Barcelo Lanzarote Active

I went with my 3 kids, and my girlfriend and her child. Girlfriend has been to the Fuerteventura one around 10 times, so was expecting good things. Location of hotel is great, 20 mins by taxi from the airport, around 25e. Lack of 6 seaters in the costa teguise region so larger parties will need to use multiple taxis but all have card machines. Bloody windy! Check in was poor, long queues, staff just wondered off saying they've not had a break so shuffled to another queue. Good nice rooms we had a mix of suites and sea view. All rooms had usb chargers, air con wasn't great, rooms a bit dark, can get UK tv channels and wifi ok, cleaners worked hard. rooms get shower gel, conditioner, shave kit, toothbrush kit. Resort clean tidy, but location wise not great a good 15 mins taxi to the decent beaches and night life. Taxi's are quickly available, but only via ranks and the hotel reception, no uber or online booking etc. Resort Food was the real let down - poorly cooked, overcooked meats, unseasoned and bland for lunches and dinner every day. If you are vegan or veggie, do not eat in the restaurants, lots of spoon cross contamination with meat dishes. The smaller of the 2 restaurants in the main reception block often had cold meat with food barely hot just after openning, and we found that a lot of occasions it was us guests telling staff these items/missing/finished were empty and then had to wait for a refill. Most days/nights in AI eating onsite not even a few decent dishes. Might be AI, and drinks are quality spirits etc, but the food was poor and outside of the restaurant hours the 'snack' selection especially at night was very poor, with the snack counter next to the main reception desk open and filled from 22:30 to 06:30, but mostly empty of all ham sandwiches, yogurts, and softdrinks by 23:30, and was told by staff won't be refilled contrary to the sign saying until 06:30. Uber eats is available, however don't expect McDonalds to delivery after midnight! Safe is charged at 3e per day. Taxi to town square is around 5e each way, but bus stop right outside hotel pretty frequent number 3 to town square. One night so fed up wanted kids to eat at the restaurants, went to the onsite Italian La Dolce Vita, was told very rudely no tables as only one chef, with only half the place being full, we even said can we have a table for 2 just so two kids could eat well, denied rudely. Lucky can walk (20 mins) to local strip of bars/restaurants near Radisson Blu which is probably my recommendation for staying, especially try Namaste India restaurant, better than the Indian food in the UK and good prices and friendly service. Supermarkets Lidl and Spar near top end of hotel, come out of blocks 9 and walk across road. Airport watch out as check in opens only 2 hours prior to flight departure, you'll have to wait in airport reception hall if you come sooner, but plenty of food places and shopping once you are through check-in. Mobility scooters ride on beach front was run, kids hire e-scooters as well and the buggy experience was good, but wear rubbish clothes and wrap up as will go highest point on island and windy, cold very dusty (think of mad max level dust!).

We had a fantastic stay at this hotel. We had an early flight and arrived at the hotel around midday fully expecting a wait to access our room. After checking in, reception called cleaning staff to see if room was ready and we were able to access and unpack. We opted for a sea view and we were given a room on royal side ( but not royal one we hadn’t upgraded) it was lovely and clean and modern, beds were very comfortable. We were on top floor and had a great view of the sea and pool. First time in my life holidaying I have had to be up for 9 for the daily sunbed dash. I couldn’t believe people were actually running despite it being empty! However this did not spoil things for us just found it amusing. It was busy on royal side but not overcrowded. This pool is open to all residents on both sides so my tip would be to use it even if your room is across the road. There may be a misconception that it’s royal level only but it’s not. Pool bar was great with friendly staff and a good choice of all inclusive drinks. Some of the pre mixed cocktails were way too sweet but once we found a drink we liked it was fine. There was a great variety and choice although most days food was lukewarm warm and a little bland, however we always found something we liked. We ate out in Tequise one night, highly recommended La Hacienda Mexican restaurant. The food and cocktails were amazing and great value. This was only 10 mins in taxi for five euro. There is a taxi rank to get you back again but be prepared to queue, think we waited about 45 mins. Also took a taxi to Araciefe Sunday market which was around 23 euros each way. Lots of the same stall but if you want a cheap designer bag be prepared to Barter you can get most items down to half price. Entertainment was ok compared to some places I have been. All in all a fantastic stay was had.

Nightmare daily scramble for sunbeds!
Some bars had to pay for drinks (in Central Plaza area)! Despite requesting to be located close to small grandchildren weeks in advance (same booking), completely ignored and we were as far away as it could be...10 minute hike across busy road. No attempt to try and resolve things