Paradisus by Melia Fuerteventura

"Have to flag this review we are still in the hotel and really disappointed with our stay. The hotel is in a prominent position with a lovely view of the beach and lagoon. There is nothing around the area so unless you have a car are completely reliant on the hotel for food and entertainment. Staff are friendly and try to assist where possible. We came to the hotel with high expectations having previously stayed at the Paradisus Lanzarote. The hotels cannot compare. Everything here feels like it has been done on the cheap. I can see no longevity in the refurbishment. We are in a Reserve Room which is spacious and comfortable. However, the shower does not contain the water in normal use. While this doesn’t particularly impact on our stay it cannot be good for the cheap laminate flooring and ‘wood’ frame around the bathroom door which is already swelling from the repeated soaking every day. The water comes right out of the bathroom and runs into the bedroom. Maintenance ran some more mastic along the glass which has done nothing as this is not the problem area. Despite our reporting the issue is the glass panel is just not long enough. There should be a door on the open half of shower tray to keep the water contained. The balcony is covered in splatters of either tile cement or mortar which no one bothered to clean up during the works. We have been offered a room change but with only a couple of nights to go seems a lot of effort to pack our bags. Replenishment of the mini bar is very hit and miss. First day we were told it was our fault as we had a do not disturb on the door. I rang down before 18.00 and was told no one available then to assist. Today when we returned only water has been replaced. The biggest and ongoing issue is the food. It is very poor quality, tasteless and frequently inedible. The worst experience was in Lemon Fish, Japanese/Peruvian fusion restaurant. Ordered a couple of items from the starters and some Gyoza dumplings. Dumplings were served first and stone cold. These were rejected and the starters eventually brought. The wakame & cucumber salad was really horrible and the tomato salad equally unpleasant. Second time the Gyoza were served they were still cold so we just gave up. Did not fare much better at the Italian, asked for some mustard to have with the rather bland steak, this never arrived so when the plate was cleared the waiter said he’d just forgotten. My partners’fish was overcooked and served with inedible mushy asparagus. Second attempt at the Italian we tried the pizza which had so much cheese on it the base was greasy and soggy. Another night with little or no food. The supposed jewel in the crown Mahos catered by a Michelin Starred chef was little better. We selected the vegetarian menu. Having been asked if I had any allergies was promptly served an amuse bouche with prawns 🦐. They were swiftly removed but had I not checked could so easily have taken a bite and ended up needing an epi pen. It’s just careless. We had barely finished the starters when we were presented the main course a rice dish which had clearly been plated earlier and sat around as it was cold. It was replaced but then we felt rushed, dessert was plonked in front of us very swiftly as I presume the table was wanted for someone else. All in all not the premium experience we expected and again not comparable with the equivalent experience in Lanzarote. Shack and Kanna the day restaurants have not fared much better. Have to ask for oil and vinegar as no salad dressings or seasoning on the food. At Lanzarote the Reserve pool has a separate bar with food options. This is really lacking here with only drinks on offer. The Reserve breakfast is in a separate area with table service plus a selection of self serve products. Service can be very mixed. Some days food will come quickly, if you’ve order both hot and cold might come together or maybe with an item missing. Coffee can be ordered or made from the self service machine with espresso type capsules. Machine is quite temperamental I ended up with hot brown water twice. This area then doubles as a snack area and bar for Reserve guests. Which closes at 6pm and becomes Mahos restaurant. There seems little benefit to paying the extra for Reserve privileges as you have to leave the Reserve pool to get food and then when you might want to relax in a quieter bar area before dinner this is denied you, leaving either Ginger Bar which is very busy and short on seating (apart from the ridiculous day beds) or the grim Vibra bar in the basement. We can only hope the hotel take on these criticisms and try to improve"

"This was booked last minute. Overall it’s a lovely hotel but needs to improve certain issues. Namely the food. We didn’t stay in the reserve rooms. It’s a 4 star hotel in my opinion, I’d say I’d rate it 5 if I’d stayed in reserve. Taxi is €100 each way. It’s a shame the hotel does not have a transfer service. Check in was very lengthy, we arrived late and just about made it to dinner before restaurant closing. The hotel has a lovely vibe and is very relaxing. We had the basic room so the view wasn’t great but the room was lovely and extremely comfortable. Buffet has no nice view. It’s extensive and service is good. The wellness activities are great. Gorgeous grounds. Instructors are excellent. Food- this is the big let down. We didn’t have one good meal. The food looks nice but has very little flavor. Portions are tiny (and I’m not a big eater). Staff are extremely nice but unfortunately the food fell short. We’d a terrible experience in Lemon Fish. I fed back to management and they listened and agreed. Hopefully since our stay in November food has improved. I feel that the hotel is finding its feet since the changeover. Around the pool there is no service. For a five star hotel, I’d say that waiter service should be a basic offering. This was disappointing. All in all it was a good but not great experience. I’d like to stay again in the hope that things have improved, as all the staff seemed to listen and want to provide their best experience. I loved the vibe of the hotel and the bedrooms. There is a great beach for long walks. Drinks were of a good quality and it’s a lovely place to relax."

"Lovely hotel , modern clean, the staff were excellent, we were booked 4 nights in mid January, great beach views, food was ok and varied ...but you need to book in the themed restaurant because I was told the buffet is a bit boring after a day or two. BIG problem though the bed rooms , restaurants and bar were cold and no heaters available...was told " we don't normally need them" well they did this year lol"