Hi Nancy, great details! So glad you mentioned mobility for people that may need it. I know a lot of people are going to mention the resort fee. It's like paying an extra fee for your happy meal after you ordered your happy meal. Everything else sounds like the typical resort experience. take care.
@@davidng407 the resort fee does feel ridiculous, for sure! Why wifi isn't standard at an all-inclusive in 2024 is a head scratcher. 🤔 Someone with a good marketing 'brain' needs to put together the concept that hitting you up for extra fees when you arrive followed by hitting you up to buy a very expensive time share when you haven't even been there for 10 minutes yet does not leave a good first impression. Have a great week. I'm working on our Ventus review right now. 😊
Heading back November 2024 for the 3rd time. We love it! Great bang for the buck! Also, we never have had an issue with getting our wifi codes included with all- inclusive package. Just need to ask when checking in. If ever in doubt, just remember to ask your travel representative on site at the resort.
Great videos! What room categories are the 2 closest buildings next to the el cid marina big pool? Also, where would the studio room with the jacuzzi tub on the balcony be located? Thanks
@@davidgruver9538 The suites are scattered throughout the resort a little bit but some one bedroom suites tend to be located closest to the main pool. The building overlooking the main pool and the beach are primarily platinum level rooms. I love this building. ☺️ And whenever I'm booking a platinum room at Marina El Cid I try to request that building. The studios are new. I believe they are over to the left side of the resort nearer to the infinity pool but I'm really not certain. I haven't stayed in a studio yet. Sorry that isn't more helpful. Have fun planning your vacation 😊
Hi there! On Sunwing the beach is rated 2.1/5 I was wondering if u could shed some light on why the low rating as we are very interested in this resort but are big beach goers and want to be able to enjoy the beach
@@sweetz187 hi! It totally depends on the time of year. During hurricane season the beach can erode and the water can get high. It is a bit rocky in some areas. We have been in May, October, over Christmas, and a few other times of year. Sometimes the beach is nice and usable. Other times, after some particularly fierce weather, it is less so. It is a long beach but not a very deep beach area. If you are beach goers maybe have a look at the Iberostar Paraiso resort complex. Their beach is better. Finest Playa Mujeres has a great beach but it is waaaaay more expensive than El Cid. Hope that helps a bit! Happy vacation planning. 😊
Thanks for this video! We’re staying here next month for our honeymoon and I’m so excited 😊 I was wondering if all inclusive includes alcoholic beverages other than wine/beer?
@@thekaylaimani yes it sure does. 😊 I highly recommend trying a few cocktails up at Ruf or the Waves bar at Ventus Ha' but they were all pretty good. Congratulations & Enjoy your honeymoon! 🥂
One of your videos showed that there is a teen club inside the lobby of El Cid - we have been to this resort twice a few years ago and are going back soon. Can you tell me more about the Teen club? My boys are 13 and 17 and so I was wondering what it includes for them. Thank you
@@judybrunton8152 Hi! The teens club is down the hallway off of the Marina lobby near the buffet restaurant entrance. My kids are now older but when they used the teen club in the past, it was more of a "hang out" spot with video games, board games, foosball, ping pong and stuff like that. Every time I tried to go inside to film it on our last trip there were teens in it and I didn't want to invade their privacy. It didn't seem like an organized activity situation more of a place to drop in and hang out when parents are enjoying the band or a cocktail. 🙂 Hope that helps a bit. Enjoy your trip!!!! 😊
@@theaerolife We were there in the middle of June, just after a tropical storm. The seaweed was fairly heavy. The warmer the weather the worse it usually is.
