hotel recommendations?

[Banon]

Thanks for the corrections!

Yep, I mixed locations for Presidente and Iberostar in my mind. Sorry about that. Presidente is "within reasonable cab range" to town. I apologize again for this one!!!

And yep, Villablanca has a small sandy patch that I guess you could call beach. In my mind a beach includes a sandy slope down to the water. Villablanca has a sandy area with a few chairs and umbrellas next to a rocky water entrance. Yes... both Villablanca and Plaza las Glorias have sand, beach chairs, umbrellas, and water access... but I wouldn't really call either of those areas a beach. Your definition may vary.

On the flip side, I'm with you guys on having a nice social beach bar type area. I'd much rather have a friendly bar/snack area for a beer and chat after diving than easy access to the water!

Regards,
Banon

 

[South4Scuba]

We're planning a trip to Coz in February. Considering Hotel Barracuda or Caribe Blu.

Anyone got any suggestions?

We previously stayed at Hotel Cozumel and found it to be so-so. We would stay there again, but some other "diver" hotels are $200 per person less expensive.

We're looking for a beachfront dive hotel with clean rooms, good air conditioning and hot water. We'll be there a week so we don't want to end up in a dump.

Two Texas Divers

 

[Moodiejeff]

We're planning a trip to Coz in February. Considering Hotel Barracuda or Caribe Blu.

Anyone got any suggestions?

We previously stayed at Hotel Cozumel and found it to be so-so. We would stay there again, but some other "diver" hotels are $200 per person less expensive.

We're looking for a beachfront dive hotel with clean rooms, good air conditioning and hot water. We'll be there a week so we don't want to end up in a dump.

Two Texas Divers

http://scubaboard.com/t61573-.html

Above is a link of my last trip report... I stopped in on a lot of smaller hotels scouting fo the next trip and I gave my impressions of them. It doesn't go into much detail but it may help you with your decision.

For the money, Caribe Blu beats Barracuda by a mile!!! Barracuda is a bit closer to town though. I would not hesitate to stay at Caribe Blu again.

If you want more detailed impressions on the hotels feel free to PM me.

 

[South4Scuba]

Thanks. I was leaning toward the Caribe Blu anyway. One of our LDS uses them with Blue Angel dive op.

I might check out The Presedente though.

 

[ggunn]

Thanks. I was leaning toward the Caribe Blu anyway. One of our LDS uses them with Blue Angel dive op.

I might check out The Presedente though.

The Presidente is very very nice, but 2-3X the price of Caribe Blu.

 

[Moodiejeff]

The Presidente is very very nice, but 2-3X the price of Caribe Blu.

There are tricks to get upgraded rooms if that is where you decide to go. Expensive, yes... but really nice. Presidente will be, at minimum, double of Caribe Blu.

If you like to do any shore diving, The Presidente would be the place to do it. Not that the shore diving out front of Caribe Blu is bad, it's just that The Presidente is right off of Paradise Reef. Plus they also have a sunken barge and a killer beach. Caribe Blu doesn't have much of what you would call "beach".

Any of the dive ops will pick you up at The Presidente, it's right next to the marina.

Scuba Du is on site and are very well rated, they're just a bit conservative on what and where you dive. I used 'em my 1st 2 trips... A+

Both are great places to stay... depends on your expectations and how much ya wanna spend.

 

[jodee]

The Reef Club has a very nice beach & it is a large property. The pool is large & there are lots of activities that you can join in. However, food is average to below average. Also, ocean view rooms are not easy to get. It is a long way to town & cabs can get pricey. IMHO, unless you can get a rock bottom price, I'd keep looking.

my wife and i booked with the reef several months ago at a very good rate. this is our first trip to cozumel, so i'm sure we will learn a lot for future trips. can you tell me anything good about the reef? beaches, snorkeling, tips, ect.??? oh yeah, we are going december 18 - 25. thanks, joe

 

[WarmGoingCold]

Cost me 8 dollars american to get from the EL-Presidente to town. Was I getting fleeced or is that a reasonable rate?

 

[South4Scuba]

Cost me 8 dollars american to get from the EL-Presidente to town. Was I getting fleeced or is that a reasonable rate?

That doesn't sound too bad. We paid about $4.00 US to get from Hotel Cozumel to town. I have not stayed at Presidente so I don't know the rate there.

 

[ggunn]

Cost me 8 dollars american to get from the EL-Presidente to town. Was I getting fleeced or is that a reasonable rate?

Sounds about right to me.