El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel

Do not stay here, you will have a terrible experience

I have stayed in many hotels in Mexico: two in Cabo and one in CanCun and had wonderful experiences using Expedia’s service. The Hotel El Cid Castilla in Mazatlan is the worst hotel I have stayed in. Our room "Ocean View All Inclusive" room had to be changed 4 times because of dirty water, no king bed, other people being in the room and a view of the roof- not the ocean when we checked in. If you go during the later summer, be warned, the humidity will bring mosquitoes into the room and your bedding will be wet the entire time. The hotel front desk staff were extremely rude, would not speak English and would not exchange our dollars to pesos. We were berated with Time Share sales in person and on the phone. The pool area was very loud and there was no variety with the food. The only saving grace is that the hotel restaurant staff were very friendly and helpful.

Traveler's tip

Do not travel to this hotel in the later summer because it is the Mexican Travel season and you will feel unwanted at this hotel. I would recommend staying some where else not in the summer due to bad tropical storms. Stay somewhere that has internet service so that you can check your flight schedule.

very good

hotel was amazing, services great, overall best ever

Hotel is Ok but beaches not that great!

Hotel is a good resort, nice pools especially for kids. Hotel food not that great, Fiesta night not worth the money. Beach was dirty with a lot of foam and dead jelly fish. On the main street the time share solicitors will drive you crazy. They are on every corner promising you anything just to attend their sessions. Lot of pressure. Don’t be a sucker!

Traveler's tip

Use local buses (green buses are air conditioned) or air taxis for transportation. Flea Market in old town is not worth the trip...nothing but junk.

Excelent place to stay

Althought one of the pool is in reconditioning it was excelent

Traveler's tip on nightlife

It’s close to nightclubs

better than i expect!!

beautifull place, many activitys in te hotel, all inclusive is more than we expect, in general all services are excelent.

It was nice to stay there

They were so kind with us, actually they gave us a great upgrade, we paid for a 2 king room european plan, and they moved us to a nice suite in MORO tower....... It was great! Nice people in Mazatlan

Traveler's tip on nightlife

Go to Señor Frogs!!

Nice Hotel

We had a pool view room and it was very nice. I was happy with most everything about the hotel except for the timeshare people, it seemed like we had a phone call almost every day! The pool was great but be prepared for the noise of music and people.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

If you don’t really plan on leaving the hotel then I would definitely go all inclusive. We decided not to this trip and realized we really didn’t eat outside of our hotel.

Awesome Time

The hotel was great, the staff attentive and the location wonderful. My Daughter and I went down for spring break and had a blast the pools and surrounding areas were clean and staff friendly. We had purchased the all inclusive plan and I am glad we did as it paid for itself in the end.

Spring Break ’08

We really enjoyed our stay. It was beautiful!! We had the pool ai package, we hung out ate and drank - so it was a great deal. If you are planning on leaving a lot, and don’t drink, then the a.i. is probably not for you. Our room had a great view, and the room was clean. The beds were a little firm for my husband, but I was okay. The hotel staff is constantly working around the hotel to keep it clean and looking good. Their staff cleaned the pools extensively every morning (there was even a diver),there’s staff sweeping constantly all day around the pool areas, they would do touch up painting around the hotel, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning - wow. The food was great, the drinks were great, the snack bar club sandwich was great. They serve Pacifico and Corona beer - awesome! I would definately go back - the Castilla Beach is very family orientated, and was not over crowded feeling. We always got a spot at the pool. The kids loved it. There are rocks to jump off - great pool! Great Beach! Most of the hotel shops have competative prices, and the shop keepers as well as all the hotel staff were extremely kind and helpful. I felt very welcome and at home every place I went. Their staff was great - top notch! The beach has great shell hunting even with all the people. Shops and restaraunts are within walking distance of the hotel. Castilla Beach is a wonderful all around family vacation!!! I want to go back!

Traveler's tip

take a bunch of small bills with you so you can tip your servers, and don’t forget your housekeeping. (They take good care of us, we need to take care of them too)

do not eat at all inclusive sushi bar, and reconsider all inclusive

We had a great view, the beach was excellent, the staff was nice and excellent. Howevre the all inclusive package was average. The beer was good and kept coming, but the food was very bland, but did have some nice fish and taco beef one day. Went to the sushi bar across street asscoiated with El Cid at rthe El Cid country club. The wait staff had no clue at all, you are seated in a separate area from the paying guests, and givin a menue that was different from the paying guests that had no real sushi, only avacado, imitaation crab and cream cheese in different combinations. We ordered off the regualr menu for spicey tune roll and they had no idea how to make it, no idea to give wasabi or ginger with meal or we shared soy sauce with the table next to us. Very aggressive time share sales peaple around city and beach and even airport. Not bad at hotel if you just say no. I would go again for the beach and not have the all inclusive package.

Traveler's tip on dining

went off campus to a local high class sea food restaurant called Captivos on main drag 4 minutes away by taxi, and many locals eating incredible prawns, lobster and the drinks were great, but strong. Food and Staff excellent!!

plastic wrist I.D. tage

The hotel was average and the room we had adjacent to a pool was very noisy. The biggest issue with this hotel is that they required you to wear a plastic wrist tag. Felt like I was in a hospital.

Good value for the dollar

Hotel service was good. All-inclusive food & drinks were good. Hotel rooms were clean & maid service good. Beds were a little to firm. WE had a good trip.

Mazatlan good Hotel

The pool is great.....

Traveler's tip on local attractions

They have night shows in delicius food,,,,

One of Mazatlan’s best hotels

As far as Mexico Is concerned, El Cid is one of the finest hotels.If you’ve traveled to Mexico a few times, you know what I mean.It is as close to American standards as you can get.The staff is extremely friendly and the food is not only good, but very abundant.It was not our first time staying here, and it won’t be the last.I would recommend this hotel to anyone wanting to have a good time.

Traveler's tip

When you are in Mexico you have to remember that it is THEIR country.They do things their way and in their own time.Just roll with it.Embrace our differences and enjoy the culture.HAVE FUN!

Good Value

Food snacks at the pool were always cold.Recommend just eating all meals somewhere esle

Traveler's tip on dining

La Casa Country for great food

Good Value

Dispite poor/cold food and construction noise the hotel is priced pretty reasonable for its amenities

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Bring one dollar bills for the Pulomia taxis you can go most places for $4