|
 Sunny Says there
are 110 visitors online
Sunnys' Hints: Did you Know? We have photos from across the globe in our photo albums! |
|
| Holiday-Truth Readers Reports |
Mrs Ball from Dudley West Midlands travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Thomas Cook
on a family holiday.
There were 4 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 10 2008 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness |  | | Location |  | | Staff | | | Food |  | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: This Hotel was our first all inclusive holiday, The Hotel is very grand and beautiful with very friendly staff and is bang on for cleanliness, the food was buffet in the resaurant and evening atire cannot be swim shorts but shorts like combat style past knee for men was acceptable. The drinks were all local but cocktails were ready made so a bit disappointed and there was a pool bar with a snack bar hat did chips burgers hot dogs and at certain times crepes which were lovely. I have said I wouldnt go here again as the entertainment at night was rubbish to be fair and very little of it for a hotel of its size, plus if it was nearer beach and shops than the cliff walk to get down to the sand it would be much better. But overall the hotel is great all in all just nights were boring they also need more English friendly entertainers as its very difficult to understand the spanish as they speak so fast.
Click here for more information on this hotel, resort and region
| | |
al and sand from gwent travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
direct holidays
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2008 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location |  | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This hotel is definately one we will return to. On outskirts of Playa Blanca, near papagayo beaches. First impression was of an extremely large, unusually designed hotel which was difficult to work out what was where... but soon overcome this, all facilities are well signed. Spotlessly clean with the friendly staff on the go day and night. Reception staff were very helpfull at all times.
Most rooms have a sea view, ours had a large balcony and the sound of the sea was relaxing. (beach here was shingle and difficult for swimming). The room itself was well furnished and large, beds comfy and all was very clean. Safety deposit payable locally. Loads of pools to choose from and no prob with sunbeds. Gym, sauna etc excellent. Gardens very well kept. This hotel is very big but amazing. Great music played by the pools during day.
Did not do much with entertainment but it looked ok, saw 2 shows (theatre was a bit bland but only used it for odd occasions) Shows we saw were excellent. Rest of entertainment seemed for the kiddies who all appeared to be enjoying. This hotel is 24 hour all inclusive. After 11 pm drinks are payable, but outside at the snack bar from 11 pm to 8 am snacks are available with wine and beer (plus soft drinks) on tap. It was so hot this was a good option.
We are vegetarians who eat fish and had absolutely no prob with the food (watch the soup as it usually cotains meat..) Main restaurant can be noisy but go beyond this and theres an Italian section which is open at all meal times. You can take food from one section to the other so we chose to sit in the Italian as it was much quieter.
Food - where do we start. Breakfast was cereal, rolls and bread, jam, cheese, meat, tuna, dried fruit, fruit,yogurt, cakes etc. Chef cooked omelettes constantly, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, toms. There was always loads and hot. Lunch - salads, chips, pasta, rice and various roast meats and choices of fish being cooked, plus loads of other options, fab cakes etc. ice cream. wine, beer, soft drinks, tea coffee. Evening meal similar, but be assured you will not fail to find something to eat, all well cooked. The Italian during lunch and dinner had pizzas being cooked constantly, pasta dishes etc. If you did not want to eat in the restaurant during lunch, snack bar was open with pizza, chips, burgers etc., cakes.
The pool bar (next to snacks was open from 11 am ( lady serving here could be grumpy and rude at times - but she was the only member of staff that was). Slush puppies and ice cream for all.. When this bar closed a bar opened inside on the floor below reception and also a bar downstairs where kids had some pool tables etc.
Disco at night, this area. Two bars in the evening, one with outside terrace with pool and sea view. Also the green room (Adults only) with a pianist, found queing a nuisance here and felt the room a bit musty. But loads of other places to sit on different levels. Also the furniture in these areas is really lovely. Lots of Spaniards, few English, everyone very friendly.
We had great time. Courtesy Coach every few hours to Playa Blanca, yes it could get full, taxis cheap though, under 4 euro. We walked to Playa Blanca few times, decent walk but worth it, all around the coast.
| | |
karen hartman from scunthorpe travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
thomas cook
on a family holiday.
There were 3 adults and 4 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2008 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Stayed in this hotel for 2 weeks, have to say the hotel was extremely clean and seemed to be cleaned by staff 24 hours a day throughout. The hotel rooms were very spacious with a fridge and television.
The food was excellent but was very repetative so after 2 weeks was a bit fed up of it. The hotel isnt close to any shops but there is a lovely walk along the coast of about 15 minutes into the next village where the market is on a wednesday and a saturday.
There is a free bus to take you to playa blanca but it gets very full so sometimes you have to get a taxi.
There was lots for the kids to do with the entertainment team who were really nice coming round the pool getting the kids to join in in activities and sports.
My children had a fab time and didnt want to come home.
The only thing that I thought let the hotel down was there was no where near enough parasols around the pools so you had to suffer the heat in the afternoon.
The lady who worked the pool bar was so miserable it was untrue and made a point of serving the spanish guests before the English but the rest of the staff were good and helpfull.
The snack bar is good for when the dining hall is closed if you are a bit peckish.
The 5 pools were very good and kept very clean. The entertainment was very cheesy but the kids enjoyed it. I must recomend the catalanza boat trip, it is worth every penny a superb day.
Over all I would return to this hotel.
| | |
Natalie Morgan from Liverpool travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Sun Master
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 02 2008 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: My family and I stayed at this hotel for a week in February and where happy with what we paid for. We took our two year old son and the hotel allocated us a ground floor room, which I was pleased about. The views from the hotel were fantastic, a clear sea view and you could also see the island of Feuteventura which was lovely of a night time all lit up.
The location of the hotel was quite isolated but not too far away from the centre of Playa Blanca, the hotel provide a coach four times a day to take you and pick you up from there. It was approx 5 euro in a taxi to the centre.
The food in this hotel was fantastic, plenty of choice and good vegetarian choice. You can visit the chinese restaurant as many times as you wish providing you book it 24 hours in advance, it was really nice. The italian part was fantastic, the pizza was out of this world, you could eat there everyday and is joined on to the main part of the restaurant.
The only thing I could say that I was not really impressed with was the entertainment of an evening. It was mostly in spanish which was ok as they did really try and interpret the entertainent into English but it was not very good for young kids. Our little boy enjoyed it but it could have been better. I have too say that I would not let my last comment put you off as it is a lovely hotel and is good for a relaxing holiday.
| | |
|
|
Bryan from London travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Direct Holidays
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2007 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This was our 4th family holiday (kids aged 7 & 12)
Good points:
The food is fantastic, plentiful and varied Breakfast was full English with fried eggs and omelets cooked fresh in front of you. Yogurts, chesses, fruit and cakes are also available. 10/10
Lunch and dinner was the best I have had in an all inclusive, tasty, and warm and varied. There was a carvery including roast turkey, chicken, duck and beef. A grill including beef steaks, pork or lamb chops and grilled fish.. There was also the usual hot plate meals and fresh paella each day. 10/10
There is an outside small restaurant which serves burgers and chips etc, this was ok. It also serves fresh pancakes from 16:00 which were excellent. This restaurant also has beer and cokes which are self serve. 6/10
Beer and sprits are fine. There not a great choice but enough to satisfy. There is also some queuing in the evening. There are slutch puppies available during the day which the kids will love. 7/10
Ok points:
The pools are safe and clean. The water is from the sea and seems to take longer to warm up than the chloride type also as the water tastes salty this might not suit everybody but this did not bother my kids. There are 3 big pools and 2 splash pools. The pool areas have plenty of sun beds available. The only negative is the pools are quite shallow so there are no parts for diving. 7/10
The airport is clean and only 40 minutes away. 7/10
The hotel is modern, clean and well maintained. The bars are ok but need more seating areas. The hotel is also no smoking but is done with common since (which is lacking in England). There is also a large Spanish guest list which I liked, not many all I bring is my football shirt on holiday types. The hotel is big and takes a couple of days to figure out. 6/10
The beach outside the hotel is rocky and visually unappealing. There is however a very nice sandy beach 10 minutes away. 6/10
The on-site teams were active and visible during the day. 6/10
Evening entertainment is ok. There was a magic act which was very good; there were also tribute bands and a parrot show which were ok. In-between there is not much else. 5/10
Bad points:
The rooms are small but clean. I liked the bathroom which actually had a shower which worked well. But there are no separate sleeping areas for the kids so you end up all in the same room. 4/10
The hotel is isolated. There is a marina about a 20 minute walk away which is clean and safe it has a supermarket complex and a couple of bars. There is also a market which the girls will like. 3/10
We all had a great time at the Papagayo Arena Resort and are glad we booked
I would recommend to anyone where food and pools is a priority and location and size of room is not
| | |
Spencer Family from Redditch travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
My Travel / Direct Holidays
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2007 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Stayed in the Papagayo Arena from July 26 to August 10.
