"First Impressions:
Don't be too put off by where the coach drops you off. We were dropped on the main road which does look a little run down, but within a 30-second walk you turn a corner which completely changes the 'feel'. The apartments are located on a corner and entering is quite impressive—it's a large, cool, welcoming area with sofas, a bar, 24-hour reception, etc.
The Apartment:
Standard small kitchenette with a 2-ring induction hob and a fridge (with a small freezer compartment). It's kitted out with minimal, but just about workable, pots, pans, cutlery, and plates. However, if you like a decent mug of tea or coffee, bring your own or buy one over there! The glass cups provided are about half the size of a standard mug—3 glugs and you're done!
Size-wise, it's fine but cosy: 2 single beds, a sliding door, and a separate area for the kitchenette with a pull-out double sofa bed. We just left the sofa bed out for the 10 days, but if you want more room it easily folds away. There's a small table and 4 chairs which worked fine for us.
Warning on the balcony: It is small. It fits a small coffee table and 2 chairs in one corner, and that is about it (roughly 3ft wide by 7ft long), so don't expect all 4 of you to sit out there for lunch or dinner. However, if you can afford the top (level 4) apartments, they have approx 10ft x 10ft balconies—big enough for sun loungers, a table, and chairs.
Bathroom & Cleanliness:
The bathroom is very functional—great powerful shower with constant hot water. The whole place was spotlessly clean, with towels replaced and the room made up daily should you want it.
Balcony View & Pool Area:
The balcony view was a bit of a shock at first, but you soon get used to it. It's surrounded by residential housing/flats, but when you're down by the pool you kind of forget it's there after a day or two (photos attached).
Sunbeds & Pool:
Ah, the old sunbed war! It's not too bad TBH, but you have to be organised. No-one is supposed to enter the pool area until 9am (although they did let people in at 8:55am on some days!), so head down before 8:50am to join the queue. Reserving beds isn't officially allowed, but as long as you don't take advantage (e.g. holding a bed without showing up until midday), it's fine. Popping away for lunch for an hour didn't seem to cause too many issues. We did, however, witness staff removing towels on two occasions, which caused a few lively arguments!
The pool is on the small side for the complex (approx 30ft by 60ft, plus a jacuzzi and a shallow splash area for under-5s). It's fine for cooling off, but don't expect to swim lengths. The main beach is only a 10-minute walk down the road; it's sandy, though a bit pebbly at the water's edge. If you walk 5 minutes further right, it gets much sandier right into the sea.
Food Shops:
Try to avoid the tiny minimarkets as they are expensive.
Carrefour Express: 2 mins walk down the road on the right (like a Tesco Express).
Consum: 7 mins walk away (like a Sainsbury's—all the brands, great fresh fish, cheese and meat counters - good wine selection!). Turn right out of the main doors down the side of the apartments and walk straight until the end; it’s on your left.
A very typical Aldi: 15 mins walk away (turn right up to the main road, then a a left on the main road and walk straight down). Just google map them if you need directions to either.
Eating Out:
Plenty of restaurants and shops once you hit the main stretch, especially walking towards the church (about a 5/10 minute walk).
Highly Recommended: Cal Classic (book ahead as there are queues out the door!), Bar Restaurant Tierra del Fuego (slightly off the main drag, fantastic food), Cantinflas, and Grouchos (Mexican but it does lots of other dishes as well). All very budget and family-friendly!
For a Treat: Nui Beach—right on the beach, slightly more expensive, but worth it.
Caution: Luna Gaucha in the square. Main courses were literally just plain meat (chicken legs, fatty steak, or burger) and 3 halves of new potatoes each. Very disappointing for the price so just be careful if you do go there!"