Booking late this year and only choices available are Palm Court or LaPlaya. I remember staying at L'Hoste many years ago and it was okay (close to beach).
They are the same price. Which one should I book, or does it really matter?
We spend the whole day on the beach anyway, so it isn't like we will be there except for breakfast and to sleep.

Do you spend the day at the beach where your hotel is located? If so, La Playa would be my choice. Bruno is now an owner there, and the beach bar and restaurant there are fabulous. As a guest at La Playa you'll get free chairs there.

No we walk down to Club O. Won't use the beach chairs or bars at the hotel at all. Even though I hear that "Bruno" may or may not have taken over the hotel and knows what he is doing. I have also heard la Playa has maybe had extensive renos?

I have stayed at Palm Court aND it was great. They served a nice breakfast overlooking the pool with hot and cold items all included. LA Playa is the former L'Host, but apparently has been renovated recently. Either would probably be a good choice for your stay.

I heard the same thing about Bruno having also purchased the hotel, but have not confirmed that with him, nor do I know anything about either property. If he has, in fact, taken over the hotel, then that would still be my choice even if I were not using the chairs. But again, I have no experience with either place, so my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

My suggestion is that you contact TTOL sponsor Jim Ruos, at Caribbean Islands Travel Service, on the TTOL sponsors list. He knows all those properties intimately and can suggest the best fit for you.

Happy New Year,

We have recently booked La Playa for 3 weeks in March. We have a friend who stays every year and raves about the place. We have always stayed at Esmeralda but were looking for a property a bit more toward the middle of the beach and closer to our favorite watering hole-The Aloha Bar. We will be on the island for most of March and looking forward to saying good bye to winter.

The La Playa hotel is, in fact, the old L' Host. Great location but I was never a big fan of the hotel but a decent renovation and the formal tie to La Playa could turn the trick.

http://www.laplayaorientbay.com/