We stayed at the Cozumel Palace Apr 1 - Apr 8. We really enjoyed the hotel. This was our first time staying on Cozumel, our 4th time to the Yucatan Peninsula. All of our stays have been at all-inclusive resorts. Our first stay at a Palace resort.

First, we booked the week through a Palace member. This was great because it saved quite a bit over the regular rate, and we got some "extras" like a massage/manicure/pedicure, so I recommend this option if available. Also, the "shoulder" season started on Mar 31, so the first week of April was substantially less than March, but still good weather.

What I liked: The palace had the best food and bar of any of the all-inclusives we've stayed at (Gran Caribe on Isla Mujeres Bay, Grand Oasis in Cancun, and Barcelo Maya in Riviera Maya). I loved having champagne cocktails (my favorite) and mexican coffee for dessert. Also, my husband thought the steaks at the outside buffet grill at night were reasonably good. I liked the fish. Both the mexican and japanese restaurants were surprisingly good for an all-inclusive resort. We didn't try the italian.

We loved ordering room service for breakfast (including mimosas!) and having breakfast on the lanai overlooking the ocean.

Snorkeling at the hotel was OK, not a lot to see, but clear, warm, and calm water. You could also book the 2 hr snorkel tours that were OK.

Since we've been on the mainland area, we didn't take advantage of the tours to Coba, Tulum, and Xpu-Ha. We were told the lagoon areas in Xpu-Ha are still closed from the hurricanes in 2005.

This was a very nice hotel. We personally prefer the larger, mega-all-inclusive. Our favorite to date remains the Barcelo Maya Colonial on the Mayan Riviera, but if you like the smaller, more personal service, you will love this hotel.

I did a great deal of research before selecting Cozumel Palace, so I was a tiny bit disappointed when we did not receive a welcome drink as stated in so many other reviews, but no worries, it was a beautiful day in Cozumel. Check in was extremely fast. Met with guest services to discuss the amenities for a Premier Member (we bought a member's week). First stop was tour desk to sign up for some activities. We made arrangements to take a taxi to Chankanaab after scuba diving and then to have the resort tour guide take us back to hotel, and we were given the wrist bands for Chak. in the morning. I also tried to sign up for snorkel boat trips, but encountered some difficulty. The resort has glass bottom boat/snorkel trips that depart at 10, 12 and 2 on certain days, however, they will not take reservations for a 2:00 boat trip until the 12:00 trip is full. I thought this was odd because when we stayed at Beaches in T&C, they didn't care if they only had 1 person on the boat, it always went out at the scheduled time. We dove with Scuba Mau, and dove 5 days, 2-tank morning dives, and since the Palace wouldn't send out a 2:00 snorkel boat, had to find other activites for the afternoon. No problem. Chartered a fishing boat one afternoon with Albatros Charters and had a very successful fishing trip. Rented jeep one afternoon and went to Chen Rio, excellent food! Went to PDC one day and went ziplining with Selvatica. OK, back to the Palace. The rooms were exactly as pictured. Kids used the hot tub every day, and one afternoon when there was a storm outside, we all piled into the tub and watched the storm. The maids were in the room twice a day, once to make up the room, and then again for turn down service with chocolates. I found the beds to be very comfortable. Room service was right on time. The safe was easy to use. Loved the robes and slippers. As for the food, well, that was hit or miss. We learned that we liked the Italian and the grill the best, and the mexican and oriental the least. Service at the Italian and grill was outstanding, not as good at other 2. Loved the pannini maker at the lobby bar. We like to have a late dinner, so each afternoon, we would have panninis in the lobby bar. Also liked the spread that was put out in front of the oriental and mexican restaurants at around 4:30 each afternoon. Sometimes sushi, sometimes some other tapas. On the day we went fishing, we brought back some Tuna and Mahi Mahi filets, and the chef at the grill cooked them for us (after signing a waiver). It was outstanding. Also got front row table to the fire show that night. Do not miss the fire show. It is amazing. Did not observe towel game in effect, but we were gone by 8:30 every morning, so if it went on, it was after 8:30. No problem getting lounger in the shade on beach in afternoons after returning from diving. Snorkeling in front of the Palace is lame. Not the hotels fault, but I wouldn't promote it as a snorkel destination. Pool water very warm, and pool and pool area very clean. Nice that the pool was open in the evening. We have stayed at resorts where the pool closes around 6 or 7pm, and it was nice that the pool was still open and lights were on. Had some services in the spa, very relaxing. The only thing missing from the Palace was a tropical feeling. Although it sits on the water and has some palm trees, there are no flowering tropical plants , landscaped walkways, or beach. I knew this when booking this trip, but despite being on the water, I just never felt like I was on a tropical island. Notwithstanding the tropical feel, this resort is very clean and comfortable.

We loved it! My husband and I stayed at Cozumel Palace June 16-20, 2008 and enjoyed our stay there very much. We didn't encounter any problems and were greeted so warmly and efficiently it was perfect. The staff learns your name and uses it repeatedly. That was very impressive to me.
We loved the rooms, we loved the food and the variety, loved the location and the size of the resort. We visited Playacar and Aventura and enjoyed those also. Each resort has its own style and feel. We liked the intimate feel of Cozumel. It was not crowded and our fellow guests were very friendly.
I've read the negative views on this site and want to say that from my experience and the experience of others around me, any negative happenings are not the norm. If you are reading these posts to help you decide whether to chance your vacation time and dollars on Cozumel Palace, I'd say, if you want a smaller resort with everything at your fingertips - go for it. The staff was very professional and curteous.
I recommend a massage from Monica, the sushi, a cappuchino and the cookies in the lobby. There is so much more and all of it is good. Go and make up your own mind, don't listen to the nay sayers. No worries, no worries. Cozumel Palace is GREAT!

We just got back from staying at the Cozumel Palace and it was a wonderful experience. The rooms were stunning and very clean, the food was great, especially the Italian restaurant and the staff were great and very friendly and helpful. They made us feel special and at home. The activities staff were great and very entertaining. We didn't experience any of the negatives that others have written about. I think some people just like to complain and are never happy about anything. We did two excursions, the glass bottom boat snorkeling and Chankanaab. They both were great. Overall we had a wonderful week and would definitely return.