This was our first trip to the Canary Islands and Lanzarote, and we had a great family holiday.
The hotel is about a 40 minute coach transfer from the airport in Arrecife, and due to the nature of this volcanic island most of the view is of 'a'a lava fields and distant volcanoes, broken up by clusters of small white buildings making small villages.
Playa Blanca hosts many hotels, with Papagayo Arena seeming to be the most remote on the outskirts of town. Surrounding the hotel is numerous apartments and villa's, with some areas still marked up for further construction. Travelling in to town requires either the hotel's complementary bus service (ending at 1730), a hire car/bike, or a strong pair of legs. Other than the hotel's facilities, there is nothing nearby to entertain you.
Once inside, the hotel is spacious, and well laid out. Rooms are set out in blocks which are no more than 3 stories high (Lanzarote building regs) all with lifts. The restaurants, lounges, pool tables games, a bar (1500-2300) and some shops all reside within the main building, which can be daunting and hard to navigate for the first few days, although at arrival you are handed an A4 sheet with a map, and some useful information and a bus time table.
The gym and sauna are all at the other end of this building, and can be a track from your room depending on where you’re staying.
The family room we had comprised of 2 single beds, and a sofa-bed. Neither was very comfortable, and we only found out after, that to get a double bed you have to request it at the time of booking. The rooms were kept clean, and there was also a pool towel service available to save your own.
The room was equipped with a TV, fridge, air conditioning, 2 good size wardrobes, safe, bath, shower, 2 sinks (handy in the morning!), and a balcony (even though we were on the ground floor) with seating and a table.
Tea & Coffee was not available in the room, so we hired a kettle and took sachets from the restaurant, and made our own at night. The mini-bar was quite expensive, but as we're not drinkers we used the fridge to keep bottled water cool as most of the water coolers could not cope with the 40+ degree's we had while there.
The 5 pools are all salt water and not heated. These range from the .5m depth for the toddlers, to the nice sloping .5m to 1.4m main pool where many of the activities are held.
Loungers and parasols are-a-plenty. Pool-side spots were normally "towelled" by the brits between 8 and 9 am. The area is cleaned nightly, and like the rest of the hotel, is spotless.
Breakfast (0800-1030) - Buffet, and a bit of a stampede at 0930. Usual full English, fruit, cakes, pastry, drinks etc., but essentially the same every day.
Lunch (1300-1515) - Buffet, live cooking, serving grilled meat and fish dishes, soup, pasta, pizza, chips, salads, rice dishes, fruit, ice cream and cake selection for dessert.
Dinner (1930-2215) - Buffet, basically more of the same from Lunch, but with different dishes.
A small cafe offers food during the day, but make sure you cover up, as no swim wear is allowed inside. Much of the "left over" dessert from dinner makes its way down here the following day.
My only gripe with the food was by the 2nd week it started to taste the same. Fish always grilled, pork or beef, and the rice selections all had very little appeal. As we kept busy, we never tried the French or Chinese restaurant, however people there who had said that they would recommend it. The Chinese being part of the all-inclusive (1 visit per stay), and the French costing around 30 Euro's per head.
The "Animation Team" did a great job of keeping everyone entertained during the day, with a small "theatre" built on the side of the main building housing a stage, seating and another bar for the evening shows. The kid’s mini-disco started at 2045 and ended around 2130, with the shows ending around 2300. Some nights this can be heard within the rooms. There is another disco area within the hotel which goes on until 0230.
Toilets while outside are a bit far away depending on which pool you use. For us, having a ground floor room, it was quicker to go back to the room every time. With 2 kids making full use of the all-inclusive drinks, we made this run a few times!
We could not cope with 14 days pool-side, so took up some of the tours offered by the rep. Lanzarote has a lot to offer (money depending!), and we did the Submarine (4/5), Catamaran (5/5), Rancho Texas (3/5) and Gran Island Tour (5/5) to break up our 2 weeks. A bus trip to the Marina Rubicon on a Wednesday or Saturday to see the market (ladies, take some money!), and a trip to the local beach also helped to keep things interesting.
If you’re looking for somewhere lively to stay, with a close-by nightlife outside of the hotel, then you will be better off staying somewhere closer to the centre of town (Sun Beach for example). Papagayo Arena is a nice clean family hotel with loads of facilities, making a comfortable base to see the rest of the island during your stay.
| | |
Rachel from Manchester travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
My Travel
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2007 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Great holiday - recommended for all..... Will definitely go to this hotel again.
| | |
Clive Dowe from east Grinstead travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
First Choice
on a family holiday.
There were 1 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2007 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location |  | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This was my third stay at this hotel so I pretty much knew what to expect ..lol. On the first day a woke to an angle grinder chasing out concrete next to the pool and this continued throughout the holiday.
The level of food has gone down slightly and the staff seem to be a little bit less helpful.
Had major problems with arranging a courtesy (??) room on the last day.
Generally over the last five years this hotel has been going slowly downhill, my impression is that there is a lack of investment and would be surprised if this hotel was about within the next five in it's present form.
This hotel is never 4 star, maybe a low 3 star at best ...you have been warned. Not bad fishing though off the rocks.
I will not being going back and would strongly recommend going elsewhere within the Playa Blanca area.
| | |
tracey from wrexham travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
holidays 4 u
on a family holiday.
There were 4 adults and more than 6 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 04 2007 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Just got home after having a great time. 4 adults 6 kids, 13, 10, 8, 8, 4, and 8months.
Food was very good,lots of choice,fresh pizza,pasta,plenty of choice,salads,rice. Hot meats every night. Lots of nice cakes!
Hotel is remote walk to the marina takes 30minutes. Beach 20 minutes. Staff all nice.
Hotel is spotless. Cleaners even clean the bins by the pool, pools cleaned every day. Rooms cleaned everyday too.
We were in Block G, had a sea and pool view. This is a big hotel lovely pools. Canary bar is nice at night comfy chairs. Entertainment was ok, kids loved it also the kids club was good. We had aa 8month old in our group. You can sterilise bottles in the restaurant as theres a microwave. Snack bar open all night.
| | |
|
|
tenni from derby travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
independent
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 04 2007 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Reading the reviews on this website, I had got the impression that the hotel lies quite remotely, far away from any developments and coming from Playa de las Americas in Tenerife I was really looking forward to the peace and quiet. Phew, quite a disappointment.
The hotel does lie outside Playa Blanca, about 3 km from its centre. But you definitely can't call it remote. It's at the end of quite an ugly row of hotel developments which stretch as far as Playa Blanca. Getting there is difficult as well, cos the roads are not well sign posted.
