Rey Carlos Hotel

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Still recovering from a fab new years eve/ early Jan holiday in Gran Can.
Have been to Gran Can about 8 times over the last couple of years and have stayed in various accommodation in PDI, Maspalomas and Sonnenland. Have walked past the Rey Carlos on the way to the beach loads of times and have always been intrigued since its exterior is very... distinctive!
However, we were a bit wary of the area the hotel is situated in since the Cita Centre (home to most of the resorts strip bars!) is just at the back. Also, a couple of trips ago we stayed at Los Almendros Apartments just around the corner, and were burgled... However, noticed the number of Germans and other non-Brits patronising the hotel and decided to give it a go.
Must say we were absolutely gob smacked when we got to our apartment because it looked like some sort of medieval set from the hammer house of horrors!
Lots of wrought iron and heavy wooden furniture. However the suite was clean and comfortable with a good size balcony which overlooked the Ave Tirajana (I think). There was also a small kitchenette which was unexpected but very handy. Usually we like to do self-catering, however we got a good deal for half-board by booking independently. We took the view that if the food was not up to much or we got bored, then we could just go into town for something to eat. Although we weren't quite sure what to expect, the food turned out to be fab if a little on the fishy side. Stayed for 9 nights and were still presented with variety at dinner.
Leisure facilities at the hotel facilities were good. The hotel also had its own programme of entertainment which was very international. Acts included drag shows and duos and presented a good opportunity to get into the swing before hitting the town.
The staff were great and came across as being quite passionate (possibly even serious!) about their jobs (yes, really) which resulted in a very up-market level of service. We also found that our schoolboy-Spanish was really appreciated (tolerated?).
Feel that some people may see the hotel as being a bit tatty and dated; 'faded opulence' comes to mind. Think the of some European version of Grace Brothers and you're nearly there! However, we really enjoyed our stay at the Rey Carlos and will certainly be going back again
A few things we liked about the hotel:
1. The apartment (strangely!) 2. The staff 3. The food 4. The convenient location 5. The security 6. (we are ashamed to admit!) the slightly snobby, international, up-market feel about the hotel.
We think you would absolutely hate staying at the Rey Carlos if 1. You were part of a large group (ideal for couples and small families) 2. You hate the 'Germans' (personally, we can't get enough of them!) 3. You like to wear union jack t-shirts/ shorts for dinner (shirts and trousers are more the order of the day at the RC).
Please don't get us wrong; we are not snobs or anti-Brit (we get the airport bus to and from the resort and we are Scousers for chris' sake!) But it made a refreshing change to stay at somewhere a little less Ingles in Playa Del Ingles! Also, as Eartha Kitt once said 'Champagne taste for a beer-bottle pocket!'.. or something like that!
Ian & Ken @ Club Hellbent
Ps as you have probably gathered, very gay-friendly..