Good Time at Casa Martia

Guest: earle and beth and family (Detroit)
Date of Stay: 12/26/09 Review Submitted: 01/31/10

Our family had a terrific time at the Casa Martia. Having access to a private beach with all the amenities of a home was great. Martha picked us up from the airport and tidied up twice during our week long stay and Jose the caretaker was always nearby to watch over our the casa. A previous reviewer mentioned a theft but we felt very safe and agree with subsequent commenters that this was an anomaly. Also there's a hotel type safe in one of the bedrooms but we never used it. The local restaurant scene was very good and the little town of Puerto Morelos had everything we needed to restock during the week. A definite plus was that Martha will buy groceries before you arrive if you e-mail the owners a list. She's a great cook too so you should consider having her make you dinner (which will be waiting when you arrive). We took a trip to Cancun one evening for dinner and once to Playa del Carmen. Both were fun but it was good to get back to the peace and quiet of Casa Martia and Puerto Moreles. You can bike ride the beach road from Casa Martia easily to Puerto Moreles. They had several bikes there, two of which were brand new. Also, don't underestimate the little zoo that is right near the casa. It's quite impresssive. All in all, it was a great time and the owners of the property were very helpful in answering our questions before the trip.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers.

A fantastic property

Guest: Lisa (Toronto, Ont.)
Date of Stay: 12/29/11 Review Submitted: 01/07/12

The description and photos didn't do the property justice! We were pleasantly surprised by how spacious the property was--we were six adults and one child (our boy, age 5), and we had more than enough room to not feel as if we were in each other's way. The bedrooms are big (each with its own full bath), and so is the pool/deck area. The property was well-maintained and spotlessly clean, and Jose and Martha were accommodating and gracious in every way. Jose took pains to make sure that anything we left out (books, iPods, etc.) were safely tucked away, and that the gate was kept closed unless we were expecting a cab; he also made sure the house was locked up tight at night. We felt safe and secure. Our specific observations/recommendations that might help anyone else planning a stay at Casa Martia include: (1) have Martha cook for you at least once--she'll bring food ready to go, you just have to reheat; (2) go snorkeling with Raul at Reef Adventures (there's a brochure at the house). Far superior to other snorkel tours we've been on over the years; (3) ask for cab fares in advance of getting into the car. Every time we forgot to do so, we were scammed (our own stupid fault, clearly); (4) bring (and use) bug spray. You'll be bitten way more than at a resort property, but that's because resorts are often regularly fogged with chemicals. (Personally, I'd prefer the bites to the toxins.) (5) walk to Muerto Morelos along the beach. It's about 45-55 minutes at a brisk pace, and you'll see lots of properties. Then you can pick up provisions and cab back to the house. (6) Croco Cun zoo--goofy name, not cheap, but a great chance for your kids to really get up-close and personal with wildlife. Final word on cabs and location: you're NOT at a property that's an easy stroll to restaurants or other amenities; you have to accept the fact that you'll be paying for cabs (which are plentiful, and range from 150-200 pesos from the house to the town square), or renting a car. The flip side of that, of course, is that you have lots of privacy and the perks that come with it (play your music whenever and as loud as you like, get that perfect spot on the beach, don't worry about someone stealing your possessions if you leave your poolside lounger for five minutes). We'll be back again!

Owner response:We always love it when our guests enjoy our property as much as we do! We have many guests that return year after year, and is a pleasure to know that our home is a respite for many busy families. We look forward to your return!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing, families with young children.

We could not have chosen better

Guest: mkairey (Eatontown NJ)
Date of Stay: 01/20/11 Review Submitted: 02/02/11

We just returned from a fabulous 10 days at Casa Martia. It was truly our home away from home. I chose this house because of the beachfront location and the lush landscape. We woke up to the sounds of birdsong, and felt very peaceful in the natural surroundings. Jose the caretaker cut open a ripe coconut from one of the trees! We were with our 4 kids (teenagers) and they loved it too. The pool is larger than most private pools I saw when looking for a house. The beach is large and sand is soft. It is swimable but we preferred to walk a few minutes up the beach and swim at the nearby resort beach, just to have people nearby. The house is spacious and perfect for a family or 3 couples. It is comfortable and solidly built. It is 30 minutes north of Playa Del Carmen and 30 minutes south of Cancun. We visited both places and had dinner there. Sometimes we went into Puerto Morelos for dinner, which is about a 10 minute drive away. It is a small and friendly town. Everyone we met on the trip was great. We felt perfectly safe and secure. A car was necessary but the driving was pretty simple. We hope to return one day and I would definately recommend Casa Martia. While there I recommend visiting the nearby Jungle Spa for the inexpensive but great Chocolate massage. For a day tour the Mayan Encounter with Alltournative is great. We climbed a step Temple, swam in an underground cave and more, all in one day. There is plenty to do in the area, so it's tough to choose. Enjoy!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing, families with young children.

A fabulous escape...

