As soon as our taxi makes a right into the lane leading to the Presidente InterContinental, the tropical landscaping turns lush. Palm trees line the drive and shrubs bloom with colorful, tropical flowers. Moments later when our taxi reaches the hotel steps, a greeter, alerted by the gatekeeper, welcomes us by name and escorts us to the lobby. He then brings us cold towels and bottles of water.

The Presidente InterContinental, which opened in 1968 has reigned as the island's most luxurious hotel for decades. Built when properties could afford to spread out along the waterfront, the Presidente's beach (more about that later) stretches for 1000 feet and a green lawn continues the hotel's impressive waterfront. Crotons, bougainvillea and hibiscus bloom along the hotel's open-air corridors that lead to the rooms, softening the block-like style.

In 2005 Hurricane Wilma devastated the Cozumel, destroying many hotels. When the Presidente InterContinental reopened in 2007 after a $25 million renovation, the resort came back better than ever with fewer, but larger rooms and a new spa. The 220 rooms come in seven categories.

The lobby, a large space with a high thatched roof, is a simple, but tasteful blend of woven wicker chairs and couches with coral colored cushions. At check-in children receive a letter inviting them to participate in the Chiqui Club, the resort's complimentary activities program for ages 5 to 12.

An attendant escorts us to our room, saying "Ma'alob K'iin," while touching his right hand to this heart. The phrase means "Good sun," a Mayan expression similar to our "Good day." We find the phrase written on our key folder. From then on, we make a game of finding the Maya influences throughout the hotel. After all, the Presidente InterContinental calls itself "a resort with a Mayan heart."

Inside the room, kids are welcomed with gifts of a Chiqui Club T-shirt and cap, beach toys and a plate of cookies. Other welcoming touches: elephant and rabbit towel animals and red hibiscus leaves strewn on the bed.

Cozumel, a 40-minute ferry ride from the mainland's Playa del Carmen, ranks among Western Hemisphere's top dive destinations as one of largest reef systems in the world extends for1500-miles along the Caribbean coast into Central America. The crystal clear waters push visibility to 100+ feet, making many of the dive sites also great for snorkeling.

Jump in the water off the shores of the Presidente InterContinental and you're swimming in part of the Cozumel Reefs National Park, a 30,000-acre reserve. Also, Chankanaab National Park, with its guided snorkeling, reefs, dolphin swims and botanical gardens is practically next door to the resort.

Cozumel is much more laid-back than Cancun, something families like, especially those with younger kids. Families with college age teens find that Cancun or Playa del Carmen works better because older teens, like heat-seeking missiles, crave the body-to-body beaches and bars of those bustling towns. Cozumel's San Miguel, the main town, does have some bars and restaurants. San Miguel is about a 10-minute drive from the Presidente InterContinental.

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