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Vieques itself also is absolutely wonderful. We particularly enjoyed Navio Beach for the waves and Blue Beach (Playa Chiva) for its sheer beauty and snorkeling opportunities. We also were pleasantly suprised by the quality of the restaurants on the island. We particularly enjoyed Cafe Mama Songa and El Quenepo for dinner and Cafe Violeta for breakfast (all Jen and Lauren's recommendations). We also had a very good meal at Trade Winds and a lot of fun on steel drum night at Chez Shack. For local flavor, we had great bakery products at the window panaderia in Isabel, great sandwiches at the Viequenese Panaderia in Isabel (more or less across from Media Luna Restuarant), and a very good informal dinner at El Resuelva. Finally, a biobay tour one evening during your stay is a must. We are very much looking forward to the time when we can go to Vieques and stay at Casa Ladera again. As I told Jen and Lauren by e-mail when we arrived home, I hate to post this positive review for selfish reasons out of fear that Vieques and Casa Ladera will become (more) discovered. -Patrick F., April 2007
I had spent time on the website and thought I knew what I was getting, but I was still pleasantly surprised when I got there, the reality exceeded my office daydreams. The casita is tucked into the property, surrounded by palm trees and flowering plants. It feels tropical and secret. We had a lime tree just outside our door, coconut palms and bouganvilla, a rooftop deck that was perfect for that first cup of coffee in the morning. Inside the casita, with terra cotta tiles throughout and warm carribean colors on the walls, wonderful wooden and wicker furniture make you feel comfortable. The kitchen is not just an attempt, it's the real deal. Full size refrigerator and freezer, dishwasher, stove, microwave, and a full set of plates, silverware, cooking utensils and new outdoor grills complete the set up. And let's not forget the required blender for pina coladas! Towels (and yes, even robes) are provided for you. The washer and dryer outside the door are an extra bonus, in my opinion. Casa Ladera is set in a residential neighborhood, one house away from the beach. The beach is a good starting point on your first day, with a little snorkeling and a little beach combing. Yes, you can swim here, but there are other beaches that are more spectacular, and a LOT of them, so try a different one every day. The beaches on Vieques are amazing and you will want to visit them all. Jen and Lauren can tell you what ones will be best depending on what you want: snorkeling, sunning, beachcombing, etc. We rented a car from Jen and Lauren, it was so convenient and perfect for what we were using it for, as it was an SUV. Some of hte best beaches are at the end of long dirt roads, you do not want to be making that trip in a rented Corolla. The pool area is pretty, and very well kept. We were given Jen and Lauren's phone numbers when we got there, and saw one or both of them on the property every day. Had there been a problem, they were immediately accessible. There are several markets in town, and we found that you can basically get anything you want. There is really not much in the way of "tourist" souvenirs...because this hidden jewel is not yet Americanized. You will feel the local flavor everywhere you go, so embrace it! This island, and Casa Ladera, are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity....at least till next year! -Judi S., March 2007
My husband and I and a friend rented the Casita for a week and were absolutely enchanted by its layout, fully-loaded kitchen (complete with dishwasher and full-size fridge) and washer/dryer just outside the door. In addition, ceiling fans in every room and louvered windows kept the temperature perfect indoors 24-hours a day (though if we'd been warm, we could've opted to close the windows and use the A/C). From the terracotta tiling, to the private roof deck to the provided bathrobes and linens, owners Jen and Lauren seem to have thought of everything. Add to that a setting on a quiet residential street just a minute's walk from the beach and a large pool/patio area with two brand-new gas grills, a fridge and outdoor bathroom and you have no reason to leave the property (though you'll want to to check out all the island has to offer in the way of beaches and sights). As vegetarians, my husband and I loved having a full kitchen and there's actually a natural foods store just a couple of minutes' drive away that stocks vegetarian friendly foods -- from flax seed to Amy's veggie burgers. Casa Ladera is a first rate place to stay. It's clean, cheerful, well-decorated and you can tell that the owners take pains to keep the property in tip-top shape and are constantly making improvements. Still, the vibe is the best thing about the place. The owners are friendly, flexible and reachable 24/7, have rental cars available for guests, have encyclopedic knowledge of the island and the property even comes complete with a dog (shout out to El Capitan!), for pet owners who may be missing four-legged family members. We can't wait to go back. -March 2007
-Matt C., Feb. 2007
-Stan M., December 2006
