Sol Lanzarote

Lovely hotel, staff very friendly, only problem was the sunbeds, people reserving them first thing in the morning and then not coming back to use them until about 2-3pm, which was very selfish. Staff ended up chaining them up until 9am which then gave everyone a fair chance. Would go back, but a bit too breezy for my liking. Very close to beach and restaurants and felt very safe area. Children had a great time in the pool.

We had a week there which was just enough.Only ate there when we arrived late in evening and was not that impressed a bit pricey too as was bar.
There was only one beer available which was a local brew [real alers turn away now] made with desalinated water and no Cider or any other bottled beer even though they were every where else on the island.Barman told me every night they were on order. Something to do with the all inclusive me thinks.
The location of Hotel is excellent with proximity to beach and airport.
Found staff efficient but not that friendly or unfriendly.Excellent Spar 2 mins from hotel where you can pick up decent bottle of wine again stuff in bar is poor. There are some nice restaurants around the Spar and I would highly recommend Sapporo a Japanese eaterie for the whole experience.Try sushi once in your life.
Perfectly suited to younger families ,our two were 11 and 12 so not into kids clubs too much but could see younger ones well entertained.Sunbeds claimed very early in morning if it is sunny even though there is a sign prohibiting such a practice.Bar area was way too small for entertainment every night and when we returned after our dinner out at 10 or so could not get near the place. Room was good and very clean with cooker toaster and kettle
although we didn't have a sea view would imagine that would enhance our stay.TV mainly Spanish,Italian and German Speaking with just a few english speaking news channels Sky news,BBC world,Russia today although mine seemed to be amused by dubbed German Simpsons.There seems to be a mixed review of the place.Put it this way Would not stay there again but if I were to win a free hol there I would.

Shabby uncomfortable room. No table and chairs in sitting room. T.V. in bedroom with only one armchair. Balcony needed a good scrub and a coat of paint. Bathroom way past it's best. We knew there were better rooms available but a request to be moved was ignored.

61 readers found this review helpful

Our family stayed on a self-catering basis here from 28th Dec 2009 to 4th Jan 2010 (2 40-something adults and a child of 50.
The apart hotel is no more than a 10 min transfer from the airport and even though it's that near, the planes that pass didn't bother us. it has a wonderful location right on the sea front and the promenade is wonderful too.
The reception is airy and nice and we found the reception staff to be helpful and pleasant. They all spoke English. In reception you'll find an area where the tour operators/reps keep all their information, 4 PCs for internet connection, a paying set of scales to weigh your suitcases (very hot on excess luggage at Arrecife airport & they charge 12 Euros per kilo over), a gift shop. Leading off are the bars and resaturant and otside the main entrance is supermarket store and hairdressers although we'd advise to use the Spar supermarket in the commercial centre 5 mins walk away as it's much cheaper.
The grounds are well-kept and there are plenty of wonderful cacti. Lifts will get you to the upper floors and there are also stairs and ramps however, the latter are steep so wheelchair users be warned.
There are 3 main pools and a small wading pool. These pools were freezing despite the weather being lovely 25-27 degrees C most days. The biggest pool is heated but not so much that you'd notice but the problem with that is it's quite deep even at the water's edge (probably close to 5 ft) and gets progressively deeper to the centre. There's also a sand area for the children to play in next to the pool with buckets and spades provided and that's popular with the children. You'll also find plenty of sun beds in good spots at any time of the day and there didn't seem to be "Towel Rage" happening here. Also, the other guests seem to be families or more mature people and we found the place pleasant, friendly and never noisy even in the small hours when people return from a night out.
Our room was on the first floor and had a sea view as requested. It looked as if it had been recently decorated and was nice, clean and airy. It contained a bathroom/shower, a good size room with 2 very firm beds pushed together to make a double, a TV (hardly any English-speaking channels though apart from CNN News and BBC World News). There's another room partitioned by a nice glass door and that contains a sofa bed, ample wardrobe space including an electronic safe and the kitchenette area. on a self-catering basis you have an electric 2-ring hob, a microwave, fridge and crockery/utensil-wise, 4 of each. You are supplied with saucepans, a bottle opener, knives etc but no kettle or toaster. The latter two have to be hired at 7 euros a week. What did surprise us were we had maid service on a daily basis and she was very thorough and pleasant, towels were suppled and changed and there were even dispensers filled for shampoos, conditioner and shower gels. The bathroom also has a hairdryer.
The sea view is wonderful and the balcony had a table and chairs and is well sheltered from your neighbouring guests and enough to offer you privacy. Also on the balcony, you'll find on the wall a pull out clothes dryer.
All in all we found the hotel a great base as puerto Del Carmen is a 10 min drive away (bus = 1.15 euros pp or 5 euros for a taxi). The commercial centre close by will serve all your needs with a fabulous choice of good and reasonably-priced restaurants (try La Brisa for breakfast lunch and,well, anything and the Fu Gui chinese restaurant). Kinsales up the road in the opposoite direction is also very good and don't forget the Spar Supermarket which is cheaper than duty free.
There is a kid's club and our son attended one session and that was fun and included lunch (about 7 euros). There is a games room too and pool and table tennis tables can also be found by the snack bar.
I our downsides were the coldness of the pools which meant we were restricted to swimming in the sea which was warmer, even in December and the lack of specific info by the tour company as to what was supplied and not supplied in our rooms. Overall, a good complex that offers and excellent,friendly, clean and safe base for a family holiday and we'd probably return.

