From the street, you'd never guess that Cozumel Hotel & Resort by Wyndham looks a bit like an ordinary roadside hotel. The property is located just south off the inland side of Cozumel's busy Melgar Avenue, with a circular drive leading to the verandah entrance. But enter the vaulted-ceiling lobby and you are instantly transported into a personal oasis of calming vibes set right in the middle of the island's downtown waterfront district.
Within this cloistered space, Wyndham Cozumel's 180 rooms open to a landscaped inner courtyard filled with umbrella-shaded tables and sun lounges spread under palm trees that ring the island's largest swimming pool. This area is a focal point of resort activity, as it also includes a hot tub, the hotel's primary restaurant, an open-air bar and a separate snack bar. The hotel is now hosting special outdoor dinners each week, both poolside and at the beach.
The hotel is now part of the Trademark Collection By Wyndham, offering a premium vacation experience. Newly refurbished rooms feature walk-in tile showers, upgraded furniture, new flat-panel TVs and more. Guests can choose from four room categories and several accommodation plans that include a bed-and-breakfast option and an all-inclusive package. All choices provide access to daily scheduled activities, nightly entertainment, an open-air gym, pool tables, bikes, and non-motorized water sports. There is property-wide WiFi and a Kid's Club for parents seeking personal time. Recent additions to the property include soft goods room upgrades and a new poolside dining experience. The hotel is located near the town square of San Miguel, which is surrounded by the island's most iconic local shops, restaurants and cafes.
Reach the Beach
The central pool and courtyard provide a relaxing backdrop for guest rooms, but Cozumel Hotel also delivers an oceanfront experience, thanks to a hidden feature. From the hotel lobby, stairs lead to a tunnel that crosses under the street and resurfaces at a private beach club. On the club's 300-foot section of coastline, lounges sit in the sand, and hammocks are strung between palm trees.
The shoreline includes a largely shaded palapa, beach bar and the Los Girasoles restaurant, which puts out a daily lunch buffet. This area benefits from a range of recent upgrades to the beach area, restaurant and support facilities. The club's bar remains open until six, and it is a popular gathering spot to watch sunsets over the water.
To cool off, bathers can take a dip in a sheltered circular cove that is accessed by steps and handrails, or venture out into the buoy-enclosed swimming and snorkeling area. A natural reef formation begins close to shore, presenting opportunities for both snorkeling and shore diving.
Dive Paradise
The Beach Club at Cozumel Hotel & Resort is also home to a full-service shop operated by Dive Paradise. This highly-respected PADI full-service facility has been in operation since 1984 under the ownership of local diving icon Renee “Apple” Applegate. In the wake of her passing, her nephew Michael Penwarden is now managing the business and is overseeing a series of ongoing upgrades to the business that includes assisted diver facilities. An updated retail store boasts quality equipment such as computers, lights, diving accessories, as well as local aquatic themed art, clothing and jewelry.
The dive center provides rinse tanks, hangers for dive gear, fresh water showers, 150 personal lockers and a private pier. Dive Paradise operates the island's largest fleet of dive boats, and all are configured for comfort and space. All boats in the fleet benefit from recent upgrades, including new engines and sun shades.
Though built to carry 24 divers, the operation's five largest boats never carry more than 16. To create similar levels of personal space while in the water, Dive Paradise will split divers into separate groups of no more than eight. Three mid-sized boats also limit the total number of divers to ensure ample personal space. For smaller groups, Dive Paradise also operates a squadron of five fast express boats that can whisk up to six divers to sites at speeds of 25 mph.
The boats can be scheduled for morning or afternoon two-tank dives, and there is also the option for a later afternoon one or two-tank dives designed to arrive at prime sites after most dive traffic has finished for the day. Night dives into Paradise, Chankanaab, or Yucab Reefs are available, and there is a special Experienced Diver Program that gives qualified participants a chance to visit Cozumel’s most exciting and challenging sites.
Caradonna partners with Cozumel Hotel & Resort by Wyndham and Dive Paradise to create special rates and packages. To learn more, give us a call at 800-330-6611 or send a note to sales@caradonna.com.