We have just returned from staying at the Cozumel Allegro and for the most part we had a pleasant stay. The food was very good for all inclusive style food, the liquor selection was above average, and the room was clean with cold air conditioning. The drawbacks are that there is no place to get out of the sun (other than your room). Only one restaurant and one bar have air conditioning and the bar does not open until 7pm. The activity staff is lame, there is very little music played by the pool and very few pool side activities. The dive shop is adequate, and they have small sailboats and kayaks for the guest to use. The hotel is well set up for families with small children, however, couples should look else where for accommodations.

We, like many others were worried what we were letting ourselves in for but after spending 2 weeks at white sands we were glad we did not change.

the room was basic, but it was comfortable and cleaned daily, lets be honest you are only going to sleep, wash and change there so what more do you want.

the food was ok, some nights were better than others but i never went hungry and always found something i liked.

the splash pool was great, my girls aged 6 & 3 loved it, the main pool was closed but that did not affect us, the activity pool was full of people having a good time.

the entertainment was ok, they had an hour for the kids which they all loved, singing and dancing, playing games.

All the people we met were friendly and all said they could not understand what all the negativity was about.

the beach is fantastic and there are plenty of chances to go snorkelling, diving, fishing.

Yes you can find faults with it but you can find fault anywhere if you want to, if you have booked don't worry just look forward to a great holiday

So like a lot of people do now, we checked out the reviews after we had booked our holiday and oh dear - well, I always think a holiday is what you make it, so we packed our swimmers and snorkel and set off for Gatwick for a nice 11 hour flight to Cozumel.

Cozumel, is a small island just off the coast of Mexico (about 30 minutes ferry journey, about £10 return each, running from 6am til midnight).

The flights both ways were good, we managed to upgrade on the way to Mexico and it is definitely worth the extra is you are tall or big, the service is much better, non stop drinks, food choice is bigger, but both parts of the plane are fine. Beware - Cozumel airport is tiny, so don't leave all your shopping until the airport as you may be disappointed, but a decent duty free store with the major alcohol, perfume and cigs.

After collecting the bags from the airport we got a taxi to the hotel, about 20 minute taxi ride from the airport to the hotel. The hotel has two parts that you can book through First Choice. There is the main part of the hotel, that caters for families and the Royal Suites (Adult Only) part, this is what we had booked for about an extra £150 each. On arrival we were taken straight past the huge queue and given a fast track to our own private reception area to check in.

The royal suites have a private reception with free internet, the room had a nice kingsize bed, minibar, and was really nice - great Air Con, which is much needed! You couldn't beat the location, it was right on the beach and the views were fantastic. The RS has its own adult only area with pool, Jacuzzi, Mediterranean restaurant and beach area.

The main hotel was good, the bars were good and the selection of drinks was good – they would make anything you like. The breakfast was good, if you couldn’t find something that you like then something is wrong! Lunch was provided in the Mexican restaurant by the pool, a good choice of food, shame some people had to walk about nearly naked. A tip is to visit the buffet restaurant at lunch time, its got air con and has a really nice al a cart fish restaurant during lunch time. For dinner we mainly ate in the RS own restaurant the Mediterranean because the food was fantastic, fillet steaks etc and the service impeckible, plus it is right on the beach so the views as the sun sets are amazing. The buffet restaurant was a disappointment, we visited twice, the first time was bad, so we gave it another chance, but the food was dried up and of poor quality – maybe we went at the wrong time, but even so it was a huge difference to the al a cart restaurants. The Mexican restaurant was good, the best fajitas I have ever had!

The dive school on site are brilliant and good value, I did my PADI open water certificate for under £200! Swam with turtles, sharks, sting rays, and loads and loads of amazing fish – really worth it. For about $100 you can do two dives, it is so worth it, otherwise you are visiting somewhere and missing out on the special part!

Cozumel is tiny, we hired a jeep for the first week and drove round the island (85 km around the island). Places to visit – Go to Punta Sur, 12ft crocs and the best beach on the island. San Miguel is ok, but totally tourist because of the us cruise ships, if you like that sort of thing great, if you don’t, you won’t!

Tipping – we tipped about $5-$10 for a meal, gave our maid $5 a day, gave the barman $2 every few days – ensure you get the full strength cocktails this way!

Overall, an amazing holiday, the beaches and sea is some of the best in the world, the people are very friendly, the rooms were nice, and the royal suites area was amazing, lovely pool, beach and Mediterranean restaurant is one of the best I have been to in the world for food, service and location. BUT – this is definitely a story of two halves and the main hotel was very different!

We are extremely suspicious about the 'good' reviews as our experience was entirely different and so were many other peoples experience. as when we were there the reps ran out of complaints forms!!! This place is awful and not 4 star, more like 2 at the most. We have stayed in good and bad hotels through the years but this was definately the worse.

The food was disgusting with little choice and what choice there was either had flies on or was 'off looking'. on our first night we had chips the only safe looking food. We have since found out since coming home that companys are asking people who have suffered from food poisoning whilst at HVWS to contact them. This probably indicates a big problem, do you think? Look on google.

The pool that was open covered you in blue paint, the other was closed, so we had no pool apart from the kids splash pool. not really a place for a 13 year old. The splash pool was good for little ones but care must be taken with some of the base of the splash pool as not finished off very well. People were getting cuts on their feet from it.

Our room was worse than we expected. It was basic and unhygienic. Yellow material around toilet, cracked unfinished tiles and sink. Mouldy ceiling etc etc. We dont mind basic but unhygienic is totally unacceptable!!!

A funny smell throughout the hotel and room. Tap water and pool water smelt exactly the same..

etc etc.........................................

In short dont go if you can help it!!!!!