Santa Barbara Bungalows Apartments

The bungalows were great.Me and my boyfriend reslly enjoyed staying here as it was nice and peacefull in the day and only minutes from a fun nightlife with plenty of nice places to eat.You need to go and visit sparkles drag queen bar,it was such a giggle.The swimming pools are small but enough to cool you down.Overall a nice place to stay for the amount we payed

1 reader found this review helpful

Just back from a week in this complex. Had read reviews previously so wasn't sure what to expect. We were met from our coach and directed to our bungalow. It was ideally situated for one of the five pools which was excellent for my 2 boys aged 8 and 6. The water was freezing but they still enjoyed their daily swim. The complex is so secure that it is a safe environment for children. Not as many cats as we were expecting and the ones we came across were friendly. The only downside was the tv. We took a portable dvd player and play station to amuse our boys when we weren't out and about but the tv was so old that we could not connect our equipment. This would have made a difference as we felt that we could have enjoyed some relaxation time around the bungalows on an evening instead of going out each night which did prove to be expensive. It was in a good location only 5 minutes walk from the Yumbo Centre. I wouldn't recommend the Yumbo for families. It is fine to have a look around but we found it expensive to eat and drink. Try out the Avenida Pub which is run by an English couple which is located on the street in front of the Santa Barbara complex (turn right, then left and right again you can't miss it). Also for an authentic and cheap Italian meal try out San Remo on Avenue de Gran Canaria. Its worth the 10 minute walk and you can combine this with a game of bingo/pub quiz at the Windmill Pub where the drinks were much more reasonably priced at 6.5 euro for a round of drinks instead of 10 euro closer to the Yumbo. My 8 year old also loved the fact he could watch Match of the Day.
We'd definintely go back to the Santa Barbara complex. Our two bed bungalow made a difference instead of constantly changing our sitting room to a bedroom as we have done previously. We also had a lovely private terrace and walled garden with patio table/chairs and sunbeds.

Clean but boring. Nothing to do onsite. Good location for yumbo. 1st time there but wouldnt go back. Very basic. TV cost a fortune for news sites only. Residence very friendy. PS Lots of cats. Pools unclean and very cold. I wouldnt recommend for young children.

I lived at the Santa Barbara Bungalows for 11 months (April 07-March 08) and it is a really nice place to live. Its really really quiet so you can relax in peace. There are 5 pools so you can take your pic. Its in a good location for the Yumbo centre and there are plenty of taxis around the area. I have seen many comments on here about problems with cockroaches. You will find that anywhere you stay in Gran Canaria, so try not to let you put it off. They're absolutely harmless. I recommed this place to absolutely anyone.

Did read other reviews after booking!! Was a tad bit worried - not a thing to worry about, arrived late evening but there was someone waiting for us with our keys, found our bungalow easily, very clean, comfortable and a joy to spend a week in. Already planning our next break there. The pools were cold but when the temoerature reached 36 degrees it was a welcome break. The locals that live there all year round were very friendly and helpful with suggestions on where to eat etc. the local supermarket - just round the corner was lovely and helpful. The Jumbo centre just down the road was great for a good night out and we had a great time people watching. The only problem that we had was our flight coming home did not leave until 8pm and we happened to have a very unhelpful receptionist on our last 2 days who basically told us that we had to be out of our bungalow by mid-day and there would be no bathroom facilities between 1 and 4 so we just had to hang around the pool area - Thankgoodness for lovely locals!!!

