El Cid El Moro Beach Hotel
Family-friendly resort in Mazatlan.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(310 discussions)
El Cid El Moro Beach Hotel is Mazatlán's most sports-forward all-inclusive, anchored by 27 holes of PGA-rated championship golf and a sprawling pool complex that earns its reputation as one of the city's largest. The 27-story tower is a genuine landmark in the Golden Zone, and the views from balcony rooms — Las Tres Islas sitting in the Pacific against a sunset — consistently win over guests who were on the fence about Mazatlán as a destination. The private boat to Deer Island for snorkeling is the kind of inclusive perk that competes with excursion offerings at far more expensive resorts.
Food is where El Cid El Moro most clearly shows its limitations. The main buffet draws regular criticism for bland, repetitive options, and the specialty restaurant reservation system frustrates guests who booked expecting easy access to à la carte dining. The pool bar and service on the pool deck perform well, and the nightly entertainment mix of Mexican fiestas and Broadway-style shows provides solid value for families and group travelers. The brass bands on the beach are genuinely polarizing — festive energy for some, an unrelenting intrusion for others who came specifically to decompress.
El Cid El Moro works best for golf-focused travelers who want to base themselves in a real Mexican city rather than an isolated resort corridor. Mazatlán's Golden Zone walkability means you're never trapped on property for dinner, which gives this resort a flexibility that compensates for the buffet's shortcomings. It positions below Dreams Mazatlán and Pueblo Bonito properties on price while offering something those resorts can't match on the golf side. If beach relaxation and food quality are your primary metrics, the Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay is worth the price difference.
Pros
- +27-story tower gives guests sweeping panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the iconic Las Tres Islas from private balconies that rival resort settings costing significantly more
- +El Cid Golf & Country Club access includes 27 holes of PGA-rated championship golf, plus tennis and pickleball courts — a sports package that standalone resorts in Cancun or Los Cabos charge heavily to access
- +Private boat to Deer Island for snorkeling is included in the all-inclusive, delivering a genuine adventure activity that most beach hotels charge as a premium add-on excursion
- +One of Mazatlán's largest hotel pool complexes with freeform layout, integrated waterfalls, and water slides means the on-property pool experience holds up without needing the beach
- +All-inclusive plan extends to dinner at specialty restaurants at sister El Cid properties, effectively giving guests access to a broader dining portfolio across the resort campus
- +Mazatlán's Golden Zone location puts dozens of restaurants, bars, shops, and markets within easy walking distance — the city doesn't disappear behind a resort wall the way it does in more isolated properties
- +Swim-up and poolside bars are consistently staffed, and attentive service at the pool deck earns regular praise from guests who compare it favorably to the hands-off approach at busier resorts
- +Broadway-style shows and Mexican fiesta nights provide varied nightly entertainment that doesn't rely purely on the DJ-and-fire-dancer formula common at larger Cancun chains
Cons
- −All-inclusive dinner restaurant reservations at the specialty venues are difficult to secure, with guests reporting that calling a day in advance still results in being turned away to the main buffet
- −Main buffet food quality receives consistent criticism for being bland and limited in variety — travelers comparing it to Dreams or Sandals properties come away feeling the food falls short
- −Roaming brass bands on the beach play continuously from lunch through early evening, which adds festive atmosphere for some guests but genuinely disrupts relaxation for others trying to read or nap
- −Property is showing its age in certain areas — while regular maintenance painting and elevator work continues, the bones of the building are dated compared to newer Mazatlán openings
- −Pool overcrowding becomes a problem during Mexican holiday weeks when domestic tourism peaks, making chair availability and noise levels significantly worse than off-season visits
- −The all-inclusive plan covers house drinks only, and guests who prefer premium spirits or imported beers find the upgrade path less clearly communicated than at Hyatt or Marriott-affiliated properties
- −Room inventory is relatively small at 38 luxury rooms and suites, meaning sold-out situations arise earlier and last-minute booking options disappear faster than at larger competitors
- −English-language service varies by department — while overall hospitality is warm, guests who don't speak Spanish may encounter communication gaps at the front desk or in some dining venues
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
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