Casa Del Mar?

[melfox26]

I'm in the process of booking my trip to Cozumel for next year, and was wondering for some help once again. I was there in May of this year and stayed at the FA and dove with Dive House.

One place that we're looking at is Casa Del Mar http://www.casadelmarcozumel.com
with the diving probably being with Del Mar Aquatics. Any feedback on either the hotel or the dive op would be greatly appreciated. Also, how close is this place to town? I'd prefer not to go with the all-inclusive plan if that's an option, since there's such good food in town.

Mel

 

[SueMermaid]

I stayed there several years ago. It was not a luxury hotel, and my shower never really did work, so I had to go shower with a friend.
It did the trick. The restaurant was pretty good, and the pool bar was even better. I was not there for the hotel, I was there for the diving. But then again, I'd be just as happy sleeping in a hammock on the beach.

 

[richhagelin]

Sue,

"so I had to go shower with a friend.
It did the trick."

Tell us more. ;-)

Rich Hagelin

 

[SueMermaid]

You can interpret that any way you want. It was a good trip, but not THAT good of a trip.

 

[pennypue]

I stayed there several years ago. It was not a luxury hotel, and my shower never really did work, so I had to go shower with a friend.
It did the trick. The restaurant was pretty good, and the pool bar was even better. I was not there for the hotel, I was there for the diving. But then again, I'd be just as happy sleeping in a hammock on the beach.

Sue, this is why we should both go to Cozumel!!!

I'm too am ok with a hammock.

 

[scubadoguk]

I'm in the process of booking my trip to Cozumel for next year, and was wondering for some help once again. I was there in May of this year and stayed at the FA and dove with Dive House.

One place that we're looking at is Casa Del Mar http://www.casadelmarcozumel.com
with the diving probably being with Del Mar Aquatics. Any feedback on either the hotel or the dive op would be greatly appreciated. Also, how close is this place to town? I'd prefer not to go with the all-inclusive plan if that's an option, since there's such good food in town.

Mel

Stayed there a few years ago it was OK not great but OK, We woke up a sleeping THING in the wall of our room it burrowed out onto the bed as we sat there freaked me a bit, room was OK so we risked staying there also we have 4 boys so finding another room would have been fun but the food only got a 4 out of 10 we ate out a bit too much on that trip.
Diving was great, boat crew was a little too eager!
as a side note never let them set your stuff up, the guy beat me to my stuff one day on a second dive did the dive found the little fellow had not removed the masking tape on the pillar valve luckily it was the last dive on our trip.
I understand that he wanted to earn the tip but it was a stupid thing I did, not checking compounded my error.
Dive-masters were a good bunch on the whole but seemed not to care about depth limits or experience and ages of divers on a few I had to stop kids from doing 100ft + dives but that is the sheep mentality.
I did shore night dives and a few day ones around the dock, as they were included in the pack, overall I enjoyed the trip so did the family.

 

[sharky60]

Casa Del Mar is a low-rise hotel maybe 3 stories that has been there forever. It has always been a favorite for the "no frills" diver crowd. Nothing fancy, just a good, clean, well operated hotel catering mostly to divers. It used to be La Ceiba's sister hotel before El Cid bought La Ceiba. It is located across the street from the beach just north of the international pier in the same area as La Ceiba and Park Royale (or what ever they are calling that place this week).
It's only about 2 miles or so from town, we've walked to town from La Ceiba many times so it's not that far. the cab fare is around $4. another plus is Ernesto's is just across the street, a great place to eat for any meal.
I'd re-think using Del Mar Aquatics, from what I've heard from other divers and locals they have become a cattle call dive op for the cruise ships with over crowded boats and below average service, (this is just what i've heard so any Del Mar fans don't yell at me!)
Dive with Martin is a great op with a shop in the international pier's shopping center just a 5 minute walk away. they will pick you up at what every pier the hotel is using, but you'll have to go to the shop to sign-in and pay and if you want to do a night dive they want you to leave from their peir at the dive shop.
He has some the best prices on the island, with a free night dive and/or video and a 10% discount with a certain amout of dives booked. one thing, cash only. check his website for details www.divewithmartin.com
my wife and I dove with them in Sept. and had a great time. we dove 6 days and got all the specials listed above.
Another good dive op is Blue XT Sea, Christi has a very good rep. with divers and local merchants alike. www.bluextseadiving.com
a third choice is Bottom Time Divers, Raul worked for another dive op for years before starting his own, he's a great DM and great guy. www.bottomtimedivers.net

p.s. not to beat a dead horse, but showering with friends ain't always a bad thing!!

Best wishes,

 

[DandyDon]

Service quality seems to change so fast in this sport that one needs to find the most current information possible, but I can give you my opinions from Jan '04:

The Hotel is fine by Cozumel standards. Love the patios for drying wet suits, etc. Office personel didn't really understand hotel billing procedures. Only used cafe for breakfast, and it was super. There is no "beach" across the street, but there is a nice sand box overlooking the channel. Longer ride to the south reefs, but shorter ride to town for dinner. Beds are hard and lightbulbs dim, but this is true across the island.

I would not go with Del Mar Aquatics again. Hated the boats with tanks stacked in the middles where I wanted to walk, and the operator didn't care much about making us happy. True Cattle Boats!

Have a good trip...!! :dazzler1:

 

[Hawkeye Mark]

Hotel is good. have stayed there 4 times. But would not dive with Del-Mar. Too much of a cattle boat operation. Short dive times. No snacks.

 

[Rooster1]

I have been at Casa Del Mar a couple of times before and I really like the location and the hotel. I have been in various hotels in Coz but find that the value you get here is so well worth it. I don't do all inclusives and I don't like to stay north of town or too close for that matter. Last year we stayed at hotel Cozumel resort and plaza las glorious and while I really liked both those hotels as well as others, I still like the value you get at Casa Del Mar and it is a smaller cozier hotel. I would not personally dive with Del Mar Aquatics (on site dive operation) mainly because I stay away from cattle boats. But some folks love being on big dive boats with lots of divers, if you are one then all is good.