11 readers found this review helpful

We stayed at the Sol Lanzarote in November for the 2nd time.
The rooms are basic, but clean, the maid is in every day, and did a great job.
We did not eat in the aparthotel so I cannot comment on the food, but we ate breakfast each morning - fresh bread rolls, cheese and ham from Spar - out the back gate and to your right into the small shopping centre. The Japanese restaurant there is amazing also, the chef cooks in front of you on the hot plate.
I was delivered a bottle of champagne from the manager as it was my birthday also, this was a lovely touch.
Would go back, but I think we have seen all of Lanzarote as we hired a car this time - well worth it for seeing the sights.
Would recommend to family and friends, great hotel.

43 readers found this review helpful

This is my second time to stay at the Sol Lanzarote and we plan to return in the spring.
The first impression of the hotel foyer with its water fountains and marble floors is setting the scene for a great stay. We had an apartment - you can see from the photos it is small but it is sufficient. It is very clean - cleaned every day. We ate our breakfast there and dined out for our lunch and dinner. There is a really fab restaurant called KINSALE just up along the promenade - out the back gate - to your right (near los jameos) It is a bit more expensive than the others but the food is delicious. There is a very good SPAR supermarket out the back gate of the hotel and turn to your left. The bar is very spacious and nicely furnished and there is a happy hour every evening at 6.30 and they do great cocktails.
It is well worth paying the extra money for a sea view because the hotel is right on the prom next to the beach. We did not see or hear a car (only when we went further up the resort towards Puerto Del Carmen). If you go out the back gate of the hotel and go further on passed spar (along the prom) you can sit and watch the planes landing at arecife airport. It is fascinating to see them up so close. We also hired bikes from a guy along that stretch and it was well worth it. We rode all along for miles by the beach on a specialy designated bicycle track. I would definately recommend this as I am not a good cyclist and I managed it.
There is a lovely place for lunch next door to your left but I cannot think of the name of it. It is lovely to sit and look out at the sea while you eat.
The staff are really good as well. The cleaner Sonja is very thorough and the reception staff are very friendly and helpful. The ground staff do a great job in keeping the place in good shape as I watched them from my balcony every morning while having a leisurely breakfast..what a life.
For nightlife there is the usual entertainment in the hotel but if you want to hear a good live band go up to Puerto Del Carmen either by bus or taxi. There is a live band called Question and they are fab in a bar called The American Indian.
So yes I would recommend it even for people younger than me as Puerto Del Carmen is close by (8 mins by taxi) if you like all the hussle of a regular holiday resort but Sol Lanzarote in Matagorda is a truely relaxing and enjoyable experience where you can rewind and recharge the batteries. Hope this helped you

