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El Cid Mega Resort: for sheer size, this complex is hard to ignore, but
frankly I have heard few compliments and many complaints from guests con-
cerning price versus value. The complex includes the Granada, which is the
oldest, and is located across the street from the Castillo and El Moro high rises.
The newest, Marina El Cid Hotel & yacht club is located a couple miles
north, and is a low-rise Mediterranean-style building with over 200 units.
Accommodations include junior suites, one and two-bedroom suites and pres-
idential suites. Rooms feature wood furnishings and marble floors with mari-
na views and balconies. Junior suites feature two queen size beds, living area,
and kitchenette. The one-bedroom suites have a private bedroom with king
size bed, living/dining room and kitchen. There are two swimming pools, fea-
turing a swim-up bar, waterfalls, slides and whirlpool. There is a Jacuzzi, wad-
ing pool and children's pool. Also on-site is an outdoor game area and chil-
dren's playground. Two restaurants and one snack bar are located on-site.
However, to get to the beach you must take a water taxi.
El Cid Complex has 27 holes of golf, 14 tennis courts, a marina, eight swim-
ming pools, spa, disco, exercise room, shopping arcade, an aqua sports center,
and 15 restaurants and lounges. Double occupancy rates are from $140 U.S. at
El Castilla to $250 U.S. at El Cid Marina Hotel. Their telephone number is 913-
3333 and the website is www.elcid.com.
The Faro: Formerly known as Camino Real and Playa Real, it is located on
Camarón Sábalo, just south of Marina El Cid. Rack rates: $80 U.S. (Marina
view), $110 U.S. (ocean view) plus tax. Recently remodeled, The Faro sits on a
cliff with a beautiful view of Bird Island. The beach is quite narrow, but a short
walk will take you to a larger beach. It has well-landscaped grounds and two
restaurants on-site. There is a swimming pool on the ocean side. Sr. Peppers,
one of the fancier restaurants in Mazatlán is just across the street. The tele-
phone number is 913-1111.
Playa Mazatlán: The Playa Mazatlán is Mazatlán. The quaintness of the
brick archways, columns, and tiles, make this resort look like a Spanish villa. It
is located in the center of activity. There are excellent shops on site as well as a
super restaurant and romantic beach. Swimming pools include water aerobics
daily, as well as poolside activities. The famous Mexican Fiesta is held twice a
week and includes an excellent buffet as well as a Mexican style floorshow.
There is a free fireworks display every Sunday night. Rates are approximately
$91 U.S. for a double (garden view) and $110 U.S. for ocean view. Two children
11 and under can stay with their parents free. Call 989-0555.
Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort: Just up the street from the El Cid complex,
the Holiday Inn is a plain hotel with good value and "no surprises." Most
guests are tour groupies that like to hang around the pool. The beach is not
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Char les A. Hall