Help finding me a hotel for diver and non diver

[mikettt]

Ok Board, I am a seasoned Cozumel diver and I can't seem to pick a hotel for my next stay. Now saying that I have stated at Hotel Cozumel twice, Blue Angel, Villa Blanca, El Cid, Barracuda, the old Fiesta Americana, twice, and the Plaza Las Glorias before it was the Palace. Here is my problem. I will be there with my girlfriend who has gone with me for the past 6 years and she is a non diver. So what is good for me might not be the best for her. I think what we feel is missing is any kind of mild party atmosphere. I get back from diving and the hotel beach and pools are a snooze fest. very little action or fun going on and after a relaxing morning my girlfriend would like a little lively fun. The closest thing we had to that was the first time we stayed at Hotel Cozumel we make friends with a dive club and then to proceeded to have a blast with them for most of the week. The second time not so lucky and we found a mellow group of vacationers with a lot of Mexican families that we could not even communicate with. We are in our mid and late 40s and not dead yet so any suggestions would help. We like to be near down town so the far south hotels are out and the north ones require a car to meet my dive op might consider that but don't know much about the North end hotels. SO HELP US FIND A HOTEL!! How about Park Royal? I don't mind paying a moderate price for all inclusive even though we will almost always hit are favorites for dinner. The Palace and Fiesta are way to pricey if not dining there.

Thanks for your help we will be down in late January.

 

[MMM]

Barracuda has lots of lively afternoon action while the cruise ship staff are in port.

 

[Chilidog11]

Both times we were at Park Royal, we met a lot of great people. lots going on at the swim up bars.

 

[Sue Sue]

From my experience with Blue Angel, El Cid and Park Royal, I recommend you give Park Royal strong consideration. They do have activities, bar, food, "beach", pools which your GF will enjoy during the day and the both of you can enjoy in the evening. It also has a dedicated pier which your dive op may/may not pick up at. Just clear that with your dive op first. The age group seems to me very mixed between families, single/couple adults and some older folks. The distance is an affordable/fair price into town for dinner and/or more lively fun if needed. The only heads up I would give is to be aware of the Time Share sales. The first introduction is when you check in. The porter will show up to take your bags to your room. However, to access the elevator, one must go down a long flight of stairs first. It is at the top of the stairs that your porter will stop and you will be given the opportunity to take advantage of "activities". My DH and I just kept on walking and ignored the requests. The porter and salespeople tried to call us back, but, again..we just kept walking. With that the porter shrugged his shoulders, picked up the bags and escorted us to the elevators and our room. Throughout the stay, we were approached a few more times, but once the sales reps recognized us as not interested, they stopped asking. Regardless of where you end up at, Best Wishes for a wonderful visit to Cozumel.

Double S

 

[Brules]

Park Royal. Been going there off and on since 1997 - my wife (18 years) is a non diver - so she gets AI and I get diving. PR is the best AI that is still close to town, and you can use the pier next door ($5 for the week) for your op to pick you up and drop you off.

I also like it as since it is owned by a Mexican corporation, they cater to a lot of Mexican families, you get some cruise ship crews with day passes (not real often), lots of Americans - so lots of varied people to meet and hang out with. The cruise ship crews can be a riot lol.....last time I was there we hung out with the wait staff off of the Oasis of the Seas (the real high end restaurant) and they were all eastern european - crazy and fun people!

I also like the property as it has 3 great pools. 2 ocean side - one is usually party central - the other is usually quieter. The big pool inside has great landscaping and around the back side of it you can find some great quiet spots to take a nap in the shade.

With the new Fiesta Americana reopening though, the PR may now be the 2nd best AI close to town.....but you can't go wrong with the PR.

And don't mind the time share people - a firm no will get them to leave you alone (or being 6'0 285 lbs lol).

Do know - you will NOT get a king bed. Period. Unless you go time share.