I am a well-travelled scuba enthusiast & have been to Cozumel MANY MANY times, it's one of my favorites, but be careful here. My trip was paid well in advance and although I had a confirmed voucher for the room, when I arrived at the resort I was told there was no room for me, they were sold out, completely booked, and that "I would have to find someone to bunk with".

I recognized the problem, I am a single female tourist and they want double-occupancy for financial reasons. Knowing I was meeting a group of other divers there I was told to ask around that group and see if I could bunk with them. I refused, and they said I have no room. It took a good 20-30 minutes of fighting, insisting, and then actually setting up camp in the foyer before they amazingly found a room for me. This was even worse! My room was infested with ants, ants everywere, and a heavy stench of a perfumy substance mixed with the powerful stench of mildew. It didn't help that the A/C was poor and loud.

The grounds are nice, the food on most nights was edible or at least you could forrage for something, and the dive shop was GREAT - that was the very best part of the stay. If you're not a scuba diver, stay out of this place, I doubt you will enjoy yourself at all. There is nothing worth shore diving or worth a snorkel here either. You are far from the square and there are much better choices of resorts for non-divers. If you dive, you might be OK with the stinky rooms, I have actually seen worse.

Of the MANY places I've stayed, I think I enjoyed a place called Iberostar the best - but I didn't dive with them while I was there, so I can only vouch for the food and lodging, which was terrific for Mexico standards, although they had only been open for 8 months when I was there. I hope it's still good. Be careful folks.

We just returned from our first trip to Cozumel (stayed 11-19-2004 to 11-22-2004). I read the majority of the reviews prior to our trip, and like most, I was a little apprehensive about the Allegro Cozumel resort. However upon returning from this trip, I was compelled to write an honest review with useful information for future travelers.

Pool Information:
The "adult" pool with the swim up bar was being renovated during our stay and should be completed in the next few days. It was kind of an inconvenience and disappointment, but with a beautiful ocean and the best beach on the island we did not seem to notice. The larger pool was always kept clean and seemed to allow plenty of kid activities.

Room Information:
The rooms in the 4700 block are completely renovated. We stayed in the 4500 block and we had no problems with the room. There was no mildew as other reviewers have described. The bathroom was completed renovated with a new toilet and bathtub. Toilet paper can be flushed without causing plumbing problems. The beds are hard so pack an additional blanket. I was told by other Allegro travelers that an 'egg crate' mattress could be provided upon request. The AC worked great and kept the room cool during the day and night. The only problem that we had with our room was the hair dryer did not work. Rooms in the 5000s were being renovated during our stay. We DID tip at check-in and were allowed to tour a couple different rooms to find one to our liking. However all rooms that we toured would have been acceptable. Bottom line: for the price, the rooms (can only speak for the 4700s) more than exceeded our expectations. Tip the maid a dollar or two a day for additional water and towels.

Beach Information:
By far the best beach we saw on the island. We met several guests from the Occidental Grand who would come over to the Allegro during the day for the beach. Wait staff is available for drink orders. Snorkeling on the beach was okay but you need to go out towards the buoys to actually see a variety of fish. In order to get a lounge chair with shade, you need to reserve them with a towel prior to 8:30.

Food Information:
Make your reservations as soon as you check in for the specialty restaurants.
Italian restaurant - great food, limited seating, elegant atmosphere. Guys be sure to pack slacks and a collared shirt since the restaurant has a dress code.
Mexican restaurant - food was good but is definitely different from the traditional Tex-Mex food Americans are use to. Be sure to try a 'Flaming' coffee for desert. The presentation is amazing.
Snack bar - the food was just enough to get you through the day. Not bad, but not great. With hamburgers, nachos, and varying food selections you are bound to find you something to eat.
Dinner buffet - probably the worst meal of the day. The food and selection were not as we expected but we were still able to find something we enjoyed.
Breakfast buffet - the best meal of the day. Fresh fruit, cereal, pancakes, etc. Be sure to hit the omelet bar.

Miscellaneous Information:
Tipping is very appreciated and you would be surprised how far a dollar goes.
We were NOT approached by a single timeshare person, maybe due to the season
The sewer smell is hardly worth mentioning since it was not apparent to us during our stay.
The nightly shows are entertaining and provided us something to do during the nights.
Be sure to visit Parque Chankanaab: $10 cab ride $12 admission

Overall be sure to arrive with a positive attitude and realize where you are. If you are use to staying in 4-5 stars in the U.S., then stay at the Occidental Grand. Otherwise, this resort is well worth the modest price that it charges.

I stayed at the ALLEGRO and loved it! I am a diver and got certified there. I liked the resort overall, the rooms,grounds and staff!!!! i can't believe how these people can give the ALLEGRO such a bum wrap i think it is unfair. This is my expierence!! 1-beds are always an issue no matter where you go, i personally can't sleep on soft beds full of pillows like the high end properties, but i just request that the maid leaves less pillows and remove the featherbeds, down comforters etc. easy if beds are an issue ask before making reservations

2-Bugs, there are bees and flys around the buffets since the restaurants are open air, but you are in a tropical enviornment........so there will be bugs, that should not even be an issue the resort can't eliminate bugs from the earth, it ain't gonna happen

If you are looking for a great Moderate property with nice clean grounds and rooms and all the basics stay here great place for families and singles.

Lastly, this is your vacation have fun. dont expect to pay for a moderte property and get rooms, ambiance, amenities and a staff who calls you by your last name as soon as you check in and attend to your every wishes, if that's what you want stay at Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton.

The time of year you visit Mexico is crucial. Going in the summer months, of course you'll have mosquitos. We went during Mardi Gras in Feb. of 2001 and stayed at the Allegro. The weather was perfect! High's in the 80's lows in the upper 60's to 70's. In fact we're going back in 2005.
Treating the staff with respect goes a long way! Tipping helps tremendously too.
We found the food to be good, the staff attentive and friendly. We really enjoyed the snorkeling cruise and the Mardi Gras parade in downtown San Miguel!! The people were so friendly, the children well mannered and BEAUTIFUL. I have great memories of my visit to Cozumel and the Allegro.

My advice to anyone going, keep an open mind. Remember that you are in a different country. YOU are the visitor. Be courteous, generous and friendly and you'll for sure have a great time! We did and are looking foward to another visit.