Barcelo Lanzarote Active

The hotel itself is very aesthetically pleasing. When you first walk in it looks very impressive. Check in was easy. The room is also nice and the bed is much better than your average hotel bed. Despite this the AC in the room was very poor, and it was uncomfortable on a nighttime. The pool area is very nice with lots of tree’s, relaxing.

The buffet food is by far the worst i’ve ever experienced. Mostly dry, chewy meats and food which made you question what it is you were actually eating or if it was from yesterday. Its a scramble for beds in the morning and they usually all go quick. Cant speak on the royal level as i didn’t stay there.

There was drilling and hammering noises one night at midnight, went down to tell reception and was made out as if i was lying. Clearly something wrong in a room upon somebody checking in and tried to repair it, still continued and then seen repairs being done in a room the next day. Absolute joke to be doing repair work at midnight.

Not the worst hotel but i would not recommend it.

We stayed as a couple, all-inclusive, on the active (gym) side 2-9/9. The resort is incredible, massive & caters for all! The room (6011 in block 6) was big, clean, sound proof, black out curtains, with a comfy bed, sofa & terrace with seating & a drying rack, located not far from the Marella pool & help yourself bar & near the Nimbra buffet restaurant which was our fav! At the back of our block we could cross the rd behind to a huge, cheap & air-conditioned Spar with everything you need! Our room had a kettle & a fridge with a complimentary bottle of water for arrival (plenty of places to refill bottles on site). All handwash, shower gel, shampoo, dental kits & shaving kits, toilet roll is provided! Along with towels & bedding & cleaned everyday! All-inclusive is amazing!! So much choice every meal, catered for veggie, vegan & coeliac's! Literally everything you could possibly want is available, hot & fresh & there is a microwave if you take too long deciding what to put on your plate! Delicious freshly made desserts; cakes, cheesecakes, rice pudding, jelly, ice cream with wafers, waffle cones & sauces, a large variety of fruit, biscuits, pastries..you name it! Help yourself to water, sparkling water, iced tea, cokes & fantas, sprite, red/white/rosè wine & cruzcampo on tap! There is also lavazza coffee machines, but you can make teas & hot chocs & sachets of nesquick powders for milkshakes with a variety of milks!
The pool bars both sides; you can help yourself to beer, soft drinks inc tonic, waters, hot drinks & whippy (which was more ice than ice cream, for us). The snacks were vast & hot, beef & veggie burgers, hot dogs, fries, nachos, fish fingers, chicken nuggets & wings, salads, sandwiches, fruit pots & cakes etc. Drinks; lots of frozen cocktails but they can be too sweet, but decent brands of most spirits offered in a large measure! No sun bed wars as stated..there are thousands of sun beds spread out over both sides of the resort!! Ask the lifeguard for a fresh beach towel each time! Entertainment; Is on the active side 9.30-11pm every night! 10/10!! We had an 80's night by VHS Band from Argentina which was my fav! An abba tribute, Tina Turner tribute, Beatles tribute, etc.

Bus; We quite often caught the no3 bus to 'the square' from outside the hotel every 20 mins day & evening for €1.40 each, each way, cash or card (doesn't accept higher than a €10 note). From there you walk 5 mins to the main beach. The square & the beach are surrounded by bars, cafes & restaurants and loads of shops. You can get your cheap fags/Tabacco & booze in town or at the onsite shop (the spar behind the resort is cheaper) and there are shops to exchange currencies, book excursions, rent bikes & hire cars. We also caught the no3 bus to Arecife, the capital, but didn't like it there, the back streets felt like walking through a slum. And to Puerto del Carmen which I'd highly recommend! It is 50mins each way on an air-conditioned bus & €2.95 each, each way! We got off at the 'CC Atlantico' stop, by the Long Beach Bar, which has amazing views! Walked alongside the beach to the harbour & had lunch down there for €8-14 each. A large beer is €4.

Royal side; We decided not to upgrade on arrival to royal level & we were relieved. You can use the pools, bars & Oliviana buffet over there anyway! Just not the Asana restaurant (you need to tap your wristband to get in through the gate), the infinity pool or the GOA bar - they are RL only). They also get a few more choices for AI drinks!

The staff are LUSH! Friendly, funny, helpful, the cleaners don't stop all day everyday & the groundsmen! We met 2 resident cats that live near the nimbra buffet & marella pool, they were so cute & friendly & the staff feed them biscuits so no need to sneak them treats!! The cats in Costa Teguise are well cared for, vaccinated, spayed & fed by volunteers.

We didn't end up using the gym as planned as it was far too hot (30-36'c/real feel 40'c) but we walked to the main beach which took 40 mins if following the coastal path. My partner also did the Sun Run 5k on a sat at 9am, meeting at the 'cutty sark' for 8.40am to register. €5 cash entry for charity & a good turn out, running/jogging or walking the coastal path 2.5k & then back.

Weather; Unfortunately a 'Kalima' hit the night we landed & didn't lift for 5 days. It is dust clouds & intense humidity from the Sahara dessert which is only 70miles away. So it was only our last full day there we had clear blue sky & clear blue sea 😩 i found the humidity suffocating & I couldn't sunbathe & was showering 3 times a day!

I would highly recommend this resort to all. Follow the Costa Teguise, Lanzarote Facebook group for lots more info.

I wish I could score this hotel more highly, but unfortunately one key factor really spoilt our holiday: the All Inclusive food. Breakfast was good, and we enjoyed the lunches from both the snack bar and restaurant. Dinner, however, was extremely disappointing. There was plenty of choice, but many of the dishes were cold, watery and lacking in flavour. Even the freshly cooked meats often looked unappetising and off-colour.

It also felt as though the standard All Inclusive offering had become somewhat second best compared with the Royal Level, which was particularly disappointing.

This is such a shame because this hotel has been a favourite of ours for years. The rooms and facilities remain excellent, and most of the staff around the hotel were pleasant and helpful. However, the restaurant staff didn't seem particularly happy, which also affected the atmosphere.

Ultimately, when you're staying at an All Inclusive hotel but choose to go out for dinner rather than eat there, I think that says it all.

A real shame, because there is still so much to like about this hotel.