We just returned from a 7 night stay at the Casa Mexicana and we couldn't have been more pleased with our stay. The hotel was spotless with employees cleaning all day long. We had the ocean front view of the harbor and enjoyed watching the cruise ships/cruisers come into town. The hotel staff were by far the best that we have ever experienced. We enjoyed the local restaurants and shopping right out the front door. We took a cab down to Paradise Beach 3 times. Also took the ferry over to Playa del Carmen. We were getting bored with All-inclusives and remote places to stay. This was a great change of pace.
Bill in Duluth Minnesota

Our family of five decided to skip the presents this Christmas and all fly somewhere warm to be together. Two of us were flying from Calgary and three of us from Toronto. Sunwing Vacations offered flights on the same day to Cozumel. Bingo !

From Toronto, the flight was confusing as the ticket said landing at Cancun via Cozumel. Did that mean we must stay on the plane to Cancun and then return to the island by bus and ferry? Didn't make sense and Trevor from Sunwing at the Toronto airport agreed. (we had booked over the internet ) Half an hour later he had our tickets changed directly to Cozumel, and then he took us directly to check in, skipping the lineup. We were met at the airport by Alfredo from Sunwing on Christmas Eve, wearing a Santa hat, who got us to our hotel right away. My two sons travelling from Calgary arrived too late in Cancun for the ferry and were put up in an all -inclusive overnight. They arrived on the ferry around noon on Christmas Day at the Casa Mexicana.

The hotel was fantastic.! Super clean and super friendly. What a marvellous design with open air dining room surrounding a garden, yet protected from the elements . We had requested an ocean view room when booking with Sunwing but there was no record of it and none available. Our rooms were very comfortable with new furniture, safe in room, comfortable beds, hair dryers, fridges, large TV's, amenities such as shampoo, lotion etc. and purified tap water throughout.. Each day we were surprised to see towel animals, even a snowman, appear on the newly made beds. They have a passion for cleaning at this hotel. They also have a passion for making you feel welcome and important. The breakfast buffet from 7 to 11 am is great and the fresh juices are out of this world. Eggs, omelets, waffles, bacon, cereal and some mexican hot dishes and fresh fruit and yogurts, meats and cheeses were everyday staples. The staff are very efficient, helpful, and friendly. Many thanks to Jaimie and all the kitchen/dining room staff. They all made a point of coming over to say good bye to us as well as the front desk. Everyone here seems to care about your well being. This hotel is not all inclusive but it is right in the town, and only a short walk to shopping and restaurants. We ate in a different restaurant every day. Some more touristy on the main drag ($) and some more local just a few blocks away.

Mayte, the concierge was very informative and patient with us. Tony from Sunwing, gave us information about tours and advice. We booked a rental car through him (we insisted on the price he had given us though the rental co. tried to charge us more for a run down, dangerous vehicle with failing brakes and bad power steering); and a snorkelling tour which was great.

Our adventure came on our second last day when we took the ferry to Playa del Carmen, rented a car, and drove to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. Good maps are non existent but we finally arrived after travelling on the toll road which bypasses Cancun. Coming back was a different story, however as we could not find the same highway and ended up on the local road with numerous speed bumps in every village and no signage. Though we had a GPS in the car and the roads seemed to parallel each other, there was no way to access the toll road. The 2 and a half hour trip took over 5 hours. We were fighting the clock as the last ferry left for Cozumel at 11pm. We wound up lost in Cancun and raced to the ferry arriving just as they were pulling up the gangplank. No way would they let us on even though the Sunwing rep was to meet my two sons at 5am at the hotel for their trip to the airport in Cancum. Trouble was that the next ferry was at 6 am and their tickets, passports and luggage were still in the hotel on the island. What to do??

The payphones were impossible, but to make a long story short, we found a hotel with a helpful clerk who allowed us to call long distance to the island where we contacted the Casa Mexicana. We woke up Alfredo, our 'angel' from Sunwing about 2 am. He went to the hotel room and packed up all my sons' belongings and took the 5 am ferry himself with the luggage and papers over to the mainland to meet us on the pier and give it to them. They then left for the airport with another Sunwing rep. and Alfredo returned to Cozumel. I have read other negative comments about Sunwing, and think their efficiency and communication could be improved, but our experiences with Trevor at the Toronto airport , Tony at the hotel, and most especially Alfredo on Cozumel who went above and beyond, were most positive and I thank them all. People make the difference.

Our flight back to Toronto on New Year's Eve met with many delays. The seating had to be completely redone. It was overbooked and a request was made for two volunteers to get off and travel by land to the mainland ; and when we arrived about 1:30 am in Toronto, there was another hour and a half wait for our bags with many exhausted passengers lying on the floor at the airport waiting for luggage.

All in all we had a great trip and are already talking about next year. Not much night life here for my twenty-something children as they seem to cater to the daily cruise ship crowds who are generally gone by 5 pm. Our trip was purchased through sell-off vacations on very short notice and I think we will do more research beforehand next time.

We just got back from Casa Mexicana after spending five nights (January 4 - January 9, 2007). If you are looking for a terrific location that rates up there in a top quality to value lodging experience....look no further. We had two ocean view rooms up on the fifth floor...and the extra money spent over a city view room was well worth it...and then some. If your number one criteria is that a property be clean....this has got to be the cleanest property any where in the world. They are always cleaning and cleaning and cleaning. The architecture of the hotel is marvelous and when you sit out on the lounge overooking the pool (small but o.k.)...it seems like the pool blends right into the ocean. Don't miss the margaritas at the pool side bar which are probably the best to be had in Cozumel. And, if you have a healthy appetite...the breakfast buffet is a smashing success. Have your waffles or omelete as you wished...and cooked to order. The whole staff just goes way out of their way to make you feel not only comfortable but also to feel like a treasured guest....or long lost family friend. I cannot be happier with our selection of Casa Mexicana and will rank it up there with one of the very best lodging experiences anywhere in the world. Sure, you can pay a lot more for the all inclusive properties; but, for quality to value you simply cannot beat what they offer at Casa Mexicana. Kudos to the staff and especially the knowlegeable and peasonable conceirge, Mayte. So, if you just don't want the "prison like" feel you might get at the all inclusive properties.....try it and I'm sure you will love Casa Mexicana.

I booked my vacation to Cozumel for New Year's. I stayed at Casa Mexicana, the hotel is great and very clean also great location. The breakfast is awesome!!. Tips: The hotel gives you a voucher to go to Playa Mia for free, entrance is $12 U.S. (w/o), too many tourist. I suggest to go to the other side where Playa Bonita and four other beaches (next to one another) are located. The food is great on this island , but you need to go to certain locations to get more bang for your buck. I suggest La Choza (great mexican food and great price) also La Cochita de Caribe (excellent seafood) and cheap. I highly recommend to rent a motor scooter or a convetible volkswagon because taxis are super expensive. An average ride , maybe 5 miles will cost u 15 U.S. one way, but is you rent for more than one day, you get a better rate. I am going back in May and staying at the same hotel, I loved it!!!!!