Guest: CaroM (Washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 02/13/10 Review Submitted: 02/23/10

We arrived at Casa Martia, winter-weary and in serious need of a break from our workaday lives. We got more than we ever could have hoped for at Casa Martia. The house invites you to relax and make it your home; it is simple yet elegant, and the pool and private stretch of beach make it absolutely ideal for families or those who just want to walk out the door and be by the water. Martha took such good care of us that it can't be overstated. From stocking the house with food, meeting us at the airport, cooking the most fabulous Mexican dishes for us to enjoy, and coming to clean the house several times, she made it not only easy but exceedingly pleasant. She's also warm and funny. Jose took great care of us as well. We felt completely safe thanks to Jose's monitoring of the house and grounds. The pool was constantly cleaned, and he would nighly gather the chair cushions, our stray clothes or books we'd left poolside, and put them under shelter in case of rain. That attention to detail and caring made the experience extra special. Puerto Morelos is also just a wonderful place to visit. The food is superb, and there is a laid-back feel to the entire town. All in all, we couldn't have had a better trip, and we are already looking forward to a return in 2011.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with young children.

Vacations at Casa Martia

Guest: Cliff and Sandra (Derry, NH)
Date of Stay: 12/01/07 Review Submitted: 10/26/08

We are a month away from our fifth stay at Casa Martia and as always, looking forward to our two weeks there. The casa is always very clean and well maintained. Martha and Jose are wonderful and help to make our stay pleasant and care free. We plan to continue our visits in the future as it is truly a five star experience.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, age 55+, sightseeing, families with young children.

Rebuttal of poor review

Guest: Michael's wife (Boca Raton, Florida)
Date of Stay: 05/19/08 Review Submitted: 10/14/08

My husband and I have stayed at Casa Martia 3 times and will be there for our fourth time in December. We totally trust the staff and the caretaker is always on the property. We have never had anything stolen or misplaced while visiting Casa Martia. It is a beautiful house on a beautiful piece of property.

Recommended for:

Casa Martia not safe

Guest: mrec73 (Yamhill, Oregon U.S.A.)
Date of Stay: 06/15/08 Review Submitted: 10/07/08

We stayed 6/15/08 thru 6/27/08. We were stolen from repeatedly starting the day after we arrived. A video camera,cash on several occasions, an i-pod, a watch. No matter how careful we tried to be, every other day or so, something would come up missing. The house was always locked up tight, only the caretaker and cleaning staff had access. The owners seemed to try to blame us. I would never stay there again.

Owner response:We have been renting Casa Martia almost 8 years and we stand behind the integrity of our staff and know them to be honest people. In the interest of maintaining a secure environment, we strongly recommend that our guests not bring any local workers they may meet at a bar or restaurant into Casa Martia. We cannot be expected to assume responsibility for the actions of strangers.

Recommended for:

We'll be back!

Guest: Sued (Boise, Idaho, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/07/08 Review Submitted: 09/21/08

We found Casa Martia on the internet, so we weren't quite sure what to expect. We were more than pleasantly surprised to find that it was even better in person than we thought it would be. There were 3 couples on this trip, so the 3 master suites were ideal... all with large, private bathrooms and their own balcony. The kitchen was set up well and cooking was easy. We were glad not to have to go out for meals all the time. Jose, the caretaker, made sure everything was just right and made sure to lock up when we forgot. Marta, our contact and housekeeper, did a fabulous job. Besides keeping everything clean, she was a great help in booking snorkeling trips. It was really nice to have a local to point us in the right direction when we wanted to do something. We did enjoy the town a Peurto Morelos for dining, but truly spent most of our time at the casa pool and walking the beach. It was a beautiful place to relax. We'll be back!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, age 55+, sightseeing, families with young children.

More than I had hoped for!

Guest: MMRN (Nashua)
Date of Stay: 05/07/08 Review Submitted: 05/16/08

The pictures don't do the house justice. You are literally one step off of the patio to the sand. No matter how hot it got, there was an awesome breeze under the pergola that kept us comfortable. Jose (the live-in groundskeeper) is the hardest working guy you could hope to meet. The rooms were huge. The grounds were meticulously kept. The kitchen was well equipped. In short, it was better than I had expected. The toughest part of the day was deciding if we should go in the pool or the ocean! I want to bring my whole family back someday.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing, families with young children.

Perfect!

Guest: Sorry to Leave Casa Martia (Marion, Ohio, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/01/08 Review Submitted: 04/02/08

What a great location, probably the best place we've ever stayed at on vacation. There were a few surprises: The house is bigger and roomier than we expected, The website photos don't do the place justice, The local staff was great, It was so secluded, quiet, and private, The vegetation on the grounds was beautiful and served to provide privacy, The house was well maintained and decorated, The pool was great and the ocean was so close, The owners are absolutely fantastic to work with, Etc. etc. etc. I'd like to recommend this location to everyone, but I'm afraid that it will become too popular and therefore less available for us in the future. So let's keep it a secret.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with young children.