we obviously went at the wrong time. arrived 2+ days before IRMA. we were assigned a basement room to protect us. we were the only guests. the facility manager, an attractive blonde, was "unwelcoming" to say the least. others were cordial. the room assigned was minimalist. all of the online pictures were from another period meaning poor quality furnishings. we were disappointed but fearful of the oncoming hurricane. staff and their families and friends bunkered down in the lower level rooms. supplies of water and battery operated Tea lites were distributed (worthless). everyone was pleasant and equally frightened. the manager disappeared only to be seen 2 days after the storm hit. she was derelict in her responsibilities. we had steel hurricane shutters that lowered to protect the glass doors. at 2 a.m. Wednesday morning the current went, the only safe place was in the bath room. the high winds lasted 2 hours and finally we came out of our room around 8:30 a.m. the marqessa was no more. all roof were gone. everything was ravaged. I could go on endlessly about this experience but it would be pointless. they offered little help in getting off the island. they were without just like us. they suggested we go to the RIU facility below for help. we did and RIU responded. RIU could not believe that Marqessa offered no help.
anyone that ever said flattering things about marqessa was deceitful. everything that was written favorably about this facility was blind or lying. the access was abominable( narrow dangerously steep roads). there was no restaurant. beds were of the cheapest as were the other furnishings. outlets didn't work before the storm. aside from the folks that were working there (3, 2 of which were interns) and their family and friends, the stay was miserable. shame on anyone that gave this place a rating higher than a 3 was dishonest.

We had a great 5 night stay. The hotel is perched on a very (!) steep hill. Driving up to it is a bit treacherous, but the view is well worth it. We ate some meals on the balcony and enjoyed it very much. It's mostly run by interns (especially at night). They are not too experienced but they will drive and pick you up from the beach OR we just walked (8-10 min). The beach is shared with a large all-inclusive resort to the right (noisy at times) and an almost deserted resort to the left (pricey). 5-6 chairs are provided. Mostly it was still not busy enough and thus enjoyable for us. Sunset time is the best. The beach "town" has a few places to eat, but they close for few hours during the day, and we always missed it. There is a great hike to a deserted beach. We did that a few times. But beware of the sun is brutal if you are doing a full hike (close to 2 hr). The breakfast at the hotel is generous if you like croissants (which we did), the omelets were good too. We had a problem with a wi-fi in the room the first 1-2 days, but the repairman was called in. If you like a relaxing (aka on a quiet side) getaway, this hotel is a very good base and we would gladly stay here again.