Casita de Maya is a value boutique with personalized service and five above average rooms located near the Cozumel International Airport, and about a 10-minute drive from the beach. There's a small pool in the courtyard and guests get free access to Playa Azul Beach Club with their stay. Rooms are incredibly spacious and come with a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, Mayan art, and free Wi-Fi. The American owner, Daniel, lives on-site and is happy to recommend nearby restaurants or arrange for a local chef to prepare authentic breakfasts and dinners at the hotel, with advance notice. For those that want to be closer to the Caribbean and ferry terminal, check rates at Hotel Flamingo, but lose the pool.
Casita de Maya is a value boutique with personalized service and five above average rooms located near the Cozumel International Airport, and about a 10-minute drive from the beach. There's a small pool in the courtyard and guests get free access to Playa Azul Beach Club with their stay. Rooms are incredibly spacious and come with a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, Mayan art, and free Wi-Fi. The American owner, Daniel, lives on-site and is happy to recommend nearby restaurants or arrange for a local chef to prepare authentic breakfasts and dinners at the hotel, with advance notice. For those that want to be closer to the Caribbean and ferry terminal, check rates at Hotel Flamingo, but lose the pool.
Travelers looking for a trendy hotel with an intimate boutique vibe and plenty of amenities will enjoy the four-pearl Fiesta Americana Cozumel All Inclusive. Like the 102 rooms, all spaces feature a modern design with trendy art pieces, clean lines, and stylish wooden furniture. Balconies and minibars are great perks to the rooms, but coffee lovers will be disappointed that rooms lack coffeemakers or kettles. The small beach has direct ocean access to a snorkel-friendly part of the sea from a boat dock with over-the-water beds and a trampoline. Two outdoor pools are great additions to the oceanfront location, but one is pretty dated. Even though all-inclusive features are plentiful from five restaurants to a small kids’ club, this property is still more couple-friendly than family-friendly. Sunscape Sabor Cozumel is more befitting of families with more family-style activities, like foam parties and karaoke.
Travelers looking for a trendy hotel with an intimate boutique vibe and plenty of amenities will enjoy the four-pearl Fiesta Americana Cozumel All Inclusive. Like the 102 rooms, all spaces feature a modern design with trendy art pieces, clean lines, and stylish wooden furniture. Balconies and minibars are great perks to the rooms, but coffee lovers will be disappointed that rooms lack coffeemakers or kettles. The small beach has direct ocean access to a snorkel-friendly part of the sea from a boat dock with over-the-water beds and a trampoline. Two outdoor pools are great additions to the oceanfront location, but one is pretty dated. Even though all-inclusive features are plentiful from five restaurants to a small kids’ club, this property is still more couple-friendly than family-friendly. Sunscape Sabor Cozumel is more befitting of families with more family-style activities, like foam parties and karaoke.
For divers, Blue Angel Resort is as close to heaven as you can get. The mid-range property caters to newbies and pros with dive packages, on-site certification, and a dive shop on the premises. All 22 rooms have private balconies; first-floor rooms have terraces and overlook the Caribbean Sea. Decor is no-frills, but each room has a mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, and air-conditioning. Free breakfast is served in the open-air restaurant, and a la carte options are served late; live acoustic music is regularly performed. A manicured lawn is strung with hammocks and leads to the pool, though it's often filled with divers practicing their underwater breathing. For non-divers who want to be in the center of San Miguel, check rates at Hotel Flamingo, but prepare to lose the pool and beach access.
For divers, Blue Angel Resort is as close to heaven as you can get. The mid-range property caters to newbies and pros with dive packages, on-site certification, and a dive shop on the premises. All 22 rooms have private balconies; first-floor rooms have terraces and overlook the Caribbean Sea. Decor is no-frills, but each room has a mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, and air-conditioning. Free breakfast is served in the open-air restaurant, and a la carte options are served late; live acoustic music is regularly performed. A manicured lawn is strung with hammocks and leads to the pool, though it's often filled with divers practicing their underwater breathing. For non-divers who want to be in the center of San Miguel, check rates at Hotel Flamingo, but prepare to lose the pool and beach access.
