Really confused about Kona, Hawaii vs Cozumel???

[hankthecowdog]

Mossman You are right. I think it safe to say the cost of food, hotel and diving are all significantly less in Cozumel. I manage to spend upwards of $160 day for diving in Cozumel but that's just me and those unlucky enough to get dragged along into my foolishness.

 

[drrich2]

...in something like Presidente or Park Royal (basically any 4+ star relatively nice hotel), and diving is around 80 USD per day in Cozumel (2 tank dive) with scuba du or h20. Looking at Kona, you can get Sheraton / Hilton or condos for ~ 200 USD...

Been following this thread with interest. I'd like to learn more about your terms and usage.

4 Star 'relatively nice?' I'm not 'star savy,' and in the past on the forum when I've read commentary by someone who was, I was left with the impression that a number of popular dive resorts wouldn't clear 3 star if they even made that cut. Perhaps others can explain better?

I don't know if you are using the term loosely or are, and no offense, more 'high maintenance' than some dive travelers. It might be useful to find out.

I have stayed in Hilton's a few times. I don't usually swim in hotel pools much, I don't use in-house gyms, and eating out is likely better than eating in there in terms of price & value I think, so to me, a hotel room is a hotel room. I'm not willing to pay a substantial up-charge for 'ritzier looking.'

So, what makes you want a 4 Star, or 'relatively nice,' hotel? What amenities are you looking for? What's that worth to you?

Put another way, if you stay at a Holiday Inn, are you content, or upset that it's not a Hilton?

Different strokes, different folks. I'd just like to get an idea what you're after, and maybe Cozumel regulars can suggest cheaper hotels/resorts that still offer what you want.

Richard.

 

[Mossman]

So, what makes you want a 4 Star, or 'relatively nice,' hotel? What amenities are you looking for? What's that worth to you?

1) Higher-end hotels supply bathrobes and I love to lounge around in a bathrobe. Of course I could pack my own but I don't own one.

2) Room service. I place my order and while breakfast is on the way, I ready my camera. Breakfast arrives, I eat, then it's off to the boat.

3) A comfortable bed. Especially in Mexico, lower-end "hotels" have mattresses that are similar in feel to sleeping on the sidewalk. That bed in the newly-renovated room at Secrets Aura was so comfortable that I'd dream that I was sleeping back in the US. Until that time the maid walked in on me.

 

[robint]

1) Higher-end hotels supply bathrobes and I love to lounge around in a bathrobe. Of course I could pack my own but I don't own one.

2) Room service. I place my order and while breakfast is on the way, I ready my camera. Breakfast arrives, I eat, then it's off to the boat.

3) A comfortable bed. Especially in Mexico, lower-end "hotels" have mattresses that are similar in feel to sleeping on the sidewalk. That bed in the newly-renovated room at Secrets Aura was so comfortable that I'd dream that I was sleeping back in the US. Until that time the maid walked in on me.

See there is the big difference between us.
I go on vacation to get away from my regular life. I live in a fancy house. I love SCC because it is like a Bed&Breakfast type place = NOT fancy, no bathrobe or room service. Cozy and friendly where everyone knows your name is what SCC is all about. I walk down to grab an early cup of coffee or tea, eat a complete breakfast with eggs, yogurt, fruit, pancakes or whatever I want. Just a few steps back to my room to grab my camera gear then out to the boat at the dock in front of my room. Comfy bed? I like the Mexican hard beds, they are better for your back anyhow. And I never have problems sleeping in Cozumel because I am pooped by 9pm from 4 dives each day.

Luxury and pampering are not any part of what I go on vacation for, ever. I want to eat dive dive eat dive eat dive sleep, then repeat. Nothing more.

 

[Mossman]

See there is the big difference between us.
I go on vacation to get away from my regular life. I live in a fancy house. I love SCC because it is like a Bed&Breakfast type place = NOT fancy, no bathrobe or room service. Cozy and friendly where everyone knows your name is what SCC is all about. I walk down to grab an early cup of coffee or tea, eat a complete breakfast with eggs, yogurt, fruit, pancakes or whatever I want. Just a few steps back to my room to grab my camera gear then out to the boat at the dock in front of my room. Comfy bed? I like the Mexican hard beds, they are better for your back anyhow. And I never have problems sleeping in Cozumel because I am pooped by 9pm from 4 dives each day.

Luxury and pampering are not any part of what I go on vacation for, ever. I want to eat dive dive eat dive eat dive sleep, then repeat. Nothing more.

Interesting. So you live a life of luxury and enjoy the change of roughing it when you vacation. Me, I'm the opposite. I don't have servants pampering me in my luxury mansion. Just a humble home where I eat humble food whiling away my humble days. Therefore, when I go on vacation, I like to live it up. Splurge a little. Enjoy the dream.

 

[across]

There is only one reason to dive Kona and that's the manta ray dive. Best dive experience of my life. A must do dive ONCE! We had 17 big mantas flying around us that night, I'll never forget it. They loop the loop up against your belly and you can look down their throats and practically out the other end. Spiritual dive, left me weak. But having done it once, Hawaii will never be dove again by me, not worth hauling your gear to. But that manta dive has to be done and done with someone you care about. Blew my mind.

 

[cvchief]

you can look down their throats and practically out the other end. .

Eww... Guess that is better than the other direction though....

 

[Skittl1321]

I never have problems sleeping in Cozumel because I am pooped by 9pm from 4 dives each day.

Seriously. They could have just given me a concrete floor. And I only did 2 dives...

 

[Mossman]

Seriously. They could have just given me a concrete floor. And I only did 2 dives...

Nitrox helps me get energized. And margaritas.

BTW, there is no difference between most Mexican beds and a concrete floor.

 

[sddiver]

Most if not all the hard beds in cozumel are a mattress on a concrete pedestal, no box spring is why they are so hard.