Travel to Cozumel's Wyndham resort "The Aura"

The recently opened Aura Resort which a part of the Wyndham property in Cozumel has quietly informed a few guests that it is a "clothing optional" resort for those who wish to enjoy that "lifestyle" Considering the Aura's placement in one huge resort complex there is a very good chance this will spill out onto the very busy beach in front of it. There is no mention of the policy at their web sites but they have said so in at least 1 email that I know of when questioned on the policy.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1508..._Peninsula.html

and also

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1508..._Peninsula.html

This will be my final post here on this topic. This reply was added to the topic at one of the sites I listed it on and it looks like a legitimate response.

Its as simple as this (we are upfront, always): Wyndham was contracted with

before Aura was offered to Lifestyles. Wyndham has been notified that Aura

will be a lifestyle oriented couples only resort as of April 4, but can

continue to take reservations. Once Lifestyles reaches a certain average

occupancy we will make the pool c/o.

Dr. Robert McGinley

Chairman and President

LSO, Ltd.

What's their photo policy? ;-)

Jack

The Wyndham is new to the area. Did they take over the reef club or are they in a completely different area? I'd like to know because I usually take my young kids with me when I go and don't want any of those long, uncomfortable moments of silence that follow the question "Dad...why are those people naked and what are they doing?"

Naked people need a place to hang out too...literally! But yes, they certainly should have made that more obvious for the other guests. Most the people I've seen at clothing optional places were definitely NOT the ones ANYONE would want to see naked.

I suspect The Aura is catering to a European clientele, who have different views about public nudity than we do in the US. Windham (formerly Reef Club Cozumel) is very large with over 400 rooms and is not a dedicated dive resort, so they get a lot of guests who are non-divers, families and the like. The Aura was probably a necessary addition to try to attract those people like me who prefer to not be around a bunch of screaming kids when I'm on a dive vacation (sorry to you moms & dads, its just my personal preference). I also much prefer the smaller, more quite dive resorts and hotels in Cozumel, but Windham is part of a timeshare network, so I can see where it might be a suitable choice for some divers too.

I have yet to find anyone to join me on a midnight skinny dip at Scuba Club! I'm there Aug 9-17. Who's in?

So far the entire issue re what market the resort is aimed at still isn't clear. Some sites have it advertised as an adult only luxury resort. Others have it advertised as adult only "lifestyles" with clothing optional at the pool and they are saying at the beach TOO. see this site for one informative ad.

http://www.astravelcenterofflorida.com/promo-aura.php

For those who don't know the layout of the property this photo album may help.

http://picasaweb.google.com/cicopo/Wyndham...rtFromADiveBoat

I guess there's a market for everything and everybody!

This was posted at Scubaboard by a travel agent, and someone at Tripadvisor posted a similar message. It looks like FOR NOW things will return to the Wyndham staying family friendly in Cozumel.

"With great regret we inform all interested parties that Islander Collection, owner of Aura Resort Cozumel, acting on undisclosed pressure, has rescinded its legal contract with LSO, Ltd and will not continue as a lifestyles oriented resort. All questions, including requests for refunds, should be directed to Managing Director Carlos del Pino (cdelpino@islandercollection.com) and Chairman Benny Guevara (bguevara@leisurepartners.org), 1-888-293-0293, or for Mexico 011-800-001-7333, www.islandercollection.com"

"I called Lifestyles Tours and received a verbal confirmation."

Hopefully the ads that are all over the web will either be removed or updated.

We went to cozumel tour last month. It was so fun! We rented dunn baggy and drove around the city. Then we had a submarine tour, it was great. I enjoyed the underwater photoshoot. You'll be able to explore the sea and see different creatures. I never see that kind of sea life before. Our idea on going to cozumel started when we found a site where they offer different tour packages iwith a reasonable prices. So my friend and I hurriedly call the agency to book us. No regret! 'Twas really fun!

I have yet to find anyone to join me on a midnight skinny dip at Scuba Club! I'm there Aug 9-17. Who's in?

That's past my bedtime!