A review of Hotel El Cozumeleno, Cozumel
We weren’t sure whether to go to Cozumel or not.
We scribbled it out, then put it back in, in the end we decided to go.
It was only for a couple of days of rest, allowing the jetlag from Europe to settle before starting the Yucatan adventure.
We stayed at the all-inclusive Hotel El Cozumeleno, a quite large resort on the northwest coast of the island.
Taking a ferry from the harbour in Playa del Carmen was easy; only two minutes’ walk from the ADO bus station.
I would advise not to book the ferry in advance, unless it’s peak season, as you can just book one that it is ready to depart there and then.
The crossing takes about 30 minutes and it was straightforward, a few waves but very steady.
If you are prone to sea sickness, like me, choose to sit upstairs outside and you won’t feel it.
Cozumel has an airport, so check if there are flights from your region.
The taxi from Cozumel harbour to the hotel cost me $20, or pesos equivalent.
The hotel
The hotel looks grand and it is quite large and imposing.
Check in was smooth, but you need to pay the city tax which is around $2 per night.
We were given a room on the 4th floor which a balcony overlooking one of the pools and lovely palm trees.
El Cozumeleno Hotel Cozumel must have been quite outstanding in its glory days but today it shows signs of wear and tear and in need of some T&C.
But we did not mind.
We did not expect a 5*, nor we paid for one. For the price, and for Cozumel’s prices, was perfectly adequate.
The hotel has a large, sumptuous lobby, a souvenir shop with some interesting stuff, a bar for breakfast on the go, tour desks and reception.
There are at least 3 swimming pools, beautifully overlooking the sea, one that looks like a river going inside the building with a delicate waterfall, decks and chairs, amacas, a swim up bar, a bar, the buffet restaurant and The Veranda gourmet restaurant.
The beach is not large but the water is super clear and there are an incredible multitude of fish.
We also found a cute little cove by walking a few metres towards the left of the property.
We were there in early December and the hotel was not busy, so I don’t know what the beach would look like in peak season. Also, there was no night entertainment or music, so we slept soundly.
The restaurant
The main restaurant overlooks the beach and it is a mix of a la carte and buffet.
There is a menu from which you can order and top it up with the buffet.
The food is ok, don’t expect a lot and especially for vegetarians it can greatly improve.
Also, there is a lot of meat/veg contamination when using the same grill for tortillas and chicken/beef, so be warned, but I think this goes for a lot of other restaurants everywhere.
I had the veg burrito from the a la carte which was quite good, I had some corn soup which was delicious and various rice and vegs. I tried the tortillas once, but they smelled of meat, so I gave it a pass.
To eat at the fancy Veranda restaurant, you need to book in the morning and men need to wear a collared shirt and long trousers (jeans are ok), and as we fancied a change, my son insisted to go. He did not have a shirt, but the souvenir shop sells collared Mexican shirts, coincidence maybe not, but they were quite cute and the price was reasonable.
However, even what looked like gourmet dining was quite a disappointment.
Firstly, there was next to nothing for vegetarians, secondly, what there was, the Tuscan soup, was none other than a rather miserable looking, and tasting, minestrone.
My son had the chicken and he reported it as bland and tasteless.
Shame because the restaurant looks amazing.
Food can definitely be improved.
San Gervasio
Be warned when taking a taxi from the resort to anywhere: DO contract a price before getting in.
I was quoted $30 round trip to the ruins of San Gervasio by the tour desk, but when it was time to pay the taxi, after the excursion, he demanded $90!
We argued and argued but he would not budge. I had pesos only, so he converted it to pesos and it felt like extortion.
Even though I complained the next day to the tour desk but he just said: “yeah, very expensive”. That was it.
The ruins are worth a trip (at the right price): they will take about one hour to explore and the setting, in the tropical jungle, is captivating.
Open from 9am to 4pm, they are certainly one of the highlights of this island.
The town of San Miguel is also worth a couple of hours, it is colourful, full of shops and souvenirs and bars. Do negotiate a price as they are well inflated!
It is said that the town was built on the original Mayan temple of Ixchel and sadly nothing is left of it. The ruins in San Gervasio seem to be different temple ruins.
After an ice cream and some souvenir shopping, we watched the sunset at the “Maya monument”.
Reasonable cost between the hotel and the town is $15 one way, as I was told by a few taxi drivers.
All in all, the hotel is not a bad choice if you are a meat eater and on a budget.
The location of the hotel, the snorkelling a few steps from the beach, the swimming pools, are all big pluses.
I just wish they would sort out the food better.
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