Alua Suites Fuerteventura

We are currently staying at the Alua Suites in Corralejo, it’s our last day tomorrow and I felt I had to come and write a review of our stay as it’s been a great one! So based on the reviews I had read previously I was a little apprehensive, but from the moment we arrived it was clear they were unfounded worries. Upon arrival we were greeted by welcoming reception staff, we had booked two junior suites and requested the rooms be close together. They had done this however, one room was ready but the other wasn’t quite ready, not a problem though as we just unloaded all cases into the one room until it was, so we were checked in, and wrist bands given, they also give you tokens which you then exchange for a plastic reusable cup in the bar area for your drinks (you return the cup and are given a fresh one with every drink) when you finished drinking for the day you return the cup and ask for the tokens back. The drinks themselves are OK, soft drinks as you’d expect, beer good, cocktails basic, not amazing but drinkable, the sangria was nice. I personally didn’t like the wine though. Rooms - we were pleasantly surprised with the rooms. Both were spotlessly clean. Beds comfy, (bed on sofa ok for younger guests). The air con worked superbly in one room but was intermittent in the other room, thankfully although the weather has been warm the room has remained comfortable despite this. The choice of pools is great, our rooms happened to be by the ‘quieter’ pool. But it isn’t really that quiet - however we didn’t mind this - just kids and families alike having fun! The activity pool is fun although we chose to stay away from that area as it was very busy and quite loud, but again, it’s families having fun! The entertainment staff did a great job. There is another smaller pool on the other side of the complex with a small bar area, and two smaller younger children’s splash pools, again a nice little area. Pools are closed between 5-5.30, however people tend to stay in them until around 6. The only negative I have to say about the pool areas is the sunbed claiming! If you don’t get up and get your towel out before 8am you aren’t getting a sun bed! People claim them and head out, leaving people who are still in the grounds wanting a sunbed unable to use them. I have felt a little awkward putting our towels out in the morning but on the other hand haven’t wanted to not have sun beds by the pool so have followed suit as everyone else. (This and the not great air con is the only reason I’ve put 4stars not 5 though!) the grounds within the hotel are beautifully kept - a little bit of maintenance is needed but nothing drastic just general refreshing, the outside areas have been cleaned daily - we have seen gardeners, and staff hosing and tidying grounds and pool areas every morning. Our rooms have been cleaned daily too, with fresh towels and mopped floors, the bedding has been changed completely once too. Now onto the food. Really don’t get why people have been so negative about it. … the food is good. We have had different choices for main meals every night we’ve been here. If you are a fussy eater that doesnt like trying different foods then maybe you may struggle, however there are staples such as pasta, chips, meatballs, salads and lovely fresh bread available for the less adventurous - the snack bar also provides things like burgers and pizza on certain days. The desserts are scrummy - again always something different to try - tonight there was a chocolate fountain and various things to dip in it which went down a treat with the kids! We also ate in the Al à carte restaurant one night… I highly recommend doing this if you can as the food was lovely! As for the surrounding area, directly over the road there is a cute little bar (The Sunset Lounge) which is a great spot to watch the sunset (surprise surprise!). The town is around a 20 minute walk away, we decided to walk along the beach and coast line and stop in a little bar (Palm Beach) half way there although Taxis are readily available and the reception team will order for you if you don’t want to walk. It costs around €6. The beaches are ok, but if you are looking for a beach holiday I personally would say this isn’t it - the town beaches are very rocky and although beautiful I’d say not the sort of beach you can just rollick around in the water. Ok for paddling and rock pool exploring though. The town itself is busy and bustling, lots of shops selling trinkets and gifts. There are quite a few bars and restaurants and different places to eat, although we haven’t eaten out we have spoken to a few people who have said there are some lovely choices available. We have also visited the water park and can recommend doing this is if that’s your thing, our kids loved it! All in all our stay in Corralejo and the Alua suites has been a great one so much so the kids have said they really want to come back next year!

No working air conditioning in our room from the minute we arrived during a week long stay in August. The heat in our room was was unbearable at 34 degrees. The room was unusable and we were unable to sleep. Our child suffered for a week during the nights due to the intense heat. Hotel management stated were unable to provide us with an alternative room, and after our 2nd day no-one from the hotel staff checked on us to ensure we were ok or keep us updated. Worst hotel we have ever stayed in. Would not return and would not recommend.

Pros and Cons of our stay. As a family of 9, we choose Fuerteventura as my family of 4 had visited previously.

This is not a 4 star in our opinion but wouldn’t take much to gain that status…

Rooms: are in need of refurbishment, tired looking, mosquitoes squashed all over walls.

I own a cleaning/concierge company and the cleaning levels varied hugely dependant on the cleaner. In 2 weeks we had the same cleaner once so every other day someone new. The rooms were cleaned at all times of the day once after 4pm (when we were going in to get sorted as we’re heading out) and so that was a mop of floor and nothing else she was out in 2 mins!

Bedding sheets were not changed in our 2 week stay.

Main Beds were firm and fairly comfy the pullout bed not so much our teen didn’t love it, my husband tried a night on it and said one night enough.

Shower door was hanging off but credit due this was fixed same evening we raised it.

Air Conditioning we had thank goodness! However our other family members had none for their entire 2 week stay and we saw numerous people complaining as they too had none. All were fobbed off with parts coming (dragged out days/weeks) even Rep admitted it was a problem and that we were being told same as she was about parts.

They received a small amount of compensation for this. But given we paid to upgrade rooms in first place it was a poor service.

The hotel grounds also needed an overhaul, however the hotel decided in height of summer to close relax pool (half a side each day) for 3 days so palm trees could be cut and also replace roof of towel hut, all of which meant filth and dirt covered the pool and sides of.

Cleanliness around the relax pool also awful sent photos to reception as a glass that had smashed remained there 3 days, dirt after tree cutting was awful on one side of pool and not cleaned at all after all of the work.

Also at relax pool beware as some life guards allow games, balls and floats and others allow nothing literally telling kids to stop playing. I would have understood if adults only but everyone around that pool had children so to ask the children to squeeze into the already crowded activity pool seemed unfair plus as parents we had no interest in sitting by the activity pool with music and dancing etc so it seemed a shame the relax pool options were based on which lifeguard was on duty.

Food choices very repetitive and same meats or pastas offered in rotation. Some nights we struggled and the kids lived on chips and bread. We thought the Italians would offer pizzas and something different but for us it was the worst meal we had whilst there and never tried again.

Drinks - ok, no special cocktails etc, you want ice coffee pay extra and even then staff didn’t like you asking at pool bar for this & some of the bar staff specifically the one next to reception were miserable.

Breakfast was the best offering and liked by us all.

Staff overall friendly and accommodating only a couple of rude ones.

Taxis - utter mare for us we went out quite a lot due to the food issues and because we found evenings boring within hotel. Forever chasing taxis back and forth to reception and whilst I get the hotel don’t control the taxis it’s just a downfall if you don’t want to walk.

The hotel was fairly central and most things within walking distance if prepared to walk 20 mins + which isn’t an issue but the humidity meant on an evening I wanted to get there without dripping of sweat before the evening started.

Atmosphere very little to write about here it had very little on offer and as a family with older children it was lacking activities, evenings boring.

Value - I can see why some rate it highly it’s basic and covers needs and it’s fairly cheap to book but in no way is it a 4 star hotel. Sadly for me reviews led me to believe something different to what we experienced.