The Laguna Mar was kept clean at all times and the staff very attentive.

A huge complex with lots of facilities and daytime activities. Very quiet during May/June which we preferred - no fighting for sunbeds - complex was only 30% full.

There are 8 swimming pools and at times you could get a pool to yourself for a long period of time. However, they did tell us that in August it gets packed due to the arrival of the Americans! Swimming pools all clean and staffed by lifeguards, who were definitely on the ball. Complimentary beach towel service - a definite plus point.

Food was OK - usual buffet style selection (different theme each night) but repeated on 2nd week of stay. Italian restaurant was not up to much and food was not hot. Did not try the Mexican although heard good reports from other guests. None of us suffered upset tummies during our fortnight.

Entertainment was mediocre - just what you would expect really. There is a casino and disco at the other end of the complex to where we were staying but we never tried this as children not allowed after a certain time - although heard good reports from our fellow guests.

Our room was satisfactory but could probably do with a little updating/refurbishment. No balcony though which was a bit of a let down.

Beach was quiet, clean and breezy but the sea was quite rough and not really suitable for swimming - especially not good for the little ones!

Excellent modern shopping mall was only 5 minute taxi ride away and taxis are cheap!

We would definitely visit again as Laguna Mar was great value for money.

the hotel was spotlessly clean,although the en suite bathrooms were a little shabby and required upgrading.
choices of resturants good and variety of food to suit most tastes{our three year old daughter was able to eat most things}.high chairs provided also.
staff very welcoming and were always smiling.good entertainment available every evening although repeated week two.
choice of nine swimming pools and the childrens pool was a lifesaver for us we spent most days here or in the large pool with twin water slides.
we've been back for seven months now and our daughter is still talking of the fun she had in Margarita.
we all had a wonderful time here and plan to visit again next year.

We had previously stayed at this hotel a few years before our second visit. We went back to get married there. I could not fault this hotel, the hotel was clean and room were cleaned every day. We were upgraded to a suite as we were getting married. This was a huge room with a seperate sitting area and a good bathrom. We plan to visit the hotel again in a few years and will book a suite (worth the extra), although the standard room are still large. We could not fault the food at any of the restaurants. We aprtcularly enjoyed the Italian. We prefer our hotels not to be situted in the town. This is perfect, it is a short taxi ride to the nearest town. The staff were very friendly. They left you alone and did not bug you if all you wanted to do was laze around the pool and not take part in any of the daytime activities. My husband and I did not go to many of the evening shows, although the few we did go too were good, especially for families.

All in all I have to say that this is one f the best hotels I have stayed in.

I would recommend it to anyone, couples or families.

My wife and I travelled to Laguna Mar in Jan/Feb of 2004 and the two week holiday was superb.

The rooms are large and confortable although the bathrooms were a little tired. The welcome was warm and sincere.

It soon became apparent that the complex is huge with two towers (North and South) with an unused building in the middle. The beach area was weed and obstruction free with daily waves from the atlantic being ideal for body boards or surfers.

The on site activities were very good also - windsurfers, canoes and bicycles were usually available and free (AI)

The food was very good quality and variety. Each day is themed to a country with an option of going to either of the Italian or Mexican restaurant for a further change. (Sadly the Italian Restaurant staff were clueless but the food was very good. The Mexican Restaurant staff were excellent fun and the service was great with good food as well.)

The First Choice rep sells phone cards - dont bother with them - just use the hotel room phone - it always connects and is as cheap as chips!

We booked to go swimming with dolphin locally which was expensive for the experience, the catamaran to Coche Island was brilliant BUT the high point of the holiday was the two day trip by air to see Angel Falls and to visit the Canaima National Park IT WAS EXCEPTIONAL! (Take care with mosquito!) This is not to be missed.

Also - exchanging money through the rep or at the hotel is folly! Use the shop in the hotel for a far better rate or try a shopping trip to Polamar (dont bother with the out of town malls)

The rate elsewhere in virtually double the hotel rate.
US Dollars are very much sought after. DONT USE THE STREET SELLERS FOR CURRENCY-some of it may be counterfeit.

If you need to buy souveneirs dont wait until you get to the airport - it is very small and facilities are poor.

Overall this was a superb holiday and we intend to return in June 2004 with the rest of our family.

John and Lyn