Arrival
We visited the Casuarina for two weeks June 13-27. I would like to start by saying we had problems right from the start. We got Crawley ( Almond ) to email twice & also a friend stayed the week prior and spoke to the hotel about my wife who has a back problem so could we please have either a ground or 1st floor room close to the amenities to reduce her walking as much as possible. On arrival we were informed our room was not quite ready, would be about ½ hour & were offered cooling Rum Punches while we waited. This wait turned out to be 2 hours before we were shown to our room block 5 floor 3. This was a non starter & I asked for another room. We were then offered block 4 floor 2 which we reluctantly accepted for the night, but I did say we were not unpacking & we would need to change again tomorrow.
The duty manager Joanne Kelman really helped the next day & we were moved to block 3 1st floor, the room was great, close to everything for my wife
Restaurants
The hotel has 3 to choose from. Waves, Dover Grill & Enid’s ( Thursday to Sunday)
Again small things let them down. You are asked for you room number & then seated but by doing this even at breakfast the queues get longer & longer & increase waiting time & frustration. I did suggest just to take the room number & let people sit where they liked, this fell on deaf ears, the other alternative is to give everyone ID armbands.
Believe it or not you get offered the same menu two nights running, silly or what.
Swimming Pool.
The main pool we were told will be adults only ( just waiting for the signs ), the downside here due to the wind every day at least 2 parasols got broken quickly resulting in not enough shade around the pool. When we first arrived we would claim our pool beds about 9.30 and at the end it was close to 6.00 am.
Beach
Good & fun with serious waves, don’t go out of your depth, but too strong for young children.
Service at Bars & restaurants was very slow but this was without the new block opening with about 300 more people to look after. Where are these people going to eat, sunbathe or get to the bar I really don’t know.
Would I return, yes to Barbados, a definite no to the Casuarina. We will be going for our 11th time to The Grand Palladium Bavaro Resort in Punta Cana Dom Rep in December, now this is a fantastic hotel in our opinion, cant wait, and probably around half the price.

I have been reading other reviews and my wifes, having stayed at the neighbouring complex more than once we decided to visit the Casuarina (soft opening)
The management idea of the staff telling us their name in conversation - certainly does not work when the staff especially the bar staff are flat out.
Some of the staff were working extra jobs and extra shifts, (bar staff were also porters , reception staff were also cocktail staff in the evening ) we were informed there is a problem getting staff.
My thanks to Crystal and Adrian (sorry cannot remember other names in the Bars ), they represent the excellent attitude and committment shown by all the staff.
Read the other reviews , the Complex when complete and has a full compliment of staff will be a fantastic example of Barbados South Coast service and with the other Hotel complexs on Turtle Beach and Maxwell Beach, forget the expensive west side its all here. By the way when on holiday , forget the alarm clock, internet and the TV , enjoy and gain the extra 10 pounds .
My only negative observation is my concern for the mussys, lots of follage, garden and ponds , so take your own precautions do not blame the hotel if you get biten !!!

We stayed here one week from 26/6. Most of the other reviews say it all. So here is my summary;
Rooms are fine, but several missing bits, no bath plug (replaced after 6 days), hair dryer u/s and curtain rail fell off the ceiling.
Restaurants OK, not enough staff, so slow starts and service even with buffets. Staff very helpful but stretched.
Lovely beach, but NO watersports, unless you count 7 boogie boards with more paperwork than a hip joint op.I spoke with THE hotel manager who 'promised' to get the hobies in the water.By the time this happened, I was packed and leaving.
Bars- in theory 4, often only 1 or 2 open, not enough barmen for an A-Inc resort.

As of 3/7, one accom block is still being refurbished, and the new block only partly occupied. I do not think the food/drink facilities will cope. On the last morning there was a VERY long queue for breakfast which started late as usual.

My advice; If any problems are not quickly resolved, go to the top manager or nothing will happen.
On the first night, you are pre-booked into Enid's restaurant. This is a contradiction, there are NO bookings in this place.You will have to wait a long time, so ask for a timed seating in the other restaurants.

Overall a nice place, good value at the cheap intro rate, but not good as prices rise.Should be fine, but maybe in six months.

My wife and i have just returned from the renovated Casuarina and i can't say enough good words to it justice.

Firstly we were greeted with a nice cold cocktail when we arrived and taken to our room.

Once we shown in we couldn't believe our luck it looked like the decoraters had just left with lovely colours the biggest bed you've ever seen and great view of the gardens and a nice plasma tv

From this point onward on the holiday just got better, the food is wonderful in all 3 resturants although you need to book in advance and it can be a little slow, but hey i'm on vacation so whats the rush as were on Caribbean time!!!.

The lunch time beach BBQ had to be one of my highlights with beautiful fish served.

Make sure you pay the extra $30 one night for the lobster tails mmm

Everything else really was in keeping with the room and food, the pools are great especially the pool bar which serves gorgeous cocktail and beer to, the beach is fantastic and everyone is so friendly.

We didn't travel with children however the rsorts seems very child friendly .

The entertainment finished at around 12PM each night although you could still get drinks in the late night bar, if this isn't for you then we told the party goes on long into the night in the town, maybe 20 years ago LOL

We visited the other Almond resorts via the free shuttle, however i must admit there not a patch on the Casuarina as there both a lttle tired looking, tho perfect for day trips as the pools and food were equally good.

There is some building work going on which i was told is near to completion this being located on the beach front which will have stunning view.

All in all this resort is terrific and will be the real deal once the service is improved and the beach front block is completed.

I would certainly return to this resort but would stay in the uncompleted block on the beach front as the views are breath taking