InterContinental Presidente Cozumel

Even a place as over-developed and over-traveled as Cozumel can show you its best side, given an impressive enough hotel. Here, that hotel is the Intercontinental Presidente Cozumel, set on a somewhat secluded stretch of beach to the south of the city proper. And though the property is dotted with palm trees and thatched roofs, this is, in essence, a totally modern luxury hotel, with over 200 rooms and suites, four restaurants, and a wealth of leisure and adventure opportunities.

The accommodations are unashamedly luxe, some enjoying elevated views from the hotel’s tower wing, others at ground level overlooking the pool and gardens or the beach. Every one comes with a patio or balcony, and they’re furnished with typically high-end comforts. There’s a spa whose treatments draw from Maya tradition, as well as a kids’ club with a cultural slant, and the hotel’s dive center can prepare you for a visit to the marine preserve at the island’s southern end. There’s also a putting green and a tennis club, and all manner of excursions can be arranged, from dolphin-watching to archaeological tours.