If you want to mingle and be surround by tons of people go to a hotel, if you want a vacation and a place to relax I would choose this place. -Jon D., July 2006 My wife and I along with our 2-year old daughter stayed at Casa Ladera for the week of Memorial Day 2006. I picked Casa Ladera based on all the positive reviews I'd read that indicated it was a great place to stay with small children and the ease of accessing information from their website. I'm so glad we stayed there because we had our best family vacation to date. Vieques itself is a jewel. Easy to get to (from Cincinnati), beautiful beaches, great restaurants, and friendly people. But I do have to say that staying at Casa Ladera contributed a ton to the great experience we had. Casa Ladera is located in a neighborhood on the north side of Vieques, close to the airport, just outside Isabell Segundo. There is a grocery store and gas station nearby. It's only a 15 minute drive over to Esperanza and beaches on the south side of the island. The grounds of Casa Ladera are beautiful, immaculately maintained with lots of different flowers and fruit trees. The pool is huge with a nice set of steps and a ledge that my daughter could safely play on while we floated nearby. There is also an outdoor grill and fridge by the pool. We stayed in the detatched Casita, with 2 large bedrooms and a nice living/dining/kitchen space. The decor was comfortable Caribbean casual. The amenities were up-to-date and included a/c in all rooms, better appliances than we have at home, and thoughtful touches such as beach chairs, coolers, and a homemade guide covering all the beaches and restaurants on the island. There is a rooftop patio with chairs that offers views of the water nearby. My favorite thing was that there is a beach literally 50 yards down the road from Casa Ladera. We went for many walks on the beach in the afternoon and I found the snorkeling was fairly good right off the beach (on the right side). My daughter's favorite thing other than the pool were the neighborhood dogs who would stop by to greet us every day. Her favorite was a jack russel / chiwawa mix (?) named Capitan who could always be found sleeping in the shade. He would even accompany us on our walks down to the shore. My wife's favorite thing were her afternoon poolside naps. We rented a Jeep Cherokee from Casa Ladera which was necessary to reach some of the more remote beaches. It was in great shape and has me thinking about buying a Jeep as my next vehicle. The owners, Jen & Lauren, stopped by once during the week to say hello. They are super nice and have done really well in providing such a wonderful place to stay. We would stay there again in a heartbeat! Now if I only had more vacation time... -Andrew W., July 2006 Thank you for a great vacation! Casa Ladera was perfect for our family. I can't imagine a better location on Vieques. The accommodations were spacious and welcoming, the pool was huge and well maintained. And for a traveling family, the washer and dryer made a big difference in cleanliness and comfort level. Lauren is so helpful with recommendations and her knowledge of the island. And Jen's website is inviting, welcoming and accurate. We enjoyed many of the beautiful beaches on the island: Navio Beach, our favorite for body surfing; Media Luna and Sun Bay for calmer waters, and Bio-Bay for a fantastic evening expedition! The beach just steps from Casa Ladera is sprinkled with sea glass, and is a nice location to watch the sun set. All of the other beaches are an easy drive from Casa Ladera. Rent your vehicle through Casa Ladera; you'll be glad you did. (You'll need a four-wheel drive.) Lauren and Jen run a great operation. We highly recommend Casa Ladera. - Mary T., June 2006 My wife and I stayed at Casa Ladera for a week in May 2006. We’ve traveled extensively in Caribbean including previous trips to Vieques, Culebra, and the main island of Puerto Rico. We always try to stay at small guest houses or B&B’s, rather than large resorts. Casa Ladera is simply the best place that we have ever been. The grounds are beautiful. The pool, which is a real treat in Vieques, is a wonderful respite after a day exploring the island, its magnificent beaches and warm Caribbean waters. We stayed in the La Casita which is just a “neat place” with a full kitchen including designer appliances. At Casa Ladera, you are just far enough away from the bustle of Isabel (the main town) to have peace and quiet but close enough to its restaurants, grocery store, gas stations and shops to be there in a couple minutes. And funky Esperanza is only ten minutes away by car. Finally, Jen and Lauren were great hosts and we look forward to staying with the again. - Bill S., June 2006 My husband and I recently returned from Vieques, and were thrilled with our stay at Casa Ladera. It truly was everything the web site and photos made it out to be, and much more. As these other reviews have mentioned, the owners were extra helpful and accommodating, and made our stay all that much more relaxing. We stayed in the downstairs unit, which has a comfy king-size bed, a big kitchen with all the amenities of home, and a massive poolside terrace with ocean views right off the living room. The pool is huge and wonderful for cooling off after a long hot day at the beach, and we enjoyed grilling and eating out on our poolside terrace almost nightly. The house is located in a really convenient spot on the island, right down the road