@@BatoulBayram yes, the seaweed can be bad in the Riviera Maya, depending on the time of year, and it is a bit rocky toward the Marina side of the beach. Glad you enjoy the rest. 😊
Great video as always. I was surprised that they charge a resort fee I have never heard that before There has always just been the environmental tax We have noticed that all the resorts seem to be cutting back on things to save money the last couple years like the toiletries you were mentioning Some places that used to have pretty good entertainment now have way less We have also noticed at some places they have much smaller entertainment teams I get that they need to keep prices reasonable but the nickle and diming at some resorts is starting to wear thin One resort we went to didnt even supply pop or beer. It was a budget place so we just bought our own at the Oxxo store lol I guess you get what you pay for but when you pay for a 5 star and they start cheaping out on small things it gets old fast I especially dislike paying the visitax which seems like a cash grab Most people we have asked have no idea and think you mean the environment fee I know it's the law and it's best to just pay it but it's annoying to know that probably 75 % of the people on your flight haven't paid and don't even know what it is
@@howardgarrett7865 I totally agree about the resort fee. I am used to the environmental tax per day fee. The resort fee feels ridiculous and a bit of a money grab. Maybe understandable in Vegas but not at a Mexican all-inclusive. The wifi fee is particularly outdated, imo. This resort is one of the best I have been to for mobility concerns. I didn't see anywhere a wheelchair could not access. There are even braille and hearing impaired suites. The visitax is just stupid.😕 It is the law but has been implemented so badly. I remember on my first trip to the DR before starting University (many many many many years ago... 🤪) the travel agent said be sure to leave yourself $x cash to depart the airport. The airline collected it with my boarding pass before we could board the plane. Why Q.Roo didn't step into the 21st century and implement this tax efficiently is beyond me. Whether I agree with it or not - Can you imagine if they offered the airlines $1 per passenger to collect it on their behalf how different this would look. They could charge 75% less and still have more revenue than they do now. Ah well, I'm still going so I guess I can't complain 😀 I have noticed too that resorts seemed to be cheaping out and reducing on some things and charging more than ever before. I used to find Jamaica much more expensive than Cancun but I booked a trip that is less than Mexico (for the same brand - Iberostar Grand Rose Hall vs. Iberostar Grand Paraiso). Is this because Mexico is getting too expensive or Jamaica is getting less so? Have a great week!! 😊
@@howardgarrett7865 right! 🤪 I haven't been back in a while but we have a trip to each of the Excellence properties in Punta Cana booked for 2025. We have had to cancel those trips twice already. Hopefully the third time is a charm. Lol
@@Crazygamer231 hi! Only the family infinity pool is heated during the winter months. The hot tubs are hot all year long. 😊. A great resort for a family trip!
Hi, thanks for the great informational video. Please help me figure out which of the 3 EL CID properties I should book? We are a family of four with two kids (tweens) Looking to book first week of January 2025 for about 4 to 5 days. We do not plan to leave the resort as this is just a small leg of an overall larger Mexican trip. We don't care about the party scene and like to relax but also have fun in the water. Food is probably the number one priority followed by the kids being able to have fun. I noticed that you mentioned the beach is a bit rocky and we love boogie boarding and playing in the waves. So is there another part of the property where it's not rocky? With that said, which of the properties would you recommend for this particular situation? Thx
@@A-a-ron007 hi! 😊 Having vacationed here with my kids when they were a similar age I would say a 1 bedroom suite at Ventus would be my first choice. The kids can easily use the Ventus pools and the Marina pool. The Ventus end of the beach is a bit less rocky than closer to the Marina. We enjoy all the restaurants. Ha' is nice to go for dinner but you're not there long enough to stay at Ventus Ha' and the kids are always going to want to be over at the Ventus or Marina pools so skip that one. My second choice would be a one bedroom at Marina. I hope that helps a bit. Feel free to reach out if I can answer anything else. Have a great trip!!! ☺️
@@loodyfayad3816 Thank you!! The Alhambra buffet is open for breakfast and dinner and the dinner theme changes nightly. Alhambra is closed for lunch BUT the Hacienda Arrecife opens as a buffet for lunch and then changes to a Mexican a la carte for dinner. Mercado de Dolores (at Ventus) is also a great option for lunch. It is a food court style restaurant. Ill de France and Trattoria D' Giulio also have breakfast buffets. They are smaller than Alhambra but still good. I will have videos about the restaurants along with their QR codes up in the next couple of weeks. "Ventus Ha' Restaurants & Bars" video went up Saturday showing those menus. Hope this helps. 😊
@newtravelescapes thank you so.much, so to clarify el cid marina does have a buffet for breakfast , lunch and dinner. Traveling with a little one. And figure buffer for breakfast,lunch and dinner is the best way to go. Called a few resorts that only had breakfast buffets and none for lunch and dinner. Overall did you enjoy el cid marina?
