We spent two weeks at this resort from Mar 21/07. Though we could have taken the bus to the resort supplied by the travel co. we decided to contact Marcos Tours and have him pick us up. There was someone there waiting for us when we arrived and the trip cost $20. The driver wasn’t Marcos and didn’t speak any English so we didn’t receive any tour or descriptions on the drive to the resort. We did however get there about 15 to 20 mins before the others and had no line up for check in.

This resort doesn’t have the usual greeting of dancers and exotic drinks when you arrive that you get at some other resorts.

We were put in the south tower - which is the nicer looking one from the outside. It is also closer to the restaurants, main pool and evening entertainment. We had a jr suite with an excellent view of the pools and ocean. Unfortunately we didn't have a balconey

Like others have said the rooms are simple, but very clean. Ours certainly could have used a paint job and some new curtains and the flashing lights in the bathroom kept things interesting. However, we don’t spend a lot of time in the room, the bed was very comfortable and the water in the shower was hot with good pressure.

We didn’t find the rooms too cool for sleeping at night, but could be a little cool in the evening if you were watching some TV before going to dinner. Because others warned us we took something warm to wear during this time & we were quite comfortable.

The pools are large and very clean. They are also a little warn looking - cracks etc.. We spent most of our time at the two main pools where the music played and activities took place. This area had a swim up bar but for the 1st week it was very hard to get any service on the pool side - you had to get out, order at the other side of the bar and then climb back in the pool (big deal),. There is a wonderful kids pool with lots for them to do (like a small water park) and the water slide at the other pool was very fast if you laid down. There were also pools by the south and north towers. These pools were much quieter with no music or activities but the bar at the south tower pool made great drinks. The wave pool was not very exciting, the waves are very small. What was good here was in front of the pool they had chairs, tables & umbrellas set up in sand. (The waves at the beach were very large and the undertow could be very bad). So at this pool the kids could play in the sand and then in the safer small waves in the pool. You also got the sound of nice waves breaking against the shore. We also used the Olympic lap pool a couple of times. It was very enjoyable. All of the pools were slightly cool in the morning but very warm by the afternoon. One word of warning. The stones around the pool get VERY HOT. Be sure to have some flip-flops etc which you can wear to the pool and then slip right back on when you get out. You will not be able to walk to the pool or back to your chairs without something on your feet. We saw little kids crying because they had run onto the stones.

We found the food in restaurants to be very good, The buffet had an excellent choice with a different theme each night. The restaurant by the pool was nice with sit down, menu service and pretty good food,. The grill at the beach was also tasty but didn’t have a big choice and it was always the same every day. We were also told that the Mexican restaurant was under construction but when the Venezuelans arrived for Holy Week during our 2nd week the Mexican was opened in the North tower right away. That week they also opened the Italian restaurant for an air-conditioned buffet breakfast. The swim up bar was also stocked and you could get drinks from the pool as well.

There are many iguanas at this resort - from little 6 inch ones to large 2 foot ones. I would take some melon from the restaurant each morning and feed them. One day there were over 10 of them in the area between the main pool and the wave pool - on the ground and climbing up into the palm trees. We enjoyed feeding them and watching them sun themselves everyday.

We used Marcos tours for an island trip. We really enjoyed ourselves. We were with another couple and their son,. Marcos was very informative and listened to us to ensure that we were seeing what we wanted. A boat tour is included and he asked our guide to not only find the star fish that they locate for everyone, but to locate a seahorse for Will to see. It was amazing - We got to actually hold a live seahorse in our hand! (Back at the resort and I asked one of the merchants selling hand painted t-shirts if he could do one for me with a seahorse on it and he did for no extra cost.

We are just back from our perfect vacation to Margarita Island, January 2006. Just thought we would provide some feedback for anyone else travelling to Lagunamar Resort.

The resort is about a 30 minute drive from the airport. Roads to the resort are good. Resort looks nice as you approach. Nicely kept grounds. Very neat & tidy.

The Resort grounds are huge but they do have a trolley bus that is available 24/7 to take you from point A to point B. You never have to wait more than a few minutes. It is very easy to get to know your way around by the end of the first day, so no problems there.

Rooms are very spacious & clean. Air conditioning works great. There is a hair dryer in all rooms. Safe in rooms is free. They give you a key upon check in. There is a charge if you lose the key though. They also provide you with a card for free beach towels which you can change every day for clean ones. There is a charge if you lose your towel or card. Word of caution though.....do not drink the water from the tap as you will get sick. Fresh water is available at all restaurants and bars and on each floor in the hotel. Lots of hot water for showering.

Our room was on the 4th floor in the North Tower overlooking the mountains. Would have been nice to have an ocean view but mountain view was also spectacular. Rooms do have balconies.

Maid service ................good!

Food........so much to choose from. You can always find something that you like regardless of what they are serving. They offer tons of bread, cheese, fruit and pasta every night in case you do not like the other choices, so always something to fall back on. The Buffet Restaurant does theme nights so the menu changes.

Other restaurants are Salvatores (by the pool) which was great for lunch. The Beach Bar & Grill (by the ocean) which offered typical burgers, chicken etc. Also very good for lunch. They have the Mexican Restaurant and the Italian Restaurant. We tried both..........the Italian was great. Mexican was ok, but certainly not our favorite.

The South Tower is located closest to the ocean, the buffet restaurant & the Disco. The North Tower is located closest to the Casino, Wave pool and Water slide pool. Both locations are fine though.