El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel is a three-and-a-half pearl resort that seems to offer the best and worst of an all-inclusive beach vacation. Deluxe Rooms, which need updating, and Suites, which are spacious and pleasant, are divided between two buildings connected via the lobby that overlooks the outdoor pool and beach. Guests can choose between different tiers of all-inclusive packages and are required to wear a wristband so staff knows how to charge them. Upsides include excellent snorkeling right off the beach, an on-site dive shop, and outdoor massage hut. Downsides are rowdy day visitors, a 10-minute drive to San Miguel, and annoying time-share pitches. Your best bet for a seamless vacation is to book a non-tower Suite, pay for the upgraded all-inclusive package, and forget about checking email anywhere other than the lobby. Secrets Aura Cozumel does all-inclusive better and has a bigger beach, but charges four-pearl prices.
El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel is a three-and-a-half pearl resort that seems to offer the best and worst of an all-inclusive beach vacation. Deluxe Rooms, which need updating, and Suites, which are spacious and pleasant, are divided between two buildings connected via the lobby that overlooks the outdoor pool and beach. Guests can choose between different tiers of all-inclusive packages and are required to wear a wristband so staff knows how to charge them. Upsides include excellent snorkeling right off the beach, an on-site dive shop, and outdoor massage hut. Downsides are rowdy day visitors, a 10-minute drive to San Miguel, and annoying time-share pitches. Your best bet for a seamless vacation is to book a non-tower Suite, pay for the upgraded all-inclusive package, and forget about checking email anywhere other than the lobby. Secrets Aura Cozumel does all-inclusive better and has a bigger beach, but charges four-pearl prices.
The Melia Cozumel is a mid-range all-inclusive resort located on one of the best beaches in the North Hotel Zone and across the street from a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. It features 147 spacious rooms with furnished balconies and marble bathrooms with shower/tub combos -- but decor is a little bland, and technology could use an update in some units. There are several dining options on-site, two pools -- one of which is adults-only and has a swim-up bar -- a kids’ club, and a small spa complete with a fitness center. Its next-door neighbor, El Cozumeleño, has similar rates year-round and better snorkeling, but the Melia Cozumel has better rooms.
The Melia Cozumel is a mid-range all-inclusive resort located on one of the best beaches in the North Hotel Zone and across the street from a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. It features 147 spacious rooms with furnished balconies and marble bathrooms with shower/tub combos -- but decor is a little bland, and technology could use an update in some units. There are several dining options on-site, two pools -- one of which is adults-only and has a swim-up bar -- a kids’ club, and a small spa complete with a fitness center. Its next-door neighbor, El Cozumeleño, has similar rates year-round and better snorkeling, but the Melia Cozumel has better rooms.
Coral Princess Golf & Dive Resort has a lot going for it, namely a prime waterfront location for snorkeling, infinity-edge pool, suites with kitchens, and an excellent on-site dive shop. But there are some niggling issues at this three-and-a-half pearl hotel that drive even the most diehard repeat visitors crazy, including a mandatory maid service fee, cards for pool towels, charge for Wi-Fi, and wristband requirement for free breakfast at Buenaventura Terrasse Restaurant. The 148 guest rooms and suites are clean, but some have rusty drains and the decor is boringly simple. The nearby Hotel B Cozumel has individually decorated rooms and yoga classes for similar rates without the time-share pitches at Coral Princess.
Coral Princess Golf & Dive Resort has a lot going for it, namely a prime waterfront location for snorkeling, infinity-edge pool, suites with kitchens, and an excellent on-site dive shop. But there are some niggling issues at this three-and-a-half pearl hotel that drive even the most diehard repeat visitors crazy, including a mandatory maid service fee, cards for pool towels, charge for Wi-Fi, and wristband requirement for free breakfast at Buenaventura Terrasse Restaurant. The 148 guest rooms and suites are clean, but some have rusty drains and the decor is boringly simple. The nearby Hotel B Cozumel has individually decorated rooms and yoga classes for similar rates without the time-share pitches at Coral Princess.
Hotels with proper sandy beaches aren't that easy to come by in Cozumel, and the mid-range Playa Azul Golf, Scuba, Spa has one of the best, complete with a reef for snorkeling in the water and a thatch-roof bar for tacos and cocktails on the sand. The 50 pleasant guest rooms come standard with a flat-screen TV, coffeemaker, and furnished balcony with partial or full ocean views; some have a hot tub on the balcony. All-inclusive packages and a la carte meals are available at two restaurants and the beach bar. The free breakfast buffet is exceptionally good with made-to-order items and Mexican dishes. There's a small spa for massages and golf at the local country club is free for guests. The biggest downside here is that it would take a solid hour to walk into the center of Cozumel for nightlife, dining, and the ferry terminal to Playa Del Carmen. To stay closer to town, check rates at Casa Mexicana Cozumel, but lose the beach.
