COZUMEL, Mexico | Hotels and resorts on the island of Cozumel look forward to another successful year in travel. Already topping the charts in 2008, Cozumel was named the number one fastest growing winter beach destination, outside of the U.S. in the January 2008 Orbitz Insider Index.
It's no wonder the cozy island retreat continues to be recognized as one of the top beach vacation destinations. Over the past year, Cozumel hotels and resorts have received great acclaim – boasting top awards, distinct honors and undergoing multi-million dollar expansions. From top rankings in customer service to environmental recognition, Cozumel's resort properties continue to rank among the best in Mexico and the Caribbean. With new hotels and upgrades in everything from dining services to spa facilities, there are more reasons than ever for travelers to choose Cozumel for their ideal getaway.
Updates, honors and achievements from the Cozumel's hotels and resorts include:
- The new Aura Cozumel Wyndham Grand Bay Resort, an upscale all-inclusive boutique, opened in January 2008. The 96-room hotel is a member of the exclusive Preferred Boutique group, a prestigious collection of luxury boutique hotels that offers distinct travel experiences emphasizing style, service and personality. The first Preferred Boutique in Cozumel and Cozumel's only upscale all-inclusive resort, the Aura presents travelers to the island with endless luxury providing superior class accommodations, unparalleled amenities, impeccable service and gourmet dining.
- The Cozumel Palace was recently ranked as one of the top 100 world's best luxury hotels in TripAdvisor's 2008 Traveler's Choice Awards, representing the unbiased opinions of millions of real travelers. In addition, the hotel was also named one of the top 10 best luxury resorts in the Caribbean and Latin America and recognized as one of the top 10 all-inclusive hotels in the world. The Cozumel Palace was also included in Expedia's 2007 Insiders' Select list of the top 1% best-rated hotels and resorts around the world, and ranked #1 on the list of 874 hotels worldwide. The Cozumel Palace was awarded for its great customer service, luxurious accommodations and relaxing atmosphere. Hotel rankings for the exclusive list were based on expedia.com staff ratings as well as travelers' opinions.
- Travelers will now find the widely recognized Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand among the variety of accommodations offered in Cozumel. The former 402-room Reef Club Cozumel Beach and Dive Resort has been transformed into the first Wyndham branded property in Cozumel. Renamed the Wyndham Cozumel Resort and Spa, the property has undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation to ensure the hotel meets the high quality standards synonymous with the Wyndham name.
- Cozumel's Playa Azul was included in Budget Travel's 2008 Best Values Award list. The exclusive list of the top 100 best value hotels around the world recognizes extraordinary properties that provide travelers with quality experiences and not exorbitant costs. The Play Azul was also received the distinguished 2007 Readers Choice Award presented by Caribbean Travel & Life. Voted one of the four best small hotels in the Caribbean, the Playa Azul was the only hotel in Mexico to receive this honor. The hotel was noted for its high level of standards in service and hospitality, and attention to detail.
- The highly regarded "Cristal" award was presented to the Hotel Cozumel & Resort and El Cid La Ceiba Beach for their level of excellence in food service and outstanding dedication to hotel quality and services. Check-Safety-First, the company that awards the esteemed Cristal honor, is dedicated to upholding the highest quality in standards within the hotel and hospitality industry and presents the award to those properties excelling in the areas of food safety, fire and hurricane preparedness, ethical operations, and sustainable tourism.
- The popular El Cozumeleno Beach Resort and El Cid La Ceiba Beach each received the outstanding "H Distinction" this year for their commitment to educating workers and continuing to uphold excellent standards in food practices. The honored "H" distinction is the highest recognition given to hotels that fulfill the food and safety standards established by the Ministry of Tourism, which also take into account the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The award commends hotels that display the highest level of food and beverage preparation, quality in food, and excellent food and drink practices such as recycling, storage and handling.
- The Leading Hotels of the World, the prestigious luxury hospitality organization representing the world's finest and most distinguished hotels and resorts, has added the Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa to its esteemed roster because of the resort's first-class service and five-star luxury standards. The resort is also now a member of Virtuoso, the industry's leading leisure travel network, with an exclusive network of more than 6,000 elite travel specialists throughout the world. The Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa also introduced its new Mandara Spa, which opened in Srping 2007 and provides an array of exotic spa treatments and luxury services using traditional Mayan techniques and ingredients. The most unique aspect of the spa is the Shaman's cave or Temazcal. The Mayan-inspired Temazcal is like an Aztec sauna, using local healing methods to provide a relaxing state, introspection, and relaxation.
- The Melia introduced the hotel's new M Experience. The M Experience offers guests a choice of sixteen distinct ocean view rooms with private balconies, located on two exclusive floors. Rooms at this level include private check-in and a specialized vacation coordinator available to guests 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Further amenities included deluxe bath products, 30-inch plasma TV's, robes and slippers, twice daily maid service and complimentary stocked mini-fridge.
The island of Cozumel named "The Land of the Swallows" by the Maya who inhabited it more than 2,000 years ago, is located in the state of Quintana Roo, east of the Yucatan Peninsula. Situated along the largest reef network in the Western Hemisphere and home to the famed Palancar Reef, discovered by Jacques Cousteau in 1962, Cozumel boasts a first-class international dive and snorkel reputation. Cozumel has also established itself as a prime golf, honeymoon and family vacation destination and is recognized for its diversity, offering something for every traveler, and great vacation value. Visit Cozumel on the World Wide Web at .