The hotel itself seems like a huge holiday camp with no charm whatsoever. You are provided a map on arrival, but if I had been alone I would have lost my way every day. From our room which was the last on the E block to the reception or restaurants, was quite a walk.
Rooms:
We stayed in E 1074, which has a view of the sea, Fuerteventura and hilly landscape on the left. The room is huge, bigger than all other rooms I believe, but it has a forgotten and slightly shabby feel about it as if it was a store room that was converted into a room as an after thought.
I peaked into some other rooms and they were definitely much cosier and prettier. The balcony is huge as well, you could play badminton or football on it. Can't fault the cleanliness. It's spotless. The beds are stonehard as has been mentioned before. But my biggest gripe was that we requested a double room and expected to find a double bed and not two twin beds pushed together. But reception explained that you have to explicitly request a double bed at the time of booking. The bathroom is fine and the shower has a decent pressure.
Food:
Being vegetarian, the choice was rather limited as expected. But they could have provided more interesting salads at least. The taste was mediocre, edible though. We mostly sat in the Italian section as that is much quieter. But the dining hall on the hall is extremely noisy and crowded.
You keep bumping into waiters, trolleys and people and they keep running out of bowls. It's extremely loud and surprisingly most of the noise is not screaming kids but the waiters clashing dishes and cutlery for some reason. Not very pleasant.
The chinese restaurant (which you have to book 24h in advance but you can go as often as you like if there are places available) is much better. Quieter and the food is tastier as well.
I thought the beers and wines were quite bad and there is always a long queue to get any kind of drink.
Except between 6 and 7:30pm you can always get food either in the dining hall or the snack area. You can always get peanuts and sandwiches (cheese and ham only) in the canary bar. The cocktails are quite bad. The crepes from the snack area are nice though.
Reception:
Not the friendliest or most helpful but OK. In the dining hall, the staff seems extremely rushed and tensed all the time. Not very friendly. Other staff, like the cleaners are fine.
Location:
As I said it's in the middle of this ugly hotel development outside Playa Blanca. It's quite easy to drive on lanzarote, but we always lost our way trying to get out of the hotel area. I think they are building some more resorts and there are lots of dead ends. Very confusing. Playa Blanca is a purpose built resort with very little charm to it.
There is a famous diving school though in Playa Blanca. There is a bus 4 times a day to Playa Blanca but the last bus back is about 17:30h I think. There are no shops or restaurants close by but there are a few shops inside the hotel. There is a stone beach right next to it, which is not very nice.
A 5 minute drive east or probably 15-20 minutes walk away though is a series of real nice yellow sand beaches with crystal clear water. There are lots of people but it doesn't feel over crowded.
Entertainment:
We rarely went to the entertainment but normally looked in for a few minutes in the evening since it was on the way to our room. It's on a stage next to the pool area. Unless you get there really early you never get a seat and have to watch from the side. The quality seemed mediocre again. The kids seemed to have fun at the mini disco. There are some activities during the day like shooting, darts, aqua exercises, aerobics, etc, but the earliest starts at 11:30am.
Pools:
There are 2 adult pools of decent size and two kids pools. None of the adult pools are heated. The pool area is clean though and we always found sunbeds. (Only went in the evenings though when we got back to hotel). The pool timings are 10-7pm. The spa and gym are open till 8 but closed on Thursday's. Never went to the gym but the spa is quite good. There is a sauna room and hammam (turkish bath I think) which are really good and relaxing and never too full. There are three Jacuzzis of varying temperature and jet force with place for about twenty people. I think they try to keep it clean but people are allowed to wear shoes inside the spa area so its slightly dirty and also has hair everywhere. Still pleasant though especially after a long day out.
I wouldn't go there again. It's nothing special and too touristy, crowded and camp for my taste. The princess Yaiza looks quite nice from outside and has got good reviews too.
| | |
Mrs Henderson from Oxford travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Monarch and Relaxabroad.com
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 12 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Large Hotel with a stony beach nearby. Rooms were very big and clean.Food was excellent with chinese, Italian restaurants as well as a buffet restaurant. Staff very helpful. The Hotel is a bit out of the way of the centre of Playa Blanca although we did walk one day which took about 40 mins. Taxi about 4 euros. Great family hotel.
| | |
Potters from Devon travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Airtours
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 11 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We stayed here in Nov 2006, we had a great time the hotel was very clean although we only had our bed changed once in the 7 days that we were there. We were in block E which is the end block on the round bit with views out to Fuertaventura, it was an extremely quiet room and we heard no noise whatsever.I found the bed very hard but hubby didn't have a problem.
There was a good choice of food and we sat in the Italian part of the restaurant every night as this was not so busy. The food in the main restaurant wasn't always as hot as it should have been, you needed to watch for when they were putting fresh dishes out as they were the hottest.The live cooking was always hot.
We ate in the Chinese one night and it was lovely although quite limited in choice.
Snacks from the snack bar were nothing special but were adequate.
We walked along the walkway into Playa Blanca it took us about 40 mins and I'm not the fastest walker in the world! The free bus goes 3 or 4 times a day or a taxi is 3 euros.
Most of the staff were very smiley and happy. The entertainment was not that good apart from the ABBA night but they did try their best.
I probably would stay here again but would be a bit dubious about the beds.
| | |
Helen H from Eastcote travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Thomas Cook
on a friends holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Literally just returned but thought I'd get this done quickly as I personally have found the reviews to be extremely helpful when choosing hotels / resorts .So hope this helps .
I have got some photos so may try to add them later.
Quick suimmary - great hotel & facilities & good value for money , perfect for a relaxing , chilling break . BUT boring entertainment and certainly not the best location if you like a bit more to do in the evenings.
Rooms:
Good sized room , keycards are used . The bedroom itself was fine – the beds were firm but I sleep on a firm one at home and it was okay for me but my sister moaned a lot. Aircon which kept the room nice & cool. Decent sized bathroom with bath/shower, 2 sinks and plenty of space for all your toiletries and a power socket for the hairdryer if you bring your own which I did. Plenty of wardrobe space BUT ladies..not many hangers (only 5 in each wardrobe) . I’d read this beforehand and packed some stuff on hangers, which also speeded up the unpacking. There are also very few drawers but there some shelves in the wardrobe which helped. A colour TV which was mainly in Spanish but did have a decent movie channel in English with Arabic subtitles, CNN & Eurpsport which showed the England match !! A fridge with complimentary bottle of water, a room safe (which you have to pay for + deposit) , a couple of chairs and a double sofa bed. We were in block C which gave us a lovely view of the sea & Fuerteventura + a nice balcony that you could sit out on.
And we didn’t hear the cockerels once!
Restaurants
Main restaurant , meals are buffet style . The main restaurant leads straight into the Italian and then walk through this to find the Chinese restaurant (which you have to reserve 24hrs before at reception) There is something for everyone... I'm trying hard to be healthy and you can still do that here even on AI The main restaurant had several main course choices + “show cooking “ of meat and fish + carvery meats, loads of salads even though there weren’t many vegetables to be found. Sweets but always fresh fruit on offer + cheeses but no blue cheeses sadly.
Italian much as you’d expect , pizza + pasta .
Chinese – ate there 1 night and no it’s not going to be like yout ocal takeaway / restaurant but very passable and we enjoyed it as it made a change and the restaurant is not so big as the others .
French restaurant – never tried it as if we were going to pay we ‘d eat outside the restaurant in Playa Blanca (which we did) . Needless to say it didn’t seem open very much Restaurant drinks
The very good news is that you also help yourself to drinks, soft drinks, beer , water + red, rose and white wine and they were not bad at all unlike some awful wine that is sometimes served in AI hotels
Snack Bar
You can get food drink 24 hours in the hotel if you check the timings . Though the night you can come here . It serves the usual sausages and burgers but also fresh pizzas, various hot filled rolls + a good selection of salads, puds and fresh fruit and drinks as per the main restaurants .
