"As a frequent traveller, I have stayed in many hotels, but I can honestly say that I have rarely, if ever, experienced such a lengthy check-in process. After arriving very late, this was the last thing we needed. The offer of a welcome drink was a nice gesture, however, it did little to compensate for the disappointing experience that followed.
Room Cleanliness and Condition
On first entering the room, I was immediately struck by a strong, unpleasant smell that caused me to sneeze throughout the night. When I raised this with staff, I was told that it was an air freshener in the bathroom and that they would look into turning it off. Unfortunately, nothing was done, and the problem remained unresolved.
At first glance, the room appeared clean, but closer inspection revealed a clear lack of attention to detail. The toilet roll holders were thick with dust, the tables were dirty, and the extractor fan in the bathroom had accumulated dirt that had clearly not been cleaned for some time. There were also stains on the blinds and tiles. The room and its furnishings are extremely dated and would benefit significantly from refurbishment.
The bed consists of two single mattresses pushed together, which is an unusual and uncomfortable arrangement, particularly when sleeping alone, as the gap between them is noticeable. While the mattress itself was not the worst I have experienced, noise was a constant issue and frequently disturbed our sleep. This included doors being slammed, furniture being dragged around in rooms above us, and guests talking loudly.
There was also music playing every evening between 8 pm and 10 pm. On one occasion, it sounded more like drunken karaoke than professional entertainment. I found the quality of the entertainment surprisingly poor and, frankly, rather tacky.
The heating system was equally frustrating. On the first night, the room was far too hot, yet for the remainder of the holiday I struggled to get it warm enough. The fan controls also appeared to be incorrectly wired: the switch marked '0', which should turn the fan off, did not work as expected, leaving me to experiment with the settings. The shower hose over the bath was also faulty and did not work properly. Overall, there was a distinct lack of maintenance and attention to detail.
Everyday I had to go down to reception as my key card stopped working, I was told not to put it with my phone, however I didn't after the first time and it still continued to stop working and at other hotels that has never been an issue. I also noticed other people having similar problems.
Location and Facilities
If you are visiting primarily to play golf, the location may suit you. However, for anyone who does not play golf, there is very little to do at the hotel itself or in the immediate vicinity.
The complimentary bus to the shopping centre is of limited use, running only twice in the morning with one return service, the last of which departs at 12:35 pm. This does not allow much flexibility. A taxi costs approximately €7, or you can walk there in around 30 minutes.
When our planned tours were cancelled or failed to arrive (more on this below), I asked reception for suggestions on alternative activities. The only recommendation offered was the shopping centre bus. There were no useful leaflets, local excursion information or tour representatives available to help guests make alternative arrangements.
Communication was another challenge. Only a few members of the reception team spoke English confidently enough to answer even relatively straightforward questions, making it difficult to obtain basic information and assistance.
Food, Drinks and Restaurant Service
The food was one of the most disappointing aspects of the stay, and the overall restaurant experience fell well below what I would expect from a five-star hotel.
Before arriving, I emailed the hotel to explain that I am vegetarian and have a pepper allergy. I was reassured that this would not be a problem and that suitable arrangements would be made. Unfortunately, the reality was very different.
On arrival, I found a meat platter in the room, which was particularly unpleasant given the strong smell that was already an issue. The menu remained largely the same every day, and many of the vegetarian options contained peppers. Those that did not were generally bland and uninspiring.
Although I raised my concerns on the first evening, I was offered a special meal on just one occasion, which I was told would include ingredients such as tofu and pasta. What arrived was simply boiled pasta in a white sauce. It was a considerable disappointment and fell well short of what had been promised.
The cost of drinks with dinner was another unwelcome surprise. A small Coke cost €6, and despite dining in the hotel restaurant, not even a complimentary glass of water was offered with the meal. Having to pay such prices for basic drinks, without even being offered water, added to the feeling that guests were being charged premium prices without receiving the level of service expected from a five-star establishment.
The service in the restaurant was equally disappointing. Staff frequently appeared rude and unhelpful, and communication was difficult because many seemed to have a very limited command of English. This made it particularly challenging to explain dietary requirements and resolve even straightforward issues. The restaurant manager did not appear sufficiently concerned about ensuring that my vegetarian diet and pepper allergy were properly accommodated, despite having been informed in advance. I expected a far more professional, attentive and accommodating approach. On the 3rd night I was offered a special meal with tofu and pasta and veg, what I got what pasta in white sauce
Food hygiene was another serious concern. Starters and desserts were laid out on an uncovered buffet, and other guests reported seeing flies on the food. I also reported flies and insects around the dining area on two separate occasions. Despite raising these concerns, I saw no meaningful action taken to address the issue or ensure that the food was adequately protected.
Breakfast was similarly underwhelming. Eggs and pancakes could be ordered, but the eggs were excessively oily and the pancakes were barely edible. Everything else was served buffet-style, again without covers to protect the food.
The general level of customer service throughout the restaurant and bar was poor. On one occasion, I asked the barman for ice and was simply ignored. This was exceptionally rude and symptomatic of the lack of care and attentiveness experienced throughout the stay.
Overall, the food, drinks pricing, hygiene standards and attitude of staff were nowhere near what I would expect from a hotel claiming to offer five-star service. The lack of suitable vegetarian options, failure to properly accommodate a declared food allergy, uncovered buffet items and unhelpful staff made dining a frustrating experience rather than an enjoyable part of the holiday.
Excursions and Local Activities
Arranging excursions proved more difficult than expected. Many of the tours advertised on platforms such as GetYourGuide do not offer pick-up from this hotel, and those that do can charge a considerable premium.
Of the two excursions I booked that included collection and drop-off, neither provided the service I had paid for.
Private Tour with Pick-up in Caleta de Fuste – RDV Extreme Life: The provider failed to arrive at the agreed time. After waiting 15 minutes, I attempted to contact them but received no response. After 30 minutes, I was eventually given excuses for why the driver could not attend. This was an extremely frustrating experience and a complete waste of our time.
From Caleta: Sotavento, La Pared, Morro Jable Tour – Aleksandra Maria Turkawska: This excursion was cancelled at 9:22 pm the evening before it was due to take place. Such late notice was highly inconvenient and left very little time to make alternative plans. I would not recommend either provider based on these experiences.
On a more positive note, I would recommend the boat trips available at the marina and a visit to Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura. However, be aware that the paid shuttle bus to the wildlife park, which costs approximately €7.50 per person, does not collect guests from this hotel. You will need to take a taxi to Hotel Elba Sara, around five minutes away, to access the service.
Overall Verdict
Unfortunately, this hotel falls considerably short of what I would expect from a five-star property. The problems extend well beyond one or two minor inconveniences and include poor cleanliness, dated facilities, inadequate maintenance, disruptive noise, disappointing food, insufficient attention to dietary requirements, questionable buffet hygiene and inconsistent customer service.
Throughout my stay, I saw luggage at the side of reception and no one around, so I would assume that means they have no safe luggage storage?
The lack of assistance with local activities and the limited transport options further detracted from the overall experience. While there were a few positives, such as the offer of a welcome drink and the availability of boat trips and local attractions, these do not outweigh the numerous shortcomings.
I am genuinely tired of hotels marketing themselves as five-star establishments and charging premium prices when the standard of accommodation and service does not justify the cost. A five-star rating should reflect consistent quality, cleanliness, professionalism and genuine care for guests. Unfortunately, in my experience, this hotel did not deliver on those expectations.
I would not consider this hotel to offer five-star quality or value for money, and based on my experience, I would not choose to stay here again."
