"Casa del Mar, across Melgar (main oceanfront drive) from the beach, is old school Cozumel - verdant gardens, a winding circular drive, and charming, rustic, and comfortable interiors. I stayed at CdM for the first time back in 1993, but through the years I generally stayed at La Ceiba, its former sister property across the street. La Ceiba had been sold off and ruined long ago, catering to the nasty cruise ship passengers (La Ceiba now bought up by Carnival cruise line to aid them in the cash extraction process). But Casa del Mar, the hotel under review here, still feels like old Cozumel. Felt so comfortable to be back, with its swim up bar and its outdoor restaurant, both open late. A pedestrian bridge takes you from the pool area across Melgar to the Del Mar Aquatics dive shop and a decent beach dive. The dive shop will allow other dive companies to pick up there. As far as the room goes, I was in one of the garden view rooms. I enjoyed it. One of the two queen beds was so soft it was unsleepable, but the other one was fine, and there was only one of me. So, when reservating, request a room with new, firm mattresses. The AC took a while to get going, but it got the room nice and frosty. The shower was great - plenty of hot water and good pressure. No issue at all with noise, as this place is buffered by its expansive gardens, where you might see a pair of javelinas roaming. There is a safe in the closet, but you must get the lock from the front desk. Heart and soul here!"