Calle Alejo Martinez, Sosua, Dominican Republic | (501) 232-4463
An all-inclusive property with reasonable rates including food and drink
Two nice sandy beaches (one with waves and one without)
Three pools, two children's pools, and three small, scenic, oceanfront pools
Convenient location a two-minute walk from restaurants and shops in downtown Sosua
Scuba diving excursions available and water sports rentals on-site
Beachfront massages available in cabanas
Five restaurants (buffet and a la carte), numerous bars, and a
dance club on-site
Pleasant rooms include flat-screen TVs and balconies or patios
Daily entertainment poolside and nightly activities
Gets overcrowded on weekends and peak season (long buffet
lines)
Property is showing some wear and tear
Food is just average
Fee for Wi-Fi, and connection can be spotty
Small fee to rent umbrellas on the beach
Basic rooms lack mini-fridges and coffeemakers
No fitness center or spa
The 299-room Casa Marina Reef is a mid-range, all-inclusive hotel that while far from luxurious, offers excellent value for the price. Highlights include two nice sandy beaches, appealing oceanfront pools, a huge central pool, free sports rentals, and all-inclusive
food and drinks. Rooms are basic and pleasant with tile floors, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, and small balconies. It’s also one of the few resorts that’s within walking
distance of a real Dominican town, giving guests a chance to escape from the
all-inclusive bubble. Beachfront massages are available in cabanas and there's an on-site dance club and daily entertainment. On the downside, the restaurants are often overcrowded,
most of the food is mediocre, and the rooms are basic with no free Wi-Fi.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Mid-range, all-inclusive hotel with lovely oceanfront location, but beware of the crowds
One of the older resorts in the Dominican Republic, mid-range Casa Marina
Reef is beginning to show some wear and tear. It technically used to be divided
into two resorts -- Casa Marina Reef and Casa Marina Beach -- but now the two
are one and the same. The property is less relaxing and luxurious than many
resorts in the region, yet it has an especially friendly and casual vibe. A
rocky cliff area between the two beaches offers hammocks, lounge chairs, and a
series of small pools, which makes for a cozy tropical setting.One of the biggest cons here is overcrowding during peak
season and weekends. The pools can get crammed, and it's often hard to find a
table in the restaurants (a staff member instructed us to share a
table with other guests). When the hotel is crowded, expect to be herded through a crowded buffet line and then make awkward conversations at a shared table. The bulk of the clientele at Casa Marina Reef are budget
travelers looking for some beach, booze, and fun -- which the resort delivers.
Expect to see families, couples, lone retirees, and college student on spring break.
Location
Walking distance from downtown El Batey, Sosua and near the airport
Located down a side street in the El Batey neighborhood of
Sosua, Casa Marina Reef is one of the rare all-inclusives where guests can
actually walk into town and check out local shops, restaurants, and nightlife. After
a two-minute stroll guests can find an ice cream shop, dance clubs, authentic
Dominican restaurants, and tourist shops. Sosua can be a bit seedy at night, but we felt generally safe during our visit.
Casa Marina Reef is one of the most convenient resorts to reach from the PuertoPlata airport (just 10-15 minutes by taxi).- Two-minute stroll to downtown El Batey, Sosua
Rooms
Modest rooms with private balconies and few amenities
Each room at Casa Marina Reef comes with two double beds or
one king bed. They’re sparsely decorated with white walls, white bedspreads,
and white tile floors. The chairs, throw pillows, and coverlets offer bright
pops of color in shades of orange or lime green, depending on what side of the
hotel you’re on. As far as amenities, each comes with a flat-screen TV,
balcony or patio, and not much else. Wi-Fi is an added fee. Bathrooms are simple with plenty of counter space, but some of the tile grout looks grungy, and hairdryers and sets of toiletries shouldn't be expected.
Features
Plentiful pools, beach volleyball, massage services, and water sports
Casa Marina Reef has a solid range of
amenities. The most popular attractions are the pools, which come in various
shapes and sizes: a huge main pool, three hot tub-sized oceanfront pools, two
average-sized pools, and two shallow children's pools. Other highlights include a
nightclub, business center, beachside massage cabanas, gift shop, a theater offering
regular evening entertainment, and on-site photographers, which will take snapshots of guests with a resident monkey or on the beach. Activities-wise,
the resort offers beach volleyball, bocce ball, table tennis, kayaks, floats,
snorkels, and more -- all free of charge. Do expect to pay a fee for Wi-Fi.
All-Inclusive / Food
Five restaurants and plentiful bars with all-inclusive food and drink
The resort has a total of five restaurants: two buffets and
three reservation-only, a la carte venues specializing in Mexican,
Italian, and seafood. The cuisine overall is average. Guests should be sure to reserve their spot in the a la carte
restaurants first thing in the morning to guarantee a table. At least half a dozen bars serve all-inclusive
drinks and cocktails throughout the resort. The alcohol is all bottom shelf,
but, in a familiar all-inclusive trap, guests have the option to pay extra for better brands.
Beach
Two nice beaches separated by a rocky reef
Casa Marina Reef has an excellent location with two beaches.
Guests who like to body surf will enjoy the warm waves on the northernmost
beach, while families with kids may prefer the calmer waters on the southern
beach. Both beaches are soft and sandy, and the water -- though not crystal
clear -- is a pretty shade of blue. Plenty of plastic lounge chairs are up for
grabs, and beach umbrellas can be rented for a small fee.