Overview
As soon as our taxi makes a right into the lane leading to the
Presidente InterContinental, the tropical landscaping turns lush.
Palm trees line the drive and shrubs bloom with colorful, tropical
flowers. Moments later when our taxi reaches the hotel steps,
a greeter, alerted by the gatekeeper, welcomes us by name and
escorts us to the lobby. He then brings us cold towels and bottles
of water.
The Presidente InterContinental, which opened in 1968 has reigned
as the island's most luxurious hotel for decades. Built when properties
could afford to spread out along the waterfront, the Presidente's
beach (more about that later) stretches for 1000 feet and a green
lawn continues the hotel's impressive waterfront. Crotons, bougainvillea
and hibiscus bloom along the hotel's open-air corridors that lead
to the rooms, softening the block-like style.
In 2005 Hurricane Wilma devastated the Cozumel, destroying many
hotels. When the Presidente InterContinental reopened in 2007
after a $25 million renovation, the resort came back better than
ever with fewer, but larger rooms and a new spa. The 220 rooms
come in seven categories.
The lobby, a large space with a high thatched roof, is a simple,
but tasteful blend of woven wicker chairs and couches with coral
colored cushions. At check-in children receive a letter inviting
them to participate in the Chiqui Club, the resort's complimentary
activities program for ages 5 to 12.
An attendant escorts us to our room, saying "Ma'alob K'iin,"
while touching his right hand to this heart. The phrase means
"Good sun," a Mayan expression similar to our "Good
day." We find the phrase written on our key folder. From
then on, we make a game of finding the Maya influences throughout
the hotel. After all, the Presidente InterContinental calls itself
"a resort with a Mayan heart."
Inside the room, kids are welcomed with gifts of a Chiqui Club
T-shirt and cap, beach toys and a plate of cookies. Other welcoming
touches: elephant and rabbit towel animals and red hibiscus leaves
strewn on the bed.
Cozumel, a 40-minute ferry ride from the mainland's Playa del
Carmen, ranks among Western Hemisphere's top dive destinations
as one of largest reef systems in the world extends for1500-miles
along the Caribbean coast into Central America. The crystal clear
waters push visibility to 100+ feet, making many of the dive sites
also great for snorkeling.
Jump in the water off the shores of the Presidente InterContinental
and you're swimming in part of the Cozumel Reefs National Park,
a 30,000-acre reserve. Also, Chankanaab National Park, with its
guided snorkeling, reefs, dolphin swims and botanical gardens
is practically next door to the resort.
Cozumel is much more laid-back than Cancun, something families
like, especially those with younger kids. Families with college
age teens find that Cancun or Playa del Carmen works better because
older teens, like heat-seeking missiles, crave the body-to-body
beaches and bars of those bustling towns. Cozumel's San Miguel,
the main town, does have some bars and restaurants. San Miguel
is about a 10-minute drive from the Presidente InterContinental.
Written by Candyce H. Stapen
