El Cid Granada Hotel
El Cid Granada is the quieter, garden-side corner of the El Cid Mazatlan complex in the Golden Zone. It has the feel of a country club rather than a traditional all-inclusive, with a heated courtyard pool, a calm pace and studios and one-bedroom suites that all come with a balcony and kitchenette. Its real asset is the sky bridge: the hotel is physically linked to El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel and El Cid El Moro, so the beach, the larger pool scene and the water sports are a short walk away, and you come back to a calmer building at night.
Things to Know
- All-Inclusive Optional
- Wi-Fi costs extra
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +A covered sky bridge links the Granada to El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel and El Cid El Moro, so the beach, the bigger pools and the sister hotels' restaurants are a short walk away rather than a shuttle ride
- +The All-inclusive Plan also unlocks El Cid Castilla's restaurants, bars, theme dinner shows and activities at no extra charge, so you eat across the complex instead of from one small hotel's kitchen
- +Kid's Club (ages 4 to 12) and Teen's Club (13 to 17) are both included in the All-inclusive Plan, along with a daytime beach and pool activity program, which makes it a quietly strong family pick
- +Sits right across the street from El Cid Golf & Country Club; golf is not included, but hotel guests get booking preference and a lower green fee than walk-up players
- +Quiet, garden-like atmosphere that feels more like a country club retreat than a party resort, built around a heated garden courtyard pool
- +Studios and one-bedroom suites all have a private balcony and a kitchenette, handy for families who want to keep snacks and milk on hand
- +The breakfast buffet gets consistent praise, especially the egg station, and guests repeatedly single out friendly, bilingual servers
- +Taxes and gratuities are built into the All-inclusive Plan, and Mazatlan rates run well below comparable stays in Los Cabos or Cancun
Cons
- −The building shows its age: guests describe dated fittings, noisy rooftop fans or vents, and a pool area that needs freshening up, though some rooms have been renovated
- −Bathrooms are a recurring complaint, with several recent guests calling out weak or unreliable showers
- −Wi-Fi costs extra, sold by the day or week, which stands out when most all-inclusives now include it
- −Only one restaurant is actually on Granada grounds: El Patio, an Argentinean grill open three days a week that requires reservations. Every other venue means walking to Castilla or the Club House
- −Specialty restaurants across the complex need reservations and open only three to six days a week, so dinner takes some planning
- −A resort fee is charged on top of both the European Plan and the All-inclusive Plan, and room service and premium dishes like jumbo shrimp and fine steak cuts cost extra
- −Afternoon music at the pool area starting around 4pm has been reported as loud enough to bother guests who came for quiet
- −Mazatlan has fewer direct international flights than Cancun or Los Cabos, so getting there can cost more from many US and Canadian cities
All-inclusive is optional here. You choose between the European Plan (room only) and the All-inclusive Plan, and both carry a separate resort fee. On the all-inclusive side, meals and house-brand drinks cover the oceanfront La Alhambra lunch buffet, El Alcazar (Italian), La Cascada (Mexican), the Club House sushi bar, La Pergola Theater's buffets with a show, and the beach club swim-up bar, plus Castilla's restaurants and activities at no extra charge. The only restaurant on Granada grounds is El Patio, an Argentinean grill open three days a week, and most specialty venues need reservations. Kids' and teens' clubs, the gym at the Club House, and tennis and basketball access are all included. Wi-Fi is extra, the fittings are dated, and showers draw complaints, but service gets warm marks.
The Granada suits families, couples and golfers who want Mazatlan's Old Pacific Mexico character without party-resort energy. Golf is not part of any plan: El Cid Golf & Country Club across the street charges hotel guests a reduced green fee plus a mandatory caddie and cart, and offers Stay & Play packages, but it is a short walk to the first tee. If beachfront rooms matter most, El Cid El Moro or Castilla puts you on the sand. Mazatlan's historic Centro, the malecon and Stone Island are all an easy taxi ride away.
Common Questions
Does El Cid Granada have direct beach access?
Is golf included in the all-inclusive rate?
Are the kids' and teens' clubs extra?
Is Wi-Fi free at El Cid Granada?
Is El Cid Granada all-inclusive?
What is Mazatlan like compared to Cancun?
What's nearby
Playa Norte8 min drive · 2.6 mi
Cliff Divers (El Clavadista)13 min drive · 5.0 mi
Gran Acuario Mazatlán8 min drive · 2.8 mi
Mazatlán Malecón10 min drive · 3.6 mi
Mazatlán Cathedral13 min drive · 4.7 mi
Olas Altas Beach14 min drive · 5.4 mi
More things to do (24)
- Whale watching cruise (December to March) · excursion5 min drive · 1.7 mi
- El Cid Marina · marina5 min drive · 1.7 mi
- Playa Brujas · beach15 min drive · 6.2 mi
- Sunset cruise · excursion5 min drive · 1.7 mi
- Playa Sábalo · beach4 min walk · 0.2 mi
- Sea Shell City · museum3 min drive · 1.0 mi
- Playa Gaviotas · beach4 min drive · 1.1 mi
- El Cid Golf & Country Club · golf4 min drive · 0.7 mi
- Deer Island (Isla de Venados) boat and snorkel trip · excursion5 min drive · 1.7 mi
- Bird-watching boat tour of the marina · excursion5 min drive · 1.7 mi
- Marina Mazatlán · marina8 min drive · 3.0 mi
- Fuerte 31 de Marzo · historic site12 min drive · 4.5 mi
- Old Mazatlán (Plazuela Machado) · town14 min drive · 5.0 mi
- Museo de Arte de Mazatlán · museum14 min drive · 5.0 mi
- Museo Arqueológico de Mazatlán · museum14 min drive · 5.1 mi
- Teatro Ángela Peralta · historic site14 min drive · 5.1 mi
- Mazagua Water Park · water park15 min drive · 6.6 mi
- Playa Cerritos · beach15 min drive · 6.3 mi
- Observatorio 1873 · museum20 min drive · 6.1 mi
- Museo Nacional de la Ballena (MUNBA) · museum20 min drive · 6.1 mi
- El Faro Lighthouse · viewpoint20 min drive · 7.0 mi
- Mirador Puente de Cristal · viewpoint20 min drive · 7.1 mi
- El Verde Camacho Turtle Sanctuary · wildlife40 min drive · 23 mi
- Estrella del Mar Golf Course · golf55 min drive · 28 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Mazatlán is not a sargassum destination.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.5 · 2,184 reviews
“We had an amazing stay here at El CID Granada. The staff was fantastic, the food was great, and the location was central with lots of things to do in the area. A special shout out Rocio and Fabian at the El Patio restaurant for the great service each...”
“El Patio one the best Restaurants at El Moro, El Cid in Mazatlan!!! The food and service are exceptional!!! The atmosphere is pleasant and romantic. We give 5 stars to our server, Adan de Jesus! Adan was so friendly and attentive! Adan made our exper...”
“Really enjoyed our stay at El Cid. Always have a great time. Shout out to Fabian at El Patio, Manuel at Marina Restaurant, Jorge at El Moro pool and both short and tall Carlos at Granada front desk! They all made our stay memorable!”
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