I booked a family 65th Surprise Birthday Celebration at the Casa Marina by contacting the property directly. The booking agent was very nice and extremely helpful in room choice options, unfortunately however, many of the comments and requests initially made were not followed through to my check-in. It was remedied but I thiink the overall total would have been less if I had taken the original room option "I" had chosen.

The hotel is ABSOLUTELY beautiful....on the ocean and the physical property itself.

The check-in process, although quick, did leave me with some concerns. I have stayed at MANY hotels and if arriving early the check-in staff has always worked with me to provide a place to freshen up, shower, and change OR get me into a room that was available, not the original room placed on my reservation. This hotel did not get me in early so I had to check every 30 minutes to assess availability. I acknowledged the fact the hotel does stipulate a 4p check-in but it only has a changing room, not a shower. This is also an inconvenience when checking out because you need to check out by 11a and without a shower, even in the health club facilities, you cannot utilize the property unless you want to get on the plane sticky, smelly from sun tan lotion...etc. I suggest the site look into all of the check-in practices/ "other than room" shower facilities.

PROs: 1) Property, bell staff, doorman, waitresses, concierge, complimentary computer access in lobby only if you need to take a quick look as MANY people are awaiting to use some times. 2) Pool staff periodic walking around with complimentary watermelon, popscicles, and "small " drink samples.

CONs: 1. Check-In process and willing to work with guests that arrive earier than check-in or want later check-out. 2. NO COMPLIMENTARY WIRELESS ACCESS. I have not stayed in a hotel or guest house in quite a few years that does not offer. 3. Onsite restaurant/pool bar is EXTREMELY expensive and drinks are watered down. NOT worth the price. 3) Location is a bit remote if you are looking to be in life of it all down on DUVAL. It's a 35-40 minute walk to get from hotel to Mallory Square area. My family did it daily, however, needed to take a taxi a few times...especially if dressing up nicely for dinner. 4) No whirlpool/hot tub on property.

Overall- I would stay again if had family with me due to the property being right on ocean. This is a rarity for Key West and people do like the ocean. However, when traveling alone or if being on the ocean is NOT a requirement there are MANY MANY MANY other Guest Houses on Key West that do offer all the conveniences and luxuries I require and it's a more personable experience. TRY them...it's such a lovely time.

For the past 22 years we have gone away each year to celebrate our anniversary. Sometimes just one night away at a nice local hotel and other years we go away for a weekend or weeklong trip. The Casa Marina was the perfect getaway. We arrived 1 day after Ike went through and there was hardly a trace that a tropical storm had passed. We headed straight out to the poolside bar to relax and were greeted by Jan who gave us great personal treatment for four days until her day off when Robin then took over and was just fantastic! Both Jan and Robin were pleasant to talk to and even knew how to make our favorite drink found in the BVI the "Painkiller". Our room was comfortable, clean and we think the best view in the hotel (room 230). We overlooked the pool and faced the ocean directly. It was perfect. Casa Marina has a beach which you won't find anywhere else "in town". We rented bikes for a day and then took taxi's or walked into town at other times. It was about a 10 - 15 minute walk and about a $8.00 cab ride. We will go back to Casa Marina for the bartenders, the attention we received at the pool, the clean rooms, the romantic side of the Keys and a great stay!

Just recently stayed at the casa with some family and friends for our small wedding at Ft. Zachary Taylor (which by the way has an amazing beach, worth checking out!) The service is excellent! Patrick and M.J. at the front desk were both very sweet, upon learning about our wedding/honeymoon, we got upgraded to a bigger room with a huge balcony, they even gave us two comp. drinks at the bar! Patrick really went above and beyond! Robin at the sun-sun bar was awesome as well, she gave great recomendations for places to eat, even sent a bottle of champagne to our room on our wedding night!
Even though we got evacuated due to IKE, we had the best time at the casa. Since there are two pools they are never too crowded, pool boys come by often to offer cold towels, drinks, watermelon and even popsicles! Also the pools are open all night which was a lot of fun. The private beach is so relaxing with hammocks and the pier to walk out on.
Room was brand new and so clean, excellent maid service!
Food is a little expensive, but that is a given. We walked to the cuban store (about a 5-10 min. walk) to get stuff to make sandwhiches to take to the pool to save money (would recommend!!)
Duval St. is about a 15-20 min. walk so pack comfy shoes! I've read a lot of complaints about this but the walk isn't bad, we had fun seeing everything (you see a lot more walking!) But a cab ride is $7 if walking isn't your thing.
There is an Italian restaurant called "Salute" right next to resort by Higgs Beach, literally a 5 min. walk and had great food and service.
Overall everyone was so sweet and accamodating and we won't stay anywhere else but here when we come back!!

The outdoor areas and poolside at this hotel were great and the staff very attentive. rooms were satisfactory but if you are going to book insist on a room in the original part of the hotel as the more recently constructed extension where we were situated was 'motel like'.
The front of house check in team really let the place down for us and need training in how to deal with guests professionally particularly as this resort places itself at the higher end of the market.