Hotels with proper sandy beaches aren't that easy to come by in Cozumel, and the mid-range Playa Azul Golf, Scuba, Spa has one of the best, complete with a reef for snorkeling in the water and a thatch-roof bar for tacos and cocktails on the sand. The 50 pleasant guest rooms come standard with a flat-screen TV, coffeemaker, and furnished balcony with partial or full ocean views; some have a hot tub on the balcony. All-inclusive packages and a la carte meals are available at two restaurants and the beach bar. The free breakfast buffet is exceptionally good with made-to-order items and Mexican dishes. There's a small spa for massages and golf at the local country club is free for guests. The biggest downside here is that it would take a solid hour to walk into the center of Cozumel for nightlife, dining, and the ferry terminal to Playa Del Carmen. To stay closer to town, check rates at Casa Mexicana Cozumel, but lose the beach.
For families looking for an all-inclusive, upper-middle-range beach vacation in Cozumel, it doesn't get any better than the 218-room Sunscape Sabor. Outdoor activities are the highlight here: there are a private sandy beach, two swimming pools, and a plethora of snorkels and kayaks to borrow. Kids can revel in the scheduled foam parties or jump on the outdoor trampoline while parents hit the spa and fitness center. Four restaurants and five bars provide ample eating and drinking opportunities. The downsides? The rooms are a bit dated and worn, it's a 20-minute drive to town, and food service isn't provided by the pool. Couples who want quiet and are willing to pay more should look into the upscale sister property next door, Secrets.
For families looking for an all-inclusive, upper-middle-range beach vacation in Cozumel, it doesn't get any better than the 218-room Sunscape Sabor. Outdoor activities are the highlight here: there are a private sandy beach, two swimming pools, and a plethora of snorkels and kayaks to borrow. Kids can revel in the scheduled foam parties or jump on the outdoor trampoline while parents hit the spa and fitness center. Four restaurants and five bars provide ample eating and drinking opportunities. The downsides? The rooms are a bit dated and worn, it's a 20-minute drive to town, and food service isn't provided by the pool. Couples who want quiet and are willing to pay more should look into the upscale sister property next door, Secrets.
Tamarindo Bed and Breakfast is reminiscent of an upscale hostel. It has a sophisticated European vibe thanks to the French owner and her exquisite taste, which combines Mexican art and architecture with French details, like the occasional crepe at breakfast. Six colorful rooms have cozy Mexican blankets, original art, and some kitchenettes and furnished patios. There's also a communal kitchen and rooftop deck where Elaina serves a free (in the high season) hot breakfast. The location on a mostly residential street is about a 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal to Playa Del Carmen. For those that must have a swimming pool, check rates at Villas Anclas.
Tamarindo Bed and Breakfast is reminiscent of an upscale hostel. It has a sophisticated European vibe thanks to the French owner and her exquisite taste, which combines Mexican art and architecture with French details, like the occasional crepe at breakfast. Six colorful rooms have cozy Mexican blankets, original art, and some kitchenettes and furnished patios. There's also a communal kitchen and rooftop deck where Elaina serves a free (in the high season) hot breakfast. The location on a mostly residential street is about a 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal to Playa Del Carmen. For those that must have a swimming pool, check rates at Villas Anclas.
Hotel B has everything a hotel needs to draw a young, hip crowd: a lounge-y beach, spacious rooms with great amenities, a gorgeous infinity-edge pool, a hopping bar with great mojitos, and yoga classes several times a week. Everything here is trendy, but that doesn’t come at the cost of sustainability, social responsibility, or local culture -- the property is decorated top to bottom with traditional Mexican touches with a contemporary twist and crafts made by Mexican artisans. Add this to great rates and a fabulous restaurant, and you’ve got a resort that's a very attractive alternative to the dozens of all-inclusive properties lining this part of the island.
Hotel B has everything a hotel needs to draw a young, hip crowd: a lounge-y beach, spacious rooms with great amenities, a gorgeous infinity-edge pool, a hopping bar with great mojitos, and yoga classes several times a week. Everything here is trendy, but that doesn’t come at the cost of sustainability, social responsibility, or local culture -- the property is decorated top to bottom with traditional Mexican touches with a contemporary twist and crafts made by Mexican artisans. Add this to great rates and a fabulous restaurant, and you’ve got a resort that's a very attractive alternative to the dozens of all-inclusive properties lining this part of the island.