We stayed at the Allegro, it is south of town where the nice beaches are. The Occidental Grand is next door, and further south is the Ibeostar. I know nothing about the Ibeostar other than it had nice looking architecture. The Grand is more upscale than the Allegro and more adult oriented. The Allegro is more family oriented with alot of activities going on. Both offer great snorkeling off of the beach and from the dive op's located on the grounds. You can walk quite a ways at either of these locations. The Grand does offer more food choices, though we found plenty to eat at the Allegro. They do require a drive into town, about $17 by taxi. But the more Northern hotels don't have the walking beaches available. You can read my trip report on this forum that I posted today.

I agree with PVE. Been to Coz three times in the past 10 years and enjoyed the Allegro the most for snorkeling , beach and water activities. The food was good but as PVE said a distance from downtown.

One vote for the Coz, here its the view of the water from the rooms, the restaurants, and better snorkeling than the Allegro. The pics don't lie look under the El Coz on here and check out the pics that people have posted..also its close to town..

Cozumel used to have world class snorkeling right along its coast, to go with the world class scuba diving further out. But then a hurricane happened a year and a half ago, which scoured the shore. When I was there last month the west coast was pretty much sterile, not a sign of life except the fish. Not a trace of coral. I didn't look everywhere, but what I saw was pretty discouraging. Fortunately the deeper reefs seemed pretty much untouched. If beaches and snorkeling are your thing, I'd suggest somewhere else. Maybe the west coast of Mexico.

Obviously you were not in the right place......I have been diving and snorkeling after the storm....true there was SOME damage....But it is still world class stuff....

I'll put in another vote for the El Cozumeleno....We go twice a year....Great snorkeling right at the hotel.....

El Coz has a long, cement pier, which serves as a nice breakwater for less than calm days. The water quality is night and day, from one side of the pier (the non-Coz side) to the other. (The protected Coz side.) You won't find that feature anywhere else besides El Coz.