Las Margaritas Hotel Barcelo – Playa Del Ingles – Gran Canaria

Just back from Playa Del Ingles – another great holiday in Gran Canaria, but what is happening at the Barcelo Las Margaritas? This is our 4th year at the Barcelo & although we had a great time standards are definitely slipping. We always stay self catering in the Las Margaritas Suites (apartments), so my comments will relate to these and not the hotel.

Plus points first:
 We had a very speedy check-in at 9:45pm – we were the only ones checking in as we got a private taxi from the airport.

We got the apartment that we had requested (via email) – a high floor with views over the pool & down to Maspalomas (not on the other side overlooking the hotel - those of you who have stayed here will know why!). The apartment was spotless with towels & sheets changed regularly (felt like almost every other day).

They have an enthusiastic entertainment team and the lads got involved in footie, water polo, volleyball etc., plus there is a handy pool bar for snacks & drinks. Pool towels are available with a 20E deposit and you are able to keep the apartment until 1800 on day of departure for an extra 24euros.

Courteous, polite & efficient reception staff.

Negative points:
Maintenance & gardening standards are slipping. Parts of the complex are starting to look really shabby & unloved. The lawns were only mown towards the end of our two weeks & we never saw the sprinklers in action. As a result, the plants were drying out but weeds were thriving. It’s a pity as the gardens surrounding the suites are laid out really well.

We never saw the apartment’s pool being cleaned while we were there. In the morning when the pool was still you could see a film of dirt on the surface & then as the breeze got up this would all move to the top end of the pool. My son thought somebody had thrown up in it and there was a permanent scum mark around the edge of the pool.

Cleanliness of the area surrounding the pool - never saw this hosed down during the whole holiday, although the cleaners did a quick wipe down of parts of the loungers. It didn’t seem to make much difference!

This place has the cheesiest evening entertainment I’ve ever come across, although the animation team tried their hardest but the entertainment of an evening left a lot to be desired. Although we ate out each evening the lads would want to come back to meet up with their pals, so occasionally we thought we would give it a try - not much fun perched on a sun bed that has been used all day by a sweaty Spaniard/Scot/Englishman (take your pick). The only highlights were Vanessa Mae (strangely) & the soul divas (whoever would have thought that Diana Ross, Gladys knight & Whitney Houston would be touring together).

They are now charging 2euros whenever you want to change your pool towels (suppose that is better than trying to pack 4 damp towels on the return home!).

General Comments:
Excellent restaurants just 5 minutes walk away from the apartments. Didn’t have one bad meal the whole fortnight. Can recommend Tony Chu (the Chinese down in Jardin de Sol) Guarapo (approaching Jardin del Sol), teh Italian just across the main road & down the steps, “El Duke” on the approach to the Yumbo and the Windsor Gardens in the Yumbo. Also had some excellent meals in Faro & Maspalomas, although a little bit more expensive than Playa Del Ingles.

We hired a car for three days for 70euros (incl. tax, insurance etc.). We got it from the place next door to the small Spar just down the road and had no problems at all. We visited Puerto Rico, then got the boat to Puerto Mogan on Market day which was a big mistake as being so busy it spoilt the atmosphere of “Little Venice”. We then got the boat back to Puerto Rico and drove round to Amadores to spend the rest of the day on the beach. Finally we enjoyed a lazy early evening meal at one of the beachside restaurants.

Another day we drove up into the mountains that we could see from our balcony. Fantastic views but the roads are not for nervous drivers! After that we drove back down to Pasito Blanco, just west of Meloneras, a private marina where you have to park outside but can walk in. Totally different atmosphere to the big resorts – would recommend a visit.

All in all we had another great holiday in Gran Canaria, however I think it will be the last to Las Margaritas until we hear that there has been refurbishment work done.