Escape to Paradise: El Cid Granada's Luxury Awaits in Mazatlan!
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Mazatlan Mirage! – A Review of El Cid Granada's Luxury (with a Heaping Dose of Honest Truth)
Okay, so I just got back from El Cid Granada in Mazatlan, and honestly, I'm still trying to untangle my thoughts like a tangled fishing line. "Luxury"? Well, it tries. Let's just say it's a luxury that comes with a side of "Mexican time," which, as you'll see, is a whole experience in itself.
First Impressions (and the Great Wheelchair Gamble):
Right off the bat, let’s tackle Accessibility. The hotel boasts Facilities for disabled guests, which is obviously a HUGE plus. But, and this is a BIG BUT, navigating the place felt like… well, like trying to parallel park a semi-truck on a crowded beach. The elevators, bless their souls, were slow. And I mean, s l o w. Getting around felt like a strategic operation, and sometimes, it felt like the Elevator was playing hard to get. The Exterior corridor layout was generally okay, but those occasional inclines! Let’s just say my friend, who uses a wheelchair, got a serious arm workout. Accessibility is there, but it’s not seamlessly integrated, more like an afterthought. Sigh.
The Rooms: A Sanctuary (Mostly) of Cleanliness:
The Rooms, blessedly, were pretty spiffy. They’re Non-smoking, which is a huge win for my lungs. And they offer a dizzying array of amenities, including Air conditioning (essential!), Free Wi-Fi, a Refrigerator (perfect for keeping those cervezas cold), Coffee/tea maker, a Desk for pretending to be productive, and a Seating area for collapsing dramatically after a day of sun. I had a High floor (which was nice), but the View, honestly, wasn’t the showstopper you’d expect. Oh, and the Shower? Decent pressure, thankfully. The Bathroom, equipped with Toiletries like your standard, no-frills soaps and lotions. The Linens, Towels and Bathrobes looked fresh. And I'd give them credit for the Daily housekeeping.
They also go on about In-room safe box, Alarm clock, Ironing facilities and Laptop workspace. Look, let's be real. I wasn't working. I was vacationing. But hey, at least the options are there, right?
The Cleanliness and safety, though, deserve a gold star. They're clearly taking things seriously, with Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. I saw staff in masks and Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Physically distancing felt pretty manageable. All good! They even offer Room sanitization opt-out available!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Foodie's Rollercoaster
Okay, buckle up, because the food situation is… interesting. Let’s begin with the Restaurants. Plenty of options are on offer, from A la carte in restaurant offerings to a Buffet in restaurant experience (which, let's be honest, is always a bit of a gamble). They have everything from Asian cuisine in restaurant and International cuisine in restaurant to a Vegetarian restaurant (which is a nice touch). They offer Western breakfast and the Alternative meal arrangement.
The Poolside bar did the trick, though. I spent one entire afternoon there, basically glued to a bar stool, nursing a margarita and watching the world go by. The Happy hour specials were a definite highlight.
Now, about their restaurant… On one occasion, I was supposed to get the Bottle of water but it didn't arrive, the waiter, however, kept up with a great smile and service which made me feel like the issue was less of a burden.
I have to add, room service was pretty much a life-saver. The Coffee shop also had some decent treats…
I have to be honest, I didn't sample all the Desserts in restaurant, but the ones I did try were pretty sweet.
Things To Do (and Stuff That's Supposed To Be):
Ways to relax… Ah, the spa. Now, Spa/sauna is marketed as a big draw. They have a Sauna, a Steamroom, Body wrap, and Body scrub, and all the usual suspects. It felt amazing. I was in a complete state of bliss. The Massage was good.
Then we have the Fitness center, if one is so inclined, there's also the Gym/fitness place…
The Swimming pool [outdoor] Pool with view, was nice and the Swimming pool was massive.
Internet, Internet, Everywhere (But Sometimes Nowhere):
The hotel claims Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!. And Internet is available. The Internet access – wireless was a bit spotty. You’d be in the room, get a great signal, and then… nothing. Internet access – LAN was an option, but who brings a LAN cable on vacation?! The Internet services were definitely hit or miss.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag
The Concierge was great! Really helpful for organizing Taxi service and answering a million of my questions. The Doorman was always friendly. The Front desk [24-hour] was available.
