The Ocean Villas

Frozen in Time

This property was once a hotel, and there are still 30-year-old signs everywhere with directions to a restaurant, boardroom, ice machines and laundry rooms that are no longer there. The buildings are badly in need of updating. The elevators in particular are in horrendous condition - dead buttons, broken trim, deeply scratched surfaces and the most recent inspection certificates expired in 2017!! The location of the property is excellent and the balconies are large with wonderful ocean views. The pool areas and landscaping are great. Some of the structures from earlier traveler photos are gone, probably lost to hurricanes. There is no longer a tiki bar or palapas. The beach lounge chairs are kept stacked and locked. If you can actually find someone to unlock them, you’re required to give them your driver’s license and hope you can find that person again later to get it back. We were absolutely not doing that, so we had to rough it on the beach. The Rio Mar area is lovely. It is an easy walk from the Villas to the Wyndham restaurants, though the lighting could be better at night. We also saw several stray dogs roaming the golf course each day, which was concerning. Ocean Villa rental units are individually owned, so condition, cleanliness and furnishings can vary greatly. Choose carefully.

Best Travel Experience Ever!

I can't say enough about the property and the great, very accommodating service offered by the support staff. We rented 7 villas and all were in excellent condition and very nicely furnished. The minor mechanical problem we encountered with the A/C in one of the villas was solved immediately. Our group preferred this location to the Wyndham Grand Hotel - more of a family atmosphere here with less party. The neither the beach nor the pools were crowded. There are plenty of other pics, so no need to add.

Hidden gem!

I found this place by accident after discovering the Wyndham was booked for the dates of our trip. Boy did that work in our favor! This complex is awesome - inside the gated Wyndham Rio Mar complex with access to their restaurants and amenities, but with its own pools and a hot tub (all larger and nicer than the Wyndham’s) practically to ourselves. The most crowded the largest pool got the whole time we were here was 4 families. The beach had great sand (no water shoes needed), was very clean and seaweed wasn’t an issue (never even saw any). We stayed in Euniz’s condo on the 5th floor. It was one of the best stocked units we’ve ever rented - plenty of beach towels/coolers/toys/shampoo/conditioner/soap and laundry detergent. We really appreciated the fridge being stocked with water, beer and Prosecco! The linens all seemed new, beds super comfortable and unit nicely decorated and clean. Euniz was very responsive and gave great recommendations. I cannot say enough about this place - we definitely hope to return!

Fantastic location and pool right next door to the Wyndham Rio Mar + good owner (Xavier)

We had a really nice stay at the Ocean Villas on the 4th floor, booked through Xavier Cautino. Lots to say, mostly very good. The unit - we had a corner 2 bedroom unit at the end closest to the hotel. Good set up with 2 bedrooms, a large living room, and 2 bathrooms attached to the bedrooms. The view from the unit one way was of the ocean 50 yards away and the rainforest on the other side. The unit was clean but very much in need of updating w/r/t bathroom and kitchen most of all, which were really outdated but functional. Beds were comfortable and linens/towels were provided also. The building overall is in the process of repairs from the hurricane, and it shows. There was leaking in other units but not ours. The restaurant and bar are not open and with a building this big, it really does need that (everyone at the pool commented on this). The building is safe and secure in the Rio Mar development. The pools are great - infinity pool that the kids loved, a lap pool, a baby pool, a hot tub. Superb pool layout and a very short walk to a super quiet beach. You cant ask for more. Perfect location 5 min walk to the hotel and their restaurants and bars. We would go back but I would hope the renovations dont take more than another year or so and they can fix the leaks/outside and reopen the bar/restaurant. There were signs for service/building management but we never saw anyone (which is ok). We really enjoyed the stay and I would recommend it, but ask questions first about where the renovations stand.

Disappointing

I’m sure if nothing goes wrong this place is perfectly fine but if not that’s a whole other story . For some unknown reason we lost power near the end of our stay . And this was not a weather or infrastructure issue - every other unit had power as did all the hall lights-it was just our unit. Literally no one was available to help. No one answers the phone . Hours wasted trying to get anyone to help us out. It was a bizarre experience. Again, as long as all goes well it’s a decent enough place, (a bit dated), but if you need help in any regard you are SOL. ( picture of our phone charging station next to the elevators. Lovely place to pass the evening 😡)