@@newtravelescapes yes ill defienlty have to watch your little el cid series! I assume if staying at elcid marina you can enjoy all 3 sister resorts?
@@neneGonezo Ventus Ha' would be my top.pick and then Ventus. Ha' has Ruf for adults only and A'akat for a nice a la carte lunch and it has fewer kids in the bars than either Ventus or Hotel Marina. A close second is Ventus for an adults only trip especially if you can get an ocean front suite near the adult only pool and hot tubs. Ventus also has Abnia at night that is 18+ so a nice place to hang out close to your room at night. Either are good picks for an adults only and it only takes a minute and a half to walk between the two. Hope that helps 😊
@@angelggx Hi! We used USA Transfers to book round trip transfers to the resort and back to the airport. We booked online in advance. I made a video about our favourite transfer companies that you may find helpful. I'll link it here: ua-cam.com/video/ti4wus_m58k/v-deo.html
We are here now, partly based on your review. Thank you! Grandma doesn’t even need her wheelchair, as they whisk her around in a golf cart whenever needed. Question - where is the laundry you showed in one of the videos? Thanks so much!
Hi Nancy, great details! So glad you mentioned mobility for people that may need it. I know a lot of people are going to mention the resort fee. It's like paying an extra fee for your happy meal after you ordered your happy meal. Everything else sounds like the typical resort experience. take care.
@@davidng407 the resort fee does feel ridiculous, for sure!
Why wifi isn't standard at an all-inclusive in 2024 is a head scratcher. 🤔
Someone with a good marketing 'brain' needs to put together the concept that hitting you up for extra fees when you arrive followed by hitting you up to buy a very expensive time share when you haven't even been there for 10 minutes yet does not leave a good first impression.
Have a great week.
I'm working on our Ventus review right now. 😊
Great Video! Very informative and I can't wait to see more videos about the complex!
@@ravenmurray7913 so glad you liked it! 😊
Heading back November 2024 for the 3rd time. We love it! Great bang for the buck! Also, we never have had an issue with getting our wifi codes included with all- inclusive package. Just need to ask when checking in. If ever in doubt, just remember to ask your travel representative on site at the resort.
Good advice! Thanks for sharing.
Have an amazing trip!!!! 😀
Great videos! What room categories are the 2 closest buildings next to the el cid marina big pool? Also, where would the studio room with the jacuzzi tub on the balcony be located? Thanks
@@davidgruver9538 The suites are scattered throughout the resort a little bit but some one bedroom suites tend to be located closest to the main pool.
The building overlooking the main pool and the beach are primarily platinum level rooms. I love this building. ☺️ And whenever I'm booking a platinum room at Marina El Cid I try to request that building.
The studios are new. I believe they are over to the left side of the resort nearer to the infinity pool but I'm really not certain. I haven't stayed in a studio yet.
Sorry that isn't more helpful. Have fun planning your vacation 😊
Hi there! On Sunwing the beach is rated 2.1/5 I was wondering if u could shed some light on why the low rating as we are very interested in this resort but are big beach goers and want to be able to enjoy the beach
@@sweetz187 hi! It totally depends on the time of year. During hurricane season the beach can erode and the water can get high. It is a bit rocky in some areas.
We have been in May, October, over Christmas, and a few other times of year. Sometimes the beach is nice and usable. Other times, after some particularly fierce weather, it is less so.
It is a long beach but not a very deep beach area.
If you are beach goers maybe have a look at the Iberostar Paraiso resort complex. Their beach is better.
Finest Playa Mujeres has a great beach but it is waaaaay more expensive than El Cid.
Hope that helps a bit! Happy vacation planning. 😊
Thanks for this video! We’re staying here next month for our honeymoon and I’m so excited 😊 I was wondering if all inclusive includes alcoholic beverages other than wine/beer?
@@thekaylaimani yes it sure does. 😊
I highly recommend trying a few cocktails up at Ruf or the Waves bar at Ventus Ha' but they were all pretty good.