Food delivery was also on offer.
Cash withdrawal was a plus. And the Currency exchange was useful.
I'm not sure I needed Meetings or Seminars, but again, at least the option is there. It looks like no one needed the Meeting stationery though.
Laundry service was the true lifesaver.
They have Luggage storage, a Safety deposit boxes, and of course, Daily housekeeping.
For the Kids (Bless Their Little Sunburnt Faces):
I didn’t travel with kids, but they seem to cater to them. They have Babysitting service, Family/child friendly and Kids facilities and Kids meal.
The Verdict: Worth the Trip?
El Cid Granada is… complicated. It's not perfect. The service can be slow. The internet is unreliable. The Accessibility improvements are needed. But, it is clean, the staff are friendly, and the location is great.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Mai Tais.
Would I recommend it? Maybe. If you're prepared for a bit of "Mexican time" and you aren't expecting absolute perfection, then yes. If you're looking for a flawless, stress-free experience, you might want to look elsewhere. But hey, where's the fun in perfect, anyway? Embrace the imperfections; that's where the real memories are made.
Quantico Getaway: Days Inn Dumfries - Unbeatable Deals Inside!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your sanitized brochure itinerary. This is me, battling sand fleas and questionable margaritas, attempting to conquer El Cid Granada Hotel & Country Club in Mazatlán. Prepare for… well, prepare for anything.
Day 1: Arrival, Paradise Found… Or Maybe Just Found, Period.
- 11:00 AM: Arrival - Airport Chaos. Okay, "chaos" might be a tad dramatic, but the airport felt like a sweaty telenovela starting scene. Finding the transfer was like navigating a labyrinth populated by overly-enthusiastic taxi drivers. Finally, we are in a dusty, questionable van. I swear, the driver was listening to mariachi music on a cassette – cassette! – and singing along. Charming, and a little unsettling.
- 12:30 PM: Check-in – The Great Room Hunt. El Cid Granada is… sprawling. Seriously, bring a map. The check-in process felt endless. The lobby smelled vaguely of chlorine and ambition. Finally, after some serious negotiation (my Spanish is terrible, but my pointing game is strong), we got a room. Not the ocean view I’d requested, but hey, the AC works. Small victories.
- 1:30 PM: Lunch – Poolside Debacles. First impressions of the poolside restaurant: Colorful cocktails, a mariachi band (apparently, they follow you everywhere), and a menu that's slightly indecisive (Mexican? American? A confusing hybrid?). I ordered fish tacos, a staple. The fish was… okay. The salsa? Explosively spicy. Tears, sweat, and a lot of water. Learned my lesson: always ask about the chile level.
- 3:00 PM: Pool Reconnaissance & Sunburn Anticipation. Okay, the pool is… massive. Several tiers, swim-up bars, kids splashing everywhere. Found a shady spot. Pro tip: SPF 50. Apply liberally. Now. I'm already feeling the sting. Note to self: spend more time in the shade.
- 6:00 PM: Sunset Cocktails – Miscalculations. I am always wrong about sunsets. Chasing the sunset down to the beach bar sounded romantic. It wasn’t. The sand fleas were relentless. The cocktails were… watery. And the sun, well, it looked great. Got eaten alive by bugs. Scratched for an hour. Ugh.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner – The Steakhouse Struggle. The steakhouse, "El Mexicano". It was… a lot. Flambéed desserts, waiters in overly formal jackets, and a general vibe of trying too hard. I got a steak. It was… meh. Probably should have stuck with the tacos. Lesson learned: trust your gut, even when it's full of questionable meat.
Day 2: Embracing the Chaos
- 7:00 AM: Wakeup Call - The Unexpected Alarm. Ah, the beautiful sounds of roosters crowing outside my window. Except, there are no roosters. My body clock is still on a different time zone, the sun is already beaming. The walls are thin.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast – The Buffet Battle. The buffet is a battlefield of decisions. Tempted by everything, overwhelmed by everything. I went for the chilaquiles. (Again, spicy). Attempted some strange fruit. Avoided the suspiciously fluorescent "juice."
