just came back week of apr 18th. I tell you, some people are so high maintenace. this hotel is more than perfect for the $$. Rooms were clean, pool area was great, food was good (it wasnt gourmet dining) but it was good, staff was freindly. The hotel was close to town so we could walk or take a cheap cab ride there. Even after partying late one night, my girlfriend and I walked back to the hotel at around 2am. Not a problem. And that was about four blocks away. The hotel is not by a beach (only a manmade beach) but we knew that already. But even standing out by a gazebo close to the turquois water was breathtaking. You could see all the huge cruise ships go by. overall was very satisfied. I did talk to other guest staying there about the hotel. I told them that I read reviews before going there and what some people had said. The other guests agreed with me. They all said that the hotel was excellent for the price.

After reading so many negative reviews, I prepared myself for the worse. However I was pleasantly suprised.
There was some truth to many points brought up.

The check in process went very well the staff was very friendly and helpful. Treat them with respect and a smile and you will get the same.
Treat them rudely and what do you expect! We are guests in their country!

The rooms were clean and nice. Air conditioner worked great! A refreshing blast of cold air when entering the room. Keep your water bottle and fill in the morning and PM. In fact, bring an extra from home if you have one. You can also use these to fill drinks from the bar.

Maid service was excellent. Remember, wages are very small in Mexico, tipping goes a long ways!!!

Breakfast is the best meal of the day! Anything you want. Lunch is ok, best by the pool and dinner....well, its not the best. Italian night was the best. Finally got a filling dinner. With that said, I have to watch what I eat. No spices or peppers!! I'm in Mexico for heavens sakes!!!! Thats what all their food typically consists of. So.........if you can love Mexican food...You'll be in paradise. Several good eating spots in town.

Resort water used by bartender and restaraunts not an issue. Ice is ok too.
Use bottle water in rooms not tap for brushing teeth etc......

Keep an eye on your towel!! In fact, we brought our own and never needed to use the towel card!

Paid cash for everything so no credit card issues.

If your looking for the long sandy beach, forget it. Has none!
There is a small manmade beach but but not to the water. Beware..Rocks
The ocean water accessibility is nill to none.
Pool area is good. Lots of room and chairs. Tile is slippey when WET DUH!!
Saw someone fall and break arm.....bummer.

Over-all, I was very pleased with the hotel and what it provided. I didn't expect a Sandels type resort!
I've travelled to many "south of the border" locations and for the price, Hotel Cozumel was just fine for what I wanted.

I came to Cozumel for the diving. It was AWESOME!
Dive Paradise does a GREAT JOB. Only issue was that I had to come home, back to Washington and cold water.
Be sure to get your dive locker when you check in. It saves carrying all your gear back to your room. Its FREE.

My package included 3 dives a day. I changed it to 2 AM fast boat dives instead.
Best decision I could make. The boat holds no more then 6 divers. At times there was only 4 of us. Makes for a much better dive.
Boat ride out goes alot faster and return is much sooner. Know, keep in mind my GF is not a diver so time diving during this trip was an issue.

If you need that third afternoon dive and you don't mind wrestling on a boat with 20 other divers not to mention below the water, go for it.

If you are a novice diver, you should do a few slow boats first. Most of the divers on the fast boats had a few dives under their belts. Just some advise so you don't bad for holding the group back. If you want some challenging dives, caves..caverns..just tell your divemaster...they will try to accomadate if all divers are willing.
The Dive Paradise staff is great. Safety was not a concern....

If you dive nitrox...get your request in the day before and then when you get on your boat make sure tanks are there too.
We had a few problems with this. If you have your own O2 analyzer bring it.
I didn't find any problems with mixture. Could only get 32% and 36%.

Walk to town is just 20 minutes are so. streets appeared save...Not like Jamaica.
Girls said when they walked into town during the days..there was no wolf howling for any of the locals. In fact.. when there was one..the other workers quickly silenced the offender with a stern look and comment.

Airport was clean and easy to figure.

If time permits...get out and drive around the island. Get a jeep and go. RATES ARE REASONABLE. Bargain with the renter.

REMEMBER....Sunday Shops are closed!!!! Found this out the hard way.
GF wanted to shop and my only open day was Sunday, leaving on Monday.
OUCH did I pay for it!

I hope my review helps. Keep in mind, Cozume is a dive island and set up for diving. If you want all the beach stuff and probaly better dinners, theres resorts south of the island. Go further south and get better resorts on the water, however rates are higher and town is not a walk away.

We were there 2/19 - 2/26 with another couple. Had a great time. And plan on returning with the children. Never did we have a bad meal. Yes they might of through last nights special meat on the breakfast bar in the morning, but hey try it you might like it! We had wonderful meals at night from the menu. Not every night did we eat there, sometimes we were in town. Hot tub was cold the first day, we said something to the owers son, bingo from then on out it was hot. Rooms were ok, we had the king size bed which from what I hear is the way to go. Our maid came in 3 times aday. Morning,afternoon, then at night to turn the bed down & leave mints. All kinds of things to do at the pool side. They really tried hard to entertain the guests. And the strawberry pina` colodas, what can I say? I loved them, Victor took great care of us during the day, and Juan at night. And the lady at the snack bar was like someone else said, mean and grouchy! But I still think she had such broken English that was the problem? Again I would go back in a heartbeat. Hope to be there at Christmas this year.....

