Meliá Cozumel is an all-inclusive resort, but our 2-night/3-day stay was a major letdown for a renowned chain. Surprise: there are two tiers—basic (what I booked) and “Level” (the upgrade we weren’t offered or able to choose). Big red flag on transparency.
Basic all-inclusive perks fell flat:
• Plastic-bottle booze only (e.g., Bacardi rum—a supermarket staple at $10/1.5L—was reserved for Level guests).
• Sunbeds were scarce; we asked staff and were told to wait for vacancies—never got one.
• Breakfast/lunch buffets: identical for all, very basic with limited options geared toward foreigners (zero local flavors to excite).
• Dinner was the worst: pushed to a mediocre buffet with nothing standout. A la carte spots required advance booking, which were “fully booked” on arrival—no spots for our entire stay despite the price. They squeezed us into their tacos spot once—average at best, outshone by nearby eateries.
We ended up bringing our own drinks (plastic bottles didn’t cut it) and eating out for 2 meals. For this cost, it’s a huge disappointment—felt nickel-and-dimed in an “all-inclusive.”