Casa del Mar La Romana

I'm going to Casa del Mar in Jan.I have read a few reviews for this resort for last year and I'm wondering if things are just as good as everyone this year? I'm going to be taking one of the tours and wondering which one is the best and worth the money? We really like snorkeling, and suggestions as to where the best place is?

We were at Casa del Mar shortly after it opened in 98. I would highly recommend taking the Dolphin speed boats to Saona Island. The ride there is the best part (it is rough but that was what made it alot of fun). They also take you to a natural pool and serve you rum in the middle of the sea. There is also an opportunity to do some good snorkeling. I remember that the cost for this was pretty reasonable compared to some other excursions (it also was did not take up a full day, which is nice when your time is limitted).

If you decide to take this trip to Saona, I highly reccomend walking into Bayahibe (2 min walk) and make a deal with the boat driver directly. When you book it through the hotel the cost is much higher. There is also catalina island which you can vaguely see on a clear day if you look out into the ocean from the hotel.

The hotel itself is fabulous. I was there in 1998 and then again in Feb of this year. We loved it so much that we went back. The disco at the hotel was really lousy but if you like merengue and the like then I reccomend taking a trip into bayahibe to the ping pong disco. Its free to get in and drinks are really cheap. They have a dance floor and some pool tables, We spent most of our nights there with the locals. IT was so much more fun than the hotel.

I hope you have a great time and if you have any questions feel free to post them. and i will try to respond.

Jensita

Thanks for the info on this resort. I'm so excited about going! I do have a few questions, if you can help.My husband loves to play beach volleyball,not picnic volleyball,did they have any good players there to your knowledge? I also heard that more Canadians than Europeans go to this particular resort,was this true during your stay? What is your opinion as the best location for a room? I heard that down by the beach is less noisy than by the pool. How were the margaritas??? I L O V E these. YUM, I can taste it now The last place we went to they had a special machine like a slurpie machine with the best frozen margaritas,I thought I had died and gone to heaven!!! What was your favorite restaurant?

Thanks

Donna

They had beach volleyball however I did not play. I was too busy playing tennis and tanning. There are lots of people who played so I guess they were good. The animation staff organize tournaments and everything. It looked like lots of fun.

The margaritas are probably ok. but the pina coladas are to die for!! They have a machine for the pina coladas which sounds the same as what you experienced with the margaritas.

There are more Canadians at the hotel then Europeans which is great if you are Canadian (I am) I find that the Europeans are EXTREMELY rude and pushy!!!!

As far as location for the room is concerned I guess it depends on what you are interested in. We had a different location each time we stayed there. The first year we were further away from the pool and this year we were right beside the pool. The pool is where the action is and its closer to the bars etc... its more noisy however so if you wanted something more quiet it may be preferable to away from the pool.

The restaurants were great and the first year we liked the Oriental restaurant the best and in the second year we liked the Steak restaurant the best. The Italian restaurant was great too but the portions were small and we had some issues with HUMONGOUS bugs crawling up the post beside our table. That kind of wrecked the ambiance if you know what I mean.

Overall we had a great time. and it was by far the best hotel I have ever been to. This year I am going to Cuba and so I will miss Casa del Mar terribly but I am sure that I will be back again some day.

Have a safe trip

Thanks for the info! I can't seem to get enough, I just LOVE hearing all this fantastic stuff. I guess my new drink will be pina coladas. I like them too! I hope you have a great time in Cuba and please be sure to post how that trip goes, I know I'll be waiting to hear!

Donna

we are boked for the casa del mar for 021100 and I would appreciate any info on rooms. We would like ocean front if available does anyone know whay building number and which rooms have the best view??

Buildings 3 and 5 have the best view. Building 4 is behind the pool and small. It contains no rooms, only 4 junior suites.

One side of buildings 3 and 5 face the pool and disco, so if noise bothers you, be sure to request a room in those buidings on the side away from the pool. The best view in the resort is available from the junior suites at the end of buildings 3 and 5. They are beachfront.