Congratulations & Enjoy your honeymoon! 🥂
Yes, alcoholic beverages are included. I recommend mango daiquiri and espresso martini for a night cap!
One of your videos showed that there is a teen club inside the lobby of El Cid - we have been to this resort twice a few years ago and are going back soon. Can you tell me more about the Teen club? My boys are 13 and 17 and so I was wondering what it includes for them. Thank you
@@judybrunton8152 Hi! The teens club is down the hallway off of the Marina lobby near the buffet restaurant entrance.
My kids are now older but when they used the teen club in the past, it was more of a "hang out" spot with video games, board games, foosball, ping pong and stuff like that. Every time I tried to go inside to film it on our last trip there were teens in it and I didn't want to invade their privacy.
It didn't seem like an organized activity situation more of a place to drop in and hang out when parents are enjoying the band or a cocktail. 🙂
Hope that helps a bit.
Enjoy your trip!!!! 😊
Hi, when did you travel? How was the seaweed?
@@theaerolife We were there in the middle of June, just after a tropical storm. The seaweed was fairly heavy. The warmer the weather the worse it usually is.
was a beautiful hotel , food , pools , service , the only problem if you like the beach the water is no good
@@BatoulBayram yes, the seaweed can be bad in the Riviera Maya, depending on the time of year, and it is a bit rocky toward the Marina side of the beach.
Glad you enjoy the rest. 😊
Correct. The beach is only thing lacking at this resort. Lucky for my family, we prefer enjoying the ocean view rather than swimming in it.
Great video as always. I was surprised that they charge a resort fee I have never heard that before There has always just been the environmental tax We have noticed that all the resorts seem to be cutting back on things to save money the last couple years like the toiletries you were mentioning Some places that used to have pretty good entertainment now have way less We have also noticed at some places they have much smaller entertainment teams I get that they need to keep prices reasonable but the nickle and diming at some resorts is starting to wear thin One resort we went to didnt even supply pop or beer. It was a budget place so we just bought our own at the Oxxo store lol I guess you get what you pay for but when you pay for a 5 star and they start cheaping out on small things it gets old fast I especially dislike paying the visitax which seems like a cash grab Most people we have asked have no idea and think you mean the environment fee I know it's the law and it's best to just pay it but it's annoying to know that probably 75 % of the people on your flight haven't paid and don't even know what it is
@@howardgarrett7865 I totally agree about the resort fee. I am used to the environmental tax per day fee. The resort fee feels ridiculous and a bit of a money grab. Maybe understandable in Vegas but not at a Mexican all-inclusive.
The wifi fee is particularly outdated, imo.
This resort is one of the best I have been to for mobility concerns. I didn't see anywhere a wheelchair could not access.
There are even braille and hearing impaired suites.
The visitax is just stupid.😕 It is the law but has been implemented so badly.
I remember on my first trip to the DR before starting University (many many many many years ago... 🤪) the travel agent said be sure to leave yourself $x cash to depart the airport. The airline collected it with my boarding pass before we could board the plane. Why Q.Roo didn't step into the 21st century and implement this tax efficiently is beyond me.
Whether I agree with it or not - Can you imagine if they offered the airlines $1 per passenger to collect it on their behalf how different this would look. They could charge 75% less and still have more revenue than they do now.
Ah well, I'm still going so I guess I can't complain 😀
I have noticed too that resorts seemed to be cheaping out and reducing on some things and charging more than ever before.
I used to find Jamaica much more expensive than Cancun but I booked a trip that is less than Mexico (for the same brand - Iberostar Grand Rose Hall vs. Iberostar Grand Paraiso). Is this because Mexico is getting too expensive or Jamaica is getting less so?
Have a great week!! 😊
@@newtravelescapes Lol we have seen young people at the airport begging for 10 bucks to leave the DR
@@howardgarrett7865 right! 🤪
I haven't been back in a while but we have a trip to each of the Excellence properties in Punta Cana booked for 2025. We have had to cancel those trips twice already. Hopefully the third time is a charm. Lol
Hi! We r planning on a family vacation and I am wondering if you know if the pools are temperature controlled? Thank you!
