Best Things Nearby:
The beach and the eating places were the best things nearby.
Best Things About the Resort:
Location, location, location. The resort was clean.
Resort Experience:
We saw immediately that the location of El Moro Tower El Cid is what makes this a marvelous place for a holiday. It is central to everything and has a beach that rivals any in the world. It’s truly outstanding, with nothing lacking that a water-sports person could want. (Six straight 85* days/65* nights added to the A+ scene.)
I appreciated the golf course, now with three nine-hole layouts to select among. The course is challenging enough for low handicappers, but acceptable for those of us in the 14 to18 category, too. Green fees and other charges are MUCH lower than those in Cabo or Puerto Vallarta.
Our room on the sixth floor, no. 6124, was spacious and had a spectacular view of the beach, the water, and the three islands off Mazatlan's coast.
The bell staff and front desk personnel were gracious, but we were accosted by timeshare representatives within minutes of entering the lobby. We did go to the presentation one day, but only to get an idea of the hotel's layout and, of course, to garner the promotional "freebies."
While spacious and immaculately clean, no. 6124 bordered on shabby. The couch and sitting chairs all sagged and were well worn. The paint on the kitchenette cupboard doors was chipped and the utensils would not accommodate more than three people. The microwave unit was stained and unappealing. Bath towels and washcloths were ample in number, but were ragged around the edges, not an example of first-class upkeep. One of the shower mechanisms was broken when we arrived, but to the hotel's credit, it was fixed within 2 hours of being reported.
(Note: Bring a Tupperware refrigerator container with your own kitchen goodies, like soap power, paper napkins, salt and pepper, sugar, a corkscrew, creamer, etc.)
The main El More restaurant is nice, but nothing outstanding. But prices are moderate and it is an good place to go for an afternoon sandwich and beer while you get an "up close" look at the people enjoying the beach. (Affordable meals can be found in the many, many restaurants within easy walking distance of El Moro, actually a plus for the hotel in our book.)
On other visits to Mazatlan, we had rented a car, which is very expensive when you add in the absolutely necessary full insurance. This time renting a car was a waste of $745. Take a taxi from the airport to El Cid for $20 each way and then take an open-sided little taxi for $4 each way when you want to go anyplace that is not within walking distance.
In closing, if El Moro's rooms were to be refurbished and refurnished, this place would be a perfect 10 on our scale, rivaling or surpassing places we have visited in any part of the world. (This is a strong statement since we have traveled extensively over the years and have seen truly magnificent sights and stayed in top-quality hotels and resorts.) As it is, we'll give El Moro an 8.5 and happily return for 2 to 3 weeks next year.
- Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
- Activities: Very Good
- Amenities: Very Good
- Unit Satisfaction: Good
- Family Friendliness: Excellent
- Service: Excellent