Casa Marina - Beach or Reef?

[RustyHalo]

Okay, have pretty much narrowed it down to the Casa Marina. There's not much difference in price between the Beach side and the Reef side? Would love to hear people's preferences and experiences. Is one side better than the other? Why?

[mizpiggy]

Hola rustyhalo, mizpiggy here. First off, welcome to the forum.
You can't go wrong either way at the Casa Marina complex. My husband and I have spent a couple of weeks there each February for the last 6 winters. For the first 5 trips, our room was in the Reef section, which is a little newer, but this year, we could only book the Beach section. We weren't sure how we would like those rooms, but absolutely loved them better! Like I said tho, either section is ok. The resort is not that large and both sections share all the bars and restaurants anyway, so you can't lose. If you would like to see some photos in and about the resort, and the area around the hotel, check in the member photos section of this forum and we have posted links to some of our photos. Any other questions, well, just ask away.
Kathy

[RustyHalo]

Thanks, Kathy! The CM resort looks so large - is one section closer to walk to the Checkpoint area, or are both about the same?

Loved your pictures! Do you know what kind of bird that is on the beach in your photos? I'm an artist and I paint mostly birds and animals. He would be such a cute little guy to paint.

[mizpiggy]

The walk is really about the same, so not to worry about that too much. If you are in the Beach section, and leave via the Beach entrance if would be about a block and a half extra to walk, I guess I would say.
And as for the bird, we don't know what he is, but there is a good chance Colleen or someone else might know.
Glad you liked the pictures! Kind of gives you a feel for the resort at least.

[Sosua Gal]

Most people staying on the "Beach" side of the resort use the Reef Lobby exit to come in to town...it is a shorter distance that way and then you don't have to go up past the pushy vendors on the Beach exit road if you don't want to be hassled on the way up!
Also, there's sometimes a good ball game going on outside across from the Reef Lobby in the Ball field!

[RustyHalo]

Correction to my original post...the Beach is the only one on the Expedia list. The two prices are for Oceanview or Garden side. And it's only a $50 difference. I don't much care which view I get, because I don't spend much time on vacation inside my hotel room.
But would still love to hear reports from anyone who stayed there.

[coppersun2001]

For the $50 take what ever is the cheapest. It really doesn't matter cause the resort is so wonderful that you don't spend much time in the room. All the rooms are the same inside. We were in building 3 when we first got there but moved into building 7 after three days. I am under the impression that they are going to be reno-ing the first three but this may not be the case. I would choose anything but building 3.

You will absolutely love it.

AND yep Kath and her hubby take the most wonderful pics!

[RustyHalo]

Good morning, Coppersun! - or is it morning where you are? - I don't know what time zone you're in, but it's only 7:30 here in Vancouver.
Yes, it does say on the Casa Marina website that there are renovations happening right now which are noisy, but I don't care - more of an excuse to go shopping, to the beach, and hang out at Checkpoint.