I stayed at this hotel in December 2005 and the renovations mentioned in the above reviews have been abandoned and the hotel is falling into disrepair. When I arrive I found the sheets stained and the pillow case stained with dried blood. The free coffee packets in the room were eaten by mice and we did not have hot water for three days. The linens leave a lot to be desired. The views from the top floor looked out into trees, the water can only be seen by walking down to the beach. It is a nice beach. The trees should be trimmed or taken out all together to deal with the unbelievable mosquito problem. Even with using OFF and burning mosquito coils it was impossible to sit out at night. The 150 dollar a night cost is not worth the stay. This price did not included a 15% service charge that they say they do not charge like other hotels but we found on our bill anyway. (The other hotels have a 10% service charge) The breakfast was included in the room fee but we were not aware of this and we were charged for breakfast, we were only given a credit when we discovered a sheet on the wall behind a plant at reception that stated breakfast was included. We were given the excuse that we booked so early that the breakfast was not included. When we explained that it should not matter when we reserved, but when we stayed at the hotel we should get what everyone else was getting. At checkout we were told the owner would not drive the two minutes down the hill to come and address our conserns about the hotel. That is when we noticed the mice in the ceiling. Our experience with this hotel was such that we left the island three days early never to return.

In over 20 years of travel to some of the poorest countries in the world, the Castaways is the worst and most insecure place we have ever stayed. The rooms had no deadbolts on the doors even in the top end units. We were robbed three times while there, and the management told us it was our fault! Like we have the mafia following us around the world. After confronting the robber in the act of going through our luggage the third time, we moved to another hotel. If you do stay here, leave your valuables at home and sleep with your money and documents. P.S. Our wallets with driver's licenses, credit cards, etc. were recovered by the local police and returned to the hotel management. We called numerous times to offer to pay postage and were always told they would send them some day. We have yet to have received them.

When we arrived, parts of the hotel were under construction. We've been the only guest also. The dive base was not open so we had to look for another base. The rooms were clean, all had aircon, but much to expensive (150 US$ one night). The food was ok, the staff (one lady at all) very polite and friendly. Somehow the whole place looked a little bit abandoned, maybe it will look better when they've finished their renovation. Hope to help you, Marc.