Casa Grande Mountain Retreat Review

Reviewed by sdunlap from New York, NY on 4/13/09
If you want to pay separately for every cup of coffee, every telephone call from an office cell phone (because yours won't work), yoga, massage, extra glass of anything, including soft drinks or tea, because their glasses/cups are less than 8oz, then this is the place for you. We were charged $14 just for coffee!
Besides being difficult to reach, the rooms do not have any phones nor will your cell phone work here. You have to be the first one up if you want hot water for your shower. The soap they provide looks like it was stolen from a maid's cart at Motel 6. Two glasses are provided inside your room, however, these glasses will never be changed throughout your visit. There is no airconditioning at all so if you tend to be on the warm side, you should consider this. Then, upon awakening, enjoy your breakfast with the rudest, most inattentive waitress in Puerto Rico. This brings me to the parking lot. We had to park across the street on someone else's property because parking is limited and difficult to manuever. However, if you do find yourself here and want something else to eat besides the limited dinner menu, then walk across the street to Marlene's cottage and ask about Rancho Marina. Rancho Marina is run by Vivian and Harry. It's a lovely lakeside restaurant where everyone is friendly and the food is good.

Member Rating: 2.0
Ratings details: Room: 2.0 Atmosphere: 3.0 Service: 1.0 Value: 2.0

Reviewed by lilobodo from Venice, Florida on 11/21/08
Reserved quiet room but had very noisy neighbors in spite of almost empty resort. Reservations needed for dinner, although we were only guests. Food bland, portions small and very limited menu. Bar was and remained closed, breakfast opened 30 minutes late. Checked out 2 days early

Member Rating: 3.8
Ratings details: Room: 4.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 2.0 Value: 4.0

Reviewed by tsavdarcamp from AGUADILLA VIA CHARLOTTE, NC on 6/8/08
From a distance, the graceful flora and chalets look like some kind of open-air rehab facility. Indeed, after spending time at Casa Grande, I felt refreshed, re-energized, and re-connected with the simple beauty of nature. If you cannot live without your television or radio, unfortunately this is not the place for you. However, isn’t a vacation about disconnecting your stress and enjoying the moment? The staff was wonderful and friendly. The owner, a transplant from New York, visited the property years ago and subsequently purchased it within six months! He now conducts daily Yoga classes and personally meets all his guests. It is a bit tricky getting there, but once you arrive, you will be glad you made the trek. I recommend arriving before dark (7’ish) to enjoy the surroundings and ensure that you don’t get lost on one of the curvy mountain roads. No need for air conditioning for the mountain air is cool and inviting, even in the summer. Perfect place for honeymooners and cerebralites Teenagers may enjoy the pool, but the lack of media/electronics, may bore them unless they bring their summer reading assignments.

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Room: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0

Reviewed by rnphd from Lancaster, PA on 2/18/07
If you want excitement, action, and luxury, please go elsewhere. If you want quietly overwhelming mountain beauty, gorgeous botanical plantings, serene lounging by a small freshwater pool, excellent food in stunning surroundings, and a respite from tv and radio, stay here. This is an award-winning eco-lodge, which deserves the accolades. We spent hours on our balcony (with the cat who graciously allowed us to share it) looking at the mountains, listening to the coquies, and snoozing in the hammock. It's a quiet, restful place, with extremely friendly and helpful staff members. The workmen showed us the orange, grapefruit, and coffee trees, and were very good natured about our relative lack of Spanish. The young lady at the front desk was extremely helpful when we needed to borrow her phone for a work-related "emergency" back home. There is not always lunch available here, but nearby is a bakery with bread, pastry that is baked on the premises and could put the French to shame, and huge sandwiches made to order. There is also a roadside stand with very good roast chicken and mafongo. Probably not a great place for your average child for long periods, but a wonderful retreat for the rest of us. If you can't live without constant stimulation, this is not the place for you. If you want quiet relaxation and rejuvenation, you should stay here for a few days. You won't really want to leave.

Member Rating: 4.4
Ratings details: Room: 4.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 5.0