Balito Beach Apartments

1 reader found this review helpful

Were do i start about this Holiday what a Nightmare!! We travelled in July/Aug, of a party of 5 people (6,17,19,43,55) and i must say we are not a family who moan about anything this was something to complain about! We have been to Puerto Rico many times and have been to the Balito several years ago and i must say it has changed dramatically. This holiday was a Disaster which we put up with for 8 days, which we were then moved on to another hotel located in Puerto Rico which felt like 5 Star compared to the Balito which i would not even rate 1!!!
First of all the FOOD! Wow, i wouldnt even feed to my dog!!!!!!! It was terrible and was cold everynight/morning, no matter what time you went down and when it was gone, it was gone! No more food being prepared!! It was supposed to be a Buffet Style, but i didnt think these days buffet style meant (4 dishes) ?? which normally consisted of 2 being chips and the the other was meatballs which we had for 3 nights which changed colour everynight!! so TIP: KEEP AWAY FROM THE MEATBALLS!!!
There was 3 small plates of salad for tea, and ham and cheese for breakfast which was covered in Flies 24/7. The bread rolls, was not fresh, and was rock hard every day so give that a miss! We complained several times, then one day they decided to cover with clingfilm. Hm, Deserts? I would give that a miss too, they prepared around 6 jellies and when they went, they went! No more being served. Ice Cream we had for 1 night ! So the food was terrible, not only that the people was arrogant too, i mean it does not hurt to smile, the guy in the restaurant was a pain ignorant and nasty!!! There was one young girl in there who was very polite, shame they wernt all like her! Drinks were expensive think they make up their own prices! Everytime we complained we was told to see the restaurant manager and in the whole 8 days we never seen the guy once! Also there was building work when we was there which we wernt notified about as they were building a new pool bar, which was needed indeed from the grubbiest pool bar you had ever seen (Mud Hut). I once went up and asked for a Toastie, and the same arrogant man who is in the restaurant was there, making my toastie while smoking at the same time! The place was terrible, even the pool was dirty, brown stains around the pool which wernt never cleaned! There was no drinks served after 6:30 - 7pm. No entertainment at night etc. The place was derelict, the best bit was walking to the Anfi, along a derelict footpath, and that place was wonderful! There was no buses to get into Puerto Rico, as there used to be a free bus from the Hotel. We needed to pay for 2 taxi's everynight there and back around 10 euros each way for 2 taxis.
What can i say about this Hotel, Dirty and unclean!! Not suitable for people with prams/walking difficulties etc! Well not suitable for anyone at all! I would also like to mention the Spanish People around the Pool, working at the hotel, arrogant and unfriendly!! Does not hurt to smile right? Also i was staying in a room with a friend (19,17) and we both noticted clothes going missing, and god knows what else!! We had, had enough of that Dive of a place and complained many times until we were finally located to another hotel. Which was Fantastic, compared to the Balito!
So PEOPLE stay Away from the Balito! We moved after 8 days of our holiday wasted, and the last 6 days were amazing just a shame we all had to experience this place! Never Ever going back to Balito! Stay away, believe me!!

1 reader found this review helpful

After so many problems with booking with on the beach for a party of ten including 4 teenagers, we thought the holiday was going to be terrible.
We got there at 4 .30 in the morning, the hotel reception staff were great, no messing about, straight to our rooms. All the rooms were together. We got up late in the morning, opened the patio doors the view was teriffic.
We were staying half board we went down for evening meal first night what a shock cold chips, rice, 5 pork chops and very little else. Looking forward to what breakfast held. There was not a bad choice at breakfast cereal, toast, juice, fry up and other choices. All evening meals consisted of chips, rice, meatballs and beefburgers for the next fortnight so most nights we ate out.
Balito beach its self stands on a hill so there are some steps nothing to strenuos up to the pool we got fed up with the arrogant spanish who were staying there although second week most had gone home. The rooms were well cleaned regulary and bedding was changed often.
If you go into Peurto Rico go down to the harbour there are some nice bars and places to eat, harbour lights was a good place nice pint of magners on draught and a good quiz. If you want something more lively, then walk into the town which is about 10-15 mins walk there are plenty of happy and cheerful bars and places to eat. A taxi into Peurto Rico varys from 3-4 euros, this would be the best way to get there, as there is no pavement. If you go to Anfi Beach, this place is well worth visiting, it's about a 20 min walk from the hotel. When you get there it is a lovely harbour and beach with shops, a big Spar supermarket and a few places to eat. We spent some time down there, daytime and evenings.
Overall, the holiday was very enjoyable and relaxing, the only let down was the food, which was terrible.

3 readers found this review helpful

Right lets get one thing straight, the people who moan about there is to many hills and steps well let just say there perfetic, there is a few steps up to the pool but nothing else! the only thing that was terribal was the food in the resturant, (we went half-bord) if you can live of rice and chips for 2 weeks then thats ok but it is cheap enough to eat out in Puerto Rico which you can get a taxi into for about 3 euros! When in Puerto Rico the pubs n clubs are brilliant, i recomend to goin to covent gardens or harleys! anway i am 17 and really enjoy my holiday to Puerto Rico.

