"5-star" Cozumel hotel options

[Brules]

During those months, I wouldn't bat an eye at buying trip insurance.......especially since we have had a drought of storms the last few years.....odds are in favor of more storms.

 

[mstevens]

"5-Star" actually means almost nothing. I'm not aware of any consistent definition, which means that various rating organizations may apply it according to their own definitions, places may simply award it to themselves, and the public may use it when they think of a place that by their personal criteria is "real nice".

Most people's internal definition of many-star is that there are few to no trade-offs, but that isn't going to apply in Cozumel.

It would help most if we knew what sort of amenities and features you like. Be specific. Does the architecture matter, or is it all about the mattresses? Are views a big thing if it means a trade-off with services? What spa services matter to you? Are walking distances within the facility of any concern?

The only place in Cozumel where I've liked staying better than a Reef room at the Intercontinental Presidente has been my own house. Unfortunately, the staff here can be pretty surly at times, especially early in the morning.

 

[BrewingDiver]

What about the newly updated Fiesta Americana? I have not heard much about it lately.

 

[jbjclj]

We just returned from a month in Cozumel and dove with 2 couples who got married 6 months ago at Presidente. They are now at Cozumel Palace. Their take on Presidente...expensive ($8.00 for a coke), all food was expensive, service was not what they expected.

We toured Fiesta Americana and it is beautiful....all rooms are ocean view, beautiful restaurants. It is nothing like the old Fiesta American and the price reflects it. I would put it in the same category as Cozumel Palace. If your wife wants all inculusive I would choose CP or FA. CP is closer to town. As others have said, beaches are not a draw in Cozumel

 

[kr2y5]

If your wife has high standards, the Palace may be your last trip to Coz... eat all the food you can, and enjoy it while it lasts... ( among other things, very limited food options. )

 

[Dave Dillehay]

The beach at Playa Azul and Presidente are nice, and I agree that the Presidente is pricy. I also know the Presidente has provided a constant high level of service (5*?) for more than 20 years.

It is easy for a "new" hotel to provide top notch service when opening then quickly degrade…seen a lot of that here.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers
ALDORA DIVERS

 

[hbscuba]

I vote for the Secrets Aura OR the Sunscape Sabor. I book divers and non divers there frequently,
and they always have good things to say about both places. I get to go with groups there each year, as well.
The Sabor has some great oceanfront suites, even though it is one star lower than the Aura.
Love the beach there, too. (The 2 resorts are right next to each other.) 2 great dive ops to choose from on site
at the Aura or the Sabor: Dive Palancar and Dive House. I do enjoy the Occidental, but it is a "deep" resort, so
rooms are farther from the ocean/beach than at the Aura and Sabor. All of those are all-inclusive.

 

[Skittl1321]

I vote for the Secrets Aura OR the Sunscape Sabor.

I have good things to say about the Sunscape Sabor, but it is NOT a 5-star resort. I'd say it is 2, maybe 3 stars, max. I can't recommend a 5-star resort, because I'm a budget traveler. I stayed at the Sabor. Now, I wasn't in a suite (I was in a standard room, and much preferred the room at Suites Bahia, honestly), and the suites may be super fancy, but the property is not set up to be. The restaurants will not be a 5-star experience, the service is not 5-star; the wifi- eek! For someone looking for an upscale experience, the Sabor is not a good choice. If a family wants an affordable holiday, I recommend the Sabor. If a couple wants an upscale one, I would not.

 

[casts_by_fly]

During those months, I wouldn't bat an eye at buying trip insurance.......especially since we have had a drought of storms the last few years.....odds are in favor of more storms.

This year is predicted to be a lower activity year, but yes planing a trip in the middle of hurricane season is a little dicey. We have travel insurance as standard with our bank accounts (it is common in the UK to use trip insurance) so no major worries, but yes we're aware.

"5-Star" actually means almost nothing. I'm not aware of any consistent definition, which means that various rating organizations may apply it according to their own definitions, places may simply award it to themselves, and the public may use it when they think of a place that by their personal criteria is "real nice".

Most people's internal definition of many-star is that there are few to no trade-offs, but that isn't going to apply in Cozumel.

It would help most if we knew what sort of amenities and features you like. Be specific. Does the architecture matter, or is it all about the mattresses? Are views a big thing if it means a trade-off with services? What spa services matter to you? Are walking distances within the facility of any concern?

The only place in Cozumel where I've liked staying better than a Reef room at the Intercontinental Presidente has been my own house. Unfortunately, the staff here can be pretty surly at times, especially early in the morning.

To clarify, I understand that 5-star doesn't have a set definition. I was going for the figurative, not literal. To put it in context, when we go on a big holiday we tend to stay at 'luxury' resorts. This year in the maldives it was Athuruga for 2 weeks:

I know that doesn't exist in Coz. So what I'm trying to understand (and everyone has explained pretty well above) is what is available in cozumel at the upper end of the market.

The architecture doesn't matter to us. A nicely appointed room with a great bed and linens and a pretty view are pretty much required. Good eating on site but the option to go offsite. A pool/beach area for lounging around and the occasional dip. A good bar on site for poolside/evening drinks. For the week before Coz we're going to be with friends and family at a very large, all inclusive on the PDC coast area. We're giving up good food, nice furnishings, and small resort feel so that we can have a family holiday. When we go to Cozumel, we'd like to get some of the extras back into the holiday, plus the diving.

Based on what we like, the presidente seems to best fit the bill.

thanks,
rick

 

[Brules]

Based on the above I think both the Palace and the EP would fit the bill....if you want to pay as you go or room charge - Presidente - but it will be pricey. If you want the convenience of AI - The Palace is about as close to 5 star as you can get - plus I don't think anyone mentioned the resort credit they do (do they still do it even?) when you can spend the resort credits on excursions and diving.

Someone can chime in and say if they still offer the resort credit.