"We stayed at the Iberostar Anthelia for 7 nights over Christmas and had the most incredible holiday. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. Someone came to help with our luggage straight from the taxi, and we were given cool towels on arrival. We were offered a complimentary drink from the bar - a nice cold beer and cava! The perfect way to start a holiday! Check in was very smooth and everything was explained to us by the lovely receptionist.
The hotel was beautifully decorated for Christmas. There was a stunning woodland display in the foyer as well as a little train with a Christmas countdown near the entertainment mall, and a huge tree in the outdoor ‘roundabout’ section near the restaurant decorated with coloured lights. All the decorations were breathtaking!
We stayed in a duplex suite in the Aida block which was spacious, and spotlessly clean. We had an incredible pool and sea view - we sat and watched the sunset each evening from the balcony. The bathroom had a fantastic whirlpool bath, and there were toiletries provided including large bottles of shower gel and shampoo.
We had opted for half board, but the receptionist did give us a price for all inclusive on our arrival. The upgrade price was actually very reasonable, and if we hadn’t wanted to try some of the local restaurants at lunch time, it would have been a very cost effective option.
Dinner each evening was simply outstanding, honestly the best hotel food we’ve ever had. We ate like kings every evening! Salads, soups, grills, fresh pastas (made while you wait), varied hot dishes, incredible desserts etc all beautifully presented and each section had its own server who was constantly replenishing the food. It felt far more like an à la carte experience than a buffet. The tables were beautifully set out with white tablecloths, wine glasses and water glasses.
We were served most evenings by Cesar who made our experience so special, he’s a true asset to the hotel. He gave us some great wine recommendations and made sure we always had what we needed.
The food on Christmas Day was truly spectacular. There was every type of seafood you could imagine as well as traditional Christmas roasts and a dessert section that looked like a French patisserie, with the most incredible festive displays in each section (including a little toy train!)
Every member of staff we encountered was friendly, welcoming and genuinely seemed happy to be there. The pool bar team were equally fantastic, a huge thank you to Michel for always making sure we were looked after. The complimentary nuts, crisps and olives by the pool and in the lobby bar were a lovely touch.
The entertainment staff were incredible and worked so hard. Each member of the team took the time to engage with us during our stay. They are truly wonderful people. The Christmas show they put on was amazing - there was a show at the pool on Christmas Day including acrobatics! And in the evening after dinner they put on another show, welcoming each child into the entertainment room. Father Christmas arrived and they made sure each child had the opportunity to have their photo taken and each child received a gift. A lot of thought and effort had gone into making sure every child felt special.
The hotel has a huge programme of events which you can find on the Iberostar app. You can also see the running total for your room bill on there too which was very handy.
Other highlights included the ice rink and Christmas market, the beautiful pools, delicious lunches at Portofino (thank you Rebeca for being so lovely to my son and talking to him about his Rubik’s cube!)
The hotel is perfectly located right by Fañabé Beach and within walking distance of shops, bars and restaurants.
We stayed at the same time as a recent negative reviewer and had a completely different experience. The hotel felt anything but ‘soulless’! There was a relaxed and classy atmosphere throughout. The ice rink was clearly intended as a festive feature for children rather than a full sized skating venue, and it brought plenty of Christmas magic. You could tell a lot of effort had gone into this as well. As for the entertainment - we saw acrobatics, live singers, flamenco dancers and wonderful Christmas shows that the children absolutely loved. Also, being asked for our room number was never an issue for us. They need to ask as you enter the restaurant to make sure you’re a resident of the hotel and it also ensures no mix ups with the billing of drinks. It removed the need for wristbands, which we actually appreciated.
In short, this hotel far exceeded our expectations. It’s a true gem with exceptional service, outstanding food and a wonderfully warm atmosphere. We would absolutely recommend the Anthelia to anyone looking for a 5-star experience. You will not be disappointed.
Thank you for such a magical and memorable stay. We’ll definitely be back!
Tip: we found out later in our stay that the spa offers a special children’s session on Mondays from 10am–2pm (all other sessions are over 16s only) so definitely worth checking out if you’re travelling with younger kids."
