Balito Beach Apartments

we are just back from a week at balito beach puerto rico,this place was very clean and we had no problems with it, although not sure why its called balito beach as there was no beach near the apartment. the food at the pool bar was nice but we did not eat at restaurant so dont know what it was like, it is a wee bit remote so you have to get taxis which are very cheap and only takes a few minutes, but even if you stay in the centre of puerto rico the people we met were getting taxis cos the hills were to high to walk.if you are taking a child,take a buggy!we did not meet any british people in the resort as i think the whole of puerto rico at this time of year caters for scandinavian who seem very quiet,and keep them self to themselves, also i would recommend going to anfi beach its gorgeous with plenty shops and restaurants you can walk but is again quite hilly so would recommend taxi, overall we had a pleasant stay with no complaints

The apartments are on a hill and there are a good load of steps.You have to go up steps to the pool for example. Not a problem really unless you are infirm or lazy!! Be a bit of a pain I suppose if you had a buggy. Apartments were very clean and in good condition. (I always check the bath seal and grout!! No black marks in our bathroom!) No dodgy electrics either. We had a bedroom with two single beds quite comfy maybe a little hard, and a wardrobe and 2 small chest of drawers. Considering we were two women with the extras that we need eg TOO many shoes etc the storage was ample. Kitchen area had a microwave a toaster and 2 electric rings, cups saucers, plates, saucepans etc.. (The reception has a list of just about anything you may need to rent, fans, irons etc) They cleaned regularily and properly. Beds changed ,towels changed bin emptied etc. The towels were a little crispy and a little off white but they were clean and did the job. No funny smells, no noise either as the apartments are on a no through road so there is no passing traffic. It was blissfully quiet. we saw one small cockroach which my sister in law dispatched with one of the many shoes we took with us!! We had a fantastic view over the sea and sunsets. Sat on the patio of an evening with a cold beer watching the sun go down. (fridge great but turn it right up). It was an average of 30 degrees C when we were there which was really hot but it meant the night was lovely. no cardigans needed. The swimming pool is not large but it is clean and adequate. I must mention the 'pool bar' the food is superb. Spanish people eat there so that guarantees good well priced local food we ate fish there that was out of this world and was so cheap we were stunned. Got the impression that spanish people rent at the weekends or just used the pool because it was busier and obviously louder but it added charcter. Very friendly staff at the pool and at the reception which is by the supermarket NOT up the hill which is where our taxi driver dropped us at 4 am when we arrived!! The supermarket stocks just about enough, fresh bread, water, beer ,crisps packets ham, cheese yogurt, fruit etc but a little pricey. However at the Amfi Beach Resort 10 mins walk away is a Spar yes a Spar!! Stocks EVERYTHING at a decent price. Balito Beach itself is still awaiting the delivery of its sand! Yes this is a little weird but what you do is go down a set of stairs at the beginning of the hill, walk across a surreal sandless beach along a wide dirt path running along next to the sea and after a ten minute walk you arrive in Amfi which is a private holiday resort. However youre not actually allowed private beaches in the Canaries so it isnt private at all. Dont be wary, at no time do you feel you shouldnt be there. It is absolutely perfect. It is swedish run, immaculate, no traffic, palm trees a marina 4 or 5 resteraunts - spanish, Italian, mexican, french, couple of bars and a GORGEOUS beach. We went to Amfi every day sunbathed and swam bought a little shopping at the spar,sandwich fillers etc and wandered back across the sandless beach up the stairs up the hill to our apartment. great for the legs!! We went there most evenings for food and a few drinks. they have live entertainment on a stage in the little square which really is not my cup of tea AT ALL, but I was pleasantly surprised. Butlins it was not. There were not alot of english there really which was another great point!! No purpose built English menus either. no people stopping you to get you to eat in their place either. If you want totally English people, menus, sport, shops etc you go to Puerto Rico which was not nice in my opinion. Getting around is also a pleasure the reception will ring a taxi for you it comes quickly and is really cheap 4 euros to puerto rico 3 to Amfi. Oh yes If you taxi from the airport it will cost 60euros!! Better than the transfer as it only takes 15/20 mins but 60 there 60 back was alot of money. we were lucky on our return we managed to share the taxi with another english couple! Result. My sisterinlaw and I were after a cheap relaxing holiday and we got exactly that. No complaints.

