Iberostar Palace Fuerteventura

Quite simply AMAZING!!! Our entire holiday was brilliant. This place is faultless. The hotel is immaculately kept everywhere, with staff working around the clock to keep everywhere in pristine condition. The food is easily the best we have ever encountered at a 5 Star hotel!! Each evening with separate theme nights ranging from Fillet Steak, Duck, Turkey breast and the most amazing fresh fish from fresh Prawns and Crab to a huge array of freshly caught fish. Massive fresh cheese selections and freshly made deserts I could write forever. Honestly you will not be disappointed.

The staff really do make this an unforgettable experience, throughout our 11 night stay I can honestly say everyone we encountered, from reception staff, waitresses and waiters, cleaners bar staff and the entertainment team we incredible. Nothing was to Much trouble and the service was simply first class.

Finally the hotel is very well designed with beautifully furnished chill out areas to enjoy evening sunsets and the various live music entertainment each evening. You will have an incredible holiday, we honestly cannot wait to return. Thank you to everyone at the hotel for making our stay so enjoyable.

We returned again for our 13th visit to what was an incredible hotel.

I want to start by saying that the staff that work at the hotel are absolutely amazing and continue to make you feel welcomed.

Following the recent refurb we hoped that the few snagging details we noticed would be fixed. The hotel was previously adults only with two iberostar neighbouring hotels outside the front of this one which can cater to children. This was changed a few years ago but wasn’t too bad. I’m not anti children as mine are now grown but we went for peace and relaxation which we didn’t get.

Rooms:

The rooms sadly already look tired with dirty grouting and chipped furniture. Beds are very comfortable though and fresh sheets when you request. Shower needed some attention and the plug in the bathroom was loose which was not good. There is no mirror by the dressing table. There is one long mirror you can stretch to do your hair. There is a hairdryer in the bathroom.

Addition of a small kettle is a great idea and coffee machine good. Mini bar has a few less items than previously but still good. Tv had English channels for a couple of days then nothing. Reception aware and seems to be hotel wide. This was only as we wanted to catch up on Wimbledon. Not a massive problem. Unable to have late check out even though a member of IHG.

Pool :

Whilst I do appreciate this is no longer an adults only hotel I still wish they would review this decision. There is nothing for children to do as in clubs and the once adult activities are now open to all ages so we went to Tennis once but soon left. It is advertised as a couple retreat but it is now sadly far from it. We had to sit and listen to one delightful child shout out that they would “pi%# in the pool” Nip in for a quick dip and you had to watch out for balls hitting you on your head or the lilos that really shouldn’t be allowed as such a small pool.

Sunbeds so tightly packed in together you have no room either side.

Smoking! This used to be a no smoking hotel with designated smoking areas but now people smoke poolside which is horrible and discarded cigarette ends and ash on the floor that blows with the winds. One person even flicked a lit cigarette over into one of the open holes that lead down to below floors.

Pool was very cloudy a couple of days. In the past we could come to the pool and have an early swim but now there is no access before 10am.

You can change your towel as often as you like. Reserving of beds still continue and often sat unused.

Food :

This remains consistently good. Slow drinks service but good amount of choice. Queues for freshly cooked items at times was very long.

Wanted to visit the Japanese but could not get any availability via the app to book. Someone said to log on at midnight and you may get a place! This is not 5 star! I gave up!

Lunch available in the main restaurant or the gazebo, limited menu, mainly fish.

Entertainment:

Some night entertainment canceled due to the football we were told ! A really good singer and a group another night and it is what it is. Other nights were not great.

Veni and Baer remain the stars of the show with their enthusiasm and friendly nature. Aqua gym great!The hotel was on a zen and wellbeing path so was surprised to see beer pong as a new activity! The long trousers has gone of an evening which is a shame, wear what you want now!

Long wait for drinks on the terrace. Need more staff on the floor.

I sadly feel this isn’t a 5 star hotel now and I genuinely have had the best times here with us continually returning over the years but with all the little things adding up and the fact it continues to not being adult only we will not be returning.

If you hope to come for a couples retreat I’m so sorry to say I would no longer recommend.

Most definitely NOT a 5 star. The levels of service, especially at the al Mar are very poor. The staff are quite content to ignore ALL INCLUSIVE paying guests, including children for a bowl of crisps. The attitude of the al Mar staff is also extremely poor. Work is needed to train the staff to the standard they should perform at. I'm a current guest so will post again if the levels of service improve.