IRONMAN COZUMEL - PART 1
The final week homestretch to Ironman Cozumel 2012 is here! SOAS hopes you racers have your feet up and compression gear on!
Yep, November 25th is this weekend and, is it any wonder that, like the three years before, the event is SOLD OUT.
This Ironman event is being held in the cruise-ship haven of Cozumel, a little island separated from Playa del Carmen by just a sliver of turquoise sea. Cozumel had to have been made by the great snorkel gods as it is home to the world’s second largest coral reef system. The hotels here tend to cater to divers with either dive shops on premise or ones right next door.
Getting to Cozumel, though, is always a challenge. Along with awesome diving and snorkeling, Cozumel features an airport that may take hours to get through. Just be prepared. Bring a book, preferably about diving, or, better yet, bring the Ironman packet to read. Just try and keep the end goal in mind while you push the frustration level down until it can be dissolved later by a fruity drink with a pretty umbrella. Make that a protein smoothie with a pretty umbrella if you are racing.
For those of you that have waited until now to find accommodations, it isn’t too late. All still have availability except the El Cozumeleno Beach Resort. It sold out early, which is really too bad because it offered a special Ironman rate of $89 per person. Also, the drinks from the bar are well-poured and can pack a wallop, especially if you say, "yeah, come on" as the bottle tilts.
Don’t worry though. The Ironman coordinators set up no less than eleven host hotels in which to choose. All except the Presidente Intercontinental are all-inclusive with room rates starting in the $70 per person per night range. And, since Cozumel is an island, most are somewhere near to some part of the Ironman event. Most of the hotels have plenty of great activities for the rest of the family to partake in while you are either packing your transition bags pre-race, or are incapacitated by soreness post-race.
So, here’s the rundown of the all-inclusive ones, beginning with the Fiesta Americana. It is basically known as a diving destination. Go to the Dive House to make arrangements and you can dive directly from the hotel. It books up, though, so call ahead. If you don’t get a mini fridge and a safe in your room, just ask and they’ll bring one. You can expect decent buffet and al la carte style food. However, if you have to have an on-site fitness room this isn’t the one for you.
If you’d like to be within walking distance to the finish line, choose the four star Hotel Cozumel & Resort. It has the largest pool in Cozumel. It also caters to divers with a full service PADI center called Dive Paradise and a private pier to dive from. An added plus is free Wi-Fi in all the rooms.
Two miles from the starting line is the Sabor Cozumel Resort and Spa. It has a “real” beach at 2,000 feet, the largest on the island. Adults without kids can stay in an “Adults Only” section and, for further, away-from-the-kids relaxation; you can get a Coconut and Aloe Vera Body Polish at the spa for an affordable rate. Unfortunately, the food is rated badly. But, hey, there’s a licensed doctor on call if it comes down to that!
Close to Palancar Reef is the five-star Iberostar Cozumel. The hotel offers competitors transfers from the hotel to the starting line as well as mechanical services for the bikes. Dressel Divers is on site and $40 gets you two hours on a scuba boat with dives from 2 different spots. You can indulge in nightly entertainment at the hotel’s theater or work out in their fitness room. And, even though the Wi-Fi isn’t free, the food reviews are good.
The Cozumel Palace is the most expensive of the host hotels that are all-inclusive. It is considered five-star and has food and drink reviews well above average. Upgrading to a junior suite gets you an ocean view, king-size bed, Jacuzzi, porch with a hammock and complimentary 24-hour room service. Be aware that rooms by the elevator are LOUD due to the marble floors and this isn’t where you want to stay to go diving.
At the Park Royal Cozumel, you’ll have to be above the fifth floor if you want to see the ocean. But then the views are quite lovely. There is an open-air amphitheater for nightly live entertainment, an on-site spa and a fitness center. For divers and snorkelers, the Del Mar Dive Shop is right across the street. Beware of the “un-hot” hot tubs and the fact that you’ll have to pay extra for spotty internet service as well as for a safe in your room that may or may not keep people out.
The Occidental Grand Cozumel is tucked into the jungle, so consider requesting a 2nd floor room or higher so lizards don’t run in when you open the door. A better bet is to ask for a complimentary upgrade to the resort's Royal Club level. Sometimes they’ll say yes!
Among the hotels with the worst food and bar drink ratings are the Allegro Cozumel and Melia Golf & Beach Resort. However, the Allegro has been an Ironman host hotel for three years and has a prime location on San Francisco Beach for the event. They do tend to leave the “hot” out of the hot tubs, but the on-site dive center is supposed to be excellent. That and other amenities at the Allegro may be enough for you to overlook having to eat elsewhere.
SOAS wishes you SAFE TRAVELS!
Check back later this week and we’ll go over places to eat and things to do at Ironman Cozumel 2012!
