It has been several weeks since my wife and I have come back to the real world. Casa Viento offers us Northerners a little sample of what it would be like to have a beautiful house in a quiet location on a tropical island.

The Casa Viento experience cannot be underestimated from several different perspectives. First of all, the accomodations are truly excellent. Cleanliness is a must at the Casa. The staff who takes care of your room is very, very good at what they do. In my real life, I am an executive at a very large chemical company and enjoy excellent accomodations globally year-round. The cleanliness is on par with the best hotels you know. The caretakers/owners/hosts are truly gracious in all that they do. Raul, Nicole and Jasmine are there is you need them, but inconspicuous if you don't. I guess it would be akin to a really fine restaurant where the waiters are only there when you need them, otherwise, your dining experience is uninterrupted. Just like a high end hotel, their recommendations are perfect all of the time. The recommended restaurants, the beaches to go to, etc. were perfect 100% of the time. Reviewing the accomodations puts it at the top of any hotel I have ever stayed at anywhere. The linens are crisp and fresh, the bed in Room No. 5 was large and firm. The wireless internet connection was excellent at about 50Mbps or so. I was able to stay connected with all of my offices (sorry to say it was necessary). The pool which there are a number of posted photos of was fantastic. The temperature was perfect and crystal clear. What you cannot see from the photos is that the pool is 3 inch by 3 inch coral blue ceramic tile with several step-downs so you can lounge in many different configurations. It was really nice to take a fresh water dip after snorkeling all afternoon. One thing you don't get at a high end resort is Diva, the Cocker Spaniel mascot of the Casa. Now, I know what you are thinking..."Cocker Spaniels are out of their minds".... However, not this one. I swear the next time we come and it will be next spring, we are going to abscond with this dog. Damn..now Raul and Nicole will know who nabbed the pooch.

The location for the Casa could not be more perfect. Only a 5 minute ride from downtown Cozumel to the Casa. As many people have recommended, we rented a car from Isis Rental. The people there, as recommended by Raul and Nicole, were very nice. I must recommend renting a VW bug. It is the only way to fly. When you arrive at the airport, just ask the Taxi to take you to Casa Viento at the entrado de Country Club. When we arrived, Jasmine worked with the Isis people and they brought our car the next day. The Casa is a one minute walk from a very nice private beach.

A few recommendations:

1) Restaurant - Don't miss Kinta Bistro (across from Isis Rental). Better call for reservations. The owner is a friend of the Casa. The food was leading edge using local ingredients. The price was LESS THAN the restaurants de touristas in the main mercado section of town. Next time, we will go twice. For breakfast (desayuno), the Museum cannot be beat. I know of no where else where you can get excellent service, huevos rancheros, fresh squeezed OJ and tropical fruit for $7.00. We went three times.
2) Beach and snorkeling - go to the Money Bar (just past the Presidente) for snorkeling AND the damn best margaritas, hand shaken, that I have ever had and I consider myself an afficionado of this fine beverage. You can put your things on a table, have excellent chips and salsa and FRESH guacamole with your margarita. The snorkeling is great. Lots of fish! You can go several hundred yards out without feeling you will never get back. There is plenty of gear at the Casa, so don't waste your luggage space on that. Also, take tortilla chips into the water with you and the fish will swarm around you eating out of your hand.
3) Drive around the island - long stretches of fairly deserted road alongside the surf. You will want to get out and snap pictures. Do yourself a huge favor and take along a small styrofoam cooler with Tecate and Pacifico and stop and smell the surf!
4) Stock up at the store - Raul, Nicole and Jasmine will tell you the name of the Supermercado where you can go and stock your fridge with cervezas and snacks. I have been all over Europe, Asia and South America and my favorite place to really see the native people are the supermarkets. My wife and I went at least twice a day.
5) Our only regret - that we did not spend more time at the Casa Viento.
6) Top of my list for next year - Raul is a world-class kite boarder and I want to give that a try.
7) Final Thought - I have stayed at the 5 Star El Presidente in Cozumel and it is "slumming" compared to Casa Viento. Each of the Suites are charming. Next year, we are thinking of taking some friends to our private little paradise and staying in Suite 4. The Honeymoon Suite has an awesome view of the ocean.