Puerto Azul Aparthotel

Just returned from Gran canaria.We booked our holiday and checked out the hotels video footage and comments on this hotel on [--].The Puerto Azul video must have been made quite a while ago,as the reality is quite different.Yes the pool area was lovely,as is the view over Puerto Rico beach from our balcony.There are about 600 steps down to the beach,we counted them on our walk down,needless to say we got a taxi back up for 3/4 Euros.We were all inclusive which was not too bad if your not too fussy,however there was a poor selection for children!Lunch was probably the best selection if you were at the hotel to have it.
The apartment we had was tatty and old,with a leaking toilet and shower that didn't work properly and flooded the floor.
There is very little for kids to do there,my daughter is 8yrs.The mini-club wasn't running,in july??
Any way we moved to another hotel,at our own expense after 1 week,and finished our holiday there.
One last thing,on our transfer from las palmas airport,the rep gave a little talk as they do,most people were a bit unresponsive as we had arrived 4hours late because of delays,so it was about 4am,however one thing she did mention was what to do if you had cockroachs in you accomadation,so that was incouraging!!!Luckily we on came across 1,but beware.

We, all 8 of us (me, my daughter-19 months, her dad, my mum, my dad, my brother & his 2 mates - all our ages from 18-51) from south london were originally booked to stay in bungalows nearby and were re-located to this hotel. We were lucky as this was a lovely place. it could have been a lot worse.ha.
Reception are helpful, we arrived at 1am gave us keys and directions to our rooms, listen carefully as this is a big hotel and you will get lost. the lifts are confusing and they are hidden so have a good look around. We asked for a cot and it arrived on the 1st day all set up in the room.
Reception can order you a taxi at any time day or night. expect to pay 4 Euro to get to the nearest beach (its a long walk in the heat) and approx 28 Euro to Playa De Ingles (ask to be dropped outside Pacha) that will take u to the heart of the strip.
Basically you get what you pay for...the rooms are adequate, the bathroom clean, slightly odd layout of the sink being so close to the bath but then who cares as long as it works ?!
we had 3 apartments next to each other, all the same layout, double bed, sofa, telly with sky so we still watched the news and hollyoaks ! little kitchen, kettle, microwave, hob (took a long time to heat up so cooking eggs was a mission) toaster, fridge etc.
Cleaners visited every day, but only clean towels every other day. Theyre friendly although didnt speak much english.
You dont get airconditioning - only an electric fan. Hardly any bugs apart from a cockroach on the steps to the lifts but it had already been squashed.
The view from the balcony was beautiful, day & night.
The complex is quiet at night, i think we were probably the loudest people there at the time !
The pool is big and clean, with a kids section. The pool bar/restaurant is clean, 2 Euros for a San Miguel & 10 Euro for a pitcher of very strong Sangria. The food was average. Also a few times a week a Sun Safety lady would tour the pool area checking that all children were ok and not dehydrated/burnt etc. Quite a good service to have.
Get to the pool early if you want an umbrella for shade as these are limited and especially on weekends locals get there first !
There are 2 grocery shops at the entrance to the hotel, some items are priced well but some are quite steep. Just out of the hotel, walk up the road directly straight where u will find a shopping complex with restaurants and shops, in there is a Netto where u can get all the basics a lot cheaper. The best restaurant in this complex i found was called El Taurito or something like that, and their Paella was good. The T-Bone steak might aswell be half a cow - ha im not kidding-this is for MEN only ! Its on the 2nd floor in the far right hand corner. Well priced for what you get, and the service was good, they serve the childrens meal first so that it gives you a chance to eat your dinner after the little ones have finished.
Also the Yates bar in the complex is very lively and friendly staff ther make it a good night if you didnt want to go clubbing in town.
Do venture out as the local complex can get boring every night.
We stayed for 8 days in July 2008.

i am going to stay in azul for one week with my boyfriend just wondering is it really as bad as some of the reviews are making it out to be it is my first holiday away so i am really worried

