We found our week's stay at El Rancho very refreshing and enjoyable. After seeing all of the surrounding high rise resorts we appreciated the fact that El Rancho has kept their facility as single villas. We felt like we get more attention from the resort staff and they are much friendlier than if you are on the 12th floor of some high rise.

We truly enjoyed the hospitality shown by Horatio and by Luis. They gave us a tour of the city and helped us with directions and recommended places to visit. The housekeeping staff was also very good. We also enjoyed your "La Fonda" restaurant.

Our villa was a little out-dated, but I know you are in the middle of remodeling most of the villas, so that will enhance the vacation experience even more.

We are looking forward to our next visit to El Rancho, hopefully this fall. Thanks again.

Ken and Patte Fisher

Thank you, Ken and Patte! We really appreciate your comments! It's a real encouragement to all of the staff, and we will definitely keep working to maintain what's wonderful and unique about El Rancho, and to make it even better!

1. What do you enjoy most about El Rancho?
   Enjoyed to the fullest the beautiful sunset.
2. Was there anything that took away from your vacation experience?
   Absolutely not - every thing was wonderful & peaceful!!!!!!!!!!
3. Is there anybody who took great care of you that you'd like to recognize?
   All staff is recognized & appreciated - they're polite, helpful & respectful.
4. Do you have any suggestions for how we could make El Rancho better for your next vacation?
   Don't have any suggestions at this time - it's the best and it can't get any better!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Cristina! We're certainly going to try to make El Rancho even better anyway, but it's certainly encouraging to know that you really enjoyed your vacation!

We're looking forward to the next time you're able to visit us!

Vinieron en enero de 2009, y dijo que todo estaba muy bien. La verdad, ya quieren regresar otra vez para Semana Santa.

Dijo que El Rancho esta muy bien ubicado en un area tranquila. Le gustó que todo esta tan verde, y tambien que esta muy pegado al mar. Comentó que con las villas tan amplias y el ambiente especial que tiene, comparado con otros hoteles en Mazatlan, de veras es un paraiso, y el ya no quiere traer su familia a ningun otro lugar.

Muchas gracias, Roberto, por compartir tu experiencia. Fue un gusto hospedarlos, y esperamos que ya regresan ¡muy pronto!

We were very impressed and enchanted by the foliage as we drove by "El Rancho"- seeing it from the street as we entered town and we decided to stop. We learned that it is a "green" resort and is very committed to providing and maintaining the atmosphere of the area's original native plants and trees. In a town that is over-run with too-tall hotels and resorts without character, "El Rancho" stands apart. We were also very impressed upon arrival with the shape of each unit as it allows for much privacy for everyone staying. They are designed truly with the care of the vacationer-- not with putting as many rooms as possible on the plot- what a rarity! The pool was lovely, as well as the spa which is shrouded in trees and flowers.

Every unit is two storied with comfortable beds, lovely tiled bathrooms, kitchens, huge sun-drenched windows, comfortable couches and chairs--- very truly thoughtful amenities. The price is incredibly affordable considering how much you receive, and amazingly cheap in comparison to all the big hotels and garbage that fills the rest of the city. It is truly unique and a very special gem.

"El Rancho" is also located on a small stretch of beach outside of the huge stretch that most of Mazatlan occupies-- meaning more privacy on the beach and less traffic. So much better I can tell you!!!!

We fell in love with the restaurant maitre-d Jose Escobar, he was wonderful and uniquely passionate about the special place that is "El Rancho". Also, everyone we encountered from the lovely ladies that booked our bungalow to the bartenders and workers detailing the garden really contributed to our enjoyment.

Why go to a huge tower when you can go to El Rancho instead?

Sue's first comment was really striking. There has been a lot of development recently in the area where El Rancho is located, called New Mazatlan, because people have recognized the beauty of the beach there. So El Rancho is now surrounded by tall condominium towers. But Sue's comment was "Why would anyone want to go to a huge tower like those surrounding El Rancho when they could come to El Rancho instead?"

Sue was very impressed by our gardens - "totally beautiful," she said. And she also really appreciated that our villas are single units without a high-rise on top. "It's just totally different not being on the 15th floor." Another aspect of the villas that she liked was the size - she just felt like there was an extravagant amount of room. She also commented that the staff was great and very helpful, and that the food at the restaurant was wonderful as well.

Can I retire at El Rancho?

Sue felt like they had really struck it lucky with their choice of El Rancho. They chose it from the hotels available for exchange through Interval International without knowing anything about the different hotels in Mazatlan. But they saw that El Rancho was not in the Golden Zone and offered peace and quiet, which sounded good to them. El Rancho more than lived up to that, so much that Sue said she really wants to retire in Mazatlan, and not just anywhere in Mazatlan, but she wants to live in El Rancho!

Thank you, Sue, for your incredibly kind comments! And we will make sure that the staff is more attentive to picking up any small pieces of trash that mar the perfection of our gardens!

I am delighted to be allowed to share my thoughts on El Rancho, one of the more charming places we've ever stayed in our travels. We found your property online and booked a reservation for three days. We arrived early in the afternoon ~ well before check in time ~ and were allowed to check in right away.

