms were the most disgusting I have seen anywhere. There is a charge for toilet paper, no running water to wash up after…nasty. Bring hand sanitizer or a travel pack of wet ones in your bag. Trust me, you’ll need it sooner or later.
Wandered around the arealooking at architecture though we never got to the restored section.
Mexican Fiesta at Playa Mazatlan hotel – they tell you to dress up, shorts and flip flops were worn by over ¾ of the people there. We weren’t impressed by the buffet or the quality of the drinks even thought it was all included. The show was enjoyable enough but it started kinda late so the kids were exhausted and falling asleep halfway through it.
Stone Island – We bypassed the tour. Take the Sabalo Centro bus in front of the hotel to the end of the line. A brief walk brings you to the ferry (10 pesos for round trip) get off and a short walk brings you to a very long beach.
Of the available restaurants, we picked Victor’s to plant ourselves at for the afternoon. The smoothies were $2.00 ea. Get their platter, 3 kinds of shrimp, fries, onion rings, blackened fish and rice for $11.00. More than enough for two adults. Everything was amazing. The best seafood we had the entire trip.
There are ATV tours and Horsebacking riding available here. We didn’t do that but it appeared popular. You can go see the Lighthouse. Again the ocean was red flagged. Not being much of a beach person and having two very sunburnt children by now, we found four hours long enough.
Regarding time share people, yes they are irritating. This is just the way it is in Mexico. You can let it ruin your holiday or just get used to saying “No gracias” a thousand times a day. I found the people on the beach sold the same stuff cheaper than some of the stores and I got some beautiful sculptures to bring home. Many of the people have stores in which they retail the same things to the cruise ship tourists at a higher cost.
Although not a bad trip overall, Mazatlan is not a place that I would visit again simply because of personal preferences.
I’m hoping there was information here that will be helpful to the next visitor.