Ignore the complainers. They obviously didn't do their homework before they booked at the El Cid. This resort is a great family resort. We have 2 children ages 11 and 7. They had an amazing time. The beach was beautiful and well kept. Seaweed is cleaned up all the time. Definitely get some water shoes, you'll be glad you did. The rocks in the water aren't a big deal. You're on a barrier reef! You can snorkel and see all kinds of great creatures. I snorkled for hours. Check is was no big deal. We went with the all inclusive platinum room package and it was well worth it. Ocean view, treats brought to our door every night, a welcome fruit plate with wine the first day and on the first night a plate of chocolate covered strawberries was delivered to our door. Danielle in the platinum club was awesome! We borrowed movies to watch in our room in the evenings when we were tired and they gave us microwave popcorn to cook in our room. Our kids thought that was great. The food was delicious. We got a little tired of the buffet towards the end of the week, but there was always something delicious to eat. You have to visit Manuel in the Arrecife restaraunt by the pool. He was the best waiter and really took good care of us and our kids. The fresh salsa was do die for, and the tea was out of this world. We took a day trip to Xel -Ha (booked through Pablo at the Worry Free desk in the lobby). It was worth every penny. We will definitely go there again. There was so much to do we didn't have time to do it all. The pool was awesome and the drinks were always flowing. Even though it was all inclusive for us we still tipped our waiters and servers and our service was excellent. Everyone was friendly and eager to help. They work very hard. We had the photographer at the hotel take some family photos of us on the beach and they were beautiful. Our kids had their pictures taken with monkeys and parrots. What a great experience. The cliff jump and water slide were a huge hit. The fire show at night was awesome, be sure to check it out. The El Cid exceeded our expectations. This was our first trip to Mexico and is was unforgettable. Ignore the complainers you will love the El Cid!!

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW!!!
My boyfriend and I have just returned to the UK from a two week break at the El Cid resort, Riviera Maya.(Good and bad review coming)
Firstly it is approximately 35 minute drive to Cancun, so if your wanting to party and go clubbing, we suggest you book a Hotel on the strip in Cancun as the el cid is not central. However, this was perfect for our first summer holiday, where we wanted to chill and do nothing, in which we achieved.
Check in was slow, but automatically gave us an upgraded room with a large jacuzzi in and that was without complaining! The room was spacious and absolutely 5* with a large TV and brilliant bed. The room was immaculate- no complaints there.

I would also suggests if you want a quiet romantic holiday, book an adult only hotel. This was a very family orientated hotel and not really what we expected but it was ok. We lazed on the beach all day instead of the pool where all the kids played.

There is one large pool with a pool bar, which I think caused problems. It is open 0800hrs-2230hrs which is too long as we saw poeople drinking there all afternoon and not getting out- so where were they peeing???? Also drinks were spilt all the time in the water by adults and kids.
I was put off going in the pool after 5 days as then I got Dodgy tummy and had the squits for 4 days. I thought to myself it could only be the infestered pool. We got talking to other poeple and we found out that nearly all of them had Diarrhoea and they knew some other people who had had it and so forth!!! Beleive me, its not pleasant and luckily my boyfriend did not get it.
You have to think also if people have it and are still going in the pool??
Wear beach shoes if going in the sea as rocky and lots of sea weed but it did not put me off.
Food was brilliant in the Alcazar restaurant. The buffet was ok but everything very salty.
There is only two bars, the lobby bar which is not a social bar as too big and just looks like the hotel check in area in which it is and then a small beach bar wchich is perfect for socialising.
Not much to do in the evening but that was ok for us as we enjoyed the relaxing.
The service was first class and tthe waiters cant do enough for you. Room service was the best.
The spa was amazing, we had a full massage and was so relaxing.
Would not go back to the El cid as more for a family and the pool put me off!
Sorry out there guys.
E&M

Would you recommend the Resort?

No


LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

The resort is in an island by itself, you take a long bumpy dirt road to it. It's only scary the first few trips in the day and always scary taking it at night. With no free shuttle service to Cancun, Palya Del Carmen, or at least Puerto Morelos (the resort is not near the town square) one can only stay at the Resort. It cost $6 USD (Taxi) to Puerto Morelos and $8 USD to the main HWY. We also found out about the local bus that charges $1 USD for 2 people on our 5th day there that takes you to either Puerto Morelos or the main Highway, well worth it since you can catch the A.D.O. buses for $2 USD to take you everywhere you can think of.

