My wife and I stayed at the Aura 7/10-1/14 looking for a nice getaway at a top end all inclusive where we could have a few days away from our small children for a little couple time. I researched the Aura heavily and we have previously been to Cozumel twice. We were simply underwhelmed. The hotel has some great features but it is filled with inconsistencies you don't expect from a top end resort for the pricetag. It's not terrible but we won't be returning. Let me break it down:

Rooms/Hotel-The rooms were beautiful and well appointed and the hotel itself is gorgeous with very interesting art. The bed is especially nice and comfortable. The shower is ridiculously bad. No pressure and just poorly designed. The refrigerator never worked because it is in a small cabinet that keeps it overheating so unless you pull it out it won't cool. We spent half our visit at a swim up room and half at a private pool room. The swim up was nice except for the children that were staying next door who were "friends of the owner" (discuss later) and so that is why we were moved. The pool was very nice but it wasn't kept as clean as it should have been and there was no net or way of getting out the bugs that kept getting in it. There was also no shade. We asked for an umbrella or a float but were told we couldn't have one. We could see other pool rooms with umbrellas though and we saw a couple of umbrellas in the storage closet on our last day.

Service-Very inconsistent. Bartenders were excellent (esp Wilder) and the bellhop was very nice. The waiters were about 50/50. A couple were terrible, forgetting or messing up our orders and being very slow. The service by the pool is really slow and it was much faster just to get your own drinks. The room service was generally good and they accommodated a couple special requests which was nice (but honestly expected at this level hotel). We tipped heavily but it didn't seem to sway the staff one way or another. The front desk was ok, they moved us to the room after we complained and worked it for a bit. They didn't have the feel though of a "how can I make your stay anymore pleasant" that I would expect at this type of hotel. Instead it was more about what they could get away with.

Atmosphere-Very inconsistent. The pool and beach are gorgeous, love the pier. The restaurants have great views. They have plenty of umbrellas by the pool now so that problem has been resolved. One thing we hated though is the huge amount of traffic on the beach from the boats passing by and far worse the jetskis. They rent jetskis at the adjoining Wyndham and they are going all afternoon. One time my wife counted 7 jetskis in front of the Aura. That really took away from the peaceful atmosphere we were hoping for, esp because half the time it was a Wyndham employee out trying to show how cool the jetskis were to get people to rent them so they were going close to the beach (though safely) and ripping it up. Very annoying. The other huge negative were the number of children. First we had the family that moved in next door and their kids splashing around but there were others too. We found out the owner was there with his 5 children and several of his friends with their children. We're parents. We love kids. We just didn't spend over $400 a night to stay at an adults only all inclusive to have kids running around. At a small hotel a few kids splashing through the pool (esp the lazy river) really affects the atmosphere and honestly it was inexcusable. It shows a blatant disrespect by the owner to his patrons to charge premium prices for an adults only all inclusive but then decide he can just invite all the families he wants and it's just too bad. The staff were also clearly uncomfortable and embarrassed when asked about it and the attitude had to permeate. If I'm staying at a 3 star property, that's fine, just not at a place that claims to be what this place does.

Food-Below average. I was honestly shocked at the food quality, it was at best decent but several dishes were terrible. The "filet mignon" is about 1/3rd of an inch thick and tastes like a flank steak. Most of the seafood is clearly not fresh and some was inedible. Even the shrimp ceviche was decent but they used the smallest shrimp I have ever seen. The pizzas and burgers were fine and the breakfasts were decent except for a few dishes. The thing was there wasn't a single item that either my wife and I would order at a restaurant back in the states. I was surprised because I had read so many good reviews about the food. I was expecting it to be at least Sandals quality but honestly I liked the food better at the Allegro and Iberostar which we have stayed at previously on the island. The premium liquors are there but the mixers are cheap. For instance I love having Baileys and coffee but the coffee was below Folgers quality.

It is a nice resort in many ways but my wife and I had to work way to hard to overlook all the little things that were off. I expected a Sandals or Hotel Rolandi (Isla Mujeres) experience and it just wasn't close. Part of our disappointment though was also with Cozumel. It's really gotten crowded and commercialized. Everybody seems like they are trying to scam the gringos. It's just not what it used to be which makes me sad. It will be Cancun without the ritziness in a few years instead of the peaceful and friendly island we had previously loved to visit.

One positive. The Wyndham has a photographer that will do a photo shoot with no obligation. He took about 80 photos of my wife and I that were excellent on the beach and pier and we got them on CD for $150, super nice guy. That was the highlight of the trip.

Aura Resort Cozumel
Date: 14 -28 June 2008
This Resort is simply the best. We were very lucky to find it on the internet and we watched
with interest the reveiws on Trip Advisor during the 3 months prior to our vacation.

We traveled from Scotland in the UK and after a very long flight the hot towel and very welcome Pink Champagne Cocktail we received when we arrived at check-in just started off our vacation perfectly. It set the tone for the whole holiday there is not any minor detail that we could find to complain about in the whole 14 days we spent at Aura.

The staff were FANTASTIC, Daniel (the manager) should be very proud of his team they are excellent. During our stay we celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary and Marciel arranged a perfect celebration dinner for us served by the wonderful Jose, his service was superb and his humour made us laugh every night at dinner. The presentation of the food made you almost not want to eat it as it was so beautifully presented. When you did eat it, it tasted as good as it looked.

Marciel, Leslie and Margarito served us at breakfast during our stay and we looked forward to breakfast every morning because they were all so pleasent - nothing was to much trouble for any of the staff. The service and quality of food and drink was amazing we even enjoyed a good Scottish tipple 'Drambuie' over ice after dinner most nights.

Our room was a 'swim up suite' and that was lovely . To be able to swim up to your room from the pool was a whole new experience for us. The bed was fabulous we both slept perfectly the whole time we were there. The flat screen TV was lovely as it swivelled away from the wall and you could watch it from wherever you wished to sit in the room. The rainfall shower in our bathroom was great in fact the shower was so big you could have had a party in it.

We cannot say enough about this Resort, it is paradise as far as we are concerned, and we cannot wait to go back.

My husband and I just spent 5 days a the Wyndham Aura. We both LOVED it.

Everything about this resort was outstanding. There were many fun things to do around the island but every time I left the resort, all I could think about was getting BACK!

I read many reviews of the Aura on TripAdvisor before making my reservation. Here is a summary of things I read and what I found, in my experience, to be True or False.

Comfortable Beds: TRUE! The beds are super comfortable and one day I managed to stay in bed until 2pm.

Beautiful rooms: TRUE! The room truly was amazing. Flat screen, jacuzzi tub, rainfall shower, private rooftop pool, outdoor shower and a bathroom up there too!

Great Food: TRUE! I tried Isola, Hava Grill, and room service more than once and I was never dissappointed. One review in particular mentioned the shrimp ceviche. I tried it. It was fantastic and I had it just about every day I was there.

Top Shelf Drinks: TRUE! I'm not a drinker and even I indulged quite a bit. My daquiris were really goooood.

Insects Congregating at the hallway lights/bar: FALSE. I hate bugs and specifically looked for this after reading a claim about bugs swarming around the hallway lights and a line of ants at the bar in one of the reviews. I didn't see any bugs around the lights OR at the bar. I DID bring and use "OFF" wipes because mosquitos LOVE me. I came home with exactly 4 mosquito bites.

Umbrella shortage by the pool: FALSE. During my stay, there were at least 11 umbrellas by the main pool and another 6 by the little pool next to the lobby. There is also a LOT of palm shade on the beach with these really cool beach beds where we took naps.

Friendly staff: TRUE. The staff is really nice and helpful and friendly. Anything I needed, they got it for me. Daniel the manager is totally on top of things. I really think this guy works 24 hours a day. At noon, he was by the pool asking me how I was enjoying my stay and at 2am we saw him outside the elevator helping a guest with their wheelchair. Mario and Margarito cheerfully fulfilled our incessant requests for drinks and food. Fausto happily delivered room service which we ordered about 6 times during our stay and never waited more than 30 minutes for. Alberto went out of his way to find special packaging for a silly little gift I was bringing home for my children.... I could go on and on about how the staff took care of us.

This was money very well spent for us. I have only only one complaint and that is that I didn't stay longer. Hopefully, we will be able to return very soon!

Aura Trip June 20-30, 2008 4 couples ranging from 30's-70's

Our family just returned from a stay at the brand new Aura Wyndham Grand Bay Cozumel. My wife and I are in our early 30's with no kids, so we originally booked at the Sabor, which is the adults only resort next door to the Aura. Wyndham has 3 levels of properties in Cozumel, starting with the regular Wyndham, which is family friendly, the Sabor, which is adults only, and the Aura, which is adults only and ultra inclusive. Upon our arrival, we were selected to be upgraded to the Aura resort. After careful consideration, we decided to make the move. I can truly say this was one of the best experiences of our traveling careers. We have stayed on the island of Cozumel about 10 times. Usually we visit 2 times a year. This was our first trip to the southern portion of the island. We will never stay anywhere else again. The Aura is the most amazing resort on the island. Not only do they cater to your every need, but they make you feel like you are the only person that matters at their resort. We are not high rollers, we are teachers. We are the average American traveler.

Upon arrival, you are greeted by excellent front desk clerks who check you in with no issues. Cool towels to rinse your face are given, as well as a refreshment drink. We arrived around noon, so our room was not ready. While we waited, we had lunch and relaxed on the ocean view terrace. The view from anywhere on the property is amazing. We had a menu lunch which was to die for. Sea bass, lobster bisque, and a fresh salad. The menu was one of a five star restaurant. Every meal we had was amazingly prepared and the presentation was amazing. I hated to eat my meal because it always came out looking wonderful!

We checked into our room about 2 hours later and we were again taken back. Flat screen TV's, wireless internet that was free, the softest bed's around, which I now have to buy my wife, and very unique bathrooms. Everything is brand new and very well kept. The view from our first floor room was beautiful. The beach is no more than 50 yards from any room and the swim up rooms were a must. The lazy river feeds each person into the main pool. Fully stocked mini bars, fresh towels 2 times a day, and amazing service makes this a 10 star resort based off of room alone.

The property layout is top notch. Every room is ocean view and because the resort is so small and exclusive, it never gets crowded. The beach was very nice and the private pier was great for doing any number of ocean activities. 2 pools, 2 roof top hot tubs with a bar, and a wealth of ocean front access make this another 10 star resort in this area.

Food is where this place can't be beat. There is not another resort in the Caribbean that can touch this place. We have stayed in Playa, Cancun, Nassau, and no one can keep up with the Aura. We dined every meal like kings. I came home after 10 days and pushed away my hamburger helper because I wanted filet mignon again! The seafood was always fresh, the steaks were tender, and everything was catered to our every need. If it didn't meet our standards, they took it back and made it right immediately. Every meal was amazing. You even had your choice of menu dining, snack bar dining at the bar, which was open from 10:30am-6pm, and was great food. Breakfast had a buffet some days and a menu the others. Lunch was always great and I always felt bad eating grouper or sea bass in my swim trunks, but I got over it. Dinner was always the kicker! Presentation was amazing every time. If I couldn't decide between entrees, they brought me both. And no one in our group ever got sick. Great food and prepared perfectly.

The bars and choices were of the highest level. Everything was top shelf with plenty of great service. The pool side bar, Hava, was very good with the frozen drinks. At night, the nice bar inside Isola was the place to smoke a cigar or grab a night cap. Again, top shelf brands and well made drinks.

The best thing about the Aura is their service. We dealt with one of the managers, Daniel Osorio, most of the time. Daniel helped us with our every need. He was always prowling the property looking for ways to make the property better and working with his staff to meet every person's individual needs. He never settled for second best on drinks made, food prepared, or room accommodations. Because of Daniel, we will now stay at the Aura every trip to Cozumel. His staff and the resort are of the highest caliber and everyone ensures your deepest, most relaxing vacation. The GM, Raul, was always working as well. These guys are looking for ways to make their resort the best. I really have no idea what they can do to improve. Sure, if you dig, you can find things that aren't perfect. One night, the kitchen was loud around 11pm. We called the front desk and within 1 minute, silence!!! That’s service.

All in all, you could not spend your money any better than staying at the Aura. We lucked into the property and are now hooked. We stayed for 10 nights, June 20-30, and we traveled with 3 other couples. All of us were treated like stars and everyone is planning next year’s trip! See my attached pictures and feel free to email me with questions.