Tacande La Bocayna Village

The resort was extremely quiet and peaceful. TLC is needed as other reviews have advised, but the bungalow was huge, and we spent most of our time on the private terrace. A/C was excellent as it was 80F+ when we visited and everything was clean.

The food varied between inedible and below average. The breakfast was bland, cold and congealed. The lunches were terrible throughout: clearly leftovers from the night before and a very small selection. The dinners were better, simply because the a la carte options were actually hot and were the least bad part of a disappointing food experience. The lack of choice was expected as it's a small resort - the quality was unacceptable.

The staff were generally friendly, the first time we went to eat dinner we stood around not knowing what to do, with multiple members of staff milling around and ignored us. We talked to the front desk, and after that the service was MUCH better - so thank you for making that adjustment.

The highlight of the trip outside the rooms were the bar staff & cocktails - they were simply excellent - thank you Fayruz for being an amazing, friendly and cheerful bartender!!! We were all inclusive and would have cancelled it entirely if not for the bar staff and service.

We would come back to the resort, but would NOT go all inclusive at all. We would just shop at the local supermarket as the bungalow kitchen is really well equipped, and then walked to the marina for truly great local cafes and food. We did this multiple times as you can imagine based on the food comment.

We’ve just returned from a thoroughly enjoyable eight-night stay at Bocayna Village. It was a last-minute choice after our original holiday to Turkey was cancelled, and in the end, we’re so glad it was.

We booked directly through the hotel’s website, and the process was seamless (and the cheapest option too). Before booking, I emailed with a question and received a quick, efficient and friendly reply, which gave us confidence from the outset. We chose the all-inclusive package, which we felt offered excellent value, but there are also bed and breakfast, half-board and full-board options available, giving plenty of flexibility depending on the type of holiday you're looking for.

The hotel is just over 30 minutes from Lanzarote Airport and around a 10–15 minute taxi ride from the centre of Playa Blanca. That doesn’t mean it feels remote, though, as there are plenty of amenities within easy walking distance. There are both large and small supermarkets nearby, along with several bars and restaurants if you fancy a change from eating at the hotel. We visited Paulo’s Bar in the Las Coloradas Shopping Centre a few times to watch the football – it’s only about a five-minute walk away.

The hotel’s biggest asset is its staff – they are brilliant. We arrived a little earlier than expected, so the receptionist took us straight down for dinner so we could get something to eat while our bungalow was being prepared. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and everyone was warm, welcoming and friendly throughout our stay. Drink orders could be a little inconsistent depending on who was serving (for example, a chocolate milk sometimes arrived as a hot chocolate, and some cocktails were prepared slightly differently), but it really wasn’t a major issue and was to be expected.

The food was excellent. Breakfast was the usual buffet, with freshly made omelettes cooked to order. We didn’t use the main restaurant for lunch very often, instead opting for burgers and hot dogs from the pool bar after 3pm, which were always tasty. Dinner was definitely the highlight. Each evening you could choose an à la carte main course from a selection of meat, fish or vegetarian dishes, while also helping yourself to the buffet. Everything was prepared to a really high standard, and myself, my wife, and our 13-year-old and 10-year-old all enjoyed every meal.

The drinks were very good too. Cocktails at all-inclusive hotels can often be disappointing, but not here. They were served in proper glasses and finished with nice little touches that made them feel much more premium.

The pool was perfect. It had a lovely relaxed atmosphere, and there was never any rush to grab a sunbed. It was so refreshing not to have to get up at the crack of dawn to reserve one, as you often do at other resorts. Our children loved spending hours in the pool, and inflatables are allowed, which was a bonus. The water was a little chilly, but once you were in, it was absolutely fine.

Our bungalow was another real highlight. Having separate living and sleeping areas made a huge difference compared with the standard hotel room you often get at an all-inclusive resort. There was a spacious kitchen/living area with a large TV (the Wi-Fi is excellent if you're planning to bring a Fire Stick), a master bedroom with a king-size bed and en-suite bathroom, plus a second bedroom with twin beds and another bathroom. Having two showers meant the whole family could get ready at the same time, which was a huge bonus. The only slight downside was that air conditioning was only available in the living area, with ceiling fans in the bedrooms. We also had a few ants on the kitchen worktops throughout our stay, but it was never a major problem and was quickly dealt with.

Overall, for the price we paid, I genuinely can't fault Bocayna Village. The standard of service, food and drinks is comparable to hotels charging twice as much. Yes, the hotel, bungalows and grounds could probably do with a little modernisation, but it certainly didn't detract from our holiday. There’s no evening entertainment, but the hotel makes that clear before you book, and we actually preferred the quieter atmosphere. If you do want entertainment, there are plenty of options just a five-minute walk away, or you can simply relax at the pool bar, play a few games, or enjoy a drink and a chat.

We wouldn't hesitate to return.