Blue Angel Resort

Blue Angel Resort consists of a four-story building (no elevators) with an adjacent dive shop and second-story restaurant with a thatch roof, all overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Guests enter the laid-back hotel through a small archway next to a sign advertising happy hour. The lobby is dimly lit and comfy with large sofas, a huge flat-screen TV, and the concierge and reception desks. The back wall of the space opens up onto a large lawn that's set with hammocks strung between palm trees and vast views of the sparkling Caribbean Sea. The outdoor pool is located right on the edge of the property, next to the pier where dive excursions depart. Fun touches include a colorful mural painted next to the dive shop and drawings of sea life in the stairwells. Potted plants and climbing flowers add natural beauty to the common areas. The atmosphere is bustling, most guests are just getting back from or on their way to a dive, and chat amicably about underwater animal sightings and sea conditions. Non-divers spend their time in a hammock or kayaking in the water in front of the hotel. Kids are welcome here, but the majority of guests are couples, dive groups, and families with older kids who want to dive. Repeat visitors are common. 

Located about a 20-minute walk from the heart of downtown San Miguel, Blue Angel Resort sits directly on busy Av General. Rafael E. Melgar. The street can be a bit noisy, but parking is easy to find on the street and Cozumel doesn't get that much traffic. The main problem is that the hotel is right on the road, and not set back into the lot, so noise can permeate the rooms. Next door to the hotel is a beach club and behind the hotel is the Caribbean Sea, with uninterrupted views of the water. Expect a 20-minute drive to Cozumel International Airport and about a six-minute drive to the ferry to Playa Del Carmen. 

There are 22 large rooms at Blue Angel Resort, spread over four floors accessible via stairs. Seventeen of the rooms have two double beds and five have king beds; some rooms also include a small futon-style sofa. Decor is straightforward with white walls, tile floors, and wood furniture. Most rooms have a sea creature design made of tile on the floor, like a starfish or a dolphin. Amenities include a TV, air-conditioning, safe, mini-fridge, and free Wi-Fi. Dark bathrooms have showers and towels placed on shelves hung from the wall with rope. All rooms have a private and furnished balcony (terrace on the first floor) that faces the Caribbean and sunset. Some guests have complained about audible street noise.

Features at Blue Angel Resort cater to divers. There's an on-site dive shop and scuba school, where guests can become dive certified on-site. Dive boats pick up and drop off divers right on the property and there's ample quality gear to rent. Lockers, showers, and spots to rinse gear are located by the beach area. Dive packages provide free tanks and shore dives. For guests that want to enjoy the water on the surface, there are free kayaks and paddleboards to borrow, along with beach towels. The swimming pool is a nice extra, but it can be filled with dive classes, and there isn't much shade. A better bet for lounging and swimming is the small beach area which has palapa huts and hammocks, plus easy entry into the water. Blue Angel Restaurant is built above the dive shop and provides free coffee and breakfast. Lunch and dinner are served until late, and live music is often performed. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.