"We booked an Ocean facing room for us (2 adults and 1 kid 7 y/o) in AI for 7 nights and were set in on floor 1 (room 122) mid section above the beach and kids pool.
Room had a rather good size, much better than other Iberostars collection or wave type resorts, but the design can be inconvenient, as there is no separation between bathroom and room, so you get a nice ocean view from Tub, but at night you can't turn the lights in the bathroom without waking up the rest of the family. The toilet light is not independent from the bathroom light neither, you switch either all or none.
This was the only inconvenience we found, and the rooms are pretty auiet and well soundproffed too.
The hotel has 3 pools, 1 huge on GF (the 4th floor) another outdoor on L0 / the ocean level, and 1 indoor heated, free access as well, like the gym. The spa is accessible for a fee.
We found this hotel weak on kids Animation, to our dismay, they offered barely in the best days a maximum of 2 sessions of 1 hr and on weekend only in the afternoon a 1 hr.
The animations weren't very engaging for our son : soap making, drawings, the engaging sessions were to few, to the point that despite being fully booked and with many famillies, after few days, no kids were showing up and no activities were taking place, the participants were not engaged and interested, there was nothing to keep kids entertained, like in other 4 stars wave category Iberostar (often dotted with games, bouldering walls, etc...), as parents, it felt we are less cared after in this 5*.
To hotel mgmt, famillies have higher interest in AI than young couples, and often higher purchasing power too and more interest for AI conditions.
Cleaning : the cleaning was irregular, forgetting towels, or taking away and not replacing bathrobes, same with F&B not replenishing the fridge daily.
At that price level, we expect flawless service, like we had (almost) daily in the restaurants.
Food : was good to very good, plenty choice at all 3 meals sessions. As we took AI so our 7 y/o could get what he wanted whenever, and price difference was acceptable vs half board. Everyone should make their own calculation, but many people were on breakfast only or half board, probably breakfast was enough for them to hold till the usually super nice evening buffet.
-Breakfast : not enough choice of fresh fuits in mornings only 3 types (oranges, melon and watermelon) no exotic fruits like papaya or mango (saving money perhaps?). But fresh juices were great. Coffee is drinkable, French "Carte d Or".
-Lunch Buffets were good, nothing exceptional.
-Diner buffets : were from 5stars to 4stars around the end of our stay, with repeating offers 3 times out of 7 nights, which was disappointing (Tiger shrimps, mussles, and fish, all the same kind and cooking 3 nights in a row).
- Snack bar : it can be used for lunch and afternoon snacks, the offer is slightly different, burgers, pasta. After 18h it change into the a la carte restaurant Medronho, we used it once, and could taste well cooked food, superior to the show cooking of the buffet. If you fancy a good diner at normal prices, it is worth the money.
Conclusion food : overall good, not astounding like in Iberostar Andalucia Playa. often closer to 4* than 5*.
Rooms : very good with design weakness, limited storage, poor lighting arrangements and bathroom is part of bedroom. Rooms are dotted with nespresso machine, but lower quality coffee (no brand / no frills capsules) Cleanliness and replenishment felt like end of season after our 4th night.
Parking: better book it at the hotel, external parking is rather limited, in particular in high season.
Pools : excellent for a late spring to summer stay. Weaker if weather is poor (indoor pool is 18 x 18 maximum)
Entertainment: light to none. Not an issue for adults, but a possible issue if you come with kids that needs to be entertained, this was the main weak point.
Location: spectacular, 100m to the beach, and to the train stop that takes you to Lagos center in 5mns, or 3kms walking to Lagos. Gorgeous beach across the hotel, plenty bars and beach restaurants. Pity hotel doesn't have its own loungers on the beach though.
Service : friendly and excellent throughout the entire venue, from the pool bar staff who serves you at your lounge chair to the main restaurant and snack bar, including the reception; the staff is there to make your stay easy and happy.
All in all, a very good venue, if it wasn't for the weaknesses for the kids entertainment (so parents can rest and enjoy), I could recommend this resort for "longer" family stays. In 3 to 4 nights here, you get most our of it and it is worth every penny. A very good venue well located just 3kms to the center, facing the beach, well served with great rooms"