This hotel is basically split into three sections located in a hill. You will find that it can be quite tiring walking around this hotel - even if your room is at the bottom end, the swimming pool and one of the restaurants is at the top, so you will have a little bit of a hike. Our room was at the top of the hill - we had one of the rooms overlooking the swimming pool which was great as we could sunbathe on our balcony (much larger than other rooms) instead of trying to grab a sunlounger. Although it wasn't very busy as we stayed from the end of September to beginning October. One complaint that all guests had was that it was difficult to locate your room - on arrival you are simply given a map and have to hike up the hill yourself looking for your room - which most guests, myself included, had to do in the dark due to flight arrival times. Some assistance with our cases would have been gratefully received. I really wouldn't recommend this hotel if you are elderly or have trouble walking. The thing I disliked the most was the location - you have to get a taxi to the nearest beach which is Puerto Rico (although this is only about 3 euros). But it would have been nice to walk down to the shops, restuarants etc - but this simply is not possible, you will have to get a taxi to get anywhere. The hotel are more than happy to order one for you and they do arrive very quickly. I found the complex simple and clean - no problems with cockroaches in our room. The pool area is quite nice despite the hike up the hill to get to it. The staff are friendly and more than happy to help you. We had to hire a fan as there is no air conditioning. In conclusion, this hotel is large, friendly and clean, and the main drawback is simply the location.

We werestaying at the adjoining appartment to the originators of the previous review, Gerry and Angela who were a lovely couple with a beautiful daughter. My wife Sandra and I booked this as a last minute deal. Two weeks half Board and we were a little wary after reading some of the reviews but we were happily surprised. The appartment was spacious, clean and very private. The Appartments are located about two miles out of Peurto Rico, reachable by taxis which reception order for you. We however stayed most of the time within the complex as it was quite and relaxing.The meals were excellent and served at your table. All the staff were very friendly and helpful. I would certainly recommend this to anyone looking for a relaxing holiday or wishing to use Balito as a base for travelling from. Excellent value for money. Gerry/ Angela , we missed you the second week.

Hi my name is Gerry Brown from Airdrie stayed here with my wife Angela and two year old daughter Lucy. When we arrived at reception we were handed a map of our apartment which was 30 seconds up a hill. When we arrived at our apt we realised it was very spacious with two beds in the bedroom, a settee/ bed in the living room a tv with 6 free channels, a kitchen and a bathroom which had constant hot water. Up three rows of steps which took only a minute to get up were two swimming pools - a baby one and a large one. There was a restaurant/ bar which the food was good. There were Spanish, Scottish and Engligh guests who were all friendly. There were loads of kids for my daughter to play with and they absolutely loved the pool. At the bottom of the hill there was a 24hr reception and a mini market. This complex has an amazing panoramic view of the sea and you can see Mount Tiede over in Tenerife. Down the steps at the side of reception and a 5 min stroll will take you to the gorgeous Anfi beach. At the other side of our complex you would need to take a taxi into Puerto Rico as you can't walk there. A taxi will cost you 3-5 euros depending on the taxi driver. Puerto Rico has two shopping centres - Europa and Commercial. Puerto Rico has two beaches the main beach and the Amadores beach which is in the shape of a horseshoe. Our apartments where very clean and everybody we met was friendly. I would recommend this for families with kids. We had good neighbours - Sandra & Iain from Inverurie. We loved every minute of this holiday and would go back to Balito Beach apartments. Had absolutely nothing to complain about. Good value for money. There are some folk who will complain about anything which one person we met did - but we wouldn't. I'm sure you will enjoy yourself if you go here too!

My stay was average! My negatives far outweigh the positives. I would return to this area again, but would not stay in Balito Beach Apartments, nor would I recommend them. Postives: -Fantastic view -10 mins walk from Amfi Beach Resort -Nice spacious apartment and best balcony ever! -Mostly friendly staff -Great mini-market - had everything you could wish for! Negatives: -Kids were in the swimming pool each night until 1am -My apartment was above the bar and restaurant and in front of the pool -The resort was full of Spaniards and their kids, whom I found to be unfriendly and very very noisy -No privacy between the balcony walls - the family next door kept staring into my apartment...really strange -Man at reception desk insisted on taking my passport for 24 hours for no explainable reason!!! Needless to say I declined! -Steps everywhere - not baggage-friendly. If you're elderly or cannot physically climb, forget this place! -Tacky techno music coming from the bar all day long - really annoying if you want to sunbathe in peace

