Overall we were really impressed with this hotel. The hotel was very clean and the employees were constantly sweeping, cleaning, etc. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The maid left a different towel animal each day (turtle, swan, etc) which was a nice touch. This hotel is in walking distance to a cheap grocery/clothing store called Chedraui. We really needed this place because the airline sent our luggage to Cancun and we have to purchase shorts, t-shirt, etc.

The bathroom was a bit cozy but the rest of the room was comfortable and the patio was spacious.

Downside:
My husband got an ear infection while we were in Cozumel. He dunked his head under water at the pool and I didn't. I am not 100% sure that is where he got it from. The pool area is nice but we noticed that people were getting up early and "reserving" chairs with towels. You have to get down to the pool early to get a chair.

This hotel doesn't have a sloping beach. We didn't think we really needed one but decided that we would have prefered it. We ended up going to Playa Azul and paid about $5 to use that beach.

Just returned from a great stay at the Hotel Cozumel & Resort...This was my first visit to Cozumel, and I was very impressed with the friendliness of the natives, including everyone at the resort. I am a 50-year old US male, and travelled with my 27-year old son.

We were on a dive trip, so much of the day was spent rolling along under the sea. The reefs here are incredible! We loved Punta Tunich, Santa Rosa Wall, Palancar and Columbia reefs. Dive Paradise (the dive operation at the resort) was satisfactory. Would recommend that you pay a little extra to get the fast boats, or at the very least, profess to have deep superstitions about any boat named Saggitario or Tombo (these are the "dog" boats...we came to refer to the Saggitario as the "Sluggatario"). The Aquarius or better yet, the Tango are the boats to be on. Although not the "fast boats" , they are much speedier than the Sluggatario and Tombo. See if a few well-placed dollars can get you on these boats. The so-called "fast boats" are open hull small boats, and cost $15 extra, but will get you to your reef in a quarter of the time. Dive lights are a must, so you can check out the Grouper under the ledges on the reefs. Also, a 2 mil wetsuit is a good idea, as it gets cold at 70ft.

Unlike the guy who wrote the review a couple down from this one, I never saw even one cockroach at the resort...or anywhere else, for that matter. Yes, there are lizards and chamelions, but they are hardly a threat, and actually eat the other bugs. We had one mosquito in our room the whole week. But then again, folks, you're in Mexico. You have to expect bugs, just like you expect rats in New York City. The resort was spotless...there are a relentless crew of cleaning people who are constantly cleaning things, and picking up after the "uglier Americans", who can't be bothered to discard their plates and cups after eating at the pool (hint: don't complain about bugs if you're one of the people leaving food around that attracts them!)

Food for breakfast and lunch was very satisfactory...especially breakfast. We ate dinner out every night, just to sample the local cuisine. Try Aquario, a 15 minute walk or $3 cab ride from the hotel. Go near sunset, as it's right on the water. We had two amazing dinners in a row, and very reasonably priced, at that. Also, El Capi Navigante has a great seafood platter, and excellent seafood soup.

The only downside for us was the rather lame "entertainment" at the pool. There were some days when I just wish they'd just take a siesta, and let the rest of us enjoy some peace and quiet. It's a constant drone in the afternoon, and also from 9-10 in the evening.

We tipped everyone for the first four days, but did not notice any siginificant difference in the way we were subsequently treated. The drinks were not stronger, and the divemasters and dive crew weren't any more helpful, so we quit tipping on the fifth day...except for the maids, who I'm sure are dirt poor, and really earn the tip money. They left nice treats, flowers and very original "towel sculptures" in our room.

Take a cab to the Plaza to do your gift shopping. Barter with all the shop keepers (if they own the place....some shops are owned by big corporations, and hire employees, with whom you cannot bargain). If the store has no air conditioning, you'll find the prices are better.

If you don't dive, get certified before you come to Cozumel. It's easy, even if you're 50 years old and you'll never regret doing it.....

Me and my mom took a trip to Cozumel May 19, 2005 - May 23, 2005.
It was our 1st time going and we did enjoy ourselves. Let's paint the picture here. I'm 31 years old and my mom is 53 we are both from Dallas TX. We had never been to Mexico and really didn't know what to expect, but after reading some of the reviews we felt liked we were ready to take this country on.

Our trip was booked through Funjet Vacations. When we arrived at the airport in Mexico we had to go through immigration and they checked our ID's and birth certificates or passports. Once we were done there we picked up our luggage and there was a funjet rep waiting for us with a van. We were packed in like sardines. The ride wasn't that long. Maybe 10 minutes. We passed through downtown on the way to Hotel Cozumel & Resort. The streets are very crowded. I think I saw one stop sign. Now in TX that means stop. In Mexico it didn't seem to mean anything. Cars were bumper to bumper and when they stopped we were thrown around in the van. Put on the seatbelts Please!!!!

When we arrived at the hotel we were greeted buy another funjet rep named Jesus. Use Jesus! He was so helpful through out the entire trip. We stood in line awaiting check-in and a waiter came out with glasses of punch. They call it fruit punch. It's very sweet but very good.

At check in they give you a safe key. You have to leave a credit card number incase there are damages or you lose the safe key. That key will cost you 150.00 US Dollars if you lose it. Keep it with you at all times.
Now being from TX I thought the rooms would be like staying in a suite or something but it really does put you in the mind of a Comfort Inn. Not Comfort Suites just the regular Comfort Inn. It was clean, but there were no extras. You get one bottle of water per room. Keep that bottle and refill it with the purified water in the hallways on the 1st & 2nd floors. The water will cost you 2.00 US dollars to get another bottle. Pack a water bottle from home too and you can refill it all you want.