@@Crazygamer231 hi! Only the family infinity pool is heated during the winter months. The hot tubs are hot all year long. 😊.
A great resort for a family trip!
Hi, thanks for the great informational video. Please help me figure out which of the 3 EL CID properties I should book?
We are a family of four with two kids (tweens) Looking to book first week of January 2025 for about 4 to 5 days. We do not plan to leave the resort as this is just a small leg of an overall larger Mexican trip. We don't care about the party scene and like to relax but also have fun in the water. Food is probably the number one priority followed by the kids being able to have fun. I noticed that you mentioned the beach is a bit rocky and we love boogie boarding and playing in the waves. So is there another part of the property where it's not rocky?
With that said, which of the properties would you recommend for this particular situation? Thx
@@A-a-ron007 hi! 😊
Having vacationed here with my kids when they were a similar age I would say a 1 bedroom suite at Ventus would be my first choice. The kids can easily use the Ventus pools and the Marina pool. The Ventus end of the beach is a bit less rocky than closer to the Marina.
We enjoy all the restaurants.
Ha' is nice to go for dinner but you're not there long enough to stay at Ventus Ha' and the kids are always going to want to be over at the Ventus or Marina pools so skip that one.
My second choice would be a one bedroom at Marina.
I hope that helps a bit. Feel free to reach out if I can answer anything else.
Have a great trip!!! ☺️
Great review. Is the buffet breakfast lunch and dinner?
@@loodyfayad3816 Thank you!!
The Alhambra buffet is open for breakfast and dinner and the dinner theme changes nightly.
Alhambra is closed for lunch BUT the Hacienda Arrecife opens as a buffet for lunch and then changes to a Mexican a la carte for dinner.
Mercado de Dolores (at Ventus) is also a great option for lunch. It is a food court style restaurant.
Ill de France and Trattoria D' Giulio also have breakfast buffets. They are smaller than Alhambra but still good.
I will have videos about the restaurants along with their QR codes up in the next couple of weeks.
"Ventus Ha' Restaurants & Bars" video went up Saturday showing those menus.
Hope this helps. 😊
@newtravelescapes thank you so.much, so to clarify el cid marina does have a buffet for breakfast , lunch and dinner. Traveling with a little one. And figure buffer for breakfast,lunch and dinner is the best way to go. Called a few resorts that only had breakfast buffets and none for lunch and dinner. Overall did you enjoy el cid marina?
@@newtravelescapes yes ill defienlty have to watch your little el cid series! I assume if staying at elcid marina you can enjoy all 3 sister resorts?
Hello , thank you for your videos. Which resort out of the 3 would you recommend? My husband and I are in our 30s and not taking our children?
@@neneGonezo Ventus Ha' would be my top.pick and then Ventus.
Ha' has Ruf for adults only and A'akat for a nice a la carte lunch and it has fewer kids in the bars than either Ventus or Hotel Marina.
A close second is Ventus for an adults only trip especially if you can get an ocean front suite near the adult only pool and hot tubs. Ventus also has Abnia at night that is 18+ so a nice place to hang out close to your room at night.
Either are good picks for an adults only and it only takes a minute and a half to walk between the two.
Hope that helps 😊
@@neneGonezo you meant out of the El Cid resorts right? Not a choice out of all the resorts we have reviewed?
@@newtravelescapes
Yes, out of the El CID resorts. I appreciate you !
@@neneGonezo my pleasure! 😊
Question for you, how did you transfer from the airport?
@@angelggx Hi! We used USA Transfers to book round trip transfers to the resort and back to the airport. We booked online in advance.
I made a video about our favourite transfer companies that you may find helpful.
I'll link it here: ua-cam.com/video/ti4wus_m58k/v-deo.html
@@newtravelescapes Thank you!
We are here now, partly based on your review. Thank you! Grandma doesn’t even need her wheelchair, as they whisk her around in a golf cart whenever needed.
Question - where is the laundry you showed in one of the videos? Thanks so much!
@@tnmom1281 I'm very happy to help.
The laundry is over at the Marina, right beside the Marina Restaurant.