The real beach that is commonly used by people staying at a resort or hotel that is not located along it is well south of town, starting approximately 14 kilometers (8 1/2 miles) south of the International pier area and it stretches for many kilometers south of where the Iberostar is located. There is a lot of debate whether to choose all inclusive or to rely on the local restaurants for a better variety of meals, but not many consider that almost all of the resorts that are located on what can be considered a real beach are all inclusives, so if you want the best of beaches right at your resort you are pretty much forced to pay for the all inclusive option. That doesn't mean that you have to eat all your meals at the resort, but since the resorts are not that close to town you can't just walk to a selection of different restaurants, you will need to go by car or use a taxi. You can also go by car or taxi to see & use several sections of beach on the east side of the island, but you need to be aware to the fact that most have unpredictable undercurrents & rip tides due to the powerful waves along that side of the island.
There is also a beach at the north end of the northern hotel zone, which has the El Cozumelino and the Melia along it. Some of it is man made and generally speaking it is mainly used by guests of the resorts and it doesn't have any beach clubs along it. There is another beach in that area (Playa Azul) which is located by the Playa Azul Hotel and is a public beach popular with the locals but all are welcome to use it, but not the facilities of the hotel.
Cozumel Palace
Located just a bit south of the town core, a short walk. It is on the water and all rooms face the water, and the sunset. (According to the web site all rooms are ocean view, BUT they have added a few rooms that have a street view, but don't seem willing to mention it even when contacted by Trip Advisor members). It has no beach, the waterfront deck area is about 6 feet above the water, with ladders going down to it. It is an all exclusive, and the rooms are a reasonable size. It was supposed to be the first 5 star All Inclusive resort in Cozumel, but without a beach it doesn't get that high a rating. There is good snorkeling right there, and a very good dive operator is on site. It is hard to rate this place as it had not been open long under the new name before Wilma caused it to close again. Photos and the few reviews out there are very positive.
Hotel Cozumel and Resort
Located 3 blocks south of the Chedroui store, (and the Cozumel Palace) across the road from the waterfront. It has some ocean view rooms, which may be acceptable, but they also face the very busy main roadway along the waterfront, and most of the ocean view is blocked by buildings. It does have a waterfront area (beach club) with a sandy area (part of the deck area), and stairs into the water. You get from the lobby area to the beach club using a hallway under the road, with stairs at either end (not wheelchair friendly). The facility has a very large pool with a constant depth of about 48 inches. The rooms were not large, but not cramped either, and as of Feb 05, the actual rooms matched the photos on their web site. It has an All Inclusive option, which many feel is not good value, but is often discounted which should affect the value. The resort is well kept in general, and within walking distance of the town core. There is an in house dive operator, snorkeling was not all that good in it's vicinity. The general feeling is that this hotel deserves a 2 1/2 to 3 star rating. It is close to town, helping it to be a good mid price range place to stay, not luxurious, but clean & comfortable.
