It's beautiful, surrounded by trees almost like a jungle. You can see all sorts of birds from your balcony and occasionally the green monkeys which live opposite the hotel! I loved the pool and the beach being so close! The beach was great, good for body boarding. The food was good, cocktails even better and I can't forget to mention the weekly manager's rum punch party, free drinks always good! 5 min walk to the retaurants- good choice. I remember people enjoying it so much they booked another 3 weeks holiday later in the year before they left to go home! Also, there are hotels either side which you can use their pool and take advantage of the happy hour cocktails. Also lots for the kids to do!

Friends had booked a trip to the Bougainvilla Resort in Barbardos and last minute we decided to join them. Since there were no rooms left at Bougainvilla, a travel agent we spoke with found the Casuarina next to the Bougainvilla, (a perfectly safe short walk along the beach), and we got a better deal than we would have at the Bougainvilla. The Casuarina turned out to be an awesome vacation. Yes, it was a simple place, but we could not find fault with anything. There were families, singles and couples, Americans and Europeans, many of the guests were repeaters. Our room was pleasant, actually had a small kitchen, (didn't use, I'm on vacation thank you), with a veranda and somewhat of a view of the beach. It was quiet, a real relaxing atmosphere. We only ate breakfast there since it was included (Best of Barbados package), we had a choice of buffet or menu, both were good and plentiful. The best part was conversing with the workers and getting to know them. I especially liked the Aquatic Aerobic classes at the pool in the mornings. This hotel had a "recycle and reuse" theme, the owner, a single older woman was big on nature and environment, which explains the lush vegetation all over the grounds, unlike the Bougainvilla, known for it's happy hour and party-like atmosphere. We had the best of both worlds since we utilized both hotels with our friends. Actually, the Casuarina suited my husband best since he is a big nature entusiast. We went to Barbados for the water activities, but we also found the island to be very interesting. One morning my husband went on a nature walk arranged for the guests with the owner. The day we were scheduled to leave, a bicycle tour (transportation, bikes and breakfast all complimentary), was planned. My husband really wanted to do this, and the owner accomodated him by arranging separate transportation back to our hotel so we would leave for the airport ontime. It was one of the highlights of his trip, he said the breakfast was in a four star hotel with amazing views. Who could ask for a better sendoff. Me, I just enjoyed the sun and the beach. We really like Barbados, especially the Fish Fry night, (forgot the name and place), where you really get to see and experience the locals. Some people go to the Carribbean Islands expecting to be treated like Kings and Queens. You are guests in another country, it is their home, not yours! The Bajans are gracious and kind. As others have said, be nice, friendly and smile. It goes a long way in the islands. Stop being the "ugly" American! With that said, I'm very dissapointed to see that the original Casuarina is gone. I don't think the Almond will not have the same mindset and ambiance. I will get back to Barbados sometime, but I'm not sure I'll find another Casuarina as the original.

What a disappointment,

We booked for this hotel for May 17th 2007 as it was due to open in March ; we have now been informed that this hotel will not open until July 2007 at the earliest and all that Virgin holidays will do is offer us Almond beach village , no other alternatives.
What a disgrace.
Almond need to get their refurbishment act together as I recall Almond Morgan Bay in St Lucia refurbishment also overunning and not meeting its scheduled opening time for all work to complete , should have been Nov 2005 but completed fully March 2006 , have they not learned a lesson , for a big company that is unacceptable.

Keef , Herts.

The Almond Casuarina Beach is not open until end March, it has been known as the Casuarina Beach, a self catering complex until the end of last year when the Almond Group bought it and are currently refurbishing it. It reopens as a 4* Almond resort hotel, with 3 pools. Thats all i know so far, it is on the almond resorts website. I am booked to stay there 21 July, and I am a travel agent, so expect an honest reply when I come back!!