I just returned from Casa Marina / Sosua - 6 lovely warm weeks. This was my 11th time at this resort. It's not the fanciest or the most modern but the lovely staff make up for any deficits. The rooms that have been renovated in the last couple of years are quite nice. Since I have been so many times I'm counted as a VIP guest so I get a few extras -

I have only been slightly disappointed in the food during one visit (2004) but I went for a quick week in the beginning of November and it was quite a slow time so not all the food was up to the usual standard but I certainly didn't go hungry although that certainly wouldn't have hurt me one bit.

I always take a travel mug (if Canadian get a Bubba Keg from Canadian Tire) they keep drinks cold for a very long time. I also take school items for the kids and tee shirts, lanyards, key chains etc. with Canada on them for the staff and friends I have made over the years.

I leave a lot of my clothes, all my toiletries and makeup for the maids as well as a $5 tip at the beginning of my visit and $20 at the end. The service I get is terrific. Same with the bartenders. If you make good friends with them in the beginning your stay can't compare.

I can't wait to go back next year - I'm hoping for 2 months and am ready to go.

group of 11 hd a great trip beds was cofy flat screen tvs, resort was just beautifull! only downfall was they dont have any blender drinks at all! they dont serve you! usually at resorts they have people bring you drink none at meals or anywere! which was no big deal to us for the price we coud not complain, we had a room on 4th floor which was alot of steps ask to be moved they make u wait 2days on a list but after that was moved to a ground floor pool room, this room was awesome but beware u get lots of ants! had to get our room sprayed 2x , they also would not let anyone extend their checkout ties even with offering to pay for the room which was weird the hotel could have made some good money as we had to be out of room by 1pm didnt leave till830 for 1130 flight made for along day!

First of : This is my 8th time in Dom Republic and the first in Sosua.
Every time I have stayed in a resort so I have a pretty good idea what to expect.
Six times I have stayed in Iberostar properties and always been very happy with everything.
Food is terrible. For six days, was exactly the same food breakfast/lunch/dinner with no choices. You were limited to the same pasta, same fish and the same leg of pork.
I have had better food of the trucks in NYC. Service is OK. Now room service, do not expect your room to be fixed before 5 pm or have towels before that time. I tipped twice and was going to tip the last day but I heard them say to each other in one of the rooms I was passing by : se no me da propina , no voy a arreglar , which means if they don't tip me, I won't fix it (the room).They will take your towels around noon and they will not replace them. I asked and I was told that all towels are being washed.

As of January 19th- 2012 in the building were rooms 25xx are there is some construction going on. You will be up by 8 am and they work past 10pm. My good luck, they worked the whole week. I paid extra money for an ocean view room and of course was not given to me.
Attached is the picture of my ocean view.
Front Desk was useless, even after I tipped $5.

Reservations for the restaurants Luiggi (Ital/Mex same restaurant) and the seafood you need to make reservations from 9:30 am to 11 am. You can't do after or before. If they want they will even tell you, sorry is booked. You walk to the restaurant and of course is empty.

Go in the restaurant, tell the server you left the coupon home, tip few $ and you don't need the reservation.

If you are with family , especially little kids and you walk outside of the resort and I am talking right outside the door be careful because prostitution is rampant. It is safe by the way to walk at nigh if you don't mind being harassed by prostitutes, Haitians trying to sell you over priced useless stuff and the people that exchange currency. Do not exchange anything in the street. They will always try to cheat you. There are a huge amount of legit exchange places almost every other door

I stayed at this resort recently and will not be ever returning to this resort. I read the reviews before going and made the decision to book the trip anyways because, for the price, the reviews weren't that bad.

Pros:
Absolutely beautiful resort, the grounds were impeccable and well kept. The jacuzzis by the sea were amazing. The old reef was amazing and the beach was clean with crystal clear water.

The room was clean and the maids did a great job everyday. There were no bugs and always lots of hot water.

The staff were friendly (sometimes a little too friendly to myself and my fellow single traveler, but that is pretty typical)

Close proximity to the town made for great walks through town, easy access to the supermarket and lots of fun things to see and do off the resort. Lots of great deals to be had along the marketplace at the beach.

Lots of free activities (i.e. kayaking, snorkeling, diving lessons etc....)

Cons:
The shows were boring, not because the staff didn't try hard, but that it was super annoying that each segment had to be repeated in multiple languages which got really tedious very quickly.

Rude Guests. This resort was full of the rudest guests I have ever seen during my many travels south. The guests Quebecois (about 90% of the guests there) made me ashamed to be from the same country. From the multiple times I watched them demean and speak down to the staff, treating them like dirt. To the time in the grill when I watched a group of French Canadian young adults repeatedly made fun of a young man with an obvious disability until he was in tears.

The rooms had doors that were way too thin and so every noise all night long could be heard (and I mean every noise :o). From the domestic disputes, many loud and drunken teenagers and screaming children it was terrible trying to get a good nights sleep.

Other downside – because of the close proximity to town there was a lot of prostitution (of every type) on the resort.

Tips:
--Do go down shopping in the market by the beach.
--Do eat the Mexican A La Carte...it was totally the best one by far.
--Do tip the staff
--Do bring stuff to do in your room if it rains as there is no real public gathering place or things to do during bad weather.
--Do Leave the resort and walk the couple blocks to the supermarket instead of purchasing any snack items, tobacco etc... from the hotel shop. The best store is a supermarcado playero on hwy 5 (one street over from the Sosua Beach Market).

--Don't go to this resort unless you are French.
--Don't pay for the excursion to Puerto Plata. The only worthwhile part is the $10 cable car ride, and you don't want to book that in advance as it is only worthwhile if it is clear.

Alas, unfortunately for the Amhsa Marina Group, the other guests at this hotel have made me never, ever desire to return.