OH MY GOD, Let's start with the best bit of my holiday........... coming home! Although the kids enjoyed the pool that was the highlight of the whole week. We only booked this holiday 3 days before our departure so i will have to accept some responcibility although we did read the reviews before i confirmed the booking which where quite positive on the whole.
The food in the hotel ranged from abismal to poor, the breakfast was always fried and floating in grease, the cooked meat, cheese and bread etc, were left out in the open and covered in flys.The main evening meal was no better and it was only when someone complained that they covered the food left out in cling film.The rooms were cleaned to an acceptable standard, however the outside areas were dirty and litter was left laying about for days.
There was no air conditioning in any appartment which made it very uncomfotable to sleep at night because if you left the door or windows open you were invaded by cockroaches and once we even had a visit from a lizard. I do accept that being in such a hot climate you have to accept the local insect life, but not in your appartment to that extent. You can hire fans and air conditioning units from reception.
If you enjoy lying by the pool get your towels out early as i went down to the pool on the first morning at just before 9 and there wasn't a bed to be had, although nobody was there, so if you can beat them join them and from then on i went down every morning at about 8 to reserve our beds, even at that time i wasn't the first.
During the day the pool was very busy with mainly local spanish people who came across as very surly and arogant and there children didnt seem to have any concers about pushing and shoving other kids about, they would all stand aroud the swimming pool steps and refused to move for you to climb out.
In all not a good holiday and i wounld not reccomend these apartments to anyone however if you do go spend the day at Anfi a very nice beach and resort.

2 readers found this review helpful

My wife, and three chldren, aged 1, 6 and 12 stayed at the Balito Beach Apts for 1 week and have just returned. My wife and I lived in Lanzarote a fews years back and had always gone back there, but this time decided to give Gran Canaria a try.
The Balito beach apts are about 35mins drive from the airport, (we hired a car £82.00 for 1 week - Carjet) alternatively it costs about £40.00 each way in a taxi, so if you're ok with a car, it's much better value and will let you explore more. Now I would agree with other reviewers that the location would not be suitable for people with walking difficulties. As long as you're willing to try to burn off the excess calories from the food and alcohol you'll consume, then prams, pushchairs are ok, but be prepared for lots of steps and hills.
The apartments are set in three seperate blocks and I would say 90% of these have a lovely sea view so you'd be unluckly not to get one, and if you don't the staff are very helpful and would no doubt transfer you to another if you wished. From our experience of the canaries we found these apartments a little small, but well equipped. You'll be outside more than inside anyway so this was not a problem for us. The pool is a good size, accessed to by about 4 flights of stairs (burn them calories!) and has a sensible green carpeted surround, excellent to avoid slipping for the kids. The pool bar/restaurant serves good food, and we ate there in the evening 3 times. One tip: Don't have lunch at the pool bar, (a small kids glass of coke is £2.00) buy a bottle from the supermarket next to reception along with rolls, ham crisps etc and eat these by the pool, it will save you a fortune. Several spanish families turned up during our stay, and they know best, they didn't eat or drink at the pool bar at all, bought a few cans of beer from the shop, some paella, melon, ham etc, and it really does add up to a good saving over the course of the holiday.
Location: The apartments are set on a cliff top overlooking a small not yet complete man made rocky beach. Once the sand is added (in a year or so) this will probably make the cost of this apartment rocket so make the most of it. Next to reception there are some steps which take you down to this beach. Follow the sort of (path) right around the bay, this will bring you after about 10 -15 mins walk to one of the most exclusive beaches, and marinas on the island. The place is called Anfi. Do a search on the internet for some pics, very very pretty indeed. A little caribbean-like to be honest. Lovely white sand, turquoise waters, restaurants, beautfully landscaped, exclusive marina, really needs to be seen. If you don't have a car, this will be your ideal local beach location for your stay. Balito is right next to Puerto Rico in the other direction although it is not possible to walk there as there is no path to take you there;only by the side of the road which I would not recommend at all. A taxi is about 3.5 euros, (ordered free by reception) so pretty good value. Puerto Rico is quite lively, good beach, lots of restaurants, bars. I Recommend Harbour Lights bar/ restaurant near the beach. 2 pints of San Miguel for 3 euros from 7pm till midnight! Back to the days when a spanish holiday really was good value! Other drinks are also much better priced than anywhere else we found, they also do a nightly quiz which is good fun. Also for anyone into fishing, try a deep sea trip from Puerto Rico harbour. for £48.00 for 6 hours this a great value, caught 2 large Rays, and the boat fishing next to us caught a whopping 300kg Marlin ( I had my photo taken with it and told the wife and friends that I caught it) no one believed me of course. This was the 4th Marlin they'd caught in 2 weeks! Good day out, take travel tablets though and lots of suncream. Lunch and drinks are included.
5 Mins round the corner from Puerto Rico is the fantastic beach of Amadores, another jewell in the crown of Gran Canarias beaches, this really does have a postcard setting, fantastic clear blue water, nice water temperature, loads of beach front restaurants and bars, similar to Anfi, difficult to split the two as to which I prefer as they are both beautiful, and are must visit places during your stay. About 20 mins on from Amadores is the lovely Puerto De Mogan, known as the venice of the Canaries, a lovely beach and marina and very pretty place awaits, another must visit in my opinion. Would even spend a week there to be honest as was so impressed.
Anyway, Balito Beach is a good base for a lovely holiday, excellent value, lovely sunsets to watch from your balcony with a glass of wine, a fantastic beach just 10 mins walk away, a large resort 4 mins away in a taxi, other beautiful locations just minutes away by car. I'm going back - asap!

