While Hurricane Wilma may have slowed things up a bit, Hotel
Marina El Cid in the Riviera Maya is roaring toward its new grand
opening date of Feb. 18.
The deluxe all-inclusive resort was in early stages of construction
when Wilma struck. A comprehensive evaluation by the El Cid
Construction Company revealed minimal damage to the $40 million
resort near Playa del Carmen.
“The property’s solid concrete construction weathered the storm,”
commented Carlos Berdegue, CEO of El Cid Resorts. “We were very
fortunate that windows hadn’t been installed, landscaping and
furnishing hadn’t begun, and the electricity and plumbing fixtures
were not yet in place.”
Berdegue noted that the Riviera Maya was spared extensive
damage.
“Rip tides actually widened El Cid Riviera Maya’s beaches,” he
added. “Additionally, the marina one block from the resort site
suffered no damage whatsoever. The beaches are as beautiful as
ever.”
New Amenities
Construction resumes at full steam for an opening aimed at
capitalizing on part of the winter travel season. The 21-acre
resort will offer more services and amenities than initially
planned.
For instance, an adults-only Mediterranean day lounge on the beach
will feature massage tents, private palapa huts, a mega Jacuzzi,
palms and an expansive wooden sun deck.
In each guest room, the pillow menu will promise a comfortable
night’s sleep. In the morning, the breakfast area will serve
traditional fare, then top off morning yoga and tai chi sessions
with meals and snacks for health-conscious guests.
Suite Indeed
The El Cid Riviera Maya is part of El Cid’s new $200 million
complex bordering Puerto Morelos National Reef Park. Combining the
old with the new, the location is 12 miles south of the Cancun
International Airport near the 1,000-year-old ruins of the lost
Maya civilization.
Upon completion, the 904,300-sq.-ft. resort will house 350 rooms
and suites dispersed in 11 four-story buildings. The sleek,
brick-and-concrete structures will surround a 22,000-sq.-ft.
free-form pool featuring waterfalls and swim-up bar.
Scheduled for its mid-February opening, the first phase of
development will consist of 200 rooms and suites, restaurants,
bars, business center, tropical gardens and oceanfront mega
Jacuzzi. The fitness center and spa are scheduled to open in May.
The 200-seat El Cid Theatre will debut in August.
Accommodations will range from 557-sq.-ft. guestrooms to
2,397-sq.-ft. three-bedroom suites. One- and two-bedroom suites
will measure in at 1,108 and 1,873 sq. ft. respectively.
Standard rates for junior suites are from $187 nightly,
all-inclusive, per person based on double occupancy. Three-bedroom
suites will be from $297 nightly, all-inclusive, per person based
on eight-person occupancy.
At an additional $40 per night, Platinum Club Level Service will
provide extra-comfort luxury beds and linens, room aroma menu,
wine, turndown service with hors d’oeuvres, butler service,
bathrobes and slippers.
The all-inclusive rate covers such amenities as snorkeling,
windsurfing, kayaking, boogie boards, hobbie cats, kids club,
fitness center, shows and meals at El Cid Riviera Maya’s
restaurants.
800-525-1925, 888-733-7308
www.elcid.com
