Suites Bahia vs. Suites Colonial?

[WOODMAN]

More homework for my planned end-of-february Coz trip... I am offered either the Suites Bahia or the Suites Colonial as a hotel. (I am also offered the Barracuda and Casa Mexicana, but am focusing on the first two) Anyone have any opinions on these two? Many thanks for your help. Woody

 

[DenverDiverErin]

Woodman,

I've stayed at Suites Bahia many times (5 or 6) over the last 8 years, and I have always been very impressed with them. It is a very simple, but very comfortable hotel. I think it's great for divers, who don't have any non-divers with them - this is definitely not a resort (no pool or beach, no restaurant or room service, etc). They are right in the middle of town, so we always walk everywhere and save money by not having to take taxis. My husband and I usually get an ocean view room, because I do like the pretty view of the water. And the balconies are great for drying out all the dive gear (as much as it dries in Cozumel) each night. The beds are pretty hard, like most in Cozumel, but the rooms are clean and the tv's get english and spanish cable channels. The internet in the lobby is on an old desktop computer, so it's slow, but workable. The staff are very nice and have always been able to answer questions and help with reservations for stuff. Overall, you really can't beat the price, location and comfort level, as a diver. Have a great trip!

 

[Gdog]

Whoa......go Casa Mexicana. Owned by the same people that own Bahia, but great breakfasts, also right downtown, very very clean..and some of the beds arent as hard. If you get one that is, they will be happy to put a pad on it for you. Also...gotta be the cleanest, or at least the most often scrubbed by hand top to bottom place....in town!!!

 

[Nevis Diver]

Casa Mexiacana is great except for two things. First is the neighboring dog that barks at various times of the night and echos through the hotel...very annoying. Not quite as annoying, since it is close to wake up time if you dive, is the clanging of the restaraunt pans as the hotel prepares for (a very good) breakfast. I wouldn't take kids to CM.

The only exposure I had with Suites Bahia was looking at one of the rooms when a friend stayed there. I may have the wrong impression but they looked very dark, dingy and uninviting.

Barracuda is on the water and has a man made beach, a nice little poolside, water front bar and grill. Don't know about the rooms or beds.

Suites Colonial is just off the back of the square and close to pedestrian (cruise people) traffic. Maybe a block from the water.

You cannot go wrong with Casa Mexicana, especially an ocean front room, especiallly the 5th floor, especially 501 or 504.

Barracuda would be fun.

Bahia and Colonial would just be somewhere to sleep.

All are close to the nice restaurants and shops.

 

[Gdog]

Amen to the dog.....i keep hoping that one of these years that little bugger would be gone...otherwise it is a great place

 

[loudives]

In order of just rooms:

Mexicana, Bahia, Barracuda, Colonial

If you want to get some rays, booze, and on the water put Barracuda 1st.

Barracuda is 4 blocks south of Mexicana, 5 from Bahia, 7 from Colonial.

Don't know about Mex but all others have fridge. Mex has great buffet breakfast. But not open early enough if you have early pick up time for dives.

 

[Nevis Diver]

Don't know about Mex but all others have fridge. Mex has great buffet breakfast. But not open early enough if you have early pick up time for dives.

Casa Mexicana rooms do have a fridge, but no coffee maker (who does, anyway?) Coffee is fresh downstairs. Breakfast starts a 7 AM...plenty of time for us to have a relaxing breakfast and get to the boat by 8.