Not a spring breaker anymore . . .
 

I went to Cancun and Acapulco a few times when I was younger and now I'm looking to return to Mexico. I'm interested in Cancun, Cozumel or other suggestions, but now I'm going with a husband and no kids. I'm looking for an upscale hotel with excellent rooms and service. Ideally, not the typical hotel room, but I'm flexible. Any suggestions?

Intercontinental Presidente - Cozumel

Thanks for the suggestion, Nancy. What do you know about it?

Unless you really want the Caribbean side, have you been to Puerto Vallarta? My favorite place!

I have been the the Presidente Intercontinental in Cozumel and highly recommend it. It is not a super deluxe huge resort, it is a smallish property(compared to some of the mega resorts in Cancun)with a small beach, incredible snorkeling right off the beach area, beautiful but simply furnished rooms. It's only a 10 minute cab ride to the cute town of Cozumel with local restaurants. Make sure you get a lower level beachfront room, you walk out of your room onto the sand. Take a look at a website called differentworld.com for some other great suggestions in Mexico. As far as Cancun, I just came back from Le Meridien. Beautiful property but you don't feel like you're in Mexico so it depends on what you are in the mood for. Cancun is so full of these horrible americanized strip malls, I would opt for a town with more of a mexican flavor, not quite so americanized.

I've been to Mexico 15 times, 14 of them to Puerto Vallarta. It is a lovely town. Friendly people, all kinds of hotel options. Not a big spring break destination.

PV:<BR>How are the beaches in Puerto Vallarta? We were thinkinging about Cancun because I have been there and the beaches are beautiful. However, coming from LA and PV would be a lot closer. Can you give your thoughts?

A suggestion would be to look into Playa del Carmen. There is a new hotel that has opened up on the beach. This hotel only has 20 rooms, a pool, workout room and restaurant. This hotel is not an al, but the price includes breakfast, and it is centrally located and probably closer to restaurants than many of the als. E-mail me if you would like more info about Playa-been going for 14 years.

For Massey... actually the beaches in Puerto Vallarta are quite similar to Los Angeles! Cancun -or anywhere in the Caribbean for that matter- has prettier white sand beaches and bluer water. But personally I LOVE PV, the atmosphere of the town, the friendliness and warm hospitality of the local people, red tile roofs, black wrought iron trim, whitewashed stucco, bouganvilla, palm trees, mariachi bands on the beach at sunset...<BR><BR>I'm leaving Dec 5 for 10 days (&amp; obviously not a moment too soon)!!!

For those not looking for a super crowded spring break destination, have you though about Ixtapa. I've been there 3 times and loved every minute of it. It's not overly crowded, definately not americanized and is absolutely beautiful. I highly reccomend it.

hey monica ...Whats the name of the new hotel on the beach

My girlfriend went to PV and was expecting the Cancun beaches. She was very dissapointed. PV is lovely, and has a wonderful mexican flair and culture. It needs to be made clear if you are seeking the turquoise waters, PV is not the place. It is not anything like the Cancun beaches. But all that being said PV has many other qualities.

How sad for your girlfriend, that she obviously did NO research before going to PV, if she was expecting Cancun beaches. It is WELL publicized that the beaches and the water are completely different and even the PV fanatics will openly tell you to not expect white beaches and crystal clear water.

The above poster is soooo right. I give alot of &quot;advise&quot; about Puerto Vallarta on various internet BB's &amp; vacation there twice a year. I always try to give a realistic picture about the beaches/water there... NOT so great.<BR><BR>The ONLY time i've seen crystal clear waters &amp; white sand AND puerto vallarta in the same sentence is in an advertisement for package resort deal (clearly they lie!).

Steve,<BR>I think the new hotel on the beach in Playa that Monica refers to is the Playa Maya.<BR>I stayed there 3 nights last week. Lovely little place between Alhambra and Pelicino Inn (sp?). You have to access the hotel from the beach (no street access) so it's VERY quiet at night with the exception of the surf if you decide to keep your balcony door open. Rooms were very clean (new!) with a/c, cable TV, hair dryer and a safe. Just about all rooms have an ocean view of some sort. There is also a small pool and jacuzzi. Food here was great at breakfast and lunch, but we didn't eat dinner there as they close the restaurant early due to the slow season. No problem, as there are SO many great places within walking distance, including Ronny's which is right next door. Dine on great food with your feet in the sand!<BR>The manager (Steve) and his wife are VERY nice (he's American, she's Mexican) and REALLY went out of their way to make everything perfect for us. We were charged $60us a night (plus taxes) for an oceanfront view with decent size patio, but those are special 'grand opening' rates that I believe are only good through 12/15.