El Cid Resorts Opens Family-Friendly All-Suite Luxury Resort in Cancun's Riviera Maya Region
El Cid Resorts will open its sixth family-friendly hotel this December as part of the company’s new, $200 million complex bordering Puerto Morelos National Reef Park in the Cancun Riviera Maya region.
The oceanfront resort, Hotel Marina El Cid Cancun Riviera Maya, will be located 12 miles south of the Cancun International Airport, halfway between the city of Cancun and the town of Playa del Carmen. El Cid’s new, 617–acre complex boasts a state-of-the-art marina, now in operation a block away from the resort site. In the near future, the complex also will house boutiques, restaurants and luxury condominiums.
“Our guests will experience three fantastic worlds in one location,” says Carlos Berdegue, CEO of El Cid Resorts. “The new resort will be close to Cancun, renowned for shopping and nightlife. Also nearby, guests can marvel at the ruins of the ancient Mayan civilization.
“The resort’s beaches will be right on Puerto Morelos,” Bergegue continues. “Guests will find wide expanses of silky, white sand; clear turquoise waters, and spectacular underwater life ideal for snorkeling and diving.”
Construction on the new, $40-million Hotel Marina El Cid Cancun Riviera Maya began in March, 2005. When completed, the 904,300 square-foot property will feature 350 suites in 11 four-story buildings. El Cid Cancun’s architecture will mix colonial and modern styles, featuring palapa huts and sleek, brick-and-concrete structures surrounding a magnificent, 22,000 square-foot, free-form pool.
The first phase of development, scheduled for completion Dec. 17, will consist of 200 suites plus all public areas. Among its common areas, the 21-acre El Cid Cancun will have restaurants, bars, business center, tropical gardens, hair and nails salon, and Temazcal spa. The beachfront pool will feature waterfalls, swim-up bar, in-water lounge chairs, sun deck and children’s area with slides. Nearby will be an oceanfront mega Jacuzzi. For a change of pace, guests will drop by the resort’s water sports facility, providing all the gear needed for snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, kayaking and sailing. Also on-site will be a state-of-the-art fitness center with steam room; sauna; massage rooms, as well as areas for aerobics, pilates and spinning classes.
How Suite It Is
Driving up to the all-suite resort, guests will be greeted by porters and bellmen. Inside, the lobby will be a study in muted elegance, featuring marble floors and sleek, minimalist décor. There, guests will find check-in and concierge desks. Flanking the lobby will be a jewelry store, sundries shop, bar and upscale Mediterranean restaurant.
Accommodations at El Cid Cancun will range from 568 square-foot junior suites to luxurious 2,397 square-foot, three-bedroom/three-and-one-half bath accommodations. One and two-bedroom suites also are available (1,108 – 1,873 square feet respectively).
Each bright, airy suite will feature an oceanfront or pool view. Entering their rooms, guests will see contemporary décor in fresh, tropical hues. Bathrooms will be above the industry standard with marble walls, floors and countertops and large walk-in showers with comfort benches. All suites will have nightly turn-down service and a choice of king-sized or double beds. Other features will include private terraces, satellite TV, safe-deposit boxes, and minibars stocked with beverages and snacks.
Two and three-bedroom suites will come with such additional features as spacious living and dining areas; full kitchen; extra-comfort, luxury beds and linens; Jacuzzi on the terrace; satellite TV in each bedroom, and 42-inch plasma TV in the living room.
Standard rates for junior suites will range from $187 - $287 (US dollars), all-inclusive, per person per night based on double occupancy and depending on the season. Three-bedroom suites will be $297 - $435 (US dollars), all-inclusive, per person per night based on eight-person occupancy and depending on the season.
An additional $40 per person per night will provide an upgrade to the Platinum Club Level, assuring an ocean-view suite with top-of-the-line, extra-comfort beds and linen. Among the Platinum-Level enticements: welcome fruit basket with wine, pillow menu to help assure an ultra-comfortable night’s sleep, turn-down service with hors d’oeuvres and petit fours, and butler service. Guests will have complimentary access to the Platinum Room, offering beverages, snacks, Internet access, TV and more. Also at the Platinum Level, guests will enjoy beachfront palapa huts, guaranteed reservations in the marina restaurant, snorkeling trip to Puerto Morelos National Reef Park and other amenities.
