After reading the reviews of this hotel before our trip, we decided against it. And instead opted for the 'superior' Grand Occidental (see review)

After appalling service, and overbooking - we changed hotels midway through our stay.

We ended up at the Fiesta Americana. And quite honestly found the staff, the rooms and the food far better.

We didn't go all inclusive at this resort, and quite frankly don't think that we lost anything by it.

If you think that 'You get what you pay for' then the FA will outshine your expectations.

A truly friendly hotel.

Okay:
I don't scuba dive. I went with my mother, my younger sister and a friend, none of whom scuba dive either.
We found the staff to be friendly and very helpful.
We did the all-inclusive package, and had no problems whatsoever.
It was a relaxing place, and if you wanted nightlife, you could always go to the town nearby, or take the ferry to Playa del Carmen. Some of the clubs on Cozumel were featured on Wild On E!
I had no complaints...we all got to know other people that were staying there, and found it to be a great time. It was not pure luxury, but it was very nice.

This was an all inclusive trip. (Ya sure) The safe was $1.10 per day---Coffee pot in your room if you wanted to pay $2.50 for their coffee--room service was extra--When did you ever go to an all inclusive where the first thing they give you is a 8.5 x 11 paper with things that wer not included. Said they served from 10 am until 11:30 pm-- Well if you bought the drink before 11 they would serve you not before 11 if you were all inclusive--then in about 2 hours they would be out of what you were drinking (dos xx) and serve you a cheap one. The food was poor at best and one evening they served a chicken but run out 2 1/2 hours before they quit serving ???? They have a resturant you had to make reservation for and we saw thet they made sure that was very limited seating as they only had 23 people in there when we were there, but told many people they were full up. You can tell when a hotel is in trouble as they cut service to make up the bottom line. They majority of the staff were rude and could care less if you were there or not. We have been to Mexico 11 times and this is the worst we have ever encounted and we would never go back there or recommend this place to anyone. The one thing that was a positive was the room was clean and the cleaning staff was efficent. We talked to many people while we were there and not one was ok with this place and the gripes were all the above. Save you money and do not go there.

Stayed Feb 13- Feb 20, 2005

The hotel is clean, the staff helpful and friendly and this resort was what we expected. Unlike some of the people who didn't know what they were getting from the sounds of some of these reviews, I did my homework and I was fully aware of those things that some people were shocked by

THE BEACH: This is a faux-beach built on rocks, but it is full of white sand, nice deck chairs and close bar with great drinks. If you want a full white sandy beach that goes for miles and into the water - this isn't it... but it is sunny and sandy on the deck and there is an easy entrance into the water. The rocks and marine life sooooo make it worth it... you can snorkel a few feet from shore and see tons of fish etc. (we even saw a decent size barracuda from our hotel beach). This is a dive resort and billed as such... so know what you are getting!

As for some of the reviews that say it is across a major highway... PLEASE!!! It is a two lane road that is off the main highway. THere is a GIANT speed bump in front of the hotel that is a walkway across the road. THere are such a small number of cars passing for the most part this is NOT a problem.

EXCURSIONS: you can walk to the Chankanaab park which is about 1.5 km down the road and it is a beautiful place to see alot of lagoon fish, orange iguanas (yes they really are orange) and there is great snorkeling - everyone raves about it but surprisingly it is only a bit better than what the hotel has... it is the same coast.
If you want to go to town it is $6 each way. The taxis are all owned by the same company so don't let them tell you it is more. You tell them it is $6 period. I had no problems there
Really I don't see the point of paying for excursions - we did the trip to Tulum ourselves cost for two people $6 taxi to pier, ferry across $16 (return) - bus from Playa del Carmen to Tulum (local buses are nice and economical) $4, Tulum entry $8 and return transit - as above - total for two people $44 plus a couple cervezas (beer for you non-spanish wannabes like me...) much better than the $90 per person that they were charging at the tour operators.
We are into do it yourself so it worked for us!!!

Do your homework... all the attractions and transit and rentals etc. are all accessible online and there is alot to do just on Cozumel... if you are bored...it's because you don't want to get off your lazy butts...

If you want an allinclusive, sit and do nothing and be entertained 24-7, this isn't for you.

The bars do close early (around midnight or 12:30) by our standards, but bartenders are very happy to load you up with beers and you can carry your party elsewhere if need be.

RENTALS: don't rent in front of the hotel... go into town.. the $ 6 you spend to get to town you will save in renting... or better yet... sit through 1 1/2 hours of time share and get a $10 jeep rental... that's what we did... best 1 1/2 hours I spent... gave me 24 hours of rental for $10 and wheels to get around the island... and check it out.

Two words: Tequila factory - on the main road from town out to the otherside of the island

FOOD: The hotel food was quite good... plentiful... mix of themes, mexican, international, bbq one night, italian. It is Buffet for the most part -so know that... if you expect to be waited on, that happens only once per week...this is the only area we had a problem. The dress code said shirts, shoes, no wet clothes for all dining including the a la carte - that wasn't so...they expected sleeves, pants, etc. more dressy casual - and they had no problem telling us we couldn't come in, and not in the most pleasant way... that was the only rude person I ran into in the entire resort... I say, specify that the dress code there is different if it is!
I didn't mind the buffet at all and the breakfast/lunch out at the dock side restaurant was lovely!

All in all I had a great time. I would go back knowing what was there! And I would recommend it for someone who wants to travel around, do other things and have a clean, safe, friendly place to start and end your day!