from the main supermarket and just a few minutes by car to the two towns, the airport and the beaches. Of course it was also great to be able to walk to the small beach right near the house, which has beautiful views of the sunset and the other islands. All the extras provided, like wireless internet, satellite TV, welcome basket, DVDs & videos and more, just added to the charm of this lovely spot. We didn't have any problems with theft either at the house or on the beaches. The island felt safe, was very friendly, and is just a beautiful place to come to relax and explore. We will be back to Casa Ladera next year! - Renee S., May 2006 My husband, 4 year old son and my mother spent 4 days at Casa Ladera in Vieques. We have been to PR many times, but this was our first trip to Vieques. Jennifer at CL was instrumental even before we arrived in securing us a rental car, helping with flights and reasuring us that CL was "kid freindly." Was it ever!!! Our son LIVED in the pool as well as the many perfect beaches that Jennifer directed us to. The Casita was just right for us with a fully stocked and modern kitchen. We even had private massages in our rooms - using the great recommendation book that was provided. We explored the isalnd, ate out at great local spots and TRULY relaxed. Thanks to Jennifer and Lauren - we will be back and perhaps rent all 3 units to bring our family and friends! - Lydia M., April 2006 Casa Ladera continues to be an excellent Vieques location for families and small groups. Can't beat the beautiful pool, outdoor grill and fridge, and high-speed wireless internet. Okay, it is vacation, but it is nice to be able to check your e-mail. Jen and Lauren manage the property very well and provide great hospitality - assisting with car rentals, airport/ferry pick-up, welcome basket, etc. We have also found it to be a comfortable, fun, and safe place to stay with preschool and school-age children. - Molly S., March 2006 After five consecutive years of visiting Puerto Rico (Isabela on the 'Big Island'), my girlfriend and I, along with a friend, finally made our way to Vieques. Our decision to stay at Casa Ladera was based mainly on previous guest reviews and I can confidently say that we were not disappointed. The house is very well-maintained with comfortable beds, quality sheets,a well-stocked kitchen, as well as a large selection of movies and books. The unit we stayed in was large and airy (never felt the need to use the air-conditioning). Also, the SUVs offered for rent were definitely of high quality. Jen and Lauren - you're both doing a great job. It's clear you're both working hard to keep your property in great shape. Plan on seeing us next year! - Rachel R., March 2006 Casa-Ladera is everthing you'd want and more. Incredibly clean, well appointed and spacious with every amenity you'd get in a luxury hotel but greater convenience and all the comforts of home (including washer/dryer,wireless internet,DVD,satellite TV,movies) The owners, Jen and Lauren, are on site, helpful and attentive and welcome you to enjoy their lovely property without ever being intrusive. You feel like their casa is your casa. Jen answers e-mail or the phone with lightspeed and picked us up at the airport and oriented us to the property and island. Lauren had an airconditioner (still funtioning well but dripping some condensation) replaced in record time-faster than we could have at home. The location is convenient to all you need and a minute walk to a beach but the pool is hard to leave. My wife and I were delighted we found Casa-Ladera on their wonderful website and ethusiastically recomend it to anyone who wants a home rental on Vieques. - Roger L., January 2006 We were three families staying in all three apartments at Casa Ladera during the week between Christmas and New Year, with a total of six children ages 10 and under. Everyone had a blast, especially the kids. There is a pretty good market a block away with a decent wine selection and we cooked nearly all our own meals and ate by the pool. You can hit a different near-empty beach every day if you want. Everything was clean and as promised, including the rooms, the pool, and rental cars. Lauren and Jen work hard to keep it right and it shows. - Nan M., December 2005 I just returned from a fabulous week long stay at Casa Ladera. We were a group of 11 adults and kids who took over all three units. Vieques is a fabulous place no matter where you stay, but our trip was most enhanced by the quality, comfort and convenience of the casa. From Jen's friendly assistance with the minutia of organizing the trip to Lauren's invaluable day-to-day availability,these two made the visit all the more wonderful. I think the other reviews express very nicely all the features of the house--we lacked nothing, not even the warmth of a pet. I think everyone in our group would return to Vieques and Casa Ladera in a minute. Thanks to Jen and Lauren. - Phyllis P., December 2005 My husband & I just returned from a week's stay at Casa Ladera & we cannot say enough nice things about it! The property is lovely, well maintained & has a huge, beautiful sparkling pool. It is also just a few steps away from your own lovely, secluded windswept beach. All the pictures on their site are accurate but don't begin to do it justice. We stayed in the upper 2 bedroom/2 