ALL INCLUSIVE

Then there is the case of not buying into the All-Inclusive package (which we did not), you might as well stay at a Hostel because you cannot eat at the resort restaurants (we tried) and you can't even order room service (again we tried). We explained to the operator we would pay for anything we ordered, yet we could not eat at our hotel! We did manage to eat at your buffet twice and at $30 and $22 USD per person but the food is not up to standard for the type of resort they are promoting themselves as.


TIMESHARE TOUR

The timeshare representatives are IN THE LOBBY across from the check-in counter. We didn't even get to check-in to the hotel or rest from our long plane trip before we had someone trying to get us to go to the timeshare presentation. It took 15 minutes to finally get our point across that we were tired and just wanted to rest. But that wasn't the end a few days later we were cornered again and we finally gave in knowing if we didn't say yes this would continue for the next 5 days. So we take a tour of the Hotel with Don (Timeshare Guide) who was great and basically understood that we had a good deal already with our current timeshare and didn't need another. But that's when his supervisors came in kicked him out and ended any positive things we could say about our tour. They both came to our table explained the only benefits they could offer us and after we said thank you but no they resorted to making jokes about 9/11 saying "You rather stay home and visit the Twin Towers?" followed by "Oh that's right they aren't there" as an American-Mexican citizen I take great offense to comments like that especially since I served in the US Army. Not once did they say I am sorry those comments were out of line.


ROOMS

We stayed in a studio room which was very nice and updated with any modern amenities you can look for. As with all timeshare they share connecting doors to the room next to you which are locked on both sides. But they are paper thin and we had to move rooms because of this. Full blown conversations are heard keep that in mind.


WIFI

The hotel has about 80% coverage with WIFI to include rooms, pool, convention center, lobby and restaurants. The resort also has computers available for use at $1 USD per 10 minutes if I remember correctly. Bring your laptop.

MONEY SAVING TIPS

1. The All-inclusive is only worth it if you plan on staying only at the hotel and not going out to Cancun, Palya Del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, or Cozumel. $100 USD pp/pd, $85 pp/pd if you go on a timeshare tour.

2. There are many forms of transportation to and from the hotel. Here is the order of services from least to most expensive.

A. Local Bus- takes you to main HWY and Puerto Morelos ( a little dirty but it's only .50 USD per person)

B. A.D.O - Considered a major step above the local bus and can be found on the main HWY next to 7-11 (to Playa del Carmen/Cozumel) and by the Taxi stand (to Cancun). They charge $1.80 USD to either Cancun or Playa Del Carmen and $4 USD to the Airport.

C. Taxi- They charge $6 USD to Puerto Morelos (15 minute walk), $8 USD to the A.D.O station, and $28 to the Airport

D. Van Service- the most expensive way to travel unless you are in a group of 10-12. Airport transfer is $100 round-trip regardless of party size.

3. Take advantage of the timeshare tours we did 2 in one day and received to free tours to Chichen Itza and Xhel Ha & Tulum (this one is more expensive for them so they always try to have you go to the 1st tour mentioned)

Well that's it I will return to Cancun/Cozumel but next time I will stay at a Resort that offers free shuttle services if they are in a remote location or just give in and stay in the main tourist centers.

PS- I have sent my concerns to the Resorts Management and will post any updates as they happen.

Fantastic! Excellent!Having just spent a week at Marina El Cid with my husband, my 16 year old daughter and 12 year old son all I can say is that it is a superb hotel with very courteous staff, which in my opinion accounts for a lot. Check in was extremely fast. We had a 1 bedroom suite which was huge and spotless. We had an ocean and pool view which again was fab. All the Restaurants offered excellent variety and again the staff were very attentive. The waiters were also available on the beach, as well as round the pool area, ready to take your drinks orders. Also if you decide to upgrade to "Club Platinum" you have your own section on the beach which you can reserve together with a Butler Service, Pillow Menu and lots of other extras. In my opinion well worth the extra. Also there was an adult only section wich had plenty of sunloungers available together with a jacuzzi - this area was very relaxing.Plenty of other extras available, such as kayaking, windsurfing and catamaran, all with instruction and there are a huge amount of organised activities around the complex to keep you occupied as well as a beautiful Spa for you to visit. Free 5 minute massages were available on the beach which you then had the opportunity to book one if you wished, and if you didn't then there was no pressure. Again in my opinion this Hotel has got it right and it is working which is why we will return.