1 reader found this review helpful

apartments on a steep hill not suitable for elderly, or parents with push-chairs,
views are nice, and a 15 min walk to amfi beach which is a nice sandy beach.we went half board, food ok, but breakfast was fry up every morning no cereal! staff very friendly, and reception was a great help, bar prices expensive around 520 euros for rum/coke! go to puerto rico for many bars, only a cheap taxi or bus ride away.
Balito is center point for everything, bus services are good.
as a family of four, there was no entertainment on site over easter period, seemed to cater for danish/swedish tourists, as there was only danish papers in the expensive supermarket,
overall a cheap holiday ,in this no frills apartments, a very picturest place, bring plenty of sun block.

3 readers found this review helpful

Landed in snow this morning after a very hot week in Gran Canaria. Going by the positive reviews on here we are happy to add that Balito Beach apartments are well worth the money, and can't understand the negative reviews left. OK so the the place is stuck between Arguineguin and Puerto Rico, but for 3Euros in a taxi or 1Euro each by bus you really aren't that far away from it all.
The staff are very friendly, nice reception lounge, minimarket a little on the pricey side, Restaurant was closed, but pool bar did do snacks (the beer was more pricey here than in the centre but that's to be expected) The rooms are basic but very nice for the money you pay, with a well stocked kitchen if you are planning on eating in (had even left a big bottle of water in the fridge on our arrival, which wasn't discovered until the morning after the first dehydrated night :-) So check when you arrive!!!)
Large bathroom, bedroom, and balcony, tv, phone, & welcome pack. Rooms are cleaned daily- beds made and towels changed (even, rather embarrassingly, tidying our mess) Lovely sea views over a rocky beach, but recommend a walk on the beach to really appreciate the hotel's location!

2 readers found this review helpful

Just back from these apartments and we were very pleased. Our apartment was very handy for the pool and the restaurant. We had a big balcony with a wonderful view. The apartments were well equipped and were spotlessly clean. The sheets and towels were changed every couple of days. I am vegetarian so did have a bit of problem with the breakfast, but I was able to get fruit, toast etc. My husband was well pleased with his fry each morning. It was a set menu for H/B but there was loads of choice for meat, chicken, fish, a couple of pasta and a couple of pizza dishes on the dinner menu. I eat fish so didn't have any problem. The staff are really friendly and very helpful. There is a guy playing a keyboard some nights and a small dance floor. On the Friday evening we had 'Elvis'. Great fun! Anfi beach is about 15-20 mins walk away and is beautiful. Puerto Rico is 2 mins away on the bus. We used the buses all the time and the only problem we had was in the morning as the ones to Puerto Rico were quite full by the time they reached us - we didn't mind waiting for the next one though, they run every 20 mins. All in all a great holiday.

1 reader found this review helpful

Just returned from two weeks half board at Balito Beech,I can understand folks giving this place high ratings,but much depends on which apartment you are allocated.If you are lucky enough to get one with a sea view, and you are self catering,and you are not elderly great, Im sure you will be reasonably satisfied.We were given an apartment close to the reception area,very noisy. The main problem is Taxi and delivery drivers bibbing their hooters to get reception to open the barrier,not funny at 7am nor 2am. yes 2am Taxis coming onsight bringing people back from a night out in Peurto Rico.The annoying part is all they need to do is open their side window and press the buzzer,
obviously to much effort, We are not moaners but it drove us nuts, asked to be moved to no avail.Apartment clean and well equipped, TV,couple of English speaking channels,
Toaster,Kettle,Micro Wave,and Two ring hob.If you go B/B or H/B this is not a buffet,
and not a full Menu, you eat from a selected menu,although I must say the food,was
reasonable.The complex is very steep not suitable for elderly people,lots of steps, and
the hill that winds up though the middle is very steep.Onsight supermarket expensive,
drinks in restaraunt very very expensive, good Spar supermarket in Arquineaquin.

Booked Balito beach, through Onthebeach, it was for a party of 12 and when we arrived we were shocked to see how stunning the views were.
The resort is extremely clean, apartments are fine and with enormous balconies,pool area and pool bar is great.
Only thing is don’t eat at the restaurant here as they will stitch you up.
The Staff on the reception are fantastic and always willing to help.
I completely recommend this resort as it is so close to Puerto Rico- 3 Euros in a cab and
is a 5 min walk to Anfi Beach also.
Also we have found onthebeach to be good apart from they took money off us for in flight meals which we never got, as the airline doesn’t provide, this is still being discussed!