I don't know exactly what you want to know about the hotel / resort but will give you a basic overview based solely on my wants. I originally chose it 2 1/2 years ago based solely on location, and while trying to find the email address accidently found this forum which was new back then, with only a few questions on page 2. The hotel rooms are just as their web site shows them so I have not taken the time to photograph them myself. There is a reasonably large safe in the closet, and it uses a key that they warn you not to loose, or the cost will be $150.00 US if I remember right. On both trips the shower head couldn't be turned off fully, but we didn't care enough to complain, and on this trip I met another couple with the same complaint. As for the staff, cleanliness, facilities, and proximatity to town (walking distance for us, $3.00 cab ride for others) it fully met my expectation last trip, and the staff was better this trip.

From what I can tell the big ? with this resort is the food, and whether the all inclusive option is worth it. Only you can answer that, but I will give my point of view knowing that every single person on the planet has different likes & dislikes. Cozumel is an island, with no big super highway with tractor trailors filled with fresh food & produce getting there daily by crossing a big expansion bridge. This has a big impact on the food choices, and I fully accept it, but not everyone does, nor do they even know the situation. To me the logistics of getting all the food they do serve on the island each day is mind boggling.

Hotel Cozumel this trip had a better lunch menu than last trip by a big margin, but because of that there was very little difference between lunch & dinner, as both were similar, but by no means the same. I never ate at the pool snack bar, but even it looked like it had an improved menu, and was popular with other guests. Food quality was perfectly fine, and no meal we had caused any medical reactions of any kind. (also true of the many meals we ate elsewhere on the island). Cosmetically some things were far from appealing to my eyes, but one night they served a meal that I still am not certain of what it was, but I could have eaten several plate loads of. I think it was pork & turkey in the 2 big bins, but can't be certain, but it was AWFULLY GOOD. As for breakfast, that meal usually would have enough variety to satisfy most people easily, and there is a cook who will make you eggs any way know by most of us if you wait your turn (not long generally) as well as several other ready to go food items. Two comments re breakfast, I never saw bacon but they usually had sausages, and more importantly if you arrived just after it opened the already prepared food was cold because the warming system hadn't come up to temperature. From observation the stailness steel trays of ready to go foods floated in hot water to keep them warm, but when the restaurant opened around 7:00 AM whe water wasn't hot enough to do it's job yet.

I did take many new photos of the hotel & grounds and will try to edit & upload them soon, but in general it is very similar to my old on line album, and the owner has re-invested his profits with several upgrades & additions, and to me this hotel / resort is worth what I pay for my stay.

PERSONAL INFO RE All Inclusive OPTION

Because I live in Canada, and the Canadian dollar is worth less than the US dollar my reasoning may not work for US residents so I will present my basic reasoning. For me & my wife (and I think the majority of Canadians) we like to know the total cost up front, less any shopping or tips. I use the fact that eating at home has a cost and use that as a basic figure to see whether the AI option is in line, and if it is I buy it (when optional). To us the ability to eat or drink (that includes tea, coffee, soft drinks, or lemonade, plus adult beverages) without considering the cost each & every time totally offsets our cost for the all inclusive option even at face value. However, because I do my homework well in advance I usually get several early booking bonuses, and in this case the equivalent of FREE all inclusive, so that makes it a no brainer as they say in today's world.

One minor complaint that I can make is that the pool side walls need a very good scrub with a stiff brush. There is algea growing from the grout between the tiles and because they would need to close the pool regularily for clorine shock treatments to combat this situation I doubt they can use that approach. The Iberostar has one person who's job was to scrub, clean, replace loose tiles etc and he seemed to be very busy every day doing just that. I did put this complaint on the questionare they handed out, but whether or not they do anything about is up to them. It was not a big problem, but for a minimum labour cost it could be quickly corrected.

Cicopo, Thanks for all the info. I have a couple more ?. Do they provide bottled water in the rooms and can you bring in liquor from and outside store (Chedrau sp?). Do you by chance know if Jim Beam is available for sale on the island. Thanks again for all you help, and I look forward to seeing you pics.

You can buy & bring whatever you want back to the hotel. Several people go to Chedroui & buy a cheap styrofoam cooler to keep drinks in and leave it behind when they check out. Someone left one in a room and the maid didn't remove it as part of the cleaning and the person that then got that room donated it to another guest in need of one. As for the JB I can't be sure but would bet it is readily available. I am a rum drinker and the one I like best of all the brands out there is readily available at the resort & stores as it is bottled in Mexico. If you like potato chips the Ruffles Bolsa (salted) from Chedroui were addictive, about the best I have eaten. (It's a 3 block walk to / from Chedroui)

Forgot to answer the bottled water question. When you arrive there is a new 1 litre bottle in the room, and you then use that bottle and refill it as necessary. There are several water coolers on each floor that dispense cold water from the big bottles used all over the island. We always bring some 16 oz Rubbermaid water bottles that fit perfectly into 2 lens pouches so we can carry them on a belt, or use them in the room etc. You can also purchase more 1 L bottles of water from the gift shop for 20 cents each, or they had carbonated mineral water for $ 1.00 a 1/2 l bottle.

Right on. Once again you have come thru with great advice. Thanks

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