Bahia Marina Condo Resort is the most "full-service" accomodation on the island, without question. It is an Villa/ condo facility bordering a 100-acre nature preserve. The resort is on a ridge with AMAZING panoramic views (from the Villa wrap-around balconies) of Fulladoza Bay and the seas bordering Culebra. You really have to see it to believe it - pics just don't do it justice. Every unit has cable TV (including HBO) and internet access, plus the public areas have free wireless (wifi) internet. There are two main swimming pools, a wading pool and a Jacuzzi. Parking is free and "Tony" will pick you up and drop you off at the airport or fairy dock at no charge. You can also rent a car (Thrifty Rental) right at the property when you check in.

We stayed in the one bedroom Villa (referred to as "Phase I", although "Lisa" - one of the owners - does not like that term - she prefers "Villas" as opposed to the "Condos" of "Phase II":-)), which has two full size beds, two full bathrooms with showers, a living room area (with a queen size micro fiber futon), a kitchenette area (which includes dishes, silverware, pots and pans, coffee maker and toaster), and two A/C units (one in the living room and one in the bedroom). The inside of the Villa is pleasant, although in some need of paint, and some general maintenance. For example, one of our toilets would run until we manually adjusted the inside apparatus after each use, and the A/C in the bedroom sounded like a jet plane was taking off, such that we had to turn it off every night in order to sleep. Plus, the water pressure was non-existent in both showers, and the bathroom entrances are strikingly narrow (if you are a professional football player, you will have to enter the bathroom sideways :-)) "Housekeeping" was also a bit spartan (made beds and changed garbage bags only).

The facility has 2 restaurants (and both are only open for dinner, I think - not sure about lunch cuz we were always in town or snorkeling during the day -- but definately not breakfast): Shipwrecks Bar and Grill (a more casual dining experience downstairs) and Dakity's (a little bit more upscale restaurant upstairs - only open on the weekends). Chef "Anne" at Dakity's is amazing - our first night there we enjoyed outstanding pumpkin and ginger cream soup, asparagus risotto and chocolate souffle. Unbelievable!! And both restaurants went out of their way to let us order "off the menu" in order to feed my vegetarian traveling companion. The best part was that there are essentially only 4-5 other restaurants on the Isle (Club Seaborne's, Mamasitas, Dinghy Dock's, Heather's, and Suzies on Wed - Sun), and since Shipwrecks/Dakity's are BY FAR the best, "our" bar and restaurant would really bustle at night (in an otherwise quiet atmosphere), making us feel like the kids with the cool parents with the best house in the neighborhood ;-) Keep in mind that , while the service is attentive and friendly, it is still "Island-paced" - so be prepared to wait a little while for your food (especially when they are busy) - but just kick back and enjoy the Island breeze.

And...ah the hosts - family run businesses are the best! Jose "Sr" (owner/operator) was the best kind of "can-do" person on the planet. He was ALWAYS around, If we needed anything (even during the "off-hours"), we only had to ask once. And, even though the bar did not open "technically" until 3 PM, Jose, Jr. ("JI" as he is called, so as not to confuse him with Jose "Sr") was always willing to make us his special "Jose" Daiquiri (a splendid mix of strawberry, lime, and pineapple juices plus lemon zest -- yum!). Their Bushwaker (yes, "waker", not "wacker") blended chocolatey drink is also delicious. And speaking of the "Bushwaker", JI's Uncle, "Captain Bill", will take you out for the best chartered catamaran (named the "Bushwaker") trip of your life. You can go on a fishing trip, a scenic trip, or a snorkeling trip - whatever you like - he's at your service. And if you decide to go fishing (and catch a yellow-fin tuna or the like), Jose Sr. will fry it up, or sushi it up, for you! And speaking of the "people" part, we cannot forget the very helpful and responsive Aileen (who helps with preliminary reservations etc.), the kind and gentle spirited Tony (our "chauffeur "), the feisty and funny Michelle (Asst. General Manager, who does everything from checking you in/out, to renting you your car, to shuttling you to/from the airport, to housekeeping... as needed) , to delightful and chatty Lisa (married to Jose Sr.), to sweet and warm Leah at the bar. I won't name them all, but ALL of the staff was kind and friendly - a complete delight.

So...go for the people AND THE VIEW from your balcony (see attached pics - the 1st 2 are views from inside the Villa - the 3rd is a pic of the Villas themselves from the road below - they are the 3 pink structures way at the top of the pic). You will never tire of either one! We will be back every single year. There is simply nothing else like it. Oh, by the way, the "Phase II" (sorry Lisa) Condos are now on the market. They are amazing...just ask Lisa ALL about them at lisa@bahiamarina.net. Enjoy!!!!