We have stayed at the El Cozumeleno 3 times and enjoyed it every time. The first time my husband and I went with another couple and decided we wanted to go back and take the kids, so we did-twice!
The rooms and bathrooms are very large and clean. They do tend to stay damp and it can smell that way, things dont ever seem to dry completely. That being said it is a tropical place and very humid.
The grounds are kept very clean and neet. The pools are incredible. Bugs can be a problem so bring the deet, especially in the evening.
Staff is helpful and friendly.
The only complaint is the food is not that great. It is fine but after about 5 days you want something different. That's when you go into town for some Mexican food. Surprisingly you wont find much Mexican food at the resort. The breakfasts were the best with an omlet bar and very good french toast along with tons of other choices. There is sure to be something you like. We ate in the reservation restaraunt and the food was much better than the buffet. It is kind of a hassel to get into it though. You have to make a reservation in the morning for a specific time which is hard to predict when you are vacation.
The activities are endless, with something for everyone. Bingo, kids club, scuba classes, excersice classes, tennis, golf etc.. You can be sure to stay busy. If your looking for a quiet, restfull vacation I would look elsewhere. They keep the music turned up all day and things are bustling. My favorite part is the beach. They keep it very clean and the piers keep the water so clear. Hint- the fish go nuts for hotdogs. The snorkeling is really great right out front, or you can walk up the beach twards town and drift back to the hotel, We did this several times in the early morning.
For us taking the kids an all-inclusive was perfect and we would recommend it. You need to remember that it is not the Hilton and if that's what you are expecting you will be disappointed. It is Mexico and things will be slower, so keep an open mind and relax!

This hotel has a lot of potential, unfortunately they don't live up to that potential. This is a beautiful spot with fantastic views from the balconeys, a staff that is friendly and hardworking, large comfortable rooms that are kept very clean and snorkling right in front of the hotel. Unfortunately the food is SO BAD that I will never go there again. This is my 8th experience with an all inclusive hotel, mostly in Mexico and I have to say, far and away the worst. After a few days of finding NOTHING that was edible we went to town for all of our meals except breakfast. The pool was also so cold that it was rarely used by anyone for our entire stay. I think they were refilling the pool to the absolute top every day with cold water which never gave it a chance to warm.

If they were to fire the chef and get someone in there who could really cook, this could be a very nice hotel. Until then go somewhere else.

I have been meaning to write a review for when my family stayed at the El Coz in December of 2006. I know that may seem like a long time ago but I felt it was worth it for me to write this. My family and I had a blast! The property was very clean and there were absolutely no bugs in the rooms. The beds were a little hard but it really was no big deal. The food was okay as there was always something you could find to eat.
My children were 1 and 6 when we went and they had a blast!! The staff were so friendly to them and they absolutely loved my 1 year old son. There were many occations where they would just come up and start dancing with him. Let me tell you, my children really enjoyed the staff. The shows were fun as they always involved the children in one way or another. One thing I have to add is that the staff at the El Coz are so attentive. My son and I fell walking down to the bathroom out by the pool and eating area and shortly there after they were out there putting strips down to act as a buffer. My daughter still tells the story of everyone running to us as my son and I were on the ground...She adds how even the cook came out with his spatchula!
The water was a little rough when we were there but my husband had fun snorkling. We walked down the beach one day and looked at all the damage that the hurricane had done-it was sad but interesting.
We also went over to Playa de Carmen. It was not a good experience for me as it was very dirty and unsanitary...I was happy to return to the El Cozumeleno.

My girlfriend and I just got back from a vacation where we stayed at El Cozumeleno Resort in Cozumel. Let me start by saying this; we are not new to all-inclusive resorts. We have vacationed in Mexico a cominbed total of 17 times, the majority of which were at all-inclusive resorts, and the food at this place was by far the worst we have ever had. We ended up eating salad 3 nights in a row simply because there was nothig else that was edible. Finally, we ended up going into town to eat the rest of our meals - minus breakfast - which was fair. Also, we had a hotel management issue. A Mexican woman stole the towel off my chair by the pool. I watched her do it. I confronted her, and she denied taking the towel. The coversation ended up at the front desk with manager on duty. The manager, the woman who took the towel, and the young man at the desk proceeded to have a conversation in spanish that lasted approx. 5 minutes. After which the manager tells me there is nothing he can do, and that I will have to pay for the towel. No explanation of what their conversation was about - nothing. Needless to say - we didn't pay for the towel . The resort itself is very nice and very clean. The staff are very friendly. Personally I will never go there again, but if you can handle the food you might be OK. Short on beach front and the pool is not heated, so if your going soon be prepared for very cold water