BARS
There are other reports on this , we mainly went to the Bar Verde Green Bar where Teresa is fantastic barmaid . She remembers what you drink and there’s a drink on the bar before you ask for it. Beware of the 11pm rush when everyone goes for last drink !!then you have 3 choices. Go out or to the Disco which is free entrance but you will have to buy the drinks or If you like beer wine or soft drinks you can go to the snack bar and get this as all inclusive right through the night you can also get snacks if you are hungry.
Facilities: very good . Plenty of water coolers around the hotel .We didn’t use the gym and spa or the three Jacuzzis that were available But many did. The spa is where you change your pool towel .There were shops on site newsagent, sports clothes shop, electrical shop and a hairdresser., jeweller, bits & pieces but we went into Playa Blanca especially when the weather was very cloudy which it was a lot during our week !
Pools
pools are coldish but smaller ones were okay . We just dived in and swam & they were refreshing , well looked after and had no problems with sunbeds etc .
Entertainment
There were shows on every night – but we didn’t enjoy them . There was 1 though which was a bit risque. Disco – not well attended so no atmosphere at all. We felt that the night entertainment was very disappointing !! Daytime - Sporting activities going on every day that you could take part in. crazy golf, football rifle shooting or archery, water polo & aqua gym
reception -
Always seemed busy & not the friendliest bunch all the time - They didn’t seem to ever have enough staff on and the continental style of not queueing for things meant that some people (particularly the Spanish ) just started speaking and pushed in …really annoying when all we anted was then to ring a taxi for us .
Beach
They have a number of lifts that get you down to the beach but it’s not very nice.Very stony but there are beds down there and we never got charged. Tip : it was very warm down here when very cloudy as the hotel seemed to shade us from the wind
We did “hike “ to the nearest Papagayo beach as we’d heard so much about hem but I was disappointed as I come from South West Wales and those ARE beaches !!
Misc
There are courtesy buses from the hotel to Playa Blanca but a taxi only costs 4 euro so we did that and suited ourselves
Went to the market at the Rubicon marina – Wednesdays, pleasant walk.
Lots of info around reception area.
I’ve been to Lanza before and done all the sightseeing trips which are worth it , hire a car and tour the island especially when it’s not the best weather .
Gripes : hotel map is given to you but it’s not easy to find your way around as complex is big but after a few days you get used to it . (I’ve brought 1 home and will scan it in )
You have to wear bright orange armbands ….hello what’s wrong with black or white ?
WHY couldn’t we have tea/ coffee making facilites in the room ? It would have been great to make a cup of tea in the morning …missed that .
WHY do you have to pay for drinks in the disco? We went there on several occasions and there would only every be 8-- 10 people in there which included some children running around. If there free drinks then people would enjoy the night more as everyone seemed to be coming to dinner quite late (the earliest was 7.30 pm)
| | |
JONES from SHREWSBURY travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
AIRTOURS
on a family holiday.
There were 6 adults and 4 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Stayed may/june for 11 nights,6 adults + 4 children.
Hotel was always very clean,toilets very clean.
The pools were very clean,one heated,pool towels provided.
Plenty of sunbeds,but could do with a few more umbrellas,plenty of sunbathing space.
The food was excellent,plenty of choice.pizzas were lovely and fresh,try the pancakes in the snack bar,just like at home.
Hotel a bit out from Playa Blanca,so you need a car really,courtesy bus there or taxis available.
Some of the staff friendly(Bari),the staff on reception served the spanish guests before the English even if you had been queueing ages.
Some of the entertainment was good,the one man show was funny,not to be missed and the magician was good too. Animation team not very good,usual standard. Building work going on outside the hotel but it didn't affect the holiday. Would definately go back again.
| | |
ALAN from london travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
first choice
on a family holiday.
There were 1 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 04 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: All inclusive was very good. Hotel was very clean,there was a huge selection of food and the children were very well catered for.
The staff were very friendly and entertainment was great.
Would definately return to this hotel again.
| | |
Andrew Wheeler from Douglas travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
JMC
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 04 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Food very good.
Totally relaxed.
Kids group very good.
Wine excellant.
Going back in June this year.
Fully recommend it as a family holiday.
| | |
Dom & Al from Bath travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Security
on a singles holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 04 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We've just returned after ten days at the Papagayo Arena and had a really good time. This was our first time at such a big hotel but we were pleasantly surprised.
Food - Excellent, plenty of variety and all good quality. Breakfast is a bit chaotic as the hotel was full, but at other times the main restaurant was fine. Snack bar open all hours near the pool area. Good wine and drinks (but lots of paper cups!).
Accomodation - Getting a bit rough at the edges, although they seemed to be doing some work while we were there. Rooms are a good size with great balconies, but a bit cosy if you have two kids like us. Hotel lay out is very good and never seemed too busy. Very very clean and good daily maid service.
Location - we had a car and I think you'd struggle without one unless you're happy to stay in the hotel most of the time. A long way from any real beaches, but to be honest, the pools are so good you don't really need a beach.
Kids stuff - Brilliant! We've got a 6 and a 4 year old and they had a brilliant time. Excellent mini-club with good staff and lots of activities. Mini disco every night. Enormous paddling pool (only about 18 inches deep) but at least thirty metres long. Lots and lots of kids there.
Overall - Great. We'd think about going back there again.
| | |
tony richards from south croydon travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
thomson
on a family holiday.
There were 6 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 03 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Stayed in March 2006.
An excellent hotel, rooms spacious and clean. Food excellent, plenty of choice. Bars always clean& tidy.
Swimming pools good.
Staff very friendly.
Would definately go again and highly recommend.
| | |
careen from netherland travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
self travelling
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 03 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Location is the end of the island, pay about 50 euro for taxi transfer from airport, everything is far from hotel.
Staff from the reception are too busy that they forgot how to greet their guess and smile.
Hotel maintain good, clean.There are 5 big and small swimming pool with lots of sun beds is a plus point. Room are big, but date,It has clearly been built to a low budget and old.
There are lots of nice bamboo sofa chair by the main building which design for nice looking but not comfortable to sit.
Food quality are good. Except Chinese restaurant.
The beach near the hotel need to "climb" for about 15 mins, beach is small and not nice .
| | |
Clarke from Cardiff travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
otbeach.com
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 02 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Excellent for families-gave our children the opportunity to try out new foods. They loved the kids club which gave me & hubby the chance to relax in the jacuzzi in peace.
The pools were a bit chilly for me, but the children liked it.
All 4 of us shared a room, it would have been nice to have a curtain to divide the sleeping spaces as my little ones were 6 & 7 at the time and needed to get to sleep before us, but we managed.
There was a free bus to the next busier resort daily.
Allow for around 40 euros from airport by taxi.
4PM pancakes are still talked about.
| | |
Cheryl, Rick & Olivia from Manchester travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Airtours
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 02 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We travelled in Feb 2006 with a 2yr old child. This was our first holiday in Playa Blanca and our first All Inclusive family holiday.
The hotel is quite a big complex consisting of a number of buildings all inter-connected. It was kept immaculately clean by the army of cleaning staff. It is however quite a distance from the main resort area (we were aware of this when we booked) and is in what can only be described as a development area as there is an awful lot of building work going on around the hotel. This doesn't really impact on you unless you venture out.