- 9:30 AM: Beach Adventure - The Sand's Embrace. I swore off the beach after the sunset incident, but the water looks incredible. Found a slightly less buggy spot. Collected a few shells. Felt like a kid again. Wonderful.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch - "Let's try the pasta." Oh, the pasta. A decision made out of fear and the over-spicing of everything. A mistake, I'm sure. But, right now, I need a break from spice.
- 2:00 PM: Pool Time, Redemption. Found a good spot. Sunscreen diligently applied. Reading a book, sipping a piña colada. Things are looking up. This is the life.
- 4:00 PM: Massage – Bliss, Briefly. Decided to splurge on a massage. The masseuse was amazing. Pure, unadulterated relaxation for 45 minutes. Then I had to get up, back to reality.
- 6:00 PM: Another Sunset Attempt – The Beach Bar, Round Two. I went back to the beach bar. I'm a glutton for punishment. This time, I was prepared. Bug spray, a sweater (wind), and a margarita that was actually decent. The sunset was glorious. Redemption!
- 8:00 PM: Dinner – Local Flavors. Ventured out of the hotel, seeking authenticity. Found a small, unassuming restaurant. The tortas were messy, the service slow, but the food? Amazing. So much better than the hotel food. This is what I came for!
Day 3: The Great Adventure
- 9:00 AM: The City Tour (I need some fresh air). Decided to explore Mazatlán. Took a walking tour of the historic center. Charming, colorful, and hot. The guide was knowledgeable, but I kept getting distracted by the architecture.
- 12:00 PM: The Market - Burst of Colors, Smells, and Confusion. The public market. The scents, the sounds, the chaos. Bought a few souvenirs, and felt deeply out of my depth.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the Hotel and its Embrace. Back to the hotel, exhausted and slightly overwhelmed. Found shade by the pool. Took a nap.
- 4:00 PM: Beach Day: Took a walk and swam.
- 8:00 PM: Farewell Dinner – Sentimentality and Sangria. One last dinner. Ordered the ceviche. Enjoyed being in another country. The sangria was fantastic. Said goodbye to the waiter, he was very nice.
Day 4: Departure – Goodbye, Sand, and Sentimental Regret.
- 8:00 AM: Packing and the Final Breakfast. The reality of leaving sets in. Packed the suitcase (mostly). One last breakfast. A final, lingering look at the ocean.
- 10:00 AM: Check-out and airport transfer. The goodbyes… I wish.
- 1:00 PM: Departure – Adios, Mazatlán!
Escape to Paradise: El Cid Granada – Your Mazatlan Meltdown (and Maybe, Bliss!) - FAQs
Okay, so "Luxury Awaits"...is that a LIE? Like, a big, sparkly, Margaritaville-sponsored LIE?
Alright, let's get this straight. Luxury at El Cid Granada? It's... *there*. See, it's not like you're walking into a Buckingham Palace situation, okay? The lobby is nice, don’t get me wrong - marble, the whole shebang. But then you get up to your room, and… the air conditioning might sound like a dying walrus. Mine did. And the view? Well, let's just say I spent a good hour trying to identify the exact species of bird that was squawking outside my balcony. (Turns out, it was probably just judging my questionable packing skills.) "Luxury" is definitely doing some heavy lifting here. But hey, there's a *pool*, and that pool has a swim-up bar… so… progress?
Anecdote Time: One morning, I was *starving*. Hit the "buffet" (air quotes, people) for breakfast. The scrambled eggs? Let's just say they had the textural integrity of rubber bands. I ended up eating… a lot of pastries. Don't judge me. They were delicious. And covered in sugar. My blood sugar spiked higher than the resort fees. Worth it.
The Pool – It's all about the Pool, Right? Spill the beans!
