Canadian World Traveller Summer 2018 Issue

Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa
by Susan Campbell
65
It 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 adultonly
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
Canadian World Traveller Summer 2018