We booked a junior suite and requested a sea view on an upper level, which is exactly what we got. The suite was very spacious and very clean there was a large corner Jacuzzi / bath and a separate shower. The whole room was very clean and airy. The only complaint is that there was no patio furniture on either of the two balconies. When I asked at reception I was told to use the small table and (very uncomfortable) chairs in our room.
We were glad we had made the specific requests because the people on the ground floors overlooked what can only be described as a very tatty looking chain link fence that ran the entire length of the back of the hotel, The fact that during our stay someone had the job of painting it green didn’t make it any more attractive. Also some people in G & H block overlooked what amounted to a field of gravel !!
The staff in the hotel were very friendly and helpful and they all made a big fuss of our 2 yr old daughter, the animation staff were excellent with the children and kept them suitably entertained with the mini disco
The food was of a good quality and there was plenty of variety, we only ever ate in the main restaurant or the Pizzeria as the times we tried to book the Oriental restaurant it was fully booked.
The only comment I would make is that after a few days of eating 3 meals a day in the same place with the same people became a bit like Groundhog Day and after a while we were beginning to go stir crazy. This is no reflection on the restaurant or the food but we personally felt that it became a bit mundane. We even had a few meals out in the Marina and in Playa itself.
To conclude: Although the hotel, staff and food were all very good, I doubt that we will return as I think we are personally more suited to self catering holidays.
However we do intend to return to Playa Blanca as the Marina and the town itself are very nice indeed.
| | |
Pete , Bev & Jonathan from Lancs travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Thomson
on a family holiday.
There were 3 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 01 2006 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This was our second visit to Playa Blanca, first visit to the Papagayo Arena Resort. It covers quite a large area, and it takes you a few days to find your way round! When we went, there were a lot of children charging around and screaming, especially at mealtimes, so don’t expect romantic quiet mealtimes!
Buffet meals were the usual ‘frenzied eating’, however, there was plenty of food for everyone and loads of choice. Food quality good and there is a live cooking station. The Italian section could be used as part of the buffet and was of good standard. To use the Chinese you have to book 24hours before, its very nice, but not much choice and no atmosphere, and little plates so you look greedy if you keep going back!
There’s a little snack bar, which serves fresh pancakes from 4pm, all the kids queue up with their plates ready. There’s burgers, hotdogs, chips, sandwiches, cakes and drinks, and it stays open all night, so is useful if you need a quick snack. There is a bar just for adults which is a good escape, if like us you have done ‘kiddie holidays’ and want an adult break
The entertainment consists of the usual animation team, and minidisco, then on a few nights there are professional acts brought in (we saw bee gees tribute, one man show & Kenyan acrobats which were quite good).
The rooms were lovely, we had a fantastic sea view and could see the ferry to Fuerteventura and any cruise ships passing. You can get the ferry for about £20 each return. Didn’t go on any trips as seen most things before by hire car, and the trips seemed expensive. Free bus available to Playa Blanca town, or you can get a taxi for about 5 euros. The building work going on around it does not affect the hotel facilities.
Overall, good quality hotel, accommodation and food. Would definitely stay again, but only if we had children with us. It’s great for children and families.
| | |
Henson from Arnold/Nottingham travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
First choice
on a family holiday.
There were 3 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2005 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This was our first stay in this hotel after we had visited it 2 years earlier to see it being finished off. Although we had been allowed to tour the hotel when we actually stayed there it was far larger than we imagined.
The reception area and some of the bars are particularly spacious and well furnished. Although the hotel was full, it didn't appear so.
This was also our first all inclusive holiday and we were very surprised and pleased with our experience.
The hotel areas were very clean, however we did think that some of the room maids didn't clean the bedroom floors very well. However, the bedrooms and bathrooms were very nice. Marble,granite and tiles everywhere.
The pool area was scrubbed every night by a machine and the pools were cleaned out alternately by a radio controlled underwater machine. The cleanliness was let down by people not picking up their own litter blown about by the wind. Masses of sun beds for all and more!
The Chinese restaurant was a change, but we only visited once as the food was disappointing in choice, but it was a pleasant experience. We didn't see anybody use the French restaurant and neither did we.
The Italian Restaurant was less busy than the main restaurant and had basic but very nice food in it. You could sit in either this or the main restaurant and choose from both sides. Overall the food was well presented by 5 chefs in the 2 visible serving areas. The food selection was very varied in the main area with something for all. Lunch in the buffet pool bar was pretty repetitive with some on request food, but they certainly did a mean pizza. Very nice.
Endless beer on draught which went down well. Soft drinks also endless but sometimes flat. The white wine was warm but for 10 days we had the most magical red wine in the main restaurant. Sadly the barrel ran out and the changed barrel wasn't quite as good. Still drinkable though. The range of bars to visit is excellent and all within the hotel.
We knew the location was remote so that was no surprise. Even then we did find it too remote for us with nowhere to walk to at night. The Papagayo beach was a 10 min walk away which was fine. Beware of the nudists if easily offended.
The staff were in the main very helpful and like some other responses here, had good memories for what drinks you had the night before. Somebody took my sunbed towel on the last day, probably as a souvenir and after some debate the hotel staff gave me another at no charge, but did make me feel guilty of theft of a 28 euro towel.
The sunbed towels could be changed every day. This could be done next to the fitness gym. The gym appeared very well stocked with some very modern kit. But not for us.
The Jacuzzis were nice. 3 in number. 1 medium heat, 1 very hot and one cold to finish off with, plus sauna and steam room.
We didn't bother with the night time entertainment but those that did seemed to enjoy it. Particularly on karaoke night with a massive rendition of The Way To Amarillo. It seemed the whole hotel took part including those on their balconies. Not bad considering the hotel was mainly full of Italians and Spanish. The daytime activities were ok and typical of any hotel.
The fishing off the rocks was good fun with a whole variety of fish and plenty of them. Tight lines for all.
We enjoyed our rest and would go again and quite likely will be booking this in August.
| | |
Susie and Rob from Wimbledon travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
First Choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 03 2005 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We arrived back from the Papagayo Arena a few weeks ago, and vowed we would deffinately go back. It was raining when we arrived, which was a bit of a dissapointment but nevertheless we were determined we were going to have a good time.
The hotel as a whole was spotlessly clean. The pool area was pressure-washed every night. The resaurant was very clean. I'm a bit particular about eating in clean places, but I did not have any doubts about this hotel. The rooms was very spacious with huge balconys, we were in block G (I think!!) and had a view over the pools.
When we looked to the left we could see Fuerteventura and looked right we had a view over the mountains. It was lovely. We got up a bit late a few times, so the maids did clean our room very well, but I suppose thats fair enough....we should have got up earlier.
By the end of the week, the food got a bit samey, however the selection and choice of food was excellent. There is something for everyone. I loved the huge salad cart and the steak best.....not forgetting the fresh pizzas, o and the chips...they were always there. The food at the 24 hour bar was not bad either. You had a choice of burgers, hotdogs, salad or sandwiches. They also had cakes and gateauxs sometimes. All the fizzy drinks were there and so too was beer and wine. You couldn't go wrong...24 hour all inclusive!!
The location of the hotel was a bit 'out in the sticks'. There was not much in the immediate vicinity, we took a cab into PLaya Blanca, which cost about 3 euros, but theres not many shops there and a few of them are quite expensive. If you want a relaxing holiday by the pool then it is ideal here.
We could have stayed in the hotel all week, but we like to have a little look around. We got a cab to Central Playa Blanca a few miles down the road in order to get the bus into Puerto Del Carmen as we like the huge strip of shops, however getting home took a lot longer then we had first anticipated!! We waited 2 hours for a bus that never arrived. (the bus service is soooo unreliable!) We ended up getting a cab, which was a pricey 30 euros! The bus was only about 6 euros per person!!
The staff at the hotel was mostly friendly, the lady in the ice cream parlour by the pool was really sweet!!
