Question Favorite resorts in Cozumel.

[Kimela]

They put carpet in the hallways in the remodel last year. I'm not really a fan, preferred the marble, but it does make it quieter.

That's an improvement. The hallways are so wide and open they almost invite people to stroll arm in arm, talking - or for the kids to run down the hallways like a landing strip! I know we were those obnoxious people on occasion. The only way around it is to have the very last room on the south end, but then you have no view unless you're in the high rent room!

I still love the Palace - and the staff. I miss Joel and Marta.

 

[jonhall]

We ended up booking at the El Cid.

Just a little extra for anyone else considering El Cid.

The unit was large and very comfortable and quiet

Very comfy. My only 2 negatives were being able to hear air tanks in the mornings as tanks were dropped off and if you didn't keep your room closed up, there was a lot of humidity.

dive op which could pick us up at the El Cid pier.

Have stayed at El Cid twice. Several ops pick up there. Used onsite op (Babieca) a couple of years ago and only did 1 day with them before taking a 4-5 minute walk to Roberta's Scuba Shack. There are a couple of other ops within a very short walk which are cheaper (and Roberta's was better, IMO) - but in a pinch Babieca is there. There is a nice snorkeling area and you can do night dives there.

Ridiculously small elevators. Literally, could only fit 2 people at a time, although there were 2 elevators, only one was in working condition. The WIFI is painfully slow.

I've only stayed on the side with 3 floors - no elevators. We got the wifi password for the Jeep rental place on the street out front - we walked out on the tennis courts which are behind the Jeep rental place when we needed wifi.

We have RCI points that can be used at several resorts, and El Cid is one.

RCI is our normal way to travel to Coz and elsewhere, but we've been using our "real" week at our home resort the last few years. El Cid tends to be available more than some other places, and is nice especially if you don't want AI. We're headed to Coz twice in the next couple of months and are going to stay at Aldora Villa - wish I had points for that!!

 

[Kimela]

RCI is our normal way to travel to Coz and elsewhere

Sometimes the all-inclusive fees with RCI are pretty darned high. But then sometimes they’re a bargain! We’re looking at things with fresh eyes.

 

[SwampTiger90]

That's an improvement. The hallways are so wide and open they almost invite people to stroll arm in arm, talking - or for the kids to run down the hallways like a landing strip! I know we were those obnoxious people on occasion. The only way around it is to have the very last room on the south end, but then you have no view unless you're in the high rent room!

I still love the Palace - and the staff. I miss Joel and Marta.

We prefer the north end. Farther from the shows at night and can hear the tanks clanking in the morning.

The resort and food are really nice but it's that staff, including Aqua Safari, that keeps us going back.

btw Kimela... A few years ago I was getting Facebook friend suggestions for you, lol. We didn't have any common friends but I guessed it was just because we both lived in STL area and had online activity for diving and Cozumel.

 

[ggunn]

My only 2 negatives were being able to hear air tanks in the mornings as tanks were dropped off...

Clanging tanks in the mornings on Cozumel have never bothered me; I am always up by then and it means we are going diving!

 

[Snoweman]

See? I don't get out enough! It's dive dive dive and then dinner!! Sleep, breakfast and dive dive dive dinner again. Time to explore.

No night dives?

 

[sefuchs]

The El Presidente and Palace were out of our price range. We ended up booking at the El Cid. The hotel website definitely does not offer the best price, better to go through Orbitz, Expedia etc. We booked a one bedroom suite without the AI option.

Here's my 2-cents on El Cid.

We have an El Cid timeshare and have stayed there probably 15-20 times and like it pretty well. We much prefer to stay in a AirBNB when we stay longer than a week or two. We are older so the 'resort' thing doesn't mean much to us. We usually stay at El Cid when friends & family come with us, all of them have been satisfied with El Cid. It has two sections, the tower which is 11 floors (?) and a 3-story building. We prefer the tower (even with the tiny elevators) bc of the view and generally larger rooms. It is older than the 3-story side and away from the dive shop and beach area noise. To us it seems like a 3-star resort attempting to act like a 4 or 5-star resort. It is fairly comfortable and functional, just don't get your hopes up for high quality activities, furniture, appliances, etc. (beds are the exception).

El Cid Positives:

• Fantastic beds - super comfy!
• Very accommodating room sizes, from studios to 3 bdrm. Can have connecting rooms (w/individual bathrooms) with shared kitchen area. Works great for multiple family/groups that want some privacy but still be together.
• Tower rooms are generally larger/roomier than the 3-story section.
• Pretty good snorkeling and beach area
• Pretty good night dive location
• There are small convenience stores close and taxis always available
• A few small restaurants are within walking range

El Cid Negatives:

• Restaurant is so-so (at best!). Breakfast is ok, since it has made-to-order grill for eggs, pancakes, etc.. We only eat there when we are too lazy to go elsewhere.
• Cruise ships sit right in front of El Cid blocking ocean view. The cruise ship crowds during the day can be annoying. Sometimes cruise passengers can take over pool and beach area. One time we were there they had a cruise LGBT??!? bubble pool party that was extremely inappropriate for kids (& most adults!). We certainly would not get in the pool after all the "activities" they had.
• We like to have sunset happy hour on our floaties and many times they red-flag the water when the cruise ships leave because the water can get wild.
• Difficult to determine room setup. For example, a 1-bedroom may have one bathroom or two, may have stovetop or not. You need to be specific on what you want in your accommodations.

 

[jonhall]

El Cid Positives:

I left this out earlier, but regarding El Cid, they provide one of the nicest/best supply of soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion compared to most any Caribbean island I've been to.