El Cid to Open Riviera Maya Luxury Resort

Jan. 11, 2006 -- Hotel Marina El Cid in the Riviera Maya has set the new date of Feb. 18, 2006, for its grand opening.

The deluxe all-inclusive resort was in its early stages of construction last October when Hurricane 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," explains Carlos Berdegue, CEO, 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."

"Thankfully, the Riviera Maya was spared extensive damage," Berdegue continues. "Rip tides actually widened El Cid Riviera Maya's beaches. Additionally, the marina one block from the resort site suffered no damage whatsoever."

The Riviera Maya is back on its feet, according to Berdegue. He notes public services, such as running water and electricity, have been restored, and hotels and restaurants are back in full operation. "The beaches are as beautiful as ever, and authorities are optimistic that a business-as-usual scenario will be in effect this winter," he says.

New Amenities
At the 21-acre El Cid Riviera Maya, construction resumes at full steam for an opening aimed at capitalizing on part of the winter travel season. The 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, mega Jacuzzi, palms and an expansive wooden sun deck. The open-air lounge will offer seating on soft, giant mattresses; cushions, and lounge chairs. Here, guests will relax and sip tropical drinks with the Caribbean Sea as their backyard. Back in each guest room, the pillow menu will promise a comfortable night's sleep. In the morning, the breakfast area will not only serve traditional fare; it also will top off morning yoga and tai chi sessions with meals and snacks for health- conscious guests.

Suite It Is
The El Cid Riviera Maya is part of El Cid's new $200 million complex, which borders Puerto Morelos National Reef Park and features a state-of-the-art marina. Combining the old with the new, the location is 12 miles south of the Cancun International Airport and not far from the 1,000-year-old ruins of the lost Maya civilization.

Upon completion, the 904,300 square-foot resort will house 350 rooms and suites dispersed in 11 four-story buildings. The sleek, brick-and-concrete structures will surround a magnificent, 22,000 square-foot, free-form pool featuring waterfalls and swim-up bar.

The first phase of development, scheduled to open in Feb., will consist of 200 rooms and suites plus public areas, including: restaurants, bars, business center, tropical gardens and oceanfront mega Jacuzzi. The fitness center and spa, offering unique natural Mayan treatments, are scheduled to open in May. Soon after in August, the 200-seat El Cid Theatre will debut.

Accommodations will range from 557 square-foot rooms to 586 square-foot junior suites and luxurious 2,397 square-foot, three-bedroom accommodations. One and two-bedroom suites will be available too at 1,108 and 1,873 square feet respectively.

Each bright, airy suite will have an oceanfront or pool view and chic, minimalist decor. Additional features will include marble baths, private terraces, 24-hour room service, mini bar and satellite TV. Larger accommodations also will have spacious living and dining areas; full kitchen or kitchenette; extra-comfort, luxury beds and linens; Jacuzzi on the terrace, and 42- inch plasma television.

Deluxe All-Inclusive
Standard rates for junior suites will range from $187 - $287 (US dollars), all-inclusive, per person per night based on double occupancy. Three-bedroom suites will be $297 - $435 (US dollars), all-inclusive, per person per night 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, slippers and more.

The all-inclusive rate covers such amenities as: snorkeling near the shore, windsurfing, kayaking, boogie boards, hobbie cats, Kids Club, fitness center and shows. Also included are meals at El Cid Riviera Maya's restaurants: the elegant Mediterranean El Alcazar; the ocean-front El Arrecife, offering Mexican specialties and freshly caught seafood; Al Andalus serving buffets; El Cid Theater with dinner shows, and La Marina, overlooking the yachts and clear turquoise waters of Puerto Morelos Bay. At special rates, diving and snorkeling trips will be available too from the nearby marina.

Mexico's Riviera Maya covers a 100-mile stretch along the Caribbean Sea from Cancun to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Visitors go for the crystal-clear turquoise, blue and green waters; dependably sunny weather; coral reefs, and Maya ruins. Many go simply to relax on silky, white-sand beaches, sipping margaritas. In addition to luxury resorts and vibrant nightlife, the Riviera Maya offers eco and historical tours, with opportunities to swim with dolphins, go cave diving and explore Colonial Mexican towns.

El Cid owns and operates four hotels, a 27-hole golf course, fully equipped marina and destination management company, all in Mazatlan. Additionally, the company owns and operates the El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel, also affected by Hurricane Wilma, in Cozumel. After a complete renovation, the El Cid La Ceiba will reopen this March with new restaurant, ocean-front areas and luxurious furnishings in 60 renovated suites built and decorated in the same chic, minimalist style of its sister hotel in the Riviera Maya. El Cid also owns and operates construction and real estate companies affiliated with Century 21.

For more information on Hotel Marina El Cid Riviera Maya, visit the Web site www.elcid.com. For reservations, call toll-free 1-800-525-1925 or 1-888-733- 7308.

SOURCE Hotel Marina El Cid Riviera Maya