We stayed for one week at the Balito Beach apartments. It was fantastic, the children enjoyed it and made lots of new friends in just a week. It was like one big happy family. The hosts were fantastic with such a relaxed atmosphere. There were alot of English people there, but alot of Spanish also. The children made friends also with the Spanish children, not understanding each other's language but manged somehow to get on and play. It was fabulous. We are looking at going again in September, just the two of us this time and cannot wait. Go on, book it, you will love it. ENJOY !!!

What a mixed bag here! A real find in terms of overall appearance and cleanliness, with great sea views from many apartments. Definitely get a car if you can it does help, although not a lot of spaces here for cars if full. Pool good, but again small if the complex was full. Pool bar/bistro very good and reasonable prices. A LOT of steps everywhere if you are disabled. Excellent base for exploring, beaches etc. Rooms show age now, as does the concrete structure everywhere - despite the patching up. Door lock jammed, fridge was damaged, no kettle or toaster, chipos in the bath and toilet. No phone contact with reception. Rooms are basic but clean and tidy despite these age related problems. Biggest problem when we went(late June) was the hoards of rude, aggressive, rowdy and disruptive Canarians from up the road at Las Palmas. They took over on Friday and created havoc until Sunday night. We had to change rooms to get any sleep at all. Hotel has no means of dealing with this except to take the money and run basically. Be warned. Go before June.

Apartment: Clean, spacious, nice balcony, lots of storage space. Pool, Clean, lots of sun beds, nice poolside cafe/bar. Location about 3 euro's in a taxi to Puerto Rico centre. On site resturant which has nice food and friendly(ish) staff. Downfalls This hotel has the hugest hill you will ever see, we had to drag our cases to the top, and took up approx 15 minutes, no help was offered by reception. Our light in our bedroom would not switch off (the light switch had broken) I complained to reception 3 times, but they still did not get it fixed, I ended up tripping the fuse each night, so all the lights went off. Our balcony light did not work. to the right of our balcony we had a lovely view of the sea, to the left was a huge rocky hill, that looked like a building site, not pretty at all. Apart from that the apartment and complex was was nice, but I would not stay again due to the hills and steps, the views are great, obviously as you are so far up on a hill, but I would prefer to stay centrally in Puerto Rico next time, as that is where we spent most of our time anyway.

afta reading a cpl of other reviews of this hotel i was dreading going! but it was fab! the rooms wer lovely and clean,maid was in evry day, balconys wer enormous,ideal jst to sunbathe on if u like peace n quiet of u own space ,tho,not that private. staff wer lovely and friendly, meals wer luvly and they wer good price.a lot of stairs to climb,but then most of peurto rico is. the pool was cleaned evry morning and has a grt nonslip surface...like turf! it is situated jst outside peurto rico,3 euros in a taxi. very quiet, ideal location if u want nitelife, but also peace n quiet as its jst far enuff away frm centre peurto rico.a beautiful 5*hotel 5 minutes walk away with a white beach,imported sand. lovely restaurants n live entertainm,ent on site. and u can go and use this beach and dine there. was beautiful, much betta than the hustle and bustle of peurto rico beach,plus the sand is white so it doesnt burn ya feet! this hotel is clean, and for the price u pay, u getttin beautiful views. we booked late and got a pool and sea view. the views r stunning. theres no entertainment on at this hotel, but if u looking for a quiet holiday its ideal, music plays on a nite n u can jst sit and chill. a wdnt recommend this hotel for kids, theres nothin for them 2 do. the shop on site is bit pricey, tho not ova the top. reception will change money for u.tho not large amounts as they only get a certain float, and they 4n taxis 4 u wich cum mor or less straight away. theres a very dodgy elvis impersonator on on a fri nite....but wot a laff!!! all in all if u lookin for a relaxin holiday, thats gd value for money and is located a stones throw frm peurto rico and the nitelife, this hotel is ideal.clean, friendly and a grt location. this is written for from my experiences staying there at the end of september. ideal for single people,couples but not for disabled people cue to the number of stairs,tho wer far fewer than a lot of hotels in peurto rico!!