Now Let's talk about the Food and drinks for a minute. On the all-inclusive there's only like 2 things on the menu that are not included and that was a lobster dinner and a seafood platter. All the other items are included.
Drinks are included as well. Sodas, juices, beer and mixed drinks. Imported drinks are at a cost. Now if they ever bring you a piece of paper to sign after ordering; than you are being charged! so don't sign anything unless you are sure what it is. (Note:Your red band around your arm let's them know you are all-inclusive). There are 3 eating places at the hotel. One in the lobby, on the beach (hotel beach) and poolside. Let's break these down.
THE LOBBY (Los Arcos): this is used for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You will love breakfast. You can get an omelets and other items from a buffet. Lunch and dinner here are a little different. The food is very bland and way different from what your use too. I was ready for some chips and salsa, but got biscuits and butter. Every night there is a different theme. The best one was BBQ night. It was ok, but the other nights were simply awful. Like Gala night and oriental night. There are not many choices at all.
The Pool Area (Pericos): This is a snack bar. You can get burgers, hot dogs, nachos and what they call Quesadillas (tortilla and cheese only).
Now the burgers are basically the same, but there is something very different about the meat. It was gritty. There is a bar there too. Remember it's outside so there are fly's buzzing around, but no more than if you were on a picnic.
The Beach area (Los Girasoles): This is used for lunch and dinner. Buffet style. The food is ok again it's different. You can find at least one or two things that will hold you over. This is also an open area. You can eat and look at the beach all at the same time. The drinks are different too. Sodas are not the same as in the US. I personally didn't like the Coke and Sprite so I had water and fruit punch everyday. If you are a drinker of beer and mixed drinks you'll like it. Ask for a Carlos special out by the pool. It was really good. or ask for a smoothie.
The key thing to remember is this is a foreign country and we are guests.
All the wait staff was really friendly. My favorite was Luiz B*K*A* Speedy.
He was so nice and funny too. Everyone speaks English or at least can understand you. Some tourist were rude to the staff because at times they do not understand but they try very hard. Just be patient. The lady in the gift shop was not very friendly. She didn't speak or greet you at all. Not sure why. The best part of the gift shop was they had American candy. M&M's and snickers etc... 1.00 US a pop.
I was worried about not really knowing what the difference in money would be but every thing had 2 amounts on it for example: It would say 800 Pesos and 8.00 US.
Let's move on the shopping.
Take lots of 1's, 5's and 10's. No need to bring Pesos but before you hand over your money agree on a price and make sure you can get your change back in US money. The trick is to Bargain, Bargain, Bargain. I bought a watch for 10 bucks. The guy wanted 85.00 US. I said NO! He went from 85 to 65 to 45 to 35 and said that was as low as he would go, so I said thank you and walked away. He followed me and sold the watch to me for 10 bucks. I saw this watch in Tx for like 16.99 so to me that was a deal.
Never ever pay what they are asking. You tell them what you want to pay. If they will not budge on the price. go about 3 shops down and you will find the same things. If you like silver, there are shops with cheap prices make sure it has 925 stamped in it. that let's you know it's authentic. Now on to transportation: A taxi one way fro the hotel to downtown cost 3.00 US each way. Not bad. Get the price befor you get in. Whne you arrive at a store you like make them stop or they will take you to a shop they get commission from. I would advise against the rental cars and scooter.
The rental cars are old and beat up most with no air. You can get one for as little as 10 bucks. But the traffic is terrible and trying to park is just a waste of time. The scooters are very heavy and sevral people had wrecks. Here we drive looking at what's around us, there it's every man for himself so Be carfeul!!!
Activities: Theres a lot of boating fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, glass bottom boats, all day tours, shopping, shows, and even karaoke. Spend some time at the pool too. It's real nice. It's like 4 FT' all the way around in the center of the pool is the jacuzzi.

Did I mention that this trip was free for us? Air, hotel , all inclusive. My mom won it on the Oasis 4 days 3 nights.
To sum it up. We relaxed and yes we had a good time. I (must say if I came back to the island, I would pack a lot of snacks and I would pay to have a nicer room something actually on the beach. I would even eat out at other places, the food had to be the down fall of the trip. If you are a native there you would not have a problem wit hthe food, but it is far from what we are a customed to. For the most part the streets are safe, just be cautious of your surroundings. Pack light; it's hot.
You will have a good time if you allow yourself too. Just Relax and enjoy.

I expected more, from a 4 star hotel. I guess the 4 stars is the rating system used in this country. The man at front desk is rude and unfriendly. He clearly does not like tourists. The Rooms where okay and I liked the fact that I could turn the A/C on high, which is the only place on the island to do so. They only give you one bottle of water per room, and you have to use this to brush your teeth. Do not use the fountain water, as it is not filtered. Additional bottles are $2 US dollars each, or 20 Pesos. Oh, and you better bring lots of five and 1 dollar bills, if not, it is your problem and the front desk will not exchange for you. Tough luck.

The All inclusive was good, especially the drinks. The man working the bar by the pool at Las Pecos was excellent and friendly. The people in the restaurant were nice, but not prompt. They give you small glasses of water, tea and cokes. If you want a refill, you better get it yourself at the bar, or you will be sitting there all day waiting on it. They are not prompt or quick in their service, which was frustrating. The milk is goat milk, yellow and nasty. The food is very bland and tasteless. Not many options. It could and should have been better.

There were lizards and cockroaches everywhere. Very dirty, not clean. Not up to American standards for a 4-star hotel. I will not be back.