Casa Marina Beach/Reef - Bad Review?

BradM · #1 10-10-2008, 10:49 PM

I have a group of friends coming to the North Coast and they want to stay in an AI. I suggested the Casa Marina, for it's location to everything. I stayed there several years ago and thought it would be good for the group.

When they checked with their travel agent, she said that the hotel has become severely run down over the years and she won't book anyone in there at any price.

She is proposing "Sosua By The Sea" and "Bahia Principe" as better alternatives. Sosua By The Sea would be a viable alternative, but it's not really an AI per se, but the Bahia Principe is way out of the way in Rio San Juan.

Does anyone that has stayed at the Casa Marina have any comments with regards to the condition of the hotel?

twhitehead · #2 10-11-2008, 08:11 AM

Brad. I have had 3 separate sets of freinds/family stay there in the past year and all have enjoyed it very much. Not super fancy but not complaints from any of them. Tom

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradM

I have a group of friends coming to the North Coast and they want to stay in an AI. I suggested the Casa Marina, for it's location to everything. I stayed there several years ago and thought it would be good for the group.

When they checked with their travel agent, she said that the hotel has become severely run down over the years and she won't book anyone in there at any price.

She is proposing "Sosua By The Sea" and "Bahia Principe" as better alternatives. Sosua By The Sea would be a viable alternative, but it's not really an AI per se, but the Bahia Principe is way out of the way in Rio San Juan.

Does anyone that has stayed at the Casa Marina have any comments with regards to the condition of the hotel?

Bob K · #3 10-11-2008, 08:18 AM

We have had clients stay there this year and all enjoyed it. I actually ate dinner there two weeks ago and the food was pretty good.

Bob K

loobyloo · #4 10-11-2008, 09:39 AM

Hi brad,
I've stayed at the Casa Marina Reef twice this year, the last time being 6 weeks ago and i'm booked in again for the begining of Jan :-)

Yes.. the rooms are a little tired and could prob do with a re-furb, nevertheless they are clean n tidy, staff are friendly and food is ok.. all in all its a decent hotel to stay at bargain prices.. I mean £614 for 2 weeks AI from the UK takes some beating
looby

adiaz43 · #5 10-15-2008, 02:10 PM

Brad,
Casa Marina is fair for the price. I was there during the last week of September (26-30). I enjoyed my stay. Staff was nice. Pool was great. AI drink all the time

. My only suggestion is to make sure you get a room on the reef side of the hotel. the beach side is in need of a little tlc.

- Adrian

jrhartley · #6 10-15-2008, 04:32 PM

I would be interested to know the price difference between casa marina and the one suggested by the travel agent lol- could she be working on commission

mart0417 · #7 10-15-2008, 04:40 PM

My husband and I stayed at Casa Marina, it was one fo the worst hotels we have stayed at. It all depends on yoru expectations, but it was a little to run down for me, the pool was never clean, the hotel in general was nto as clean as it could have been. I woudl never recommend this hotel to my friends. I only ate fruit and vegetable the whole trip. it states all inclusive but after certain hours you need to [pay for your drinks in the disco. Just not a good holiday for us

jrhartley · #8 10-15-2008, 05:36 PM

are you sure you were in casa marina in sosua- the pool always looks clean to me...there are three arent there

gert51 · #9 10-15-2008, 05:43 PM

we are at the casa marina reef/beach now and have no complaints, the pools are cleaned every day and the staff work very hard, some people come with high expectations but remember it is 3* but we think a very good one

sammystorm19 · #10 10-15-2008, 05:44 PM

Casa Marina is cheaper then both Sosua by the Sea and Bahia Principe. Being a travel agent I am sure that she is trying to get you to stay at one of the other places as the rates are higher.

Bahia Principe is about 1.5 hrs outside of Puerto Plata and a fair distance away from night life and everything else.

Casa Marina is a nice hotel, true some updates could be made, but other then that I would recomend it for sure. Night life, shopping and Sosua beach all right there.

Cheers

)