One of the waiters in the resaurant took an instant dislike to me as I sat on a table for 4 people when there was only 2 of us! I wouldnt have minded but there were no 2 tables left for us to sit at! The barman in the restaurant was a gem...he got to know us and had our cocktails waiting for us in the disco after we had eaten dinner! what a diamond!!
The reception staff were fairly pleasant..and had an excellent vocabulary for all different languages.
The entertainment was the best I have seen at an All Inclusive hotel, it wasn't fantasic but it was bearable. When we 1st got there the entertainment was being held in the dico area, but as the week went on and the weather got better it moved outside where there was more seating and a bigger stage. The wooden seats they have got are really really really uncomfortable, the floor I found was more comfortable....how common am I!!
Overall though the holiday was absolutly brilliant! The hotel was really posh...compared to what I have been to before...and excellent value for money. It was horrible to be coming home, but we will hopefully be making our way back there in October! Im jelous of you all going on holiday there this summer!!! Have an excellent holiday! xxxxx
| | |
Linda & Stuart from Selsey west sussex travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
?
on a family holiday.
There were 6 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 10 2004 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We stayed all inclusive which was a new experience, Meal time was a feeding frenzie and often you could not get a table at breakfast or for your evening meal.
The dinning room sat around 2000 people or more and the noise was undescribable.
There was no provision for adults to sit away from familys with screaming kids, dont get me wrong iv'e been there and had both my grown up kids with me but it would be nice to have a conversaton with out kids crying late at night way past there bed time while the parents tried to have a jolly old time.
The food was awful but plenty of it, I have never seen people make such pigs of themselves, it was all a disgusting feeding fenzie with as much cheap wine and local beer that you could consume while you eat.
The french restraunt, you pay for this, it was terrible, the chinese was the same as was the main restraunt but with chinese sause on ever thing, but an all together better eating experience being smaller and more controlled, the italian was just taged on the end of the main restraunt so total mayhem as the main restraunt.
You could not buy a decent bottle of wine to have with your meal even if you wanted to get off the rough old stuff they provide.
The pool areas where clean but the pools where vry cold only one was heated.
The accomadation was clean and nice but the hardest beds you have ever slept on in your life, I did not sleep for the first 2 nights and could hardly move for back pain, we took the mattress off the bed, settie which was soft and put it on our bed to make it bearable, this came up in reports I read before I went and I thought they would not be that bad but belive me they were worse than sleeping on the floor.
The beach was not all that but I did not use it as prefer the pool.
Staff great as long as you dont want anything.
Entertainmaent was ridiculous a bit like my spelling.
This should not be a 4 star hotel its over rated by our standards.
Oh I nearly forgot you all get arm bands when you arrive and must keep them on at all times to get served, it was just so naff.
Unless you get a rock bottom price on this avoid it or maybe you like butlins type holidays in the sun.
| | |
Sarah Moore from Maidstone travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Thomas Cook
on a family holiday.
There were 6 adults and 4 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 10 2004 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We have just returned from the Papgayo Arena and after only 1 day vowed we would go back. This is the ideal hotel for familes. We had 2 babies in our party aged 4 and 7 months and the staff were brilliant with them. It especially helped having the fridge in the room. Also if you are travelling with babies be aware don't do what we did which was load up with sterilising solution etc as you can hire all of this equipment there.
I have never been to a hotel before where everything was cleaned so regularly. The pool was scrubed every morning even the steps into the pool where taken off to scrub behind them!
Food was excellent always something for everyone Chinese could have been better not in quality but in choice of dishes. The main international restaurant was quite large and sometimes felt like a dining hall but the Italian restuarant was adjacent and much more intimate and you could eat food from either the Italian or International selection so we tended to eat in there most nights as it had more atmosphere. Drinks were all excellent including alcoholic. We stayed at an all inclusive in Barbados last Novemeber and it was not a patch on this hotel in any area. Would deffinately recommend to anyone.
| | |
Mark & Jackie from Burton on Trent travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Airtours
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 10 2004 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We all know how it is when you go somewhere new, the excitement, trepidation, the "I hope it's a decent place" etc.
We should never have worried!!
You arrive up a small hill to be greeted by a lovely frontage albeit that just says quality.
We arrived just after midnight and the reception staff were brilliant, the check in efficient and quick. The place is huge and a map was provided to try to orientate you as soon as you arrive (it worked a lot better in daylight!!)
We were worried that we would not be able to get any food or a drink until the morning, but again unfounded as we were directed to the pool restaurant that opens at midnight and stays open until 8 in the morning when the main area opens for breakfast. Having had all inclusives before this was really all inclusive. The beer was good too!!
You could quite literally eat and drink 24 hours a day. If you have a lie in don't worry because the pool restaurant opens at 11 and they do their version of bacon rolls amongst other things.
There are a number of bars that work in the same fashion as the restaurants opening as on closes.
The Green Bar is relaxed and friendly with lots of cocktails included in the AI. Theresa tended this bar and was superbly attentive and quick seeing our faces and depositing drinks for us whilst serving others. What a memory she had!!
The Canarian bar is very spacious but lacks atmosphere, however the terraced area had magnificent views of Fuerteventura. It was hard to get a seat here!!
In the main rotunda below the reception area is another bar again very light and airy but due to it's location gives a plush feel to the place.
On the ground floor is the nightclub which we only went in once, as after midnight the AI stops in there and EURO's kick in and we thought that this should have been included seeing as it was free in other places on site. This really did not make sense.
There is also the pool bar with a great area to hide from the sun and get some shade in the hottest parts of the day
There was plenty of entertainment if you wanted it!!
The food served was excellent with a huge choice, buffet syle or book for a meal in the Chinese, albeit a bit limited in choice but nice all the same.
There are three pool areas on three levels, the top two being a little windy. All kept spotlessly clean with the SOS staff constantly patrolling picking up rubbish and wind driven paper cups. The wind sounds bad but it is warm and welcoming at times.
Follow off your day by the pool with a luxurious spa next to the gym. Three pools at varying temps, the top small one is cold!!
The room from a couples perspective where excellent and the air conditiong a boon. The room had a fridge, hairdryer, but no facilities to make a drink. Bathrooms are all marble tiling and spacious. The bath looked like it could take a football team!! There is a safety deposit box in the room that has to be paid for extra.
The hotel is situated a good distance from the centre of Playa Blanca and we would suggest getting a Taxi ordered from reception and paying the 3 euros....peanuts!!
We left the complex just once during our whole stay, and never felt like we had to leave the place again.
The beach is long but not sandy, the usual Canarian black shingle, however 15 minutes walk around the back of the hotel is the Papagayo beach which is.
In summary, we didn't want to come home .....enough said!!
| | |
jacquie from Lanarkshire travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
DIY
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2004 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: I visited the hotel with my family including a 4 yr old and a 10mnth old. For our circumstances this was an excellent choice of hotel. When we arrived at reception we were armed with a map of the hotel, info regarding the opening and closing time of each or the bars and restaurants and general info regarding the room and hotel
The rooms were fairly spacious but when at full capacity like us. i.e.sofa bed in use and travel cot, there wasn't too much spare room in. (there again i'm used to aparthotels). The bathrooms are really spacious and ideal for a family getting ready in the evenings. We were in block H which was ideally located for access to (and overlooks) reception and the pools. There does seem to be a problem with the drains in blocks G & H, especially in the early evening when everyone is getting ready for dinner. One morning we flushed to toilet to find that the waste came up the bath. When we reported it to reception it was it was dealt with within minutes. I also know of another family who asked to be moved because of a smell in there room. They were moved immediately and without quibble.