bath unit & it was attractive, bright, roomy & very clean. It also has a balcony which has a wonderful ocean view. The owners were so friendly & helpful yet never intrusive. They gave us many suggestions on places to go & what to do. The island is still unspoiled, yet has well stocked groceries & restaurants in all price ranges. There are beautiful beaches & much to explore on this island & we would recommend Casa Ladera as a wonderful place to stay! - Betty M., November 2005 We rented the upper and lower units at Casa Ladera for over a week from late August to early September. Our group included four over 50 and three grown "kids" in their mid-20's. The units are very well-equipped with new appliances and comfortable furniture. They have all the amenities you could think of and, with the linens and decorations, it felt like staying in someone's home rather than a rental unit. The AC was a must for this time of year and it worked well in both units. The pool area is large and great for cooking in the evening - we had a small gathering of 20 or so for dinner one night. Jen and Lauren are superb hosts and were right on top of everything from booking the vacation, answering the dumb questions, getting us to and from the airport, providing recommendations for restaurants and even rescuing the "kids" after they locked the keys in the downstairs unit one night - thanks, Lauren. I recommed Casa Ladera and will definitely stay there again. - Marie M., August 2005 Nine of us rented the main casa for 7 nights in August and we couldn't have had a better time! Not only were Jen and Lauren extremely friendly, accomodating and professional, they also gave us great tips on where to go on the island and where to eat on our nights out (which were few). The house had every amenity we needed and thus, there was rarely a need to leave at all. Jen was also a great help even before we even arrived on the island. She promptly answered all of my inquisitive emails and gave me information on airlines, ferry schedules and general Vieques FAQ's. We looked at many rentals in the area and are so happy that we chose Casa Ladera. We will definitely be going back! - Amanda B., July 2005 My husband and I had the pleasure of staying at Casa Ladera in July and wow, we loved everything about it! We spent our first night in the casita and the rest of our stay in the upstairs apartment and would recommend both without hesitation. The rooms were spacious and clean, and the kitchens were fully stocked with dishes and appliances. We had all the comforts of home, even a huge selection of books and DVDs. Oh how I miss picking fresh mangos and limes from the yard every morning! We really enjoyed coming home to the pool and the cabana after long days of exploring the breathtaking beaches. We made friends with the folks staying in the downstairs apartment and had so much fun sharing drinks and stories by the pool! Jen and Lauren were so nice and helpful and gave us terrific recommendations on what to do and where to eat. To anyone contemplating travel to Vieques and Casa Ladera, you won’t be disappointed. It’s a really special place. - Sarah S., July 2005 Jen and Lauren were excellent hosts and always available! The house is just beautiful and so well-maintained. My friends and I were initially hesitant about fronting the money for the deposit and cost of the accommodations. But those hesitations were gone the moment we met Jen and Lauren. Moreover, they sent the entire deposit the day after we had left Casa Ladera. The beds were comfortable; there was DirecTV; wireless internet was available; and there was even a library of DVDs and books from which to choose. I definitely recommend Casa Ladera and would gladly vacation there again. - Annalisa D., July 2005 Casa Ladera is perfect. I stayed there for 5 days with two friends and the place is awesome. The apt we rented was huge with a full kitchen, AC and washer and dryer. Very clean. I was ready to move in.The ocean is a short walk from the house and they have a BIG beautiful pool. The owners are super cool and helpful. They thought of all the details that make a vaction rental fabulous (i.e. rental car, snorkling gear). Its one of those places that you don't want to tell anyone about because its so great but then.... you have to for the same reason. I plan to go back as soon as possible. Thank you Jen and Lauren for making our trip so great! See you next spring! - Amanda D., April 2005 Some friends and I just returned from a week on Vieques at Casa Ladera. We stayed in the Casita and had a fabulous time. The owners made everything so easy - renting us a car for the week (a car is a MUST HAVE on the island) and making snorkeling gear available. The Casita was brilliantly equipped with every modern convenience and every personal luxury - plenty of towels, a fully stocked kitchen, modern appliances (the air conditioning was a feature for which we were very grateful) and comfortable furniture. The owners were laid back and friendly and sensitive to our space. They were very helpful in guiding us to beaches and helping us find points of interest. The pool was lovely and inviting - we found ourselves enjoying nightly dips under those amazing stars. The pictures and description of Casa Ladera on Trip Advisor and on their website are accurate and informative -- no exaggeration