2 readers found this review helpful

On this occasion, first impressions don't always count! Upon initial arrival we were not impressed as we have always been used to overlooking a large swimming pool but instead found our bungalow tucked into a corner and the swimming pool was tiny in comparison to previous holidays. The sun beds also looked dirty and old and there were no facilities on site that we could see. However, we unpacked and settled down for the night to see how it looked the following day...... and thankfully we slept brilliantly as the beds were unexpectedly comfortable (even though the pillows were slightly lumpy) and the bungalow was very quiet even though it was close to a road (solid walls and high ceilings). It was also very spacious inside and to be honest it was a cheap holiday for 4 of us and so we couldn't have expected anything better for the money. We helped ourselves to a couple of extra sun beds from around the pool (there are some that are blue and these are far better than the white ones) and put them in our garden (another really good point about these bungalows is that you have a patio at the front and a part grassed/paved garden at the rear).
The swimming pool (we only used the one but there are 5 all pretty much the same size - small but sufficient) was very cold but we are a brave bunch and so we used it daily. There are showers around the pool too which are handy for showering down after your swim. Hardly anyone else was around the pool so it was like having our own private one! No bar or poolside facilities but this was a bonus in a way as we took our own food and drink around the pool and saved a fortune on previous holidays where we had to purchase theirs instead!
There were lots of cats on the site, and I know you shouldn't encourage them, but my son who is 9yrs old got very friendly with one which we called "Babs" after Santa Barbara and she really made his holiday as she was there waiting for us each day when we arrived back from a trip and greeted us every morning. No trouble at all.
The bungalows are in the perfect location for all ages - close to the Yumbo which we all enjoyed and also the boulevard/beach. We took the taxi quite often in the first week as we hadn't realised how pleasant the walk would be but walked each time in the second week and felt much better for it even though the taxis are cheap (between 3-4 euros one way).
I personally felt very safe and the drivers stopped whenever they saw us near a crossing. The locals were very friendly, waiters were really nice to us and very good with kids, arcades kept my son happy too (recommend the simulator "Theatre" on the Boulevard which is only 1 euro for 2 people and is great if you like rollercoaster type rides!). My son left his sun glasses in there and the following day we went in to find them safely behind the counter for us to collect.
There were some wonderful restaurants (recommend their half roast chicken - they cook it brilliantly and it's only about 5 euros and safe on the tummy!). Chipi-Chipi is just down the road, Cafe L'Opera in the Tropical Centre, Roma on the Boulevard has great evening entertainments with singers (Elvis was great - son now loves Elvis music!) dancers (male, female and male who dress as female! - but again it was fun for all the family ranging from 9yrs to 59yrs). There is also a funny man who follows people around and pretends to walk like them, etc.... very funny to watch so be sure to be down the Boulevard in the afternoon or in the Yumbo Centre in the evening to see him. Worth throwing your loose change into his hat for the entertainment. Lots of people come round hoping to sell jewellery and sun glasses, etc, but most of them were friendly and just like you expect in the other Islands. Just say no and they move onto the next table!
Went on the camels - great fun, also recommend the horse riding. BUT - don't waste your money on Sioux City as the BBQ was cold by the time it hit your plate, the wine was like water, and although the staging looked good and the show was reasonable there was nothing else there and it seemed to be more about the Reps having fun doing line dancing than anything else. No room on the dance floor for anyone else to join in. The entertainments in the restaurants and pubs was far better and free (except that you have to buy a drink!).
Found out last minute that you can buy water bottled from reception (but remember this is only open for a few hours per day to check on the times when you arrive) and also there is a toilet, shower, laundry facilities, and somewhere to store your suitcases alognside the reception. Also remember to take your key otherwise you can't get back into the site unless someone is there to open the door for you - but very good security.
Basically, I could go on and on as I had a fantastic family holiday at this resort. You can't expect to get something unless you pay for it - we had a cheap holiday and got all we needed to have a great time and in the perfect location. I would recommend it to anyone and wished we could have stayed for another week. Normally after 2 weeks you have done everything and seen enough to want to move on - but there is so much to do so close to the resort and the weather was brilliant too (take a cardigan for the evenings though as your skin gets hot in the day as temps between 19 - 25 and then it feels cold in the evening and there can be a breeze). Some overcast days - but the rays are still there so keep up the sun cream especially on your kids!
Adios!

These are some of the best self catering appartments we have stayed in/ they were clean and cleaners came in 5 out of the 7 seven days we stayed. We got 3 sets of clean towels in the week we were there. The pools were great if a little cold but the really excellent thing is that these bungalows are situatated close enough to good restaurants and the YUMBO centre that you have great things to choose from every night. The reception was fine the called us taxis when we needed them - shame is not a bar but I can't see how it would make money when other good outlets are so close.
A trip to the Aqua Park takes 10 minutes in a taxi and costs 5 euros - We went twice because its such a good park and you get a second visit free
A really great out of season break for a family of 4 I was really put off by comments made in Feb 08 but we found evidence to support them

1 reader found this review helpful

these bungalows were appalling! when we arrived at around 11pm we were locked outside on the street as the reception closed at 8pm! another guest leaving let us in, we then had to stand about waiting for 30minutes until the night watchman appeared and eventually gave us keys! the bungalow itself was dirty, the sheets were dirty and torn. when i complained to reception the next day they were less than helpful as was the med hotels representatives as they were uncontactable! it was advertised as having a pool bar but there is not, they do have a restaraunt but its closed and in the process of being sold! we eventually moved to a hotel in maspalomas, the maspalomas princess, which i would recommend highly!!!

When we first arrived at Santa Barbara Bungalows we were locked outside as reception is only open between certain times. The maids who work there had to give us access in and gave us the key to our bungalow. When we got into the bungalow it was very dark and gloomy, the sheets on the bed were not clean and plug sockets which weren't working or hanging of the wall were cellotaped to the wall. There were also wires sticking out from the wall, water was coming up through the tiles outside, it just wasnt great at all. We complained and they happily gaves us another bungalow which was so much better it looked more like the bungalow that we had viewed on the internet. It was so much better nice and clean wasn't dark and gloomy but we still thought it would have been better. To watch tv there you have to put euros into the tv which 1 euro last for 1 hour, Also when we had a shower it was warm water for about 10 mins and then it was cold after that for a good few hours so that was a total nightmare. Our Rep was ok but wasnt very helpful at all, all that she talked about was what was going on, she didnt mention whether we were to drink the water, put toilet roll down the toilet or even feed the cats.(I know these are obvious that you dont do any of these but for someone who has never been abroad it isnt very helpful). The area that we were in was the German area. This holiday is not for children there isn't very much to do the excursions are very expensive and so is everything else. I went with my parents and my younger sister, i wanted to go down the beach with my little sister but there were notices up of 3 young people who had gone missing and didnt dare to go anywhere even though i am 19 still easy enough to go missing. My parents had been here before but not to the same hotel 9 years ago and they enjoyed it then but they didnt really like it this time, it was far to expensive and there wasn't a great deal to do. I must admit though we did go on the Loro Parque excursion in Tenerife it was a bit pricey i think it was 52 euros each and that was everything but, if you have young children they will love it they have sealion shows, dolphin shows and orca show it was amazing a fantastic day out. We also went to the water park which was quite far out but was a gud day. Over all the holiday wasnt great i wouldnt go there again.

These apartments were very satisfactory from the outside and it only got better inside, the rooms are amazingly spacious with the kitchen appliances more than good. The appartments are close to many things which makes the setting ideal. Due to the outstanding nature of these apartments, this truly was a wonderful holiday to live long in my memory.