Las Brisas vs. Fiesta Americana??

[sapphire]

Hi all - after reading tons of comments and this and other sites, I am trying to arrange a short trip (5 days, 4 nights in July) for a few friends. We have narrowed it down to Las Brisas vs. the Fiesta Americana for accommodations. We don't need "5 star" rooms, but are looking for a little more than bare bones. Also, we are trying to decide whether to use the diving services located at either of those hotels, vs. selecting one of the several mentioned fondly on this and other sites.

Questions:

Is it easy to be picked up by other operations at both of the above sites?

Does anyone prefer the diving operators at the above resorts?

Las Brisas vs. Fiesta Americana?

thanks for any comments - I appreciate them!

sapphire

PS anyone else is welcome to join us - so far we are looking at a Thursday - Monday sometime after the 4th of July, but we are flexible!

 

[sapphire]

Sorry - re-reading I realize I did not specify "Cozumel" and this is on the "Mexico" board. OOPS!

sapphire

 

[5615mike]

sapphire

Don't know about the operators but IMHO FA is a nicer facility than Brisas. I should clarify. We stayed in the Casita Suites on the back side of the hotel. They did not have an ocean view but are larger rooms. They deliver continental breakfast daily. We id not check out the regular roons at FA though so I can't compare them with Brisas. I am comparing the overal facility. We checked out Brisas while we were there. OK but not great. If there is a small price difference I would go with FA.

 

[sapphire]

The rate at FA seems to be about $30/night more than Las Brisas. The 4 night package rate is a little more than $100 higher at FA. Perhaps worth it if accommodations are much nicer. Can you clarify "not great" for Las Brisas?

thanks!

sapphire

 

[raviepoo]

The dive ops will come get you at either pier. If you want to be sure, drop a line to the dive shop you want to use, just to confirm that they will pick you up. All of the dive ops were happy to pick me up at the FA pier in the morning, but a few of them were not willing to pick up there for afternoon dives. That narrowed down my choice of dive shop considerably.

By the way, I LOVED Fiesta Americana. I've stayed at Plaza Las Glorias in the past but I would definitely go back to FA in the future.

 

[DivingLonghorn]

I just recently returned from Coz and stayed at Brisas, I chose the all inclusive. It was nice, the rooms were clean nice pool area - two of them. Dive Paradise has a satellite office at the hotel and I normally dive with them, so that was a plus. However, as mentioned DP will come to FA for pickups. One of the biggest differences between Brisas and FA has to do with the AI. The AI at Brisas is a cafeteria/buffet style for all three meals. Its palatable, but kinda boring after a while. I met some a couple who stayed at FA and they indicated that their AI meals were true restaurant style...you get a menu and order want you want. So if you are going the AI route, might want to check that out. If you are not, might want to think about Brisas, as it is closer to town and eating establishments. IMHO, I don't think you can go wrong with either of them.

My 2 cents.

 

[jbjclj]

There is a comparison of Fiesta Americana on the thread that starts "If you're thinking of staying at Fiesta Americana" date is around 5/30. I would highly recommend FA. Don't stay in the casitas, No view. Request 5th floor or above
Cheryl

 

[jbjclj]

One other thought, we have always gone thru Island Dreams to book at FA (I am sure any other quality agency that books dive trips is comparable) Their prices were always better than doing it myself or thru my local travel agent. We got 20% off all meals at hotel, transfers etc. ( I would probably do AI next time)

 

[DocVikingo]

If it makes any difference, you can walk into town from LB, while FA is far south, probably about a $US7 cab fare e/w.

You can find my various comments about the FA onsite dive op, Dive House, by doing an archive search. In short, it does a very good job. I do their experienced diver program.

IMHO, food at FA is nothing special (although b'fast tends to be good), but it is far better than at LB. Last time I stayed at LB, it was not very good.

Here's a list of questions that I answered for another diver based on a stay at LB last Dec.

1. (Q) I have heard that they were planning on providing some gear storage and was wondering what this entails (i.e., 24 hr access?, lockable?).

(A) What I saw was hooks for hanging gear. Seemed no 24-hr acess as gear was locked up in the shop when it closed. If you have schlep you gear after hours, it's a damn haul from the shore to hotel rooms. Use the now quite attractive tunnel.

2. (Q) Are any rinse tanks for gear and cameras available?

(A) Rinse tank is down by the Dive Paradise shop & only convenient if you're there. If you dive elsewhere or with another op, it's not. No tank dedicated for cameras.

3. (Q) Also is shore diving available? Is there an extra charge per tank or is this included in the package?

(A) Yes, but IMHO it's just very so-so. Unless specifically included in your group package, tanks are an extra charge.

4 (Q) Any info regarding the resort or the dive operation would be appreciated. so far the travel agent has not gotten back to me with any definite info.

(A) The rooms refurbishment appears to be quite a success, and they are both spacious & nicely decorated.

Some things you'll want to be aware of:

1. Little variety in food at all meals, but especially breakfast. Also, b'fast food is in steam table pans, but no steam to keep them warm. Everything is cold except for made to order omelets.

2. Housekeeping staff does a good to excellent job, but front desk, bar & much other staff are pleasant enough, but make no extra effort by my observation. For example, I went to the front desk to look up a guest at about 6PM. Told computer was down, come back in 2-3 hours. Asked fellow to look by registration paperwork, was told that registration was room, not name. I then asked a woman standing right next to him, who had obviously clearly overheard the conversation, if she could look it up, which she then did. Guest & I went to lobby bar, which was not busy, and waited a very long while for service."

Helpful?

DocVikingo

 

[sapphire]

for all the good information everyone!

I think FA is where we will stay, but I hate to think the service is lacking. I guess since this will be a short trip we will just have to deal with it, I am just spoiled because we had such a wonderful experience at the Southern Cross Club this year. I guess its' true, you get what you pay for?

Doc - I am just a little confused about the rinse tank info. If Dive House is FA's onsite operation, and the rinse tank is at Dive Paradise, how far away is that? Is it on the same dock? Can you use it if you go with Dive House or with an outside operation who picks you up? Does that mean we should consider Dive Paradise instead?



sapphire