My husband and I have just returned from 1 week HB at the Gran Melia Volcan, Playa Blanca. We booked with Thomas Cook. We had many observations to make about this hotel and also the surrounding area, some of which are good and some not so good. What I will stress is that this hotel is in a very quite area and will not suit people with walking difficulties, families or those who like to stay up beyond 9pm!

IMPRESSION OF HOTEL & OUR ROOM

When we arrived at the hotel we were very impressed with the decor and standard. We had told Reception in advance of our stay that it was our Wedding Anniversary during our holiday and as soon as we checked in we were greeted by the General Manager of the hotel Maria who congratulated us on our Anniversary and also thanked us for choosing that hotel to celebrate our special occasion. We were given a welcome drink on arrival while we waited for the porter to take our bags to the room.

We were shown to our room – Room 417 and we were very pleased with it indeed. The room was like a suite with a bed area and also a sitting area. The bathroom was off in its own little corridor and was a decent size. The bed was enormous and very comfortable. We had a lovely pool view and the room was spotlessly clean. There were some lovely touches such as a fresh rose in the bathroom and rose petals in the toilet. Also there was a scented candle, incense burning kit in the bathroom, together with the usual collection of soaps, shower gel, shampoos.

There was also a mini bar within the room and a pillow menu with a choice or cervical pillows/duck feather pillows etc.

The grounds of the hotel were impeccable and very clean indeed. Our chambermaid did a superb job every day and also brought us extra pillows when requested.

We were a little disappointed to note that there were no bathrobes or slippers within the room as they were advertised in the hotel brochure as being available. Friends of ours requested these from reception during their stay.

In addition we noted that there was no turn down service in the rooms in the evening. We did expect this as the hotel was 5*L and we have stayed in many 5* hotels throughout the world and have always had this.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

The staff at the hotel were excellent and very polite. They would always say good morning and good evening. The staff at reception were also pleasant .

On the first night we were given a bottle of Cava and also a basket of fruit to congratulate us on our stay and anniversary. Even though this was not the day of our actual anniversary we thought that this was lovely touch and it really started our holiday off on a good note. Then later in the week on the evening before the Anniversary, we were sent yet another bottle of Champagne and also fruit with compliments of the Manager of the hotel.

The staff were attentive and kind.

HOTEL FACILITIES & FOOD

We were a bit disappointed with the facilities(or lack of) and these really let this hotel down.

The hotel is advertised as having 5 bars and 6 restaurants but during our stay there was only 1 buffet restaurant available and 1 Japanese restaurant. There were 2 bars – poolside which was open during the day until approx 6pm and the Waterfall bar which was open in the evening until approx 1am.

All the other restaurants/bars around the pool area in outside buildings were all closed which seemed a pity as when peering through the windows they looked beautiful. All the restaurants are still dressed for service i.e. there are plates and cutlery laid out on the tables. We have been advised that the hotel are in the process of merging with the Marina Rubicon in front of the hotel and tow restaurants at the marina can be charged to the hotel bill – these are Il Commendatore and La Casa Roja.

The effect of this is that in the evening is the hotel’s public areas are absolutely dead. In fact you would not think that there was anybody was staying at the hotel at all. It is quite an eery and creepy feeling as the buffet restaurant in the morning and evening is very busy but where do all the people go after 7pm? Even the lovely marina Rubicon is dead in the evening and for any life you have to walk approx 20 mins into nearby Playa Blanca.

During one night of our stay the hotel had a Wedding and closed the evening bar with the result that none of the bars were open. There was supposed to be entertainment on that evening but this did not go ahead as planned and none of the guests were told of the wedding/unavailability of the bar.

We were a bit annoyed as the waterfall bar was the only thing open in the hotel during the evening unless you want to venture outside. The hotel should have used one of the closed restaurants to cater for the wedding and in that way it would not have interfered with paying hotel guests.

When we arrived at the hotel we were given a time table of events which were taking place in the hotel throughout the week e.g. wine tasting, cooking etc. These were not properly advertised to guests as some couples that we spoke to did not know about these activities. All activities are complimentary and are run by the hotel club house. We tried the wine tasting and were the only ones who turned up!! It was hardly proper wine tasting as we tried a glass of red wine and white wine!

