We arrived Sat Dec.15th, check in was fast and smooth. Room was small, king bed hard as a brick, 3 pitiful pillows ( took hours and 4 phone calls to the desk to get more) ---- many Europeon guests. They seem to love the "all inclusive places), most are very rude, ------ beach was not swim worthy, many rocks and dirty water, --------- food was pretty decent, ------ I rented a car for the entire week, would have been bored stiff without it. ---------- I have been to COZ. 44 times, have seen it progress from a sleepy island to a mega-cruise ship port, (avg. of 5 per day) ---- population is about 100,000 now. Up from 25,000 in the early 80's. ---------------- The best way I know to destroy paradise is to put in a jetport and a few cruise ship piers. --------- Cannot recommend Cozumel, or the Iberostar, Would suggest the Baja

We were at the Iberostar in March of 2006 and fell in love. The food was great!! Fresh whole shrimp on the buffet, grilled lobster in the Mexican retaurant, beautiful fresh fruit garnishes on every drink from the bar, I could go on and on. This time no garnish on any drink, never saw shrimp on the buffet aside from very small ones in a salad here and there. Not only did the Mexican restaurant not have lobster, they didn't even have two of the items offered on the menu. The lunch buffet was the same thing EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! The large buffet was not even open for lunch. The evening meals were a bit better but didn't start until 6:30pm and this was a problem for every other guest I spoke with and overheard talking while waiting to eat in the very full lobby area. I and many others did take notice that the best evening to eat with the most amazing food and service was the evening when it appeared as though management was there and all guests were asked to fill out a survey.
The pool was so cold we were often the only ones to brave it and only to humor our 10 year old daughter. Our room had bed bugs and we are all covered in bites. Our luggage is still sitting in our garage where it is 30 degrees, we're hoping that kills off any bugs that came home with us!! We noticed the one day we had no small bills to leave a tip for room service that we didn't get any chocolates or an animal folded from towels on our beds, much to our daughters disappointment. Needless to say the next day there they were again since we left a tip.
On another note, the service is amazing, the employees very friendly, even remembering our names. The pool was clean even though too cold to enjoy. The grounds were amazing, wildlife beautiful and activities were fun for our daughter. The entertainment was cheezy ,matching that offered on the resort from the movie Dirty Dancing but I guess that's just resort entertainment. Over all I am not sure what we had thought if we hadn't been before but because we have and it was not even close to the same we were disappointed and probably would check out another place before returning to the Iberostar at Cozumel.

My husband, his parents, and our two young girls (ages 4 and 7) just got back from a great week in Cozumel. We stayed at the Iberostar. They had fabulous grounds, great pools, wonderful food and very friendly and hard-working staff.

The kids enjoyed the mini-club (special thanks for Karina and Gloria) and the mini disco at night. The flamingos, iguanas, and birds (peacocks, parrot and macaw) really added to the resort too.

The weather was great. We had showers for a short period one day, but sunny and warm all other days.

The rooms were a bit small for 4 people, but they brought us another bed for our daughter to use, so I only had to sleep with one daughter in a double bed, and my husband was able to have a double bed to himself. All rooms have either one king or two doubles.

We didn't use the reservation restaurants because of the children, but I heard they were good and nice. The buffets had a lot of variety and had something to please our girls at every meal. If you want to use the reservation restaurants, I would suggest booking early in the week.

We did have a problem with water leaking from the bathroom ceiling (a pretty constant drip at times). It was unfortunate because it was right over the toilet and it was kind of annoying to get dripped on. We never reported it to management, so I am not sure if there was anything they could have done about it or not.

Nico (Nicolas) at the pool bar makes great drinks and works very hard. The pool was cleaned often and was very nice.

We went diving each day and the hotel was excellent about arranging child care for us, before the mini-club opened. We actually had the director of the child care as the babysitter for our kids (Karina). She was always on time or early, unlike other resorts we have used. We dove with Aldora and were generally happy with the experience, although they were very busy while we were there, and I think that affected their ability to provide top-notch service that we have received in the past.

No one got sick at all from the food. On almost every other trip we have taken, even with being cautious not to eat the vegetables, etc, most of us have gotten some kind of stomach bug. I had read the reviews and since I hadn't seen anything about people getting sick, we ate the salads and fruits and had no problem. We used the purified water in the room for drinking and brushing teeth, etc., but I don't think you have any concerns with the food or drink at the restaurants causing you any problems.

All in all we had a really fabulous time. I wouldn't hesitate to try another Iberostar resort in the future.

My husband and myself stayed here with our three older sons, aged 21, 19 &14. We were also joined by my husbands parents (in their 70's) and an Uncle (in his 80's). My 14 year old has a disability and uses a wheelchair about 50% of the time.

Over all this was one of the nicest resorts I have stayed at. Over the last four years or so we have stayed on the Mayan Riviera about seven times at about six different resorts.

There is a lot of talk about the beach entry being rocky...well..that is true..BUT...if you walk no less than one minute North of the resort..towards Alberto's...you will find a nice easy sandy entry...no water shoes required.

The beds are hard...but if you ask the front desk they are more than happy to provide you with a mattress pad...that makes the beds more than bareable.

The food is better than the average resort...but selection is not huge and by the end of the week you are starting to feel it is getting a bit repetative...but there is always more than enough to eat. The drinks were fine....I don't drink a great deal...but the ones I had were ok...the best ones are made at the lobby bar. I also really enjoyed the coffee and capaccino from the lobby bar also. Wine is always served at dinner and it is better than the wine at most of the resorts I have stayed.

This resort is exceptional for people with mobility issues...it is small and the paths are easy to navigate by wheelchair. For those who would like it...or need it....there is personal cart service available to anywhere you want to go at the resort...this is the one and only resort I have stayed at that has provided this. Another bonus is there is a boardwalk through the sand leading to the peer...so if you are in a chair..you can enjoy going down there and watching the boarts, fish and amazing sunsets..

The staff are incredible...and the star friends work so hard. They try to engage you in activities but are not pushy....and will dine with you at breakfast or lunch if you wish...nice for single folks to have the company...also noticed that they go out of their way to sit with the elderly visitors also.

We will happily go back and enjoy this resort again. It is fantastick value for the money....it is small, charming, full of character and the grounds are lovely. The flamingos are a constant source of entertainment....as are the peacocks...watch out...they do like to steal buns from you at breakfast.

The dive shop was great to us. We had a very bad experience witha shop in town that was supposed to deal with divers with disabilities. In talking to a person who worked with Dressel she set up a snorkel trip with them for us. They were exceptional with our son and went out of their way to make his experience positive and safe. Next time we will deal only with them.

At the dinner buffet....look for Ruben...he is hands down the best server...he has a wonderful smile and works very hard to keep your glass full and your talbe clean...tip him well as he deserves it.

Enjoy your stay.