Our accommodations were exceptional, giving us the feel of living in our own seaside Mexican villa. Although our rooms were next to the pool, the complex is so compact and so easy to navigate, it was a short walk to crest a slight rise and come upon the Pacific in all of its glory. One thing immediately apparent about El Rancho is the quiet and intimacy of the space. In a resort town, it was a welcome change from the enormous complexes of dull and dreary hotel rooms that line the beach.

El Rancho is different from the moment of arrival. A small sign on the street and a cobbled courtyard, then a winding landscaped path leading us to the office. Office accommodations, too, were remarkable: a well priced and stocked tienda with snacks and drinks and the critically important late night ice cream bars. High speed internet access and a $2 charge to call the US, no matter how long the call. Staff were very helpful and kind.

Our bags were taken to our rooms and we followed around the curving walkway past the beautiful pool courtyard, incredibly well landscaped with tropical vines and trees and understory plants. The old mahogany framework of our front door was fitted with cobalt glass ~ a beautiful touch vastly different from the average hotel room.

Inside, we found Mexican tile and decor, a well outfitted complete (complete!) kitchen, a dining room, living room and glorious windows two stories high. The stairs led us to our sleeping quarters and another bath, a second level filled with light owing to the glowing skylights overhead.

As travelers, we've found ourselves bored by the resort experience. It was refreshing to stay in a small "resort" with the feel of a small Mexican village. It is a stunningly beautiful space with stucco exteriors, winding walkways, lush landscaping. Our space was very comfortable and we liked it very much. It was not overly slick and luxe in the way that many new all inclusive resorts are: so slick and luxe that you don't know whether you're in Cancun, in Mazatlan, in Jamaica, Bermuda, Florida.

Instead, it was comfortable as home is comfortable, with the added attraction of being right on the ocean and in this jungle-like setting. It was comfortable in a way that allowed us to settle right in and wish our stay was much longer. It was rustic enough that we knew where we were and reveled in that. Each morning, pouring water from the jug in the hallway closet, we were met with a tiny little gecko, proof that we were no longer in Tulsa, but were happily, truly, really in Mexico.

Past our courtyard, a short walk took us past the small bar, beneath the treehouse restaurant, and out to the ocean. Few vendors, just wide open space and the crashing waves of the Pacific. The beach was clean and we delighted in sitting high above in the restaurant where we could spy on beach events from our aerie while attending to the delicious food. Try the chilaquile breakfast, and the seafood extravaganza for two. Fresh fruit and toast accompany every meal and it's all wonderful. The cook advised as we came in one evening that the vegetable soup was just finished and delicious. He was absolutely right. We dined while watching fishing, pursued by both human and feathered creatures. Butterflies drifted by our open window and all of this was experienced in relative isolation, in a restaurant quaint with wooden floors, palapa roof and surrounded by windows.

Our favorite thing about our stay, beyond what I've described above: Each morning we took coffee at one of the tables next to the pool. We were always early enough that the sun had not yet risen above our building, so we were in a shady, quiet, peaceful space. There were workers about, though. Men with clippers grooming the palms and the jasmine, snipping back the bougainvillea and the oleander. Each morning we were given the treat of hearing these several gentlemen singing. Not just the snatch of a tune or a lyric, but singing long and beautifully and simply for themselves. The man who meticulously cleaned the pool was practically operatic in the quality of his voice. We felt privileged to be provided this unintentional chorale performance so early in the morning.  It again reaffirmed the sense we had that El Rancho was genuine, simple, and very different from your average resort.

We can't wait to return to El Rancho. It is now our favorite place in our Mexican and Caribbean travels. The only caution I would give is that the units have stairs, there is a stepdown to the living room, and the bathtubs are a bit higher than usual to step into. Elderly or disabled visitors will want to have an assistant. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to share my thoughts with you.

Best wishes,

Lynette Setzkorn & Mike Cly

To the director Mr. Arturo Romo Garza and the staff of the Villas El
Rancho, our thank you for a wonderful five week vacation at your resort
in February and the first week of March 2008.  We found the staff to be
most helpful and friendly. We truly enjoyed our dealings with Julissa,
Jessica and Denisse, they never found a task too large to handle
immediately. Our daily maid service completed by Wintila was a time we
looked forward to just to see her smile we truly enjoyed getting to
know her.  Jose' and your refreshment bar was an absolute delight. His
personality and good sense of humor caused us to spend time with him
night after night.

Our thanks to the Gorzycki's for their extremely kind words. We're very proud of the high quality staff that we have, and it's an encouragement to everyone to hear that their efforts are appreciated. We look forward to having you back soon!

We received this comment when we sent out an email with a special travel deal for May and June 2008, and Charles gave us permission to share it.

Charles James aqui! I am not able to take advantage of this offer, but I WISH I could. When I stayed at El Rancho back in October 2007, I loved it. The place itself is incredible, and the staff was super friendly and super helpful.

I intend to return to El Rancho again in the future. Please keep me on your email list, and continue to email me when you offer special rates.

Vaya Con Dios y Hasta La Vista

Charles James

Many thanks, Charles! You know we're eager to have you come back!

If anybody would like to take advantage of the discount available if you vacation with us in May or June, well, ... we've pretty much let the cat out of the bag, so go ahead and contact us and we'll make the reservation for you with your discount!

If anybody would like to receive an email notice when we offer other discounts, just sign up to receive our email newsletters using the simple form on the left and we promise we will keep you informed!