have just retuned after a 2 week stay in the azul.When we arrrived the reception staff were lovely they gave us our map and keys and told us how to get to our appartment.We found it easy enough,the rooms were small but we were only in there for sleeping so it was ok.The only bad thing i would say was the rooms would benifit from air con rather than 1 fan which we had in the bedroom.Our view was lovely we had a view of the beach and marina what more could you want.We went all inclusive and after reading some of the reveiws was a wee bit apprehensive but i can honestly say the food was good,they had a bit of something for everybody,the fruit was lovely and so were the soups.The staff in the restaurant were very lovely with the exception of one who was very rude(unless you were 2 single females or a spanish family).The pool area was lovely there were always sun loungers available they say your not allowed to put your towels down but everybody did it.The bar staff were the best they were lovely especialy carem and carlos they were brilliant a real good laugh.The entertainment was a bit poor the 2 girls were lovely sophia and joanne they tried their best some nights were better than others but hey you cant expect 1st class all the time. The europa center is just at the top of the road we went up there at night times for some entertainment.a place called the barbacoga (i think thats how you spell it) that was brilliant they had x factor to rokin jock and trixie lyx Drag show that is a must he or she was a scream. But if you are staying in the Puerto Azul dont expect 5*treatment for 3* prices you get what you pay for 3*prices for 3*treatment but well done staff you were lovely (bar 1of them).Oh forgot to mention the maids they were lovely we had our room done nearly every day and towels changed evey second day if not every day.

1 reader found this review helpful

JUST ARRIVED HOME FROM PUERTO AZUL EARLY HOURS OF THIS MORNING. ONE OF THE BEST HOTELS IN THE RESORT OF PEURTO RICO.
FOOD - FAIRLY STANDARD, ALTHOUGH VEAL SEEMED TO BE VERY COMMON FOR SOME REASON. (NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT VEAL IS)
DRINKS - GOOD RANGE OF DRINKS IN ALL INCLUSIVE PROGRAMME.
CLEANLINESS - 100%.........(inc SWIMMING AREA, RECEPTION, ROOMS, BATHROOMS)
STAFF FRIENDLINESS - 200%..............(ALL STAFF IN HOTEL VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL)
WOULD RECOMMEND THIS HOTEL FOR ANY FAMILY, ALTHOUGH BE AWARE, HOTEL IS HIGH UP AND NOT SUITABLE FOR PERSONS WITH WALKING DIFFICULTIES. (TAXI FARE FROM HOTEL TO TOWN CENTRE ONLY 3EURO(approx) (ONE WAY).

* DON'T GO*
I find it hard to believe that the reports on this sight are genuine, if they stayed at the same Puerto Azul as we did. I have written a very long letter of complaint to both Thomas Cook and the Hotel chain. We got a fairly cheep last minute deal, but even at £700 I do not feel that this hotel was worth the money. The room we had was very shabby, remember it is supposed to be 4* although compared with the other 4* hotels we have stayed in around the world, I don't know how they arrived at the rating, the hotel itself only rates itself as 3*. We had no hot water all week despite reporting the fact to reception 3 times and being told it would be sorted. The rep said 'Thomas cook know that there is a problem with the water, but you are the only ones to complain this week, Thomas cook have their customer relations team trying to rectify the problem' so Thomas cook send guests to a hotel which they know may not have hot water! The rep did say that if its a family with young children they usually move them!!!! I'd advise that you use this info if you are unlucky enough to get room 6306. The bed sheets were too small for the beds and resulted ion an uncomfortable night wrapped in the sheet, which some times meant waking up laying on the dirty under sheet which had like the rest of the hotel seen better days. The room was NOT cleaned, we were AI and the glasses that we took back to the room stayed there until we left, the bathroom was dirty after a weeks use without proper cleaning, I can only imagine that by the time they got to room 6306, they were tired and had run out of towels because ours were changed only the day before we left, and the 5ltr water bottle that we put in the bin outside the room was still there when we left 6 days later. Food was poor, and the manager the most unwelcoming we have come across, although the other staff were pleasant and worked hard. Be aware that if you arrive in the early hours that your AI started when you left England so in effect you pay for 7 days but get 6 because after 13:00 on check out day its Pay for everything, never had this anywhere before most hotels continue with their hospitality until you leave, not this one. you may think we are hard to please, but actually we usually go last minute allocated on arrival and have never complained about a holiday before, but this was the worst holiday, food and hotel we have ever stayed in and not only would I not recommend the hotel, but I will not be booking through Thomas Cook either.
Whilst I am on here its also worth my mentioning that if you travel with Thomas Cook do not book you trips through them, the Med tours rep will get you the same trip for less 40euros in the case of the Jeep Safari, and you can get to Morgon for 10 e from the harbour, and if you get the 10:00 boat it takes you out into the and dolphin area too so you might see them if you are lucky. Thomas Cook have very strict weight restrictions on luggage, and even weigh your hand luggage including your handbag, and charge you for every Kilo over, the rep will make you think its the airport, but the staff are in their uniforms and the only time this has ever happened before was another Thomas Cook flight so I believe its just another way to fleece the passengers. Please find another hotel, and don't be swayed by the good reports, we were, the only reason we went to Puerta Azul was because of the reviews and even reading them now I am amazed that these people could have stayed at the same hotel!!!

