Casa Mexicana, Cozumel

Advantages: This hotel offers a very good diving school.
Disadvantages: The food in this hotel was good, but they had a problem keeping the food warm.

...to Hurricane Katrina. The second day of being there I noticed that they where offering free scuba lessions in the swimming pool and I thought I would give it a go. I found it that good and decided to sign up for a discover scuba course. The instructors on this course where very friendly and helpful. There was one point that I never nearly went on the dive due to nerves, but the instructor reasured me. I'm glad he did because the dive was probably one of the best experiences of my life. They even filmed it on DVD. Also to mention that the island of Cozumel is close to the second largest barrier reef in the world and was very easy to reach by boat. The only downside to the hotel was, that they had a problem keeping the food warm and the eating areas are open. Which caused a problem with the flies. I think they where trying to close... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, clean, friendly service
Disadvantages: Not very upmarket, depends what you're looking for!

...Hotel Pepita is a budget hotel found on the Mexican island of Cozumel. It was recommended as one of the better budget options in the Lonely Planet guide, so when I arrived I wandered along and enquired about a room (I wasn't very organised but I was early)! I was lucky and there was to be a room later on - I left my bag in their luggage store and returned later after a couple of dives. At busy times it's probably better to book in advance - I don't think they have more than a dozen rooms, which is part of the charm of the place. From the outside the hotel is pretty - it's directly on the street, but looks very green and inviting due to lots of flowers and some nice paintwork. The main door opens directly to a small (and fairly basic) reception area, which then leads to the internal courtyard. The room was nice though nothing... Read review

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Advantages: A five-star stay?
Disadvantages: ?with just three-star facilities

...simplicity often trumps ritzy ostentation. Attentive service matters, but nothing is nastier than the kind of smarmy obsequiousness that always seems to mask a sneer. And so on. Maybe it's simply down to that indefinable essence known as character or personality. These inconsequential musings are prompted by my trying to pinpoint what it was about the Casa San Blas at Cusco that I liked so much. The hotel is certainly not without its limitations and even its failings, but it's a nevertheless a charming and delightful place to stay. Let's try to summarise what it has to offer. * Location * The Casa San Blas is situated just a few minutes' walk from Cusco's Plaza de Armas (central square), and is therefore convenient for all the main sights of the ancient Inca capital, such as the Qorikancha (Sun Temple), the Cathedral... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful