Intercontinental Presidente Cozumel Resort Spa, An Ihg Hotel

“Simply the Best Resort on the Island Review”

I selected the Presidente InterContinental Cozumel because I wanted to experience the comfort and consistency of the IHG brand combined with easy access to some of the best diving in the Cozumel. I usually enjoy booking right before or right after the 'busy season' and this worked well again. Com… more

I selected the Presidente InterContinental Cozumel because I wanted to experience the comfort and consistency of the IHG brand combined with easy access to some of the best diving in the Cozumel. I usually enjoy booking right before or right after the 'busy season' and this worked well again. Coming off the plane and telling the driver you're heading to "el Presidente" gets you raised eyebrows and an "Oh, very nice, Senor" - and I can report the resort lives up to that reputation. Having had the chance to visit a couple of other properties on Cozumel, I can say without hesitation that this is the best resort on the island. Service, staff, room and amenities were all five-star. 1. Public Facilities: The facilities were excellent. There are two pools. The main pool is family oriented with cabanas and large sofas for rent. It's an infinity pool and was always pristine, with a hot tub right alongside. The main pool fronts the beach and sits between the resort's restaurants, so you're never far from a drink or a bite. There is also a second, smaller pool on the north end of the resort that is more private and secluded if you want to get away from the main scene. The beach itself isn't large, but it was beautiful - no seaweed, no detritus, and the water was clear with that lovely shade of Caribbean blue. There were more than enough chairs and loungers for guests, and towels were always available with staff regularly checking to see if you needed anything. 2. Private Quarters: We stayed in an Oceanfront Suite with a hot tub. The room was everything you'd expect of a five-star property - well appointed, spacious, and with a view of the water that made it hard to leave the balcony. Having the private hot tub in the room was a nice touch for unwinding after a day of diving. 3. Staff & Service: The staff clearly understand the concept of always being on your best behavior. Every single person we encountered greeted us with a "Hello" or an "Hola" and a large smile. They were always willing to help, even when it wasn't their area of responsibility. It's clear why this is an IHG Diamond location - the level of consistency across the entire staff, from the pool to the restaurants to housekeeping, was genuinely impressive. When it came to service, we scheduled room service for our housekeeping, as the staff give you a large window to service the room, and we like coming back to a refreshed room by noon. I really cannot find a real fault with the resort or the staff on this front - everything was handled promptly and without complaint. 4. Dining: Faro Blanco - This is where breakfast is served, and you can visit up until midnight. Breakfast was buffet style but with staffed stations for omelets and tostadas. We became regular visitors for lunch as well and were impressed with the taco options - especially the octopus, soft shell crab, and fresh fish. Le Cap - Their contemporary Mediterranean and seafood restaurant. We usually ended up here for dinner, partly because of the excellent service and partly because of the amazing cuisine, which included perfectly prepared Caribbean lobster, beef short ribs, and prime cuts. El Caribeño - More of a beachside cafe setting, this one served Mexican cuisine and impressed with its duck tacos and salads. Alfredo Di Roma Trattoria - Their Italian restaurant, which looked quite intimate. We didn't get the chance to try it this trip, but it's on the list for next time. 5. Location: The drive from the airport was about 25 minutes, and the resort is a bit off the beaten path, which only adds to the sense of seclusion. Taxis to downtown San Miguel wait right at the hotel and usually only cost about $10 USD or $150 MXN, so getting into town for shopping or exploring is easy and inexpensive. 6. Excursions & Watersports: The resort has a capable watersports operation (jet ski, kayak, waterboard rentals) and a genuinely good dive shop, Scuba Du. As usual, I booked my diving with the on-site shop and would highly recommend them - note that cash is king here, with discounts offered for paying that way. The equipment, staff, dive masters, and boats were all exactly what you'd expect from a five-star location. 7. Spa: Ikal Spa - I'll be honest, spa days are usually reserved for my wife. But my package included a free visit and use of the facilities, so I decided to join her, and I'm very glad I did. The size is deceptive - it's a large facility with a sauna, a very modern and robust steam room, multiple shower rooms, and a relaxation room. There's also the requisite pool, hot tub, and cold tub in a semi-outdoor setting that only adds to the relaxing atmosphere. I actually sat down with a book and got so relaxed that I fell asleep. Overall: This IHG location serves the brand incredibly well and is clearly a five-star Cozumel property. Having had the opportunity to visit a couple of other resorts on the island, I personally believe this is the best one Cozumel has to offer. Room Tip: Spring for the Oceanfront Suite with the hot tub if it's within budget - the view alone is worth it, and there's nothing better than unwinding in the hot tub after a day of diving.

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