Stay & Play

Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa

by Susan Campbell

I t wasn’t my first time to Cozumel, but past trips I took the hour-long road transfer from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen and then the ferry across to the island. This time I hopped on a sweet little affordable 20-minute flight on a tiny prop plane with Maya Air from the Cancun airport and was at my resort in no time. Live and learn. More beach time!

An alluring tropical oasis

Set amid a lush jungle on an impossibly aqua sea, Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa has only 218 rooms, but it seems much larger than that as it sprawls along the coast and back into the jungle through green labyrinths. I was thoroughly enchanted with my room, all done in refreshing tropical shades with interesting touches of Mayan décor. So much so, I wouldn’t have left my bed looking out on the aqua waves if it wasn’t for those heavenly hammocks and decadent daybeds beckoning me to come relax closer to the sea. And once on the beach there, I realized I was in prime snorkeling real estate.

A Snorkelers Heaven

I have great memories of snorkeling in Cozumel and have taken a few of the boat trips, but this little rocky enclave off the beach with stairs down into the sea has you immersed in a whirlwind of tropical fish swirling all around you in no time. No boat required. I was in heaven. If you’d rather not get wet to see the fish, they also have clear bottom kayak rentals.

Dining and Pampering Delights

After working up an appetite in the water, the huge buffet breakfast in the beachfront palapa El Carabeno hit the spot and a lazy soak afterward in the infinity pool beside it was ideal. They also have deluxe cabana rentals there. Children playing one too many games of Marco Polo began to harsh my chill though, so I simply escaped to their adult-only pool in the tropical gardens. That’s also where their luxe spa is located and though I didn’t partake this time, the ancient ritual they offer called Temazcal – a Mayan steam house experience led by a shaman- looks intriguing.

Alfredo da Roma Trattoria is their signature dining room specializing in fine Italian, but if you’d rather go casual in an outdoor setting under the tropical stars Faro Blanco and Le Cap Beach Club are the spots to be. They also can set up designer s’mores in an open firepit by the sea at night. Loved that. They also have a homemade candy store on site.

Local Culture

Though you might never want to leave this oasis of seaside luxury, the main town is very close, and you can use their coaster bikes to get there and explore the colorful local culture and do some souvenir shopping, too. It’s in an ideal location for the best of both worlds.

www.presidenteiccozumel.com