Arrival/Check-In: After a four-hour flight delay, I was eager to check in to The Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa and settle by the pool. As the taxi pulled up to the resort, my mood changed considerably. The staff were friendly as they removed my luggage and ushered me to check-in. The front desk staff were equally welcoming. There was no wait, but it seemed like people around me were checking in more quickly. Perhaps it was my impatience with the day’s delays, but check-in felt slower than I had hoped.

Guest Quarters: My deluxe oceanfront room was spacious, with two double beds, a nightstand, a table for two, a flat-screen TV and a dresser/minibar. The bathroom was standard, with one sink. The coffeemaker was in the bathroom, which took up valuable vanity space. There was an issue with the shower/tub filling with water and not draining properly, but maintenance arrived at the room immediately to rectify the problem. While it was not a perfect fix, the water was no longer above my ankles as I showered. My favorite part of the second-floor room was the balcony overlooking the beach.

Services/Amenities: The highlight of the resort is the amenities, and I took full advantage. I did not eat at Casa Havana, but I enjoyed lunch and brunch at Ferdinand’s Caribbean Café. I ordered room service, and the staff graciously sent up something not even on the menu. Tortugas, the pool/beach bar/restaurant, employs an attentive staff and offers light fare and a list of cocktails perfect for enjoying in the sun. There is also a lobby bar.

Aside from relaxing poolside, I took a catamaran tour to Stingray Island arranged through the hotel. I spent a morning having a massage at Hibiscus Spa. The spa was quiet during my visit, and the massage was pleasant. The fitness room was small but adequate and never crowded, and I fit in two workouts.

The standout was the staff. The concierge went through menus with me until I found the perfect off-site dinner venue and seamlessly arranged several reservations for me before and during my stay. At the end of the visit, the front desk staff arranged a room for pre-flight showers and luggage storage, as my flight departed late in the day and I needed to check out in the morning. When I realized I left an expensive pair of sunglasses in my room after check-out, the staff tracked them down for me. No request went unanswered.

The Experience: I would absolutely return to the resort, especially considering a major renovation is planned for later this year. I’m eager to see how The Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa improves. The guestrooms need an update, but I was impressed with the amenities.

GT Checklist

• Doorman/valet
• Reasonable arrival-to-room time
• Separate tub and shower
• Large vanity
• High-quality towels
• Large, flat-screen television
• Large desk with convenient outlets
• Complimentary WiFi
• Ample lighting
• Quality bed linens
• Choice of pillows
• Powerful, unattached hair dryer
• Iron and ironing board
• Easy-to-set alarm clock
• On-site restaurant and bar
• 24-hour room service
• Coffeemaker in room
• Large, complimentary laptop safe