Ventus at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort - All Inclusive

The Kids Club was the best part of our stay at El Cid. Our daughter had just turned 4 a few days before the trip, and we wondered how she’d manage in a club for ages 4 to 11. She loved it so much that several times a day I’d go to pick her up and hear she wanted to stay with her new friends and the staff. Nicole, Rox, and Jos were warm, patient, energetic, and clearly loved their work. Our daughter talked about them constantly and still asks when she can go back. Even though she was one of the youngest, they helped her feel included. At lunch, they guided her through the buffet and helped carry her food, which gave her a lot of confidence. The club is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with changing themes and activities each day, from fantasy and superheroes to Earth Day. The kids go to the pool at least twice daily, which our daughter adored. It gave her independence and joy, and gave us peace of mind that she was safe and happy. For families with young kids, it made a huge difference.

Thursday’s Urban Taco Night was a highlight: great food, a lovely setup, excellent music, and local artists showing their crafts. The heated family infinity pool at Ventus was also a big plus during the unusually chilly first four days. Our kids used it a lot. The resort is clean, calm, and well cared for, and most staff were friendly and helpful. A few seemed a bit grumpy, nothing unusual, and we appreciated that nobody aggressively pushed for tips. Our Gulf-view room was clean, roomy, and well maintained. We arrived around noon and, though check-in was officially at 3 p.m., the front desk got us checked in early and suggested lunch or exploring while we waited for the room. Be careful about upgrade pricing. The first person we asked wasn’t helpful, but another staff member later offered better options. We accepted an upgrade for about $400 USD, but the peso charge ended up nearly $80 higher. They blamed the exchange rate, which felt excessive. Clarify the exact peso amount first, bring pesos, or consider cash to avoid a surprise. Food was uneven. The French restaurant was excellent, with better service, while Kobo Japanese hibachi disappointed us. The show was weak compared with other hibachi meals we’ve had, there was no soup, and the food wasn’t great. Even our kids said they’d had better shows and food elsewhere. There aren’t poolside or beach snack spots for quick bites like burgers, hot dogs, or fries, so you have to go to the buffet, which is inconvenient with kids. Pool entertainment was also limited: a few kids’ activities and sports such as beach or pool volleyball and beach soccer on some afternoons, but nothing like the all-day programming at many family resorts. Ventus suited us as a quieter place, rather than a high-energy, activity-packed family trip.

I’ve worked in hospitality in Canada since 1993 and have met all kinds of people, but I’ve never felt so much love and compassion from the employees who served us. They were always smiling, and greeted us with a hand over the heart as we walked by. Leaving brought tears to my eyes. I was touched by the whole experience, my first resort trip with my daughter and her fiancé. The service, clean pools, hot tubs, and beaches were wonderful. The heated pool was my favorite at night. The food was incredible, especially the steak barbecue, though there was a wait for it. I also loved the gardens and the people who maintain them. Love, love Marina El CID, Venus and Venus-Ha paradise, with those incredibly beautiful tall trees!

For the price, this resort was amazing. The rooms were new and beautiful, and the grounds were constantly being cleaned, painted, and looked after. We especially liked the heated pool since the weather was a bit chilly, and the lunch market was delicious. Getting a decent dinner reservation time was the one real downside. The beach is pretty, but the water isn’t clear. A short ride to Puerto Morelos gets you to beautiful beaches.