necessary - this place is lovely. I cannot recommend Casa Ladera more. We will visit again and again. - Nancy L., April 2005 My partner and I and another couple just spent eight nights at Casa Ladera (originally planned for seven but liked it so much we stayed over). We stayed in the casita for the first seven nights and the upstairs unit on the last night. The casita was shady, breezy, and private. The upstairs was spacious and had wonderful views. We loved our stay at Casa Ladera. The owners are laid-back and friendly but helpful and thorough. You have free access to a washer and dryer, which is nice; the pool is lovely. We rented a little SUV directly from the owners and it was waiting for us when we got there -- we had no worries. Recommended! -Andrew T., March 2005 My husband and I get few holidays and we are so pleased to spend them at Casa Ladera. The web site pictures and info were accurate. Its as pretty as shown. We found the accomodations clean, up-to-date and comfortable. We felt we were "taking a chance" booking a vacation like this over the internet, so to find our expectations met perfectly was wonderful. Also, the info left for us in the Casita for getting around and enjoying the island was very helpful. A very relaxing stay. - Krista D., March 2005
We needed a place on Vieques to accomodate 8 - 10 people (4-5 couples). We have been visiting Vieques yearly since 1989 but our first time at Casa Ladera. This is definitely one of the best places to stay! It is perfectly equipped, very clean, spacious, and quiet. They have provided every detail for a perfect vacation. It is conveniently located on the north shore with cool breezes. We didn't need the air conditioners at all. It is close to stores, the airport, and gas stations. We can't thank the owners enough for adding this restful place to a list of the best accomodations Vieques has to offer. Thanks, Jennifer! - Jonathan C., February 2005 We had an excellent stay at your house in Vieques and would love to return. After traveling to Puerto Rico for 12 years I must say that yours was THE nicest place we've ever stayed in. Thanks again for providing a lovely place and for all your help while we were there. - Sarah H., January 2005 I wanted to write and let you know we loved the house and had a great time in Vieques. We really appreciated how well supplied the kitchen was. When we bought wine, there was absolutely no doubt that there would be a bottle opener in the kitchen. We used the guidebook, Spanish dictionary, games and, of course, watched the DVDs. Good luck in the future, and we will definitely recommend Casa Ladera to friends. - Lois B., January 2005 You are running a wonderful property at Casa Ladera. The apartment was roomy and clean and relaxing. You put a lot of thought into appliances, furnishings, etc...especially for people like us who like to do a lot of cooking. We had a great time and would definitely come back. Thank you. - Barry B., January 2005 It was really wonderful to stay at Casa Ladera. We had such a great time, it just went by too quickly, and we need a longer stay next time. You have done great things to the property and I can tell you will continue to move it forward. - Dena M., December 2004 Casa Ladera was a wonderful place to vacation, and we felt like it had all the amenities of a big hotel... but in a much more private, romantic setting. The pool was beautiful and very relaxing - I loved being able to do my laps each day. The outdoor bar rocked - nothing better then a homemade frozen strawberry daquiri as the sun's going down! Plus the DVD player with movies was awesome to have when we got home each night. We'll definitely be back! - Lynne R., July 2004 We loved staying in Casa Ladera! The accommodations were very spacious and nicely equipped and beautifully decorated. We felt right at home. Having the pool to relax in after a long day at the beach was perfect. Being able to have games to play and seeing the iguana run behind the house was an added bonus for our girls. I think what we liked the most was the way the place felt like a true home away from home. We loved it. I have already started to share my recommendation of Casa Ladera with some friends. Vieques is certainly a place where you can soak up the sun and let all your worries run away. Thanks again for a fabulous time! - Madeline L., July 2004 I wanted to say thanks for your help in renting your home to us for our vacation in June. We all had a great time, and plan to make Vieques another visit or two. Your house is great, and we couldn't have been more comfortable. You are very lucky to have found such a great place (both house-wise, and location-wise), and I'm sure all your guests will enjoy both. Best of luck to you. - Chris C., June 2004 We had a wonderful time at your place in Vieques. We particularly liked having the pool available after a day at the beach. Pure enjoyment! – Robert B., May 2004 We had a wonderful time down in Vieques. The casita and grounds were well-maintained and comfortable and the nearby beach was very convenient for early morning walks before heading off to other beaches. My son very much enjoyed the pool in the early mornings and evenings. Access to the washer/dryer was useful, and proximity to the supermarket was great. - Scott E., April 2004
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