Seaside Los Jameos

"Well we're back for what will definitely be our last visit. Previously we always used this hotel as a benchmark for hotels. Unfortunately after visiting other top 4* and 5* hotels for us, the cracks are showing. After extensive renovations and delays Los Jameos has reopened, we were due to stay last August but due to work not being completed we stayed at the 5* Fariones, which is superb. The check in was as always very good, welcome drinks and very efficient, rooms had been spruced up and looked better for it. We were in a junior suite with walk in shower, our balcony was very small and much smaller than my father in laws who had a lower room grade than ours, he had 2 full sized sun loungers on his. The bathroom in ours had two sinks, but the one on the right had the ceiling lamp fitting hanging too low so it got in the way, the big mirror on the wall wasn't upgraded to an electric one with demister, that would have been better and more appropriate for a hotel aiming for 5* Toiletries were good in junior suite, and the new smart tvs are very good. We stayed all inclusive, but its not really all inclusive as they have all inclusive premium now as well. All inclusive doesn't give you a stocked minibar and doesn't give you a complimentary meal in the al a carte restaurant, just doesn't sit right. Previously at Los Jameos, everyday they would bring a cart round by the pool area and make crepes and waffles, you could have what you want, topped with what you want. Now after the upgrade they have the separate area making waffles etc and even if you're all inclusive and you want Nutella as a topping instead of just sugar its €2 just seems like penny pinching. When we go to an all inclusive that has a separate al a carte then usually you get one complimentary visit, not here. Other hotels if you have a suite class room that gives you benefits, here you have to be premium plus. For reference, if you're already all inclusive, then premium plus is an additional €25 per person per day, added to a suite or master suite and the cost mounts up. Premium plus gives you access to a separate dining section on the terrace, which would be better as a perk to junior suite and master suite guests. We arrived yesterday and lunch was about to start so we headed for food, what struck me was how dark the outside seating area now is, thats due to the new roof over the cooking stations, and what also struck me was how disjointed it all now is, the cold food, after the changes further away from the hot food, so there's lots more people walking further around with plates and theres bottlenecks due to the layout. They have fresh made burgers now, and theres queues, everywhere queues. Past visits the burgers were cooked and you helped yourself and put onions on and tomatoes etc and didn't have to wait, now its all done to order, its a step backwards in my opinion. If its a buffet food should just be there, same at night, everything is a queue. Just up from breakfast as I'm writing this. We were there at 8am and theres no staff to escort guests to tables, they are aiming for 5* and when I go 5* I'm shown to a table. I heard guests arriving at around 9am moaning as they're struggling to find seats, empty plates seem slower to be cleaned than previous visits and empty tables seemed slower to be reset for the next guests. As we walked back to our rooms I saw a guest complaining about the lack of organisation. We went for dinner at around 7.30pm last night, huge queue, yes there were staff helping to manage the queue, but as a hotel aiming for 5* I've never queued to get a table at a buffet at a 5* Maybe they should assign time slots like on a cruise ship for early to late dining and suite guests get any time dining as tables are always available on a ship for suite guests. As guests queued for a table there was a cart with shot glasses on but it was unmanned and untidy, trays of empty shot glasses filled the cart and the full ones meant reaching right over to get one, surely a staff member should have been there serving shots to those who wanted and maintaining the appearance of the cart. We eventually got a seat for our evening meal, wait time around 12 minutes, waiter came over to take our order and it took him three attempts to correctly bring our drinks, two fanta lemon, one cola and one water. It wasn't a complicated order and shouldn't have required three attempts. I'm writing this bit as my wife was having a lie in this morning, so we're back for breakfast and as yet nobody has set the table for us or been round offering tea or coffee, I appreciate breakfast finishes shortly but its not finished and the service should be available. I feel standards have dropped massively and the basics which were always very well covered no longer are. 100% guests should at every meal sitting be taken to a table and looked after. Staff are all very pleasant, and I appreciate its busy as its February half term but it just feels like it's bursting at the seams and rather than being a pleasant experience its like a canteen, they should have made the ramp area that takes you to the hot food wider as thats a main thoroughfare for people. The al a carte as others have said, takes up a lot of space that was previously buffet seating and the al a carte doesn't exactly seem packed. It could be that as I've now travelled more and stayed in more hotels I have more hotels to compare to so I see things differently. Reading reviews many people have nothing but positives, but there reviews will be based on and off peak stay. My wife was here last week before returning this week and she said it was much quieter. Probably guests staying outside of children's school holidays will have a better and cheaper stay than guests staying during a peak time. For me its not a 5* standard, if it gets awarded 5* then I'd imagine prices will increase to reflect that and the reviews will probably be more negative based on experience and expectations. When we first stayed here, on TripAdvisor it was the number one hotel now its rated at number twenty one. I don't see it ever getting back to number one with or without 5* We have a lot of great memories from stays here but we'll be leaving this hotel as part of our past. Thanks for the memories Los Jameos"

