We stayed at the Casablanca just a few days ago (January 4-11, 2008 )so I have up to date news about it. The Casablanca is the oldest hotel on the Hip Strip, and you can literally feel the history of the place soak into you. Our room was fairly standard, but it had a huge bed, working shower, hot water, and a balcony right on the ocean. We could see fish swimming below and sea urchins on the rocks. It does have a delapidated feel to it. The owners could definitely put a lot of money into this place, but they don't seem inclined to do so. Some positives: about two doors down from Margaritaville!, not far from the new casino across the street, there's a mean security guard who will yell loudly at any peddler that tries to get to you, you literally walk out of the hotel lobby onto the hip strip, the Jamaican Bobsled cafe is down the street, the beach is down below the hotel, a cute lizard lived on our balcony, great views of the ocean, and you can walk to the craft market or practically anywhere else in Montego Bay. Some negatives: you often have to go through the public beach to get to the hotel beach, and really the hotel beach isn't a private one. They only accept cash!!! This was astounding to us and could really deter some people from staying there I"m sure. Overall I would probably say this is a place for people who are not into the all inclusive scene, for people who like to go to a place that has a lot of history, for people who like a sort of 1920s feeling, for people who want to be able to be at the center of it all, but can walk a few steps and get away from it all as well!

This place used to be nice MANY years ago, probably a very elegant place back in the day. Unless you don't mind staying at a Motel 6 then you might be ok staying here. Service was horrible. They only accept cash, which we were not told and had to walk down the street to the ATM. The restaurant was never open and the girl at the front desk had no clue when and if it would be. We had a small roll of used toilet paper. The next morning I called for some more, never arrived, I walked to the front desk twice and asked the girl and she told me I would have to wait until the maid arrived but she did not know when that would be. Two hours later I talked her into opening another room and getting some there. She agreed but was very rude about it. There was only one other couple staying at the hotel so it wasn't like she was busy, Since the restaurant was not open, I had to walk 10 min to Burger King to get coffee.
The room itself was large and had a nice ocean view and a big patio. The bed was hard as a rock and the pillows were equally as hard. The sheets felt like sand paper and were old and worn. The entire place has not been painted in 30 years. The base boards and floors were filthy. The bathroom was old and small with not a drop of hot water. The furniture was old (think cheap from the 1930's), the TV was so old it had no remote. There was no furniture on the patio, The girl at the front desk told us that half of the hotel was closed because it was so rundown. I don't think this place would pass inspection in the USA. It was also very noisy, could every car and all the loud music. I did not feel safe, the lock was flimsy and the place was not secure at all.
Thank goodness we only stayed there one night. We had been at a nice resort all week and thought it would be nice to stay in Montego Bay and eat at some local places, do some shopping, etc. WRONG! We left for the airport (10min away) 4 hours before our flight because the place was so awful. Truly the worst place I have ever seen.

The Casa Blanca is the best location in Montego Bay. The hotel is undergoing slow refurbishing but has huge rooms and is very elegant, but a little run down. Grand entry way with marble floors. Attached resturant, with over the sea dinnig, is very elegant and affordable.
We had a huge room with a huge balcony, overlooking the sea, #8 . All the rooms are accessed by a garden walkway. The pool was undergoing repairs but was very large. Too bad we could not take advantage of it. It is not a modern room it is a 1920's room with old dressers and beautifull four poster bed. Mattress is fine. Bath room could be updated but ok. the
air conditioning worked well. Free admission to Dr. Cave Beach, and snorkeling right there.
This is the best beach on Montego Bay. Street vendors are pushy, but after the second day know you and leve you alone.The Casa Blanca is right in the middle of the hip strip and the other hotels. We checked the other hotels and the rate was equivalent, but most included breakfast, the Casa Blanca did not. The view was worth the price of breakfast. We watched the sunset every night from our balcony.
We had a wonderful time at the Casa Blanca and will return again.
Cab rides are $10.00 to the airport and $10.00 to down town, a 20 minute walk otherwise.
Note: at Doctors Cave Beach you can rent a sailboat for $10.00 with a captain. Ask for Captain Bull. You can arrange for deep sea fishing there also. Doctors Cave Beach is a one minute walk fron the hotel. Bring a mask and snorkel, the marine park is right at the beach.
We went to the falls and that was worth it.
We went downtown and that was good.
we took the ATV trip, that was worth it. Negotiate all of you taxi rides first and shop around.
Have fun.
JIM

Okay let me have a shot at this. I agree with the "decaying grandure" comment, but it is good enough. For $140 a night we had a large room with a 4 poster king size bed and a shaded balcony with nothing in front of us other than Cuba over 90 miles of open ocean. The bed and dresser appear to be original 1930s. The floors and wood plank.. It is like walking back to the "old Caribbean". The attached restaurant is one of the best in Montego Bay and is cheap $14 - $30and has banana flambe' at $5. There wa only one other couple in the pool which was clean and has a great view. The public beach is adjacent and has great snorkeling with coral heada a easy swim from the beach. The room and hall way is clean the the maid staff is friendly. We had a good time and do not like cookie cutter all inclusive resorts. we like to interact with the Jamaicans and do a little exploring. Try the Pork PIt for REAL jerk.