11 readers found this review helpful

Well let’s start from the top the entrance to the hotel was very nice and professional worthy of any 4 star establishments I would expect.
The checking in process was also fine with no issues and all the staff at all times came across as very friendly and helpful to any of my questions.
The Room was as advertised on the photos, and very clean there was no doubt about that cleanliness was a priority with the hotel at sol lnazarote, the same with the swimming pools area was completely fine and clean.
As for the other comments on here that complain of the sun lounges being rather old and slump right down to the floor?, maybe if your of a certain posture for most people there is no problem and there was plenty of space even when I went down after 13:00PM on all occasions.
Foods and service cannot really make any comment on this, as I didn’t use their restaurant.
The local amenities are good for the most part you have a Spar less than 3 minutes walk away, with a good pizza restaurant next door to it.
Matagorda Is absolutely excellent for walking and cycling or skating you can walk for hours on both sides of this hotel.
One side taking you right past the airport where you do get the huge aircraft flying over you! Alongside the naturist beach (interesting) which leads to Playa Honde where there is an array of villas for rent and sale with some small cafes.
One for sale is going for a nice sum of 300,000 Euro.
To the other side you reach Puerto Del Carmen where you pass lanzarote village and meet the famous San Antonio hotel and all of its local effects there.
This is where there is some nightlife if this is what you are looking for and can be reached for 5 euros in a cab.
All in all this Is a lovely place to escape to with your partner if you are looking for a quiet break in the sun, with no distractions.
For kids though I feel they could get bored in the area of Matagorda it’s self and lanzarote as a whole I don’t feel it is for kids but personal preference.
In addition to help anybody reading this who may be gay the hotel and the area is fine there is nothing to worry about they’re for this, so much so I am returning for the second time in 2009.
Enjoy your trip to Sol any questions on this island or more unbiased true reviews on Sol Lanzarote do email me at kevmusic0023@yahoo.com

7 readers found this review helpful

We booked this hotel as it was apartments and wanted space with our 2.5 year old daughter. The rooms: The rooms are big and clean, the kitchen area is small and you need to take/buy tea towels, washing up liquid, washing up brush etc. You have to hire a kettle and toaster. We went in December and the rooms are sooo cold at night so take warm pjs. We got dressing gowns and slippers in our room (we complained about staff attitudes to us) so I dont know if you would normally have to pay for these. We had a balcony that had no sun so our clothes didnt dry and the laundry service is very expensive so try and get a sunny balcony if possible. The receptionists: Some are friendly others are really rude and seem put out when you want help with something or to ask a question. Raul the manager was very helpful when we had a problem. We asked to change rooms as I am pregnant with twins and had to walk up lots of ramps to get to the room and wanted to know if we could switch to a room in the main building (which seem warmer at night so would recommend main building room!) and the receptionists basically told me that I should go a different way which was still a massive walk, instead of helping me out and saying that it wasn't a problem and giving me the room straight away. The swimming pools and swimming pool area: The gardens are really nice, bit packed in with the beds and the pools are so cold. Even the baby pool. The location: The hotel is right opposite the beach which is nice and really near the local commecial centre that has nice restaurants. Bar Kike and Sirroco are really nice. The bar/entertainment lounge: Really nice but small for the size of the hotel so never enough seats for everyone and you have to get there really early to get a seat. The kids entertainment doesnt start until 9pm which is quite late and the main shows start at 10pm. The entertainment team are lovely. Kids: Not great for under 5s, all kids entertainment for over 5s and no park play area for younger kids. The food: We were self catering but paid a couple of times to eat in the restaurant which was really expensive. 33 euros for two adults for dinner and 12.70 euros for two for breakfast. Expensive at the moment due to the euro exchange rate. The solution!: We found a hotel just down the road called Jameos Playa (next to Mac Donalds) where we spent the day on the lovely sun beds and there is a sand pit park area. We also went there at 8pm for the mini disco every night with a big dance floor and great entertainment. If we new about that hotel we probably would have stayed there but the rooms arent as good as the sol lanzarote so it is a perfect balance! Matagorda is quite quiet but really nice for a chilled holiday. Would be great for adults with over 5s children.

12 readers found this review helpful

I went to Sol Lanzarote last Easter for one week with my husband, and two daughters aged 11 and 7 (then). We had a fabulous time, so much so that we have booked again for this Easter for another week. We are not usually a "stick with what you know" family, but honestly it was so good that this phrase fits the bill. The little cafes, restaurants and bars (few) all served good food and all within a stroll of the complex. The apartments were cleaned to a high standard daily and the bathroom, what can I say, was superb.
We have been to the Canary Islands for 6 or 7 years on the trot now and this was the best experience we have had to date. The sea view from our apartment was amazing both day and night.
I would highly recommend this aparthotel complex. (Though not for the nightclub fanatics.....)
Melanie Minshull
Lisburn
Northern Ireland

3 readers found this review helpful

We had items stolen from our room and the man in Reception was defensive and treated us in a less than respectful manner when we presented the issue. In fact, we was aruguing with me in defense of the cleaner. Food wasn't too good on the buffet (omelets, chicken, and turkey were under cooked). Roaches running across the floor in the dining room and cats at the tables begging for food. Only four pay for use internet terminals were there and usually at least one was not operational. No WiFi available. We would go back to Lanzarote (it is a beautiful destination and the people are generally friendly!), but would not stay at that hotel again.