"We have just returned from 7 nights at this hotel. We really enjoyed our stay. However, would only recommend if you want a very quiet area and don't mind a 15 minute walk to the beach and 25-30 mins walk to bars, shops and restaurants in the main area.
Costa Calma is very quiet and has about 8 bars that have evening entertainment.
The hotel itself has NO evening entertainment and the bar is located in the dining restaurant.
HOTEL - Staff are fantastic and cannot do enough for you. We found them more friendly and helpful than many bigger chain hotels like RIU. The hotel has less than 100 rooms and is small and fairly personal. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and although a small buffet, it offered decent and varied options and we did not struggle to eat despite my partner being allergic to meat. There are no snacks here outside of meal times. Bar was well stocked and no real wait for service, apart from when certain nationalities push in front of you, but the beer and wine were good quality.
Pool area is small but we never struggled to get a sun longer. The bar at the pool is open all day and offers snacks in the afternoon. Pool is decent although quite cool!
Rooms were modern, spacious and air con good. Each has a balcony with chairs. Shower was superb. Bed was two singles pushed together. Also had a good TV, hairdryer and empty fridge.
Again, there is NO evening entertainment so most of the guests bring card games, etc for something to do after dinner.
Bar closes at 11pm.
LOCAL AREA - immediately around the hotel, there is a mini supermarket across the road open until 11pm. If you want a car, and we did, ask reception or go across the road to the hotel opposite and they sorted us a great car at a really good price the same day. 5 mins walk from the hotel there is a locals bar, a cafe and a really good pizza/pasta restaurant called L'Italiano. As mentioned before, the beach is about 15 mins walk and has some good beach bars. The town suffers from not having a promenade or central area. There are three small areas in the town with bars and restaurants many of which have bands on in the evening. We did not visit them all but can recommend Mamma Mia's, Rapa Nui and Bar Dari Dari.
There are 2 Spar supermarkets in town that have a wide selection of goods at decent prices. There are also at least 2 pharmacies.
FURTHER AFIELD - we would highly recommend hiring a car if staying in Costa Calma. The island is amazing but you do need wheels to see it properly.
10 mins south of Costa Calma is Sotavento beach, absolutely stunning and worth a visit despite the nudists which you will find all over the island.
Morro Jable is another 10 mins south of here and a nice pleasant area with a lot more shops and restaurants and great beaches. Cofete is even further south of here but you will need a 4x4 or be on a tour to access it.
If you like go karting there is a hidden gem between Cardon and Tarajalejo called Karting Ocios Del Sur. Fantastic track at a really good price!
To the north, Betancuria is a lovely picturesque village up in the mountains, the drive being very tricky through mountainous roads but good fun and amazing views. Ajuy is a small costal village with a nice bay and great for watching the huge Atlantic waves crash onto the beach.
El Cotillo is on the North West coast where there were a lot of kite surfers as the sea is very rough here. Some nice bars and restaurants in a medium size tourist town.
If you want a vibrant nightlife then Corralejo looks to be perfect! We spent an evening here when the kite festival was on in November and there was a drone display in the evening followed by a Coldplay tribute in the town square all for free. Fantastic.
There are a huge number of restaurants, bars, shops, 2 casinos and lots of clubs and the area was packed. The opposite of Costa Calma.
We had an amazing week and loved the island and would recommend it.
Hotel Taimar was absolutely fine for what we wanted from this holiday but make sure you know what you're getting. Many travellers staying around us were not aware of the distance they would have to walk to get to anything and the absence of eveing entertainment."