Deluxe All Inclusive
“El Cid Cancun guests will have a unique culinary experience, from friendly bartenders to gala functions and romantic tableside dining,” Berdegue assures.
The deluxe all-inclusive resort will have four restaurants. Flanking the lobby, the Mediterranean El Alcazar will offer indoor as well as alfresco dining on the terrace. With its sleek, minimalist décor and extensive wine cellar, El Alcazar is designed to be the ideal setting for romantic dinners and celebrations. The more casual El Arrecite will serve up fresh seafood poolside with spectacular ocean views. Also near the lobby, the casual Al Andalus will offer buffet fare. Finally, a block away at the marina, guests will enjoy fresh lobster and seafood under the stars at La Marina, overlooking the spectacular yachts and turquoise waters of Puerto Morelos Bay.
Special touches will add to the culinary experience. For instance, Tea Time will take place in the lobby in the late afternoon, while the lobby bar and lounge will entertain with live music, dancing and cocktails afternoons and evenings.
Temazcal Spa and More
The deluxe all-inclusive rate covers a buffet of amenities: snorkelling, diving, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, bike tours, nightly shows, spa, Fitness Center, Kids Club, and more.
Offering rest and rejuvenation, the fitness center and Temazca spa will be located in a quiet area behind the pool. The Mayan-influenced Temazcal treatment offers relaxation and cleansing from steam rising from hot volcanic stones on a bed of natural herbs. Nearby, the Adult Silent Area will repeat the rest and rejuvenation themes with oceanfront massage tents, Jacuzzi and tropical gardens.
Once rejuvenated, guests will find such enticements as weekly gala functions with dinner and dancing and nightly dinner and shows in the 200-seat El Cid Theatre, to be completed in April, 2006. A gazebo will host weddings and ceremonies for couples who want to renew their vows against the backdrop of glistening white sand and the Caribbean Sea. Additionally, the Kids Club will entertain little ones who like water sports, games, movies, arts and crafts, and more.
State-of-the-Art Marina
Sailing, day cruises, snorkeling and diving excursions, and ecological tours depart from Marina El Cid Cancun now in operation next to the resort site. In addition to its restaurant, the full-service marina offers dive shop, sport fishing fleet, weather services, mini-supermarket, hardware and bait and tackle shops, and more.
“Marina El Cid Cancun can hold 300 vessels from 25 - 120 feet in length,” explains Geronimo Cevallos, harbor master and organizer of fishing expeditions from the marina. “Boats from around the world give the yacht club a cosmopolitan air second to none.
“The Riviera Maya is sport fishing paradise,” Cevallos continues, “with white marlin, mahi-mahi, tuna, barracuda and Wahoo all in abundance less than a mile from shore.”
Diving and snorkeling excursions will take guests to the protected Puerto Morelos National Reef Park. Nicknamed La Joya del Caribe (Jewel of the Caribbean), the marine park is renowned for its pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs less than 550 yards (500 meters) from shore.
Mexico’s Riviera Maya covers a 100-mile stretch along the Caribbean Sea from Cancun to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Visitors go for the clear turquoise, green and blue waters; dependably sunny weather; coral reefs, and 1,000-year-old ruins of the lost Maya civilization. Many go simply to relax on white beaches, sipping margaritas. In addition to luxury resorts and vibrant nightlife, the Riviera Maya offers eco and historical tours, with opportunities to swim with dolphins, go cave diving and explore Colonial Mexican towns.
El Cid owns and operates four hotels, a 27-hole golf course, fully equipped marina and destination management company, all in Mazatlan. Additionally, the company owns and operates the El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel in Cozumel as well as construction and real estate companies affiliated with Century 21.
For more information on Hotel Marina El Cid Cancun Riviera Maya, visit the Web site www.elcid.com. For reservations, call toll-free 1-800-525-1925 or 1-888-733-7308.