The food was much the same choice as other hotels but beatifully cooked. The Italian is actually a pizzeria but you can choose food from here when dining in the main restaurant, which gives you additional choice. The chinese must be booked 24hr in advance. The food was nice but not exactly the same choice as your local takeaway (approx 4-5 main dishes on offer) It is seperate from the other dining rooms so cannot be combined if there is nothing to suit someone. Jars of baby food are even available if you ask the waiting staff! The dining rooms do not open until 7.30pm for dinner which was rather late for kids. The hotel has a mainly spanish clientel who dine later in the evening by about 0900 hrs you have to queue to get into the restaurant. Altho this is the only place they queue. Do not do the British thing and joining the end of the line. To get served (especially at the busy reception desk and bars) you walk straight into the middle and use your vocal cords!
The kids etertainment was very good from 4yrs up there are 2x 2.30hrs sessions per day and a mini disco at approx 2030hrs, they are very good with the kids. My daughter only went to the miniclub twice in the fortnight (because she wouldn't get out of the pool) but still they remembered her name every time they passed us. I also liked the fact thay they weren't pushy with the kids if you have shy kids like mine then they didn't put pressure on them to speak or join in.
The adult enterainment was also very good usually professional shows e.g. dancers acrobats magicians. However the venue wasn't the most comfortable, rows of wooden chairs and warm white wine...yuk!! We tended to stick to the canary bar. Here you could get anything from coffee to cocktails (even non alcoholic ones for the kids) and twice a week the pianist performed. This bar also has an long balcony where about 12 sets of cane furniture were situated and the glass barrier allowed you to enjoy the views and drink you drinks in the peaceful warm night air....heaven. but it was hard to get a seat out here as it was very popular.
The staff at the hotel were great and nothing was too much bother. The hotel is quite isolated, but if you need anything which they don't have they will do what they can to get it for you i.e. they arranged for us to hire a kettle and steam sterilizer for making the baby bottles. Which we were able to collect and pay for at the reception desk.
A very very small number of staff seem to have an attitude towards the British who were a minority race at the hotel. One particular barman who also stands at the dining room door each evening managed not to serve me for approx 10days by serving the spanish guests or disappearing from the bar to avoid me!! I also spoke to other british guest who experienced the same thing. However, the majority of the staff are really helpful and friendly
The building works were still ongoing when we were there. There was no noise or any other disturbances from this.
Overall this was a really good hotel especially for young kids but for couple etc the location has to be a big downside. ie. no nice walks after dinner.
| | |
Karen B from Reading travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Eclipse
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2004 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The Papagayo Arena is a good family hotel. It is located however quite a bit outside Playa Blanca although having said this it only costs approx 3 euros into the centre. You can walk it but if you walk the road way which is the quickest it takes about 40 minutes brisk walk - however in some places there is no pavement so not ideal if you are walking with young children. Take the taxi its quicker and cheap.
The rooms in the hotel are large and the bathrooms are really good 2 sinks which was a nice touch. The hotel maids and cleaning staff work really hard as the hotel is huge, my only real criticism would be that they go in and change the sheets/mop floors/change towels but they do not pick up paper cups or anything that you may leave out on the balcony or anywhere else in the room.
The swimming pools are clean and one of them is climatised so not quite a shock when you get in and out, however the sundbeds (which you can always get) could be cleaner and the tables around pool side could be cleaned more frequently. The hotel provides huge pool towels so none of that really naff effect where towels are hung all over the balconies as the towels can be changed daily.
The hotel food was excellent huge choices breakfast lunch and dinner and pancakes in the pool side restaurant between 4-5.15 every day (my little boy loved them) - tried to avoid them myself as another few pounds would have been added to my ever increasing waistline while I was there. The hotel our second week became really busy and the dining room (especially at breakfast) became a little manic to say the least, you sometimes had to wait for a table. As with all hotel buffet style food the usual failing does apply in that the food could be hotter although there were microwaves in the dining room for use so this helped. Food choice was as I say very good something for everyone - King Prawns even on the salad servery a few nights.
The hotel staff were generally all very friendly although they could have done with more a fact that we think they remedied the day we were coming home as more new faces around. Drinks ok although we did have flat coke on 2 occasions. Help yourself wine in the restaurant red was the best in my opinion but purely a matter of choice.
The entertainment for kids was good a mini club run twice daily and mini disco every night. The adult entertainment was the usual dancers/magicians etc although ok nothing spectacular.
My family and I overall had a lovely holiday at this hotel and would go back there again although maybe not until the development around it is complete and there are a few bars/shops withing walking distance.
| | |
Shelley from Cambridgeshire travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Sunchoice
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2004 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: In my opinion, this hotel is a fantastic place to stay for a relaxing, enjoyable holiday. It is extremely clean and well-maintained. There is very good entertainment for kids and adults alike, especially the gentlemen that plays the piano in the bar which has magnificent views of the coastline.
| | |
two of us from london travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
sunstar
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2004 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: visited this hotel, with my partner arrived home today 18/6/2004, we are both in our late thirties,the one thing not good was the bell boy was quick with the trolly, then dissapeared, so had to take luggage to the room, not good as my good lady packs the sink as well.
found the rooms excellent, although i feel there some rooms not as well positioned as the one we was in, some had a bad outlook across the volcanic land to the rear of the hotel, but im sure if you was unfortanate enough to be put in one of these the reception were seemed very helpful.
The complex is a large set up and takes a while to get your bearings, as most floors are not numbered and the signs in the main block where most of the bars and resturants are, were not easy to undersatnd, what direction you should be going. we always took the stairs(keeps yer fit)may be we should took the lifts.
The food variety was excellent and catered what ever your taste required, from pastas, pizzs, fish, all meats, oriental and many more,the veg were a little soggy due to the amount of people they were catering for, you could get drinks 24 hrs a day once you worked out the system, as one closes another opens. The orange juice was squash.
Entertainment the piano was the nicest bar with the veranda overlooking the sea, and the man playing the piano and sax early eve, very pleasant, kids stuff, seemed to be clubs through the day, but not to sure.
this hotel is a bit on a limb and not very wheel chair friendly, but there is building work on the go which connects to a lovely harbour which leads on to the town plays blanca, but in the works defence not close enough to worry about from our room,
Sun beds by the pool, no rush, available all day, loads free when ever req. Pools, one heated and it was very warm and did not get that, god this cold with a shiver as you jumped in,
The towels supplied from gym area, but first must get cards from reception take to the gym, then ok
went to the gym and used the jacuzzi,sauna and steam,
the gym was limited and not many free weights and only one tread mill working and only one rower,
also opens at 10am, just as the pool opens, then 4 till 8, would be nice if it opened at 8am,as once you've had a few wines who wants to go to the gym.
The pool bar was good serve your self drinks and food and opens at 12 midnight,and at 4pm till 545pm have the pancakes crepes, very nice.
Yes we would definatley go back may be two years when the surrouned area is a bit more completed, but no real complaints.
People seemes to have paid a very diffent price to stay there, so dont book through the main tour operators, as you seem to pay a lot for the privelage. We payed 2oo to 300 pound cheaper than some and we also had private transfers included.
not recommended for the old people/disabled and could be a bit slow for the young clubber, but great for what we wanted, a weeks break,
| | |
Clive Dowe from Nutley travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Direct
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2004 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We went on our first all inclusive to this hotel booked over the internet direct. At first I was abit stunned to see all the building work going on nearby but we didn't hear much noise from the sites.
