We stayed at here from April 24 through May 1. Our trip was very enjoyable. The resort was unique to us due to the setting at the marina. The daily catch comes in at around 3pm. We have always had beach side rooms at other hotels in the past, but here we had a view of the marina as well as the shallower of the two pools. The adjoining rooms we occupied were more than large enough for the four of us during our stay. When we would venture in to town, there wasn't a single local person that didn't give us the feeling we were staying at the best place in Mazatlan.
Getting to the beach was unique, due to the fact it is placed across the waterway from the hotel (A water taxi has to be taken-not a huge deal but just different). The beach is very quiet and the beach vendors were few and far between. The service from the hotel staff was excellent. The view of the hotel from the beach is stunning. The pools were very nice, but our group consisted of four 30 somethings and we found the El Cid Moro to have a more lively pool. When a low key day was in order the Marina El Cid's pool was more than fine.
The staff was excellent and provided great service and even gave good suggestions for restaurants. I highly recommend dining in almost any of the local restaurants, as we had some incredible meals in great settings. We only ate at the Marina once, aside from a quesadillas at the pool, and found the food to be expensive and undesireable. We ate the breakfast buffet ($14 US/person) and it was not good at all. Another couple told us that ordering off of the menu is much better, but we didn't see the need to give it a chance. You can go into town and eat at Gus-Gus, or the Purple Onion, for $5 US and it is amazing.
Ths shuttle service was very convenient. Especially since the other hotels are located in an area more conducive to shopping and dining out.
Enjoy your stay, and if you see Juan at the hotel, tell him Eric said, "Hola"

stayed here for one wk at carnival time Feb. 21...if you are looking for loud rap music at the pool this is not the place for you. we had a two bedrm unit on main floor which opened to the garden areas. All rooms face the marina. We ventured down daily to watch the catch come in. They have fishing excursions. The one pool that would appeal to parents of little ones is heated...and the other pool is salt water with many water falls and slides, teenagers would love. The grounds are beautiful and well manicured. I think we had the best accommadations in Mexico and we have been everywhere. It is a short ride on a ferry 2 min to the beach which is across the marina... the beach is very nice with food and beverage served there. I am not as fond of the pacific as i am of the caribbean sea but it is the only draw back. The pacific is cooler and not blue green. Go at carnival time if you really want Mexican flavor. You can walk to several area restaurants but El Cid has good food service. My husband took advantage of the El Cid golf course and really enjoyed that. You are required to hire a caddy but he said he could not have found his way along if he didnt have the caddy. We enjoyed the quieter atmosphere: we want to go back for two wks next yr.
Mazatlan is still a reasonable Mexican vacation...the people are wonderful...There are always timeshare people but you know how to say "no", don't you? See you there. we recommend going to eat a short walk away to a restaurant named "The Place"...it is reasonable, and believe it, they have a country singer from Wisc.

We just returned from our second visit to Marina El Cid. This time we were on the sixth floor with a terrific view of the ocean. Weather was ideal. Also enjoyed hearing the surf -- very relaxing. But, the bed was very firm - not comfortable. Also, we could hear the talking and TV from the next unit. We ate there a couple times -- nothing great. Best food was in town.

Next time we're going to try Pueblo Bonito at Emerald Bay. We sat through their sales pitch -- these people are the best sales professionals in the business! We didn't buy and the sales lady went from super friendly to cold in one second. Soon as she realized we weren't buying, she turned off and pointed out the exit! But, I guess that's normal. I wouldn't buy there, but the facility is excellent and we're going to stay there next year to see how it compares to the Marina.

We enjojed our RCI instant exchange room at the El Cid Marina. We had nice two corner ocean views(best from 4th Floor). No chairs! Mexico must not have liability laws, as the place had no screens in windows, and all sorts of places small children could get seriously hurt. We didn't have any small children, but the eyes of a social worker don't miss anything-even on vacation! Walls were thin but desk responded with noisy neighbor's T.V. at 1:30 A.M.(we had not slept for 2 days with travel). We were branded in the lobby upon arrival with "the carnation" signifying that we had been approached by a timeshare salesperson. This has to happen in order to get a bell man to bring your bags. We were VERY clear that we were in no mood for a sales pitch.Never heard from her again. The food was really poor at EL Cid Marina. I concur with the Cal. writer who said how hard it was to get Mexican food. Why do they think we want American? We could have stayed home. I have a condition with which I cannot eat wheat, oats, barley, or rye. This threw the kitchen into a frenzy when I took out my Spanish dietary needs card.
They tried, but it was too wierd for them to come up with a solution.
At Sr. Peppers(awful!!!!!!) they said. "We have no food for you here".
They actually did, and it wasn't worth the high price, poor attitude and terrible service. The El Cid food was unimaginative at best-except for the Sunday brunch's Mimosa -all you can drink(hint- skip the OJ, ask for the bottle of champagne to be left at the table). This is then a great time to walk down to Celito Lindo and buy lots of great silver jewelry(real Mexican-look for the .925 Mexico" print). Have fun and relax-you'll be home all too soon!