"We were quite apprehensive about staying at SBH Collection Fuerteventura after reading some of the very negative reviews on TripAdvisor, but our experience was much better than we expected.
First of all, the staff were absolutely fantastic. Every member of the team we encountered was friendly, helpful and hardworking. As a hotel General Manager myself, I know how demanding hospitality can be, and the team here are a real credit to the hotel. They genuinely made our holiday.
The food was another pleasant surprise. After reading the reviews, we expected the worst, but there was always something to eat at every meal. Was it luxury dining? No. But there was enough variety that we always found something we enjoyed. We were well fed, never went hungry and, most importantly, none of us were unwell during our stay. Some of the reviews online really don’t reflect the experience we had.
The hotel itself is undeniably tired and in need of investment. There’s no getting away from the fact that it would benefit from a major refurbishment. Around the pools there are loose tiles and, unfortunately, my daughter cut the bottom of her foot. Accidents can happen anywhere, but this is an area that definitely needs attention.
One thing we really appreciated was that the hotel never felt overcrowded. There are three pools, including a children’s pool, and there was always plenty of room for everyone. Finding a sunbed was never a problem, and the whole place had a relaxed atmosphere.
Do be prepared for the wind! The hotel sits high on the cliffs overlooking the sea, so it can get extremely windy. While it’s beautiful, the breeze is constant and can be very strong on some days.
The cleanliness throughout our stay was excellent. We stayed in Room 317and 318 ourselves and tried to leave it as tidy as possible each morning to make life a little easier for the housekeeping team, who were brilliant. We did have a couple of unexpected visitors in the form of cockroaches, but that’s part and parcel of Fuerteventura rather than a reflection of the hotel’s standards. The staff were quick to provide insect spray and deal with the issue. If you’re feeling sociable, you can always have a friendly chat with a cockroach before showing it the door!
One point that really stood out to me from a professional perspective was security at reception. On more than one occasion, I noticed guests requesting replacement room keys without being asked to confirm their identity or room details. As someone who works in hotel management, I would strongly recommend that reception staff verify guests’ names and room numbers before issuing replacement keys. It’s a simple procedure that would significantly improve guest security.
The location is also worth considering. The hotel is quite isolated, so if you want to visit shops, bars or explore more of the island, you’ll need transport. If you’re arriving on the standard coach transfer, be prepared for a journey of up to two hours. We opted for a private transfer, which was absolutely worth the extra cost as it got us to the hotel in time for dinner after our flight.
One of the best decisions we made was hiring a car. My husband hired a Citroën C3 Aircross for just €63, which was more than big enough for our family of four. It gave us the freedom to explore the length and breadth of Fuerteventura, and it was fantastic value for money. I’d highly recommend hiring a car if you’re staying here for more than a few days.
A few practical tips for future guests:
* Wi-Fi is only available in the reception area, so download your books, films or anything else you want while you’re there before heading back to your room.
* If you’re planning to bring an Amazon Fire Stick, be aware that we couldn’t get ours to work with the TVs in the rooms. The TV setup didn’t seem to support connecting it in the usual way, so if streaming is important to you, it may be worth bringing any adapters or accessories you normally use, or checking with the hotel before you travel.
* If you’re eating outside on the restaurant terrace, just take a little extra care. The hotel is very exposed to the wind, and the wooden veranda above the outdoor seating area felt loose in places during our stay. We noticed parts moving in the wind, and one guest unfortunately injured her toe after a chair was blown across the terrace. Similarly, the wooden decking in the upper car park above the restaurant felt a little rickety. It may not be an issue on calmer days, but if it’s particularly windy—as it often is here—I would recommend sitting inside the restaurant, especially if you have young children.
During our stay, the majority of guests were German, with relatively few British or Irish visitors. We genuinely think we were the only Irish family there! That wasn’t a problem at all—it simply gave the hotel a different atmosphere, and everyone we met was friendly and respectful.
Overall, this is a very budget-friendly holiday destination. If you arrive expecting five-star luxury, you’ll probably be disappointed. However, if you’re looking for an affordable all-inclusive holiday with genuinely fantastic staff, decent food, plenty of space around the pools and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s far better than many of the online reviews suggest.
Would we rush back? Probably not in the immediate future, but we certainly don’t regret coming. We were looked after, we were well fed, we weren’t ill, and we enjoyed exploring the island. With some investment in the buildings, better maintenance and a few improvements to operational procedures—particularly around maintenance and reception security—this hotel could be a genuinely excellent budget holiday destination. One thing I absolutely have to mention is the beach, because it was without doubt the highlight of our stay. It is simply stunning. Access is via a paved walkway down from the hotel, and once you reach it you’re greeted by beautiful white sand, rolling dunes and crystal-clear water. On a clear day you can even see across to Lanzarote, and the views are breathtaking.
It’s worth noting that the walk down is quite steep, so if you have mobility issues or use a wheelchair, this may not be suitable. There are handrails along much of the path, although we noticed that some sections were missing and could do with attention. I’d definitely recommend wearing proper walking shoes or secure footwear rather than loose flip-flops.
Once you’re there, though, it’s more than worth the effort. The beach is vast, mostly soft sand with very few rocks, and never felt crowded during our stay. In our opinion, it’s the hotel’s biggest asset and one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve visited.
The Mac’s"