The hotel is kept very clean generally but due to the windy nature of the resort sometimes rubbish would blow around the pool and watch out for flying parasols. Rooms are kept clean and mini bar was stocked up most days. The food cannot be faulted and if you do well there's no pleasing some people. Lots of choice from local fish, pasta, all meats, pizza. The main restaurant at lunch time was excellent as most people eat at the pool bar. The Green Bar which is without children was really nice and if you tip the hard working head bar maid (mid 40's dyed hair)a few euros the service/drinks are excellent. The bar staff do get over run especially at night. Staff were all friendly and very helpful if maybe abit over worked. My children loved the entertainment and made lots of new friends. If your children are old enough two way radios at this hotel work well as the complex is quite big.
The beach is not much good, but the fishing off the rocks at the sides is quite good, try the local method of using a nylon bait bag. If you catch a good one the hotel will give you a nice bottle of wine, I saw one fisherman pull out some nice sea trout.
We will being going back again most probably next May as the children (and us) really enjoyed our stay.
| | |
Christina from Manchester travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Journeys Direct
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 02 2004 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This was the best holiday we have ever had rooms excellent very spacious, over looking the beach, waking up in the morning with the sound of the sea. Mini bar which was stocked up every other day.
Staff couldn't have done enough, if you dropped something on the floor whilst you were eating then it was picked up with pinchers they never used there hands, the table cloths were changed every time you finished and they had different colours for each meal. So much food and so much cooked in front of you, so much choice. (Apart from the so called chinese restaurant not upto much). There was food from the minute you woke up until you went to bed. T
he bars were great having a drink watching the sun set was perfect and the choice of cocktails even childrens ones. It had three large pools and 2 childrens. It was very windy and one of the pools was meant to be heated it was a bit cold at first but you got used to it. The entertainment staff were great during the day and at night, my daughter loved it, there was hardly any english there mainly spanish, which to me is a good sign, but we still enjoyed it, were going again in October.
There was one down side the beach wasn't really a beach very pepple and lots of rocks not a ideal beach holiday, but that didn't bother us (would have been nice if they had done it. They are meant to be tyding it up).
Playa Blanca was beautiful so clean and nice to see nothing taller than two stories. Over all this hotel is perfect I would say it's more of a 5 star than a for star. Thank you Papagayo
| | |
Jayne Rowswell from Axmouth, Devon travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
JMC/Thomson
on a family holiday.
There were more than 6 adults and 3 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 02 2004 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Here is my review of the Papagayo Arena Hotel
The hotel is built on a cliff overlooking the sea set amidst hundreds of little villas which are being built around it. It looks a bit bleak though …almost like a vast building site but it's mainly due to the island being volcanic anyway. It's remote from the town of Playa Blanca but the hotel offers a courtesy bus and taxi fare is only around 3 euros. The beach in front of the hotel is not very nice but there is a very good walkway all the way into town…about a 45 minute walk I think. What makes the location okay is that only 10 minutes walk away is Papagayo beach. The first beach you come to is very long. Beautiful but crashing waves not suitable for weak swimmers. We found it very, very windy (the hotel was too). The second beach along is smaller but more secluded and not so windy. Note that there are a lot of nudists. However, we had children and teenagers with us but they weren't bothered by it at all. We thought that the elder nudists were the exhibitionists who promenaded along the beach while, unfortunately, the younger attractive nudists were more discreet!
Back to the hotel.
General-
The main building is vast and it took 2 days to get our bearings. Watch out for the marble floors as they're slippery. Lots of stairs although lifts available. Lots of nice places to sit and relax. We were there during the busiest week (half term) and although the hotel was 3/4 full we never felt it was crowded. There was always a bar open somewhere. Drinks were very strong, the Sangria knocked me out and the mixed drinks were 3/4 alcohol with a splash of mixer! Unfortunately, the white wine was undrinkable. Red okay. The hotel really, really should give you a map of the hotel and instructions on how to use the various stuff in your room and just more information about how it all works in general. They only give you timetables for the entertainment and dining room and bars. You're left to sort out the rest yourself.
Food-
Ample and very good overall. Vast selection. Desserts not so good and the cheese board mainly goats or rubbery gouda type. No cheddar. Butter either margerine or unsalted. Still, plenty of it and always tables available. Smoking allowed in middle of the dining room along the window side.
Rooms-
Pretty good. Nice to have a well stocked fridge with water and juice and fizzy drinks. TV adequate. Balcony nice. Bathroom lovely with very strong shower but no fan although it looks like one is there and not wired up yet. We had 3 rooms for our party and no fan in any. One of our rooms had the bathroom lock put on upside down and another room had a warped mirror. Think some things were finished in a hurry. They don't tell you anywhere that when you open the balcony windows the aircon goes off or that the rooms are not very soundproof. You can hear everything going on in the hallway due to the aircon duct. Only 1 blanket for our bed and 1 pillow each only. No blanket for sofa bed. By the way, the beds were very hard. Took a night or 2 to get used to sleeping on a pallett! Cleaners very good. Our room was G918 with pool view and latticework railings on the balcony which was better than most rooms which have a solid wall. Would not have liked ground floor rooms which have a wall around them and no view nor would I have like to be any higher up as lifts a bit slow. We just had 1 flight of stairs to walk down. Again, they are very slippery! I think it would be best to insist on 'pool view' in block E,F or G. H block had sea views but you could only see the horizon of the sea and not much else due to tall walls.
Pool Area-
Very windy week for us! Along with a Calima (sand storm thingy). Lots of chairs and umbrellas. You have to get tickets from reception for the pool towels, then trudge along to the spa to get the towels. You can refresh the towels daily but you also have to get tickets back from spa at the end of your stay and take them to reception on check-out or you'll be charged 28 euros each for any missing. Again, there are no instructions about this anywhere. You have to ask. By the way, I went along to jump in the jacuzzi one morning and it was freezing! Maybe it warms up later in the day but I didn't bother again. They try to keep the pool area clean but wind knocks over drinks on tables which didn't get cleaned very often. My main complaint was that there are supposed to be 2 heated pools. The 2 shallow children's pools were freezing…no children ventured into them! I could only find one other pool which was slightly warmer than the others and that was cold enough. Consequently, not many in the pools except the children and not many of them either.
Entertainment-
The shows were held in an outside building and they were packed out every night. The children loved it. Pretty good quality in general. A disco follows in the main building but not well attended and building so vast the sound echoes all over. Our children refused to go to the children's club… but lots of others did and the man who runs it is very good…and very good looking I might add!
In general, I was a bit disappointed. It's very nice but I felt not worth the price we paid. More of a 3 star than a 4 star. I worry that the standards are slipping. However, have not been to any of the other hotels in Lanzarote so maybe it's 4 star in comparison.
If you want to ask me anything specific please do.
| | |
Howard Pemberton from Sevenoaks travelled to Papagayo Arena Resort with
Thomson
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 01 2004 | rated the Papagayo Arena Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This hotel restored my belief in all inclusive holidays. The choice and quality of food could not be faulted, but accept that if you are a wine buff then you will may have to buy a decent red. People complain about the location but if you've been to Playa Blanca before then you know this hotel is isolated but at least there is good quality entertainment every night and it is only a couple of pounds in a taxi to the centre of Playa Blanca.
I am only sorry that I did not post this before, but as I look for availability for Jan 2005 it occured to me that perhaps a positive posting should be made.
| | |
 Subscribe For FREE Updates Click Here To Add A Review On This Hotel
Can't find an answer?
Ask other holidaymakers by clicking here!
Click Here To Go Back To Lanzarote Hotel Listing.
All postings on this website are the responsiblity of the original poster. Once posted all information becomes the copyright of Holiday-Truth.com.
Holiday-Truth.com and our moderators accept no responsibility for the content and / or the accuracy of information contained within this website. Holiday-Truth.com monitors all postings and may, at our discretion, edit a posting to remove obscene or abusive language, edit grammar or correct spelling.
© Holiday-Truth.com V0.96b
Privacy Policy
|