Okay, the pool. YES. The pool is the saving grace. It's not Olympic-size, but it's big enough to avoid the crazy toddlers (mostly). The swim-up bar? Essential. Seriously. This is where the magic happens. You can float, sip your frozen concoction of choice (they have a surprisingly good piña colada, even I'll admit it), and watch the world go by. The sun is hot, the water is cool, the bartenders are friendly… You'll probably make friends, and they are super useful, even if it's just to help you get another drink after the 7th one.
Quirky Observation: I swear, by the end of my trip, everyone in the pool was speaking a semi-coherent language comprised of hand gestures, loud laughter, and the enthusiastic slurring of "Más margarita!" It was… beautiful.
Opinionated Bit: If you don't at least *try* the swim-up bar, you're doing El Cid Granada wrong. Wrong, I tell you! It's the heart and soul of the place. Embrace the chaos!
Let's Talk Food. What's the Damage? Are we talking gourmet, or… buffet-style survival?
Alright, the food. Prepare yourself. There's the buffet (see above: rubber band eggs). Then there are the "restaurants." One is… well, I don't want to be mean. Let's just say it’s a slightly-elevated version of the buffet. And honestly, I spent three days on that bad boy. Not my fault, but it was the easiest. The other is nicer, but requires reservations… which you have to fight tooth and nail for. Booking is a whole other adventure. And really a disaster to be honest.
Messy Structure & Occasional Ramble: Okay, so reservations. Yeah. It’s like trying to get concert tickets to a Beyoncé show. You're online, mashing the refresh button, getting errors… finally, SOMEHOW, you snag a spot. And is it worth it? Maybe. Depends on how badly you need a plate of something other than a slightly-warmed-over mystery meat from the buffet. I seriously contemplated just ordering room service every night. But then… budget. And then… the slightly-warmed-overness of the room service. See? It’s a whole thing.
The Beach – Is it actually swimmable? Or just… a sandy prop?
The beach is… beachy. It's sand. It's the ocean. The important thing I learned is that the waves can be *fierce*. Like, serious undertow action. Apparently, there are days when it's totally fine to swim. And then there are days you could be pulled out to sea by a rogue wave. I spent most of my time on the beach, but in a little bit of terror. Never quite figured out when it was "safe". So… do your research. Probably heed the lifeguard's advice, unlike I did.
Emotional Reaction: I was so scared of the ocean. I’m a relatively strong swimmer, but the thought of being swallowed by a giant wave… it kept me awake at night. I spent my time building sandcastles that were promptly obliterated by rogue waves. It was a metaphor, probably.
What About Activities? Are there any? Or am I doomed to just… float in the pool?
There are activities! There's the aforementioned pool. There's a gym (which I did *not* use. Duh). There's a game room (which I peeked into, but it looked like a lot of screaming children having a good time. Pass.). You can also wander out beyond the property. Mazatlán itself is… well, it’s a city. It's got culture. Explore the Malecon if you have the energy. Walk around. Get lost in the markets. But you are on your own there, and honestly? I’m not sure I was that brave.
Double Down on an Experience: I, personally, found myself utterly obsessed with the towel game. Yeah, those towels that guests put down by the pool to reserve chairs? It's a whole competitive sport, okay? I spent an inordinate amount of time strategizing how to claim a prime poolside spot. It was cutthroat. I'm ashamed to admit I might have even engaged in some… *whispers*… towel-placement subterfuge. It was the most exciting part of my trip, actually. And I felt, like, a little guilty about it. But also, the pool chair was worth it.
Is El Cid Granada Good for Families?
Ugh, yes. Prepare yourself. The place is basically overrun with toddlers, screaming teenagers, and parents who look like they haven't slept in a week. There's a kids' club. There are splash pads. There are more sugary drinks than should be legally allowed. It's a family-friendly resort, alright. Which means you'll be dodging strollers, hearing endless cries of "Mommy! Daddy!" and possibly tripping over rogue pool toys. Just… mentally prepare yourself if you travel at the same time as the school holidays. Seriously.
Stronger Emotional Reaction (Good or Bad): Honestly? I loved it. Despite all the chaos. The joy on the kids' faces as they splashed in the pool, the exhausted smiles of the parents... It's a certain kind of special, even if that "special" involves a lot of noise and a distinct lack of personal space. But bring earplugs. Trust me.
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