We did the Angel Falls Tour which cost $300 U.S. per person. A bit expensive but well worth the trip. A word of caution though, the tour operators do not specify how strenuous parts of this excursion are and as such more than half of our group of 15 were unable to go the full length of the tour and had to turn back and wait for the rest of us.

We spoke to many people who did the Jeep Tour and all had a great day at only $45 U.S per person. A few people we spoke to did the horseback riding tour in the mountains and also said that was spectacular. I think that was also $45 U.S. per person.

The flea market sells mainly clothing at very cheap prices. We were lead to believe by the tour operators that we could get local crafts and jewellery there and that is not the case. After speaking to a few of the locals they advised us that most of the crafters left the island after Venezuella had all that political unrest. Once the tourists stopped coming, there was no money for them to make. Hopefully in time, as the tourists return, the local crafters will as well. The best place to shop for local stuff was the few booths on the beach or the booths at the Buffet Restaurant every night.

The beach is fabulous and has private cabana beds which you can rent very cheap. Watch out for the waves though, they are stronger than they look. Be extremely cautious of the tide.

Be sure to take bug spray as there are lots of mosquitos at the beach and in the evenings after any light rain. We had light rain a couple of mornings but it was always cleared up by about 9 a.m.

The Lagunamar Resort is the only one (from speaking to others on our way home) that actually have lifeguards on the beach and at all 9 pools

They had various shows every night. They switch back and forth from English to Spanish on a nightly basis. We watched one of the shows which was called "GREASE" like the old movie with John Travolta. It was quite good and it was in English. They also have the disco and a casino, so always lots to do. You could never run out of things to do at this resort, regardless of age.

We have travelled to Barbadoes, Aruba, Dominican Republic, St Kitts, Cuba and now Margarita Island. Although Aruba is our favorite island so far, this Resort is our favorite compared to the others that we have stayed at, which were all 4 or 5 star rated.

My boyfriend and I (mid 30's) went to this resort Feb 23-March 2, 2005. Must say we were pleasantly surprised. I would definitely consider going back, something I thought I would never do.

The grounds are huge but kept impeccable, beautiful lush gardens, gardeners working all day. The weather was hot and sunny everyday, rained overnight once. 10 degrees from the equator the sun is very intense. I strongly recommend a high sunscreen, I used 30, having never before in my life. There are 2 or 3 open air buses that circle all day/night from beach, south and north tower as the place is huge.

9 pools - water slide (is a hoot), length pool, jacuzzis, quiet pools, activity pools, wave pool. The pool water is not over-clorinated and kept very clean. While lounging no one ever bugs you to play games, etc. The pool by the north tower is very quiet, there was hardly anyone ever there. The problem is no bar/restaurant nearby to keep yourself quenched.

Restaurants - Food was excellent at all the eating places. Even the pickiest of eater could find something. Everything was fresh, lots of seafood, chicken, pork and veggies. Its not all laden in butter/oil like I have encountered on other islands. 2 ala cartes. Italian was very nice, the Mexican was as great as the rest. My fav was Ocean Grill. Also loved Salvatores where they serve you and you choose from a short menu of pizza, burgers, grilled pork, etc. We did miss dinner one night - the brochure says midnight snacks in the disco, which is not so. We found little skimpy sandwiches at the south tower bar. I guess you could order room service and/or eat at the casino (not included) which was very good. Some days the hostess would write down your room/wristband number at the front before you sat to eat and some of the menu boards had prices. We were concerned and asked our waiter, but it is all included if you have your wristband.

Lagoon/Beach - To get to the beach you cross the bridge over the lagoon (where the water sports are done). No beggers or people harassing you anywhere. They did have vendor huts on the beach that you buy sarongs, souvenirs, jewelry, etc. The beach is about 1 km long and is watched by security guards in towers on either end. The yellow flag was up all week and the surf was rolling but, most people could go in for a dip or swim and not have to worry. Apparently there is a strong current but the lifeguards are watching everyone. I guess we ventured out too far one day and they whistled us to come closer. Tons of activities included, we went bicycling, kayaking and windsurfing. If you watch the lagoon waters at dusk you can see the jumping fish - which is amazing.

Rooms - We had a room in the north tower (all people on our flight staying at LagunaMar were in the north tower) The room was basic but a good size, we had 2 queen beds. The toilet, bidet & shower with tub is closed off from the sink/mirror area. The shower was always good temperature and fabulous water pressure. Blow dryers are very good, dont need to bring your own. There is purified water and ian ce machine on every floor - you could fill up your carafe they have in your room. Maid was in everyday to change towels, sweep and make bed. Minifridge and safe included (even though the brochure says its not).

The fact that this resort has a kids play area and such I was worried there would be kids running rampant everywhere. But honestly, you barely saw one. The resort is the "biggest in the caribbean" and even though it was at full capacity there wasnt masses of people around because of the size. A ton of loungers at the beach and pools, except the waterfall/activity pool could use a few more.

You can change US dollars into Bolivars at the lobby store for 2300B for 1US. If you are not leaving the resort you dont really need to do this, just have small bills for tips and thats it. The casino rate is 2600B which was better, but if you win a lot of Bolivars they will not change it back to US and you should before you leave - the retail store lady will.

Excursions - We took a taxi into Porlamar to go shopping - 7000B (3 US), it was nice but the prices didnt seem that much of a bargain. A lot of high end shops on cinquo de mayo - didnt buy anything. I heard the flea market was much better. We didnt do the jeep tour as there were so many other things to do on the resort, but I heard it was fabulous! and will definitely do it the next time around.