We have just returned from a 2 week vacation and felt that we just had to share our story about the stay at this beautiful resort. So here goes!

1. Food - in my books was excellent both my husband and I were delighted with the food and the quality. Food was presented well and was always plentiful. We especially liked the themed nights that others have mentioned in their reviews. My fav was the Mexican Night Located Poolside! My husband really enjoyed the caribean night where they fry up a whole fish head and all. Which if you actually open up your mind and try was amazing and this is coming from a non fish person. Remember you are in a different country; as they say when in rome do like the romains do! Also there are some great restaurants in town but can get expensive try the mission restaurant but for a real mexican feel try La Sera located on 30th get a cab to take you there. they are open real late! Yummy Yummy!

2. Beach Area - yes it is a "manmade" beach and it does have what some call a cheesy gazebo but at night that gazebo rocks! Also we were always able to get a beach chair and of good quality. The beach was always kept clean had a pool, bar washroom which in my books are all the neccessities. The snorkeling is great here and if you use the ladder to get in and out it is much easier. I suggest bring your own gear rather than through the dive paradise shop. We brought our own masks because I didn't really like the idea of sharing especially the mouth piece "eww" Which was the best decision that I made as you will find out that a leaky mask ----- so you really need to get a maks that fist your face and this my take going to a store and try on 20 of them to get the proper seal (just a tip) also you are not allowed to take them out to other beaches. I didn't bring fins so we would rent them and swim along the shore which was awesome some of the best fish were seen there. We would swim almost to the light house I recommend you give it a try and bring a camera. When returning items ensure that you get your card back, my husband and I had it out with them the second day because we didn't get the card and the guy stated that we stole them and would have to pay $100 american and hour later and some phone calls and it was straighten out. Just a note if you end up touring the island most beaches are "rocky" there is only one that is not but at imes is very murky looking Playa Mia I think it is it was hammocks and water things for the kids. Also Dzul Ha is a most for snorkeling

3. Entertainment- you got to hand it to the guys as inmost resorts throughout the town they are the towel guy get you playing games by day and 6 nights out of the week they are entertainment at night. They work really hard and manage to keep the kids amused so that parents and have a break to which they do take a lot of abuse from the little one, they are always smiling dressing up in customs to get you going. Janu was forever in the pool playing water sports wether it be water polo, volleyball seemed to remeber everybodies name and had a good sense of humour. Enrique we will never forget he does a great job in the comedy show's and they also do a great dance show by the beach. We also spend a fee nights hanging out with him and the locals at Karakoe bars the mexicans love their karaoke it was a blast they even have a fee english selections so we could join in the fun.

4. Drinks - UNLIMITED supply, selections, fruity, beer, what more could you ask for ....... Ask for some suggestions they are glad to share different types for you to taste. Also if its not strong enough ask for more alcohol they have no problems giving you anything really all you have to do is ask! Tipping also helps we ensured that all was looked after and they did the same.

5. Rooms- well they are not the hilton and that is because I didn't pay for the hilton!!! They are clean have a t.v, bed, pillows, and a washrooms. Enough Said......

7. Cleaniness/Service - Our maid Genny was just awesome, I brought her little things from home and dollar store items with canadian logo's they eat it up. She would make all sort of things out of towels it was a surprise what I would find each day also always fresh flowers around it was wonderful. The waiters were also looked after each day and they made sure we were. Carlos was one of the best and seeing as they work all day long he was pretty much at every meal and made sure that we had everything. I think that word also get around because we became acustomed to this treatment by everyone. I think the rudest people were the guests that would slam things down and speak rather rudely the staff that are very hard working and under paid and have to deal with tourist everyday. Come on give them a break treat people like you want to be treated. Also the locals are the nicest people and most can speak english.

8. Nightlife - excellent bars to hit for alittle fun, they play all the hits no real salsa places other than Neptuno and thats only on Friday Night. Fat Tuesday is great on tuesday's its 2 for 1 night! Also they have a D.J. and its like a street party great fun. ViVa Mexico, Carlos & Charlies are all the hot spots Senor Frogs is awesome as well most go because of the "young" girls that get wasted and almost undress on the stage. Guys lap it up and most regret it the next day....I didn't do that kind of thing!! It's a shame

Overall Cozumel is awesome we rented a jeep for aweek toured the island visited every corner of the island restuarants included and found that everyone there are the nicest most patience people. We could go to take a lesson from their professionalism and their patience. My husband and I are fresh back and have a new out look on life which we fondly refer to as mexican law - defined- Patience (no more road rage, mad about a slow line, poor service etc...I guess that you get the point) For now anyways *wink* *wink* ONe needs to relax enjoy yourself as the trip is what "you" make it. ALso to all the wonderful people from around that world that we met it was a pleasure to met and spend time getting to know you!!!!