When we decided to try the Mayan Riviera for the first time for our Mexican vacation this year after several years travelling to PV and Cabo, we had several options for our RCI timeshare exchange. Three different Palace resorts, Allegro, Sol Melia, and several others made the choice difficult. I came here to tripadvisor to look at the user reviews for help in sorting them out. We prefer, smaller quieter, resorts that still have all the amenities and luxuries, and that afford easy accessibility to safe downtown areas for shopping, restaurants, sight seeing, etc. The Cozumel Palace seemed to fit our criteria perfectly. When I started reading the most gushing reviews, I began to think that they were written by the Palace management!
I am happy to report that these reviews were TRUE!!! From the moment you walk in the door, the staff seems to compete to be of service to you. Flowers, chilled, moist towels, and champagne preceed a friendly, articulate check in process that took place at a table with comfortable chairs near a huge window overlooking the pool.
The rooms are as advertised and pictured at the website. Marble, tile, and understated elegance are maintained immaculately. The bathroom was roomy and so completely stocked with everything from toothbrushes to bathrobes that I really only needed to pack deodorant and a hairbrush. In fact, every day my toothbrush was discarded and replaced. That's right, I used a new toothbrush every single day! The bed was firm yet comfortable, the sitting area was roomy, the balcony is large and complete with two chairs a table and a hammock, and the jaccuzzi... worked well :-) I must mention that our maid, Olga, did a wonderful job. If she came before we were out, she asked us what time we wanted her to come back. Every day we returned to find a different towel creation on the bed with rose pedals and chocolates. NOTE- we left our safe wide open by mistake one day, and nothing was touched! Gracias Olga!!!
This was also our first time at an all inclusive resort. I was worried that we would get bored with the same food all week, but that was not the case. The breakfast buffet varied daily and the short order cook made a mean omelet. The lunch buffet was indoors and served an international menu. We only ate there once, but the food was good and the service was efficient. We opted for the poolside grill for a few lunches/snacks. The tequilla tacos and fresh salsa hit the spot.
With four gourmet choices for sit down dinners, we never ate the same thing twice. All the dining rooms had excellent service, wonderful food and artistic presentation, but early on we met Miguel in the Italian room and he pampered us above and beyond the call of duty. He worked sixteen hours a day and seemed to be there for us no matter the meal or the room that we dined. He even recommended and had dishes prepared for us that weren't on the menu! Gracias Miguel!!
We ordered a late room service desert of chocolate cake and coconut ice cream the first night. The room service waiter was knocking on the door before the phone was cold. Moments later, the room service operator called to make sure everything arrived and was satisfactory! Very professional. (Ya gotta try that coconut ice cream!!!)
Am I gushing now too? I could go on about the facilities, guest services, pool area, activities, nightly shows, lobby bar, short walk to fabulous shopping, or the impressive parade of cruise ships that pass by on a daily basis, but I'll let you find that out on your own.
All in all, we were very impressed by the Cozumel Palace and will return as soon as possible.