Mid week during our holiday we attended the Manager’s Cocktail party and that was quite nice. Everyone met at the waterfall and the hotel management attended. We were given canapés and a selection of drinks and was a great opportunity to meet new people.

There was a lovely bar area on the 4th floor alongside reception but this was closed. The hotel could make a lot more of this space. For a 5* hotel this should be open.

Entertainment was not amazing and during the week there were only 2 acts - one Opera and one spanish lady who sang a medly of Spanish, German and English hits. The atmosphere was poor and on each night there were only approx 2 couples at the bar watching the entertainment.

Bar prices were quite high. Cocktails were on average 8 euros, baileys/spirits approx 6 euros and beer approx 4 euros. Bearing in mind that the bars in Playa Blanca were selling beer for 3 euros a pint and cocktails for approx 6 euros.

Food in the buffet restaurant was very nice and no issues there. There was a great selection for breakfast e.g fresh salmon, cold meats, fruit, champagne, smoothies, cooked breakfasts. Dinner was similar and choices ranged from pasta, meats, fish etc. You had to approach the cooking counter and tell the chef what you wanted him to cook. All meat is displayed in a counter and so could be pointed to.

We didn’t try the Japanese restaurant but when checking the menu, noted that it was quite expensive. This was not part of the HB deal.

The are some beautiful stray black and white kittens outside on the 4th floor when heading to room 417, you will see them through some glass doors in an enclosure. Please feed them when you come back from breakfast..We often opened the door and gave them fish.

LOCATION

Playa Blanca is set in a small bay with a lovely small sandy beach. It is approx 20 mins walk from Playa Blanca to the Marian Rubicon and is via a pretty promenade. Here you will find some lovely restaurants and boutique stores but no bars where you can sit in the evening and have a quiet drink. This may explain why it is absolutely dead at night. There is a shopping complex approx 100 yards back from the marina which also houses a bowling alley, fast food outlets, supermarket and 3 or 4 bars. Unfortunately throughout the day and all night the place is like a ghost town (I wonder how people can keep the establishments open!).

We spoke to a couple who we befriended from Newcastle who have been staying in Playa Blanca for the last 10 years and understand that the Marina Rubicon has always been this way.

Be aware that shopping in this area for perfume, watches, handbags etc is more expensive than back home. BE WARNED!

The promenade in Playa Blanca itself is about ½ mile in length. There is a Chinese/Indian restaurant there, ice screen parlours and also bars. Many of the bars there have live music at night.

EXCURSIONS

We did 2 excursions which were organised by Thomas Cook. The first was the Timanfaya National Park trip which took us to the volcano. This was approx 40 euros each and well worth the money. We left at approx 8am and arrived back at 4pm. The trip included a camel ride and also trip to the vineyard for wine tasting. Lunch was an optional extra but worth it approx 6 euros each we had a 2 course Spanish meal with wine and water at a restaurant in Yaiza.

We also did the yellow submarine trip which, cost 50euros each and was not worth the money. We were in the submarine approx 50 minutes only and saw very little. We had approx 15mins free time in Puerto Calero and then had to go back to the coach for Playa Blanca.

Puerto Calero is a lovely marina and we wanted to look around but did not have the time.

The best advice I can give is to hire a car and you can do this from the hotel. There is an Avis desk on 4th floor. It costs approx 25 euros per day for a small car and it is really a good way to see more of the island. We went out in a car on our last day and went back to Puerto Calero to look around. We had a beautiful meal in the Amura restaurant (a white building down the end of the marina)

SUMMARY

This is a good 4 star hotel. The hotel facilities are poor. Although it is quiet and relaxing it lacks character and has zero atmosphere which, is very disappointing. The hotel has the potential to be 5 *luxury if only Management invested in the other restaurants and more entertainment. A word of warning, after you have had your food in the evening, there is nothing else to do expect to go to bed unless you want to walk into Playa Blanca. The bar in its hotel as at most 2 or 3 couples there each evening.

Please do not hesitate to email me if you need more information about this hotel or wish to see photos of the location and I will be delighted to help. I always rely on reviews when booking a holiday.