They're trying, but this place fails to satisfy in EVERY category.
We stayed all inclusive. The staff were friendly, but the accomodations were a little below average for this price level. Plenty of amenities--beach towels and all that. But like alot of hotels at this level, you can tell they suffer from a restricted budget. The entertainment is laffable, but you can have a good time--karaoke, bingo, pellet gun target shooting, and a virtually non-existent nightly stage show.
The drinks are plentiful, if not very tasty, and the big negative: The food is atrocious. Breakfast, dinner, et al. Watch out for the tortilla chip machine at the pool snack bar that sends a fairly severe shock up your arm when you grab the door, and the nacho cheese machine that dispenses ice cold cheese.
Now...you get what you pay for, so I always take complaints I read on this website with a grain of salt. There are haters who post on this site who are probably never satisfied with any trip they take, especially where foreign countries are concerned, since different cultures scare many Americans. Remember: you get what you pay for. You go cheap? You get cheap.
Having said that, I knew what we were in for. We didn't pay much for this trip, and we didn't get much in the way of hotel experience.
Basically, we roughed it at Hotel Cozumel, and that's putting it nicely.
Of course, the diving was amazing. We recommend Anita Divers. They'll take you on a slow boat, they won't rush you, they won't drop you in the middle of a bunch of other divers--we never saw anyone else--and you'll get a good lunch.
Back at the hotel, we made the best of the pitiful accomodations: The pool is big--although there is no pool bar. (Dolphins were kept here during Wilma last year.) Guest-wise, there are all the usual suspects: a preponderance of Texans, hyper-flirty activities guys, and the rare-as-a-hammerhead sighting of the ever-elusive hip, young couple.
The bottom line is universal: YOU make the party. If you're a hater,
you're going to find something to hate everywhere you go. We had a great time at a way below average property.
My family and friends could have a good time at a pencil factory.
Will we stay at Hotel Cozumel again? No. The place is below average. (In their defense, though, they keep the place pretty clean, but there's just nothing you can do in the sweltering humid Yucutan to keep your room from smelling borderline mildewy on a daily basis).
Should you go there? I recommend against it, but if it's all you can
afford, and you're good people, you'll be all right. Remember: You make the party.
Happy travels!!
