El Cid Granada

This place was exactly what it should be. Was pretty inexpensive. The rooms were fine. Pretty clean for mexico and had air. We went with the cheap one which didn't have an ocean view. The hotel was fairly noisy in general. The one thing to definitely watch out for is the Timeshare push. They want you to go to a breakfast. At the airport we went to the el cid table to get a map and the lady was really nice. All the sudden we were in a hard sales pitch for the timeshare breakfast and we were stuck there for 20 minutes. We said NO many times but did not want to be rude. Then we got another timeshare breakfast sales pitch at the hotel from another lady. Ugh. The hotel manager, Daniel, was very nice and very helpful. There were a lot of pay extras in the room. Water, coffee were extra each day. The hotel is in the Golden Zone (very, very touristy). If you go on the beach, expect to be asked by to buy something from a vender every 2 minutes. It was nice because you can go to any el cid hotel and use the facilities and swim in the pool. They do have beautiful pools. Food there was pricey for mexico but worth the ocean view. We did scuba diving (it was okay. saw lots of fish, starfish, urchins)visibility 12 feet. divemaster was good buy handled a lot of animals while underwater (not cool). the boat ride there was nice and the water was about 75 (I had a 3-4 wetsuit and it was perfect). We did ziplining. THat was great. We bodysurfed at witches beach. That was the BEST. Great Restaurant!!! Great waves. We went into town once and it was fine. The best part was walking along the beach. there's a nice walkway at Olos Altos (sp?) with lot so sculptures. If we go again we may stay farther north near playa de bruja. We really liked it up there.

We booked for non smoking room and king size bed ,received smoking and 2 double beds offered down grade smaller room and where drilling was taken place.

I always do a little research before I book and looked at a lot of places in Mazatlan, because we had never been to that side of Mexico before. Im not real picky about rooms because after all I'm going for the BEACH right!! Any way when we checked in we were "upgraded" from the Granada which is not on the beach(which I DID know and was OK) to the Castilla across the street and on the beach. I was really glad we did. Come to find out the only bar open after 5 (when the pool bars close) was in the Castilla lobby!!! I was surprised that in a complex of 3 hotels that the one bar was not packed. Maybe the "Party Hearty" crowd went to Senor Frogs!! Which is attached to the hotel. The room was nice and clean, A/C worked well, however it was right by the lobby, good access to bar but the band was pretty loud!!! Beds are the typical HARD Mexican beds! Food in the Buffett and the two restaurants we tried was excellent! We did the sushi and the Argentine style. Mazatlan did not seem to be the "Party Town" that Cancun is. But in all honesty we don't stay out like we used to!!

The Granada is good old place, renovated and kept up - nice jr suites with kitchenette, nice pool area. Staff very nice and helpful - we speak Spanish, but we observed staff being very helpful to guests who did not speak spanish and/or were unfamiliar with Mexico or Mazatlan. I rate the staff highly. The rooms are older - well renovated, but not soundproof - one can easily hear your neighbor and whatever they are up to - but the clientele seems to be mostly older Canadian travelers and so there is a good measure of decorum and manners displayed by guests toward one another - so no real problem. The younger folks there also comported themselves very well. The towers, on the other hand draw a big national crowd - and the operative word is "crowd". Crowded pools and crowded beach-front. As regular visitors to Mazatlan (we live in Queretaro) that is not particularly inviting to us. Our advice - feel comforatble booking the Granada, enjoy their pool - and when you want to go to the beach, go south to Cerritos/Gaviota area (walk 30 minutes\ - or take a Pulmonia) and enjoy a better beach down in front of the Raddison in that area. Mazatlan is great andf El Cid Granada is a winner.

Hotel was old not great. The checking in took about 45 minutes they didn't know what they were doing and there was only 2 people ahead of us. The 1st room we were sent to had a king bed. We requested 2 doubles so had to go back down and get a different room again it took a long time. Glad we were only staying one night. It was a great location close to everything.

wonderful place-excellant for golf with caddies in site and good prices. part of el cid mega resort with many options to dine on beach or suntan secluded many very nice long time people work there who are always eager to help. one thing the pillows are always hard so pack one of your own in your golf bag..there is a fee for wi-fi which is too high per day but fair for the week..all inclusive available but if you just drink mostly beer your room has fridge etc and there are many fun dining options at the hotel and nearby.great place.

Been to Mazatlan many times, this place is the best.

the room was very noise

I enjoyed my stay, hotel staff that spoke English were helpful. I had a kitchenette which was handy for me as I was not "all inclusive".

The hotel was quite nice, staff were polite and pleasant. Also very helpful. Good entertainment. The buffet had a good selection of food and the ala cart dining was delicious, we had a great time!