Labranda Playa Bonita Hotel

Lovely hotel in a great location. 10 mins walk to the beach (albeit there’s lots of steps to the beach. Counted approx 150 steps. Gave my calf’s a workout) shops and bars nearby in walking distance. A 15 mins walk along the beach to the right are more bars and shops and a vibrant atmosphere.

Rooms were modern clean and spacious. Hotel itself was clean. The pool was cleaned every evening with a robot vacuum. We had a great view of the pool and the sea in the distance.

People were nice enough. Didn’t engage with staff much but they were pleasant enough.

Activities were ok. There was limited people each day. Think it was Tuesday it was one guy on his own who was lovely. (note: Monday there’s no activities. It’s their day off) Night time entertainment was ok too.

Sunbeds. 0900 and there’s still sunbeds free but not by the pool. As the sunbeds are stacked and put away overnight People stand in ‘their spot’ by the pool waiting for the sunbeds to be put out; there aren’t many spaces by the pool so they are gone quite early. There were sunbeds around the side on the ‘grass’ areas. We always managed to get one. On Wednesday at 1030 there were still sunbeds. But no parasols. Pool area nice. One lifeguard on duty. Although on Wednesday I did notice the life guard was largely absent and was either stood at the bar or helping the entertainers carry equipment. So just a note. Doesn’t bother me as I’m with my child at all times.

I appreciate catering for so many people is a difficult task. However I’ve been to other all inclusive hotels who do it better. I couldn’t eat any cold foods as the amount of flys in the restaurant and landing on the food is disgusting. Yes they have a couple of fans by the food but they didn’t do anything to deter the fly’s from landing in the food. A lot of people weren’t phased by it, but I couldn’t. So I lived on hot food and ice cream from the machine. The first night the hot food was quite bland and beige. The other nights were slightly better. But again I’ve been in other hotels where the choice and favour of foods have been much better. I suppose the bonus is I’ve not over indulged so won’t have put weight on. We were only here 5 nights so it was manageable but any longer I would have struggled. The flys were a huge negative for me.

Drinks were ok too. Had the option to purchase branded drinks if you wanted. The beer tap is hit and miss. You just get a cup of foam if someone doesn’t show you how to use it. Also note they are small paper cups so you get your steps in going for drinks. I took my steel water bottle with me to keep my water cold by the pool which was great as the weather was beautiful and hot with a slight grateful breeze. No outdoor snack bar.

We had a late flight so spoke to reception and they offered us a time a lot to book in for the shower room which we were grateful for.

All in all. Lovely hotel in a great location. If the food doesn’t bother you then come here. If food is important then I’d opt for somewhere else. For me food is important.

Overall, as a family we would rate this a 5/10. The hotel rooms are good, spacious and have good air conditioning. The bathrooms are nice and they have a tv and a mini fridge in the room. The maids are as good as you expect. Although the cupboard in my room smelt like someone had went for a number 2 with a hint of mould.

Where the hotel lacks is that there are no inflatables or balls allowed in the pool. There is a male lifeguard who takes his job too seriously and we nick name him the ‘fun police’. He tells you off for having any sort of these items in the pool. One time he physically jumped into the pool and taken an inflatable away from a child who was later seen crying. We played with a small ball in the pool and the lifeguard came rushing over telling us to put it away because it is not allowed even though there is a whole water polo match going on besides us.

There are also strange lone males who hang around the pool area. One old man sits on the same sun bed everyday and gets involved with the children when they are playing games, then leaves the pool area when the adult games start. There is another male who we believed was a tourist also looking at the children but he seems local and had a dog. He along with the male previously mentioned speak to each other and point and look in the direction of children.

Everything in the hotel closes at 11pm so it is more suitable for families. Food finishes at 21:30 which is somewhat reasonable. As an 18 year old who has never drank before i rate the drinks a 4/10. i thought the alcohol would be somewhat strong but it tastes like it has been watered down.

The all inclusive menu is a 50/50 risk if the menu is good or bad. Every time you sit down from rushing to get your food a swarm of flies try and take over your plate with the flies infesting the fruit area. The glasses and cutlery are also not cleaned very well or at all and were dirty 90% of the time we came and had dinner in the hotel.

There is also free wifi, however it dips in and out depending where you are in the hotel and when you do have signal it’s extremely poor.

Check out is good with it being at 12:00 Hours and it is also not too expensive to keep the room on.

The location is probably the best part about this hotel as it is a 10 minute walk from the beach and restaurants.

The pool tables (which is the most important part of the hotel) are wonky and dip to one side with holes and tears in the table.

The painting fell off and all the electrics were exposed.

The staff speaks for themselves.

The only good thing about dinner is the chocolate fountain.

The pool is small and it can become over crowded at times. And the deep end isn’t deep.

Btw i’m writing this and i have two flies surrounding me and landing on my legs…

What a credit Lorena is to your team, she is efficient, super friendly and really looked after us as a family during our stay! Thank you Lorena ✨