El Cozumeleño Beach Resort - All Inclusive

We loved snorkeling along the coast, though we hardly used the pool. From the guest service desk we booked a five-hour trip to Palancar, Columbia Reef and El Cielo, and it was great, departing right from the lobby. We rented a scooter, which gave us the freedom to stay at the resort or explore Cozumel. The place was easy to find, and we enjoyed the food, especially the fresh fruit and made-to-order omelets. Our room was sparkling clean with a fantastic view. The staff were constantly busy keeping guests happy and the facility in good shape. Loved it!

The staff were so nice and friendly, but sadly I won’t return. I was here eight years ago and had a nice time, but last week the room wasn’t what I expected. The sofa had nasty red stains, the bed sagged, and we had to look at several rooms before choosing one. Another couple told us they’d found bedbugs in their room. The hot tubs weren’t heated and looked murky, and one guest said he’d fallen through the decking of one. All the once-majestic fountains were dry. There was no entertainment at all, just the same audio loop by the pool over and over. There’s no top-shelf liquor, though they do allow two bottles of water a day. Don’t expect steak or prime rib at the restaurant. Our last meal came out ice cold, and the strawberry mousse tasted like stale Cool Whip.

There’s zero entertainment here, and after dinner there’s nothing until breakfast. The hotel is isolated from other entertainment, so unless you taxi into town for $10US each way, you’re stuck. Dining is the same every day. I’ve never seen so many “entrees” made with leftover hotdogs, and one hot food prep area means long lines. The building is beautiful, with ocean-facing rooms, and the grounds and cleaning staff are very kind. But the other staff members seemed not to care whether guests were happy. When a fellow guest slipped on the property and broke his collar bone, all they said was they’d give him two free nights. No apology or commitment to fix what caused the fall. Other hotels clean Sargasso seaweed from the beach, but this one doesn’t bother. Basically, they just don’t try. I guess they figure they have your money and don’t need to make any more effort. I wouldn’t recommend it.

The beach is beautiful, and we had amazing weather the whole time. Our room caused no problems, and getting bottled water every day was easy. The food was very good, and the staff were consistently welcoming and friendly, which made a real difference. We’d read quite a few reviews before arriving and felt a little concerned, but everything turned out perfectly fine. The one downside was some sargassum on the sand, which smelled unpleasant. It seemed to be pushed to one side rather than fully cleared. More shaded spots on the beach would also be a nice improvement. We really enjoyed our stay.