"We recently enjoyed a 3-night stay at Los Jameos Playa and had a truly lovely experience as a family. Travelling with our 2-year-old twins can sometimes be challenging, but the resort made everything feel easy and comfortable from the moment we arrived. The atmosphere of the hotel is relaxed yet elegant, with beautifully maintained gardens and a peaceful setting that makes it ideal for both couples and families. The staff were consistently warm, professional, attentive and always ready to help with a smile. The family-friendly setup was excellent. The space, dining arrangements, and overall layout worked very well for us with young children. The Half Board option offered a great variety of fresh, high-quality food, and we especially appreciated how accommodating the team was with the little ones. The pool area was spotless and well organised, and the location near the beach and promenade is perfect for morning and evening walks. Overall, Los Jameos Playa strikes a wonderful balance between a quality 5* experience and a welcoming family environment. We left feeling relaxed and well looked after and we would happily return again. Highly recommended for families looking for comfort, service, and a stress-free holiday in Lanzarote."

"We have been visiting this hotel for about twenty years, but this was our first trip "post Covid." We were slightly apprehensive due to a few concerned reviewers who didn't like the recent refurbishment changes. We need not have worried!! The Seaside Los Jameos Playa hotel is still absolutely sensational.... Noemie did her best (and succeeded!!) to help us secure our favourite suite before we arrived (never a guarantee but they will always try) and Carolyn looked after us upon checking in which was smooth, relaxed, and it already felt like home. Beate Sekula, who has been the managing director for as long as I can remember was her usual charming presence, making time to chat to guests and staff of all levels. Beate is the most efficient and professional hotel director I have ever come across. She knows every inch of this hotel and all the staff. Her attention to detail is impeccable and the hotel runs like clockwork. Last week the weather was perfect, the beach and promenade was sparkling and as usual, spotlessly clean. So, what makes this hotel so special? Situated ten minutes from the airport, next to the beautiful beach with a huge relaxing promenade, no litter anywhere and no cars allowed - perfect. The design of the hotel is calm, classy, relaxing, airy, cool and extremely comfortable. The suites are well designed with everything you need. The hotel gardens are incredibly beautiful at all times of the day and night, the leisure pools and water features are outstanding. We always opt for the All Inclusive option at this particular hotel, as we like to keep "decision making" to a minimum. There is something to suit everyone's culinary taste, as well as multiple seating options (inside, outside terrace, poolside, Japanese water feature) and table layouts. The crucial refurbishments have been a triumph - a brilliant children's pool (no where near the original pools so the ambiance is unaffected!!) some new refreshment areas with the a la carte restaurant and Milk Lab, but the original Seaside Los Jameos Playa is very much alive and well. This year we were looked after, day and night by the fabulous Manuel, Olga and Yolanda, familiar faces for many years and still doing a wonderful job. We met Helga for the first time, a beautiful blonde goddess who greets guests at 6.30pm for dinner with her dazzling smile. She leads guests to a table all evening and never stops smiling - just wonderful. After a mix up with my husband's jacket, Helga was extremely helpful, and was a joy to see every evening. Also new to the team is Dimitri, a young man working in the Piano Bar in the evening and Pool Bar during the day. Dimitri is also blessed with a dazzling smile, charming demeanour, and a superb memory for customers favourite drinks - he has a bright future! We miss the legend known as David Pinto Romero who no longer works at the hotel, but the team.is still exceptional. Finally, this hotel is immaculately clean. I am particularly impressed by the calm, focussed, efficient way the ladies routinely mop the whole area of ground floor terrace, tiled area, restaurant area, rest rooms, shopping area, lift area, every day with discreet, safe, precision. They take enormous pride in their work and are as important to the operation as the maitre d, head chef or head gardener. You will never find a member of the cleaning staff hiding in the loos on their phone like you would in the UK...... They look smart, always say good morning, and like everyone at this hotel they do a fantastic job. We have had an absolutely wonderful week at our favourite hotel for a winter break - we cannot wait to return! Huge thanks to everyone at Seaside Los Jameos Playa, see you soon, J&D"