1 reader found this review helpful

My girlfriend and I have just got back from Puerto Rico and we loved every minute! The hotel Puerto Azul is great and has amazing views from the balcony of both the sea and the spectacular mountains that surround it.
The All Inclusive is well worth going for. The food was good with a great variety of different dishes every day, with a buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner. And throughout the day there is a choice of unlimited burgers, hot dogs, chips and sandwiches from the pool bar all inclusive. The all inclusive drinks are available from early morning untill 11pm and the bar shuts at midnight so for the final hour you have to pay, or you can just take a short walk to the nightlife, which is cheaper.
The hotel offers great entertainment aswell every night from snake shows, to salsa dancing, bingo and quizes. And the bar staff are a funny bunch of people that make you feel welcome.
The nightlife is good and offers loads of bars and restaurants. I recommend going to the Europa Centre. We went up there and got stoped every minute by english bar reps trying to get you into there bars. But make sure when you get stopped by the "Jokers" rep that you ask for the 2 free cocktails and bottle of Champaigne. Thats what we got offered, and once you have finished just leave and onto the next bar!
Overall it was a great holiday with lots to see and do. I will be going back!

We (Myself, my Wife and two boys aged 3 and 5) chose the Puerto Azul for our first family holiday and stayed for 10 daysat he end of Apr and start of May.
I must say it is an excellent hotel that offers both families and holiday makers a luxurious place to relax and enjoy the sun and sights of Majorca. The hotel is of a high standard and is very clean. The staff speak excellent English and are extremely friendly, going out of their way to ensure your stay is enjoyable. The rooms are very comfy and spacious. The food is excellent, offering a wide variety of choices and there is always a healthy option available. The poolside area is stunning with plenty of room for sunbathers and families seeking poolside fun with their children. The entertainment is superb for families as there is lots for the kids to do to keep them occupied. (There is even a kids club that will take the little darlings off your hands for a couple of hours)
The only slightly negative points would be that the pool temperature is a bit on the chilly side (but once you’re in it’s OK), our room had a few ants in it (but the staff were quick to address this once reported) and you have to pay for everything in your room (Fridge, Air Con, Pots and Pans, Kettle, Safe) the room didn’t even have cutlery available so take bottle opener / essential cutlery.
All in all I would recommend this hotel to my family and close friends and will definitely be returning for another family holiday.

We went for two weeks, after seeing all the reviews we saw we were worring if we made the right desision. All i can say is what a fab time we had, the people were so friendly and all the staff work so hard. theres 2 large pools 1 thats heated aswell;) plus 1 smaller one for kids. the food was nice and had lots of things to chose from including ice creams of your choice. i must admit if you do have any problems walking i wouldnt recommed this type of hotle for you as it is a nice walk to the beach and other diffrent places. i would really recommend this place for anyone as its so cheap aswell for what your getting. like other people have said how clean the rooms were there not telling fibs, room was cleaned everyday and also towles were swaped. only problem with the hotel is trying to find your room at the stared of the holiday, but thats all part of the fun in my opinion. We found theres lots of activites to do but was expencive :(, but thats nothing to do with the hotel. all in all me and my girlfirend didnt want to leave so brill hotel :D

Just arrive back form two weeks at the puerto azul, and can honestly say for the price we paid it was by far one of the best hotels we ever stayed in. There was 14 poeple in our party, ranging form ages 15 to 55 and all of us loved it. Every bit of the hotel was so clean and tidy, rooms were claen every day, by really pleasent staff( not at all pushy about gettin in to the room, like in some places) and the pool area and receptions were sploitless. Found all the staff helpfull and friendly, and if you have anything that needs fixing in your room, there a maintence team that are so quick and efficeint. The pools at the puerto azul are amazing, ther are 3 in all, a kidy pool, heat pool and a free form pool, there are so well loked after and have a lifegaurd on duty from eight in the morning till six in the evning. One of the best things was you can have more than one key for your room, which comes in so handy, espcailly if you want to do different things to whoever your staying with.
We didn't use the entertenment in the hotel, as having been to puerto rico before we knew where we were going. There is a taxi rank and bus stop just outside the hotel, taxi down to the main bars is about €3 and you never wait long. Every meral we had there was amazing the foood is to such a high stanard, the food is cheaper down the bottom, but if you want a really good steak go to El Brasero in the Europa at the top of the hill, its the best steak i have ever tasted, and believe me I've try a few. Also in the europa center is the Turbo bar, such a goo place, the breakfast is excellent and the time is the best, if you have somthing to cellebrate go there, just let the staff know and they will deck the place out for you, the DJ is great fun and the staff are just the best, If you do go tell Bev, the manager, that the scouse sumo wrestlers sent you.