nothing is perfect -- go on vacation with no expectations and you will never be disappointed.

Now for those people that can't follow that advice, here goes:

Just returned from a week at the Iberostar (12/20-12/27) and we had a great time from the minute we got there. Yes the room was musty but guess what dears, you're in the tropics, and a 5 star hotel in Mexico is NOT a 5 star in the states. Bring some candles and you'll be fine.
Our room was immaculate every day and flowers awaited us every night on our pillows. No you can't snorkel to your heart's content right off the shore but my husband saw 6 very large barracuda right under the pier.
We went with a snorkeling tour to the Playancar and Columbia reefs and the only thing we saw differently there than from Chankanaab were 2 sea turtles. So you have to ask for top shelf liquor -- you can't do that?
We had no problem and drank many a fine Don Julio margs during our stay. As far as food, sorry if people thought it was mediocore but we happened to really like it. There was always variety and Christmas Eve night we had lobster tails that were the largest I'd ever seen. And as far as the staff and the shows -- I take great offense (angelcake.whatever are you listening?) to the opinion that the shows "sucked". Those kids worked so hard all day making sure everyone was having a good time and every moment they had free they were on that stage practicing. If you want lavish productions, go to Vegas but give credit where credit is due and be a little more generous. These were some of the nicest people my husband and I have ever met on vacation and to be honest, were much nicer than some of the other guests.

Not to get preachy but I guess you just need to figure out what your priorities are. If you want a 5 star resort with all the amenities in a third world country good luck. If you took a ride around the island and came back through town then you would realize that the musty room you had was much more than some people have, that the amount and outrageous variety of food that was presented at each meal could have fed who knows how many and that the staff works VERY hard to make sure we're relaxing. If you want to relax, enjoy the sun and the one you're with then you've got it made at the Iberostar. So it may not have the best of everything -- remember what you have and count your blessings you are able to be the person on vacation and not the person catering to them.

December 13-20thWe returned a week ago from Iberostar, Cozumel and after seeing the pictures I was prompted to write here. Afterall, this is where I got my heads up for a number of things before the trip. This was our second trip to Cozumel. On this trip, there were 4 of us~2 couples.The beach: we were not disappointed after reading the previous reviews, we brought our water shoes and were prepared for the rocky waters thank you to all those who let us know!The food: Awesome! We stayed at the Allegro, Cozumel Dec. 02 and the food served at the Iberostar more than surpassed it. We did not get a chance to dine at the Mexican restaurant, but we did eat at the steak restaurant on the Friday night~sooo good!!! Everything was PERFECT!The rooms: very musty~be sure to get a room on the top floor. The lower units seem to hold the dampness more. We had to move rooms the second day because of the smell. Once we got a top room everything was fine. The rooms are not huge, but you are only sleeping in them~no big deal. The bathrooms & showers are very nice. Careful~ the towels are REALLY starchy at first & will take off a layer of skin after a burn :o).The grounds: very jungle-like and beautiful! There are parrots, flamingos, iguanas, geckos and peacocks on the property. The grounds are very well groomed~they make for some beautiful pictures.The staff & the shows were great! Very upbeat, friendly & did everything they could to get people to participate, without bugging . We were hauled up on stage a couple of times~it was hilarious!!!Going to & from town is $17/couple of $19 for 2 couples. We ended up renting a Jeep for 2 days instead~it just seemed the best route. We went around the island both days. The most beautiful beach I have ever seen in my life~Punta Morena is located on the Eastern side of the island~ a must see. This beach more than makes up of the one at the hotel. While in town~be cautious. We talked a man down from $165/US for a necklace down to $25/US think it was real silver & opal? Nope be aware check the silver~is is plated? Ask them to prove it to you. Not to be mean, but they are there to make a buck. Just be careful. The town is VERY safe and if you go back a couple streets off the main run you can get some great deals!I hope this helps~have a wonderful trip!!!

My boyfriend and I traveled to the Iberostar in Cozumel from Nov 15-22, 2003. The weather could have been better had a couple days in a row over cast and windy days. For my review on the hotel; The hotel it self is very clean as well as the grounds. Your room is a round hut and they're all the same. We had a king size bed which was a little hard but durable. The room was very small and the closet space wasn't enough for two people let alone one. The lighting in the room is horrible except for in the bathroom. Our room smelled terrible like an old grandma's house, fortunately from reading peoples review we brought Lysol, candles and stick ups which help some.( all the rooms smell like this after visiting four others) My suggestion is find the maid in the morning tip her a few bucks and she will clean that room and use some type of deodorizer to eliminate that smell also. ( we caught on to that after two days of being there) But they will only use that stuff only if you tip them. The beach isn't all that great I was disappointed in that, narrow and the water is very rock and slick you do need to bring aqua shoes and if you walk on the beach it is rocky and there is some garbage, wear something on your feet I cut the bottom of my foot.
Snorkeling, well they lead you top believe the reef is right there, wrong, you can see fish under the dock, but you do need to take the boat out to the reef which is fantastic. From reading other reviews some mentioned how great the food was, honestly it was OK, the selections at lunch were always the same and in only one restaurant.
Dinner again became the same as well. The two restaurants that you need to make restaurants for is The steak house which we didn't go after everyone we ran into said don't go and the other was a Mexican resturant which we ate in, we have had better Mexican food here in Chicago. On a positive note the service is excellent, employees were very friendly and helpful. The snorkeling was great as well as the diving. And that's what we were there to do, water activities lay out and drink. The Iberostar Cozumel is a place to snorkel and dive very little other activities, they do not cater to honeymooners and we spoke to a few of them while they there and they we upset about that and one couple cut their trip short and headed back to the states because of it. There are geckos, lizards and frogs and equanas in the rooms, its the tropics so do expect it. Over all the food sucks, water activity is great, the hut is very small and smells, stupid show at night, drinks are good, but ask for brand name liquor or you will get the rot gut stuff, service is great. Chances on going back there very slim, will check out the Reef Club that we saw on the way in which was just remodeled and look great. For the women bring a hair dryer the ones in the huts fall apart as you use them, no one dresses up there it is casual. There are no clocks, radios nor irons in the rooms, I brought a little clock radio with us. You can request an iron but there are no ironing boards. Bring a few bathing suits because you get very little light in your hut the suit takes a long time to dry. Hope this help.

WOW! Everything we wanted in a hotel. Have absolutely no complaints. The staff was superb. The food was great. The resort was amazingly beautiful. The resort is right on the beach. The snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing was spectacular. Can you tell we had an AWESOME time. Rob, Robert and Jime were the best at the dive shop. Get certified, it is an experience you'll never forget.If you are looking for more authentic food there is a little beach restaurant about 100 feet to the right of the dock. Alberto is the owner. The red snapper was to die for and the conch was fresh. Have a michelada to drink. Tell Alberto, Doug and Lori say Hello.