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I have a trip planned to Cozumel with my husband and 2 kids at the end of March. We are diving with DWM and we were supposed to stay at Presidente, but it will not be open at that time. Our travel agent said we have to change to one of the following hotels: Allegro, Coral Princess, Fiesta Americana, Occidental Grand, Iberostar Cozumel, Melia, or El Cozumeleno. My problem with picking a hotel is that right now they are all closed (due to open Feb. 1). The information I find on the internet is before the hurricane. I want to try to stay at our best option (working pool and restaurants a priority). Does anyone have any information as to what is the best option since the hurricane hit? We are really looking forward to our trip, and will be happy to leave Wisconsin winter and have sun, beach and diving, but with all the money we are spending for this trip we want to make the best choice. We would really appreciate any current information you have. Thanks so much!
Since none of the places you listed are open yet, I think it will be pretty hard to make any solid comments about them at this point in time. Also, you didn't state a preference for All Inclusive or not. You don't have a choice at most places, it is either AI or not available.
When do you have to make a choice? It would be better to wait until some of them reopen if you could.
Anyway, I'll offer an opinion about the properties right now anyway.
Coral Princess (non-AI), Melia (AI optional and really far North), or El Cozumeleno (AI only and attracts a lot of families with kids). Of these three I think the El Coz will be reopened first and is probably the best choice, not taking into account the dive transportation problem.
These properties are all too far north for you to be picked up by the dive boat. You'll have to arrange transportation to meet the boat. If that does matter to you, take them off your list.
Fiesta Americana can be a good choice. We (non-diving wife and 2 kids) stayed there last December and had a fine time.They are not too far from town to make a taxi ride expensive. AI is an option, and a decent choice if the price is good. Even if you don't eat dinner there, the AI package is great for divers for convenience if nothing else. AI is especially a good deal if you have kids. They'll be reopened by Feb, but I doubt they will be 100%. Have to wait and see to make a knowledgeable assessment.
Allegro, Occidental Grand Both are AI only. Allegro is a little less expensive and attracts more families than the more upscale Grand, but it doesn't get nearly as good reviews as the Grand either. Dive OP's will pick up at their docks, once they are rebuilt. As they look pretty bad in recent photos, I might think their reopening dates a tad optimistic.
Iberostar I wouldn't recommend divers stay here, even if it were to open by March, which is doubtful. Iberostar management makes it a hassle for off site dive OPs to pickup customers from their dock. Because of this some dive OP's won't pickup here. That won't matter if you go with the less than enthusiastically rated on-site dive OP. It would be an OK choice for non-divers and it is AI only.
I have a trip planned to Cozumel with my husband and 2 kids at the end of March. We are diving with DWM and we were supposed to stay at Presidente, but it will not be open at that time. Our travel agent said we have to change to one of the following hotels: Allegro, Coral Princess, Fiesta Americana, Occidental Grand, Iberostar Cozumel, Melia, or El Cozumeleno. My problem with picking a hotel is that right now they are all closed (due to open Feb. 1). The information I find on the internet is before the hurricane. I want to try to stay at our best option (working pool and restaurants a priority). Does anyone have any information as to what is the best option since the hurricane hit? We are really looking forward to our trip, and will be happy to leave Wisconsin winter and have sun, beach and diving, but with all the money we are spending for this trip we want to make the best choice. We would really appreciate any current information you have. Thanks so much!
I am confirmed for the last week in Feb. at the Allegro where I have a time share. The Occidental is definitely more upscale, but, funny thing, most of the people I have talked to who stay there, want to spend off-diving time at the Allegro because it has a much better beach (the Occidental only has a very thin strip) and lots more fun stuff going on. The Occidental is, frankly, rather stuffy for my taste, although I agree the rooms and food are nicer.
As for dates to reopen, I have spent lots of time talking with the reservation agent for the Allegro (Seve, who is great), and I have confirmation, as I said for the last week in Feb. along with ap tickets. But, after seeing the recent photos posted here, I am not all that optimistic that everything will be up and running the way I remember. I cannot believe the wonderful (before hurricanes) grounds will be back the way to normal, and I understand the swimup bar area near the beach is being moved farther away. To where I do not know. But, I don't care as long as the Allegro is open again, the dive operation is back in business, and the wonderful people who work there and I've gotten to know over the years are employed again.
Our travel agent changed the list of hotels we had to pick from (he gave us 3 that are currently open). We decided on Playa Azul. He said we can change hotels if more open before we leave (March 25). Thank you for all of your helpful information. We have not seen much sun in Wisconsin in the last month, so we can't wait for our trip to Cozumel!
Our travel agent changed the list of hotels we had to pick from (he gave us 3 that are currently open). We decided on Playa Azul. He said we can change hotels if more open before we leave (March 25). Thank you for all of your helpful information. We have not seen much sun in Wisconsin in the last month, so we can't wait for our trip to Cozumel!
Not to rain on your parade but Playa Azul is North of town while all the dive sites are waaay South of town. You will almost certainly have to cab it to the harbor or maybe the downtown "aldora" pier.
Playa Azul is open.
Cozemeliño or El Coz will be open within the next couple of weeks.
Coral Princess will not be open until the end of March or beginning of April.
I honestly do not know hte status of Melia or Sol Cabanas
Hotels in town are all open. I don't know of any that are still closed.
Hotel Cozumel: Open
Scuba Club: open
Caribe Blu: open
VillaBlanca: open
Casa del Mar: Feb. 15ish
La Ceiba: Somewhere between March 15 and April 1st (Sally or Holly can correct me...as they both have businesses there)
Park Royal: ????
Presidente: May
Fiesta Americana: Somewhere betwen Feb. 1 and 15
Reef Club: ??
Allegro: January 31
Occidental Grand: January 31
Iberostar: ??? and I do not recommend it
The damage to the Allegro and Occidental actually looks worse from the water due to the total loss of vegetation. The hotel property itself is jsut about ready according to my sources. They both lost some beach, but it's already started coming back.
If you stay at one of the northern hotels, be prepared to take a taxi or rent a car to meet your dive boat wherever thier pick-up location is.
El Cid La Ceiba Resort has an opening date of April 1st on their website. However, I biked down there yesterday and I have to say it looks unlikely. They did, however, double their construction crew between last week and this, or so it appears.
Playa Azul is a good choice. Don't let the fact that it is located north of town be a deterrent. It's a $5 cab ride into town, no big deal.
What does the Reef Club look like from the water these days? We're being told they'll be open 3/31/06 and we're looking to book for a week. Does the beach have sand? We usually use Sand Dollar but would like to give you a try next time around. Can you pick up from their dock or do we need to go to town?
Hi Christi, Coral Princess, according to their web-site will be open on Feb 1st, I'd like to Know where did you find out about them opening at the end of March?
I'm booked for March 4th and I don't want to have any surprises.
Thank you
Paul
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Originally Posted by scubajanet
