Reviews of Sandy Beach Hotel, Playa Del Ingles, Gran Canaria

I decided to treat my wife to a...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr G M Bradbury

Comments:

I decided to treat my wife to a 60th Birthday holiday, together with my two sons aged 32 and 26, also their respective fiancees, and after much (worldwide) deliberation we chose the Sandy Beach in Playa Del Ingles. Having just returned from this holiday I can definately say it was a good decision - we were fortunate in March to have superb weather, average 25 degrees every day, lovely sun, but most credit must go to the Sandy Beach Hotel for providing a truly excellent venue - the accomodation was lovely, all the rooms were very well appointed, the food was just superb with a breakfast buffet to die for, the staff were always very helpful, and the (mainly German) guests were all charming. I know that Playa Del Ingles "in the season" is a bit of an 18-30 hotspot, but out of season as we were it was just great, we even managed to take in a karaoke night! We all loved it. People of any age will enjoy the Sandy Beach Hotel, it seems to have something for everyone- we even managed to win the "Boules" competition one day! - Five Stars for luxury and Five Stars for the Management Team - well done!

After looking at several...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2007

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Miss M Wood

Comments:

After looking at several choices, myself and a friend decided that we wanted to go for a all inclusive and after looking on the internet this hotel choice proved cheaper and also had the better flight times. I was abit hesitant on booking an all inclusive especially after working abroad for a couple of year.



Upon arrival at the hotel my first thoughts were amazing, it looked so clean and relaxing which is what we wanted through the day. The receptionist was very helpful and even delivered our bags to our room.



The rooms were perfect, the walk in wardrobe was just what we needed as I don’t travel light and the shower was fantastic. We were situated directly above the bar and restaurant which was fantastic and we had a direct view over the pool.



Although we never ate there everyday the meals in which we had were fantastic. The staff were so polite throughout the meals we had and always made you feel welcome. The rooms were cleaned everyday and could not fault the housekeeping staff in anyway.



The location was fantastic, we were close enough to walk everywhere as I’m a shopaholic and also the Kasbar area which we drank at every night was literally 5 minutes away and the good thing was if places were still open you could not hear the noise.



Every day we would relax by the pool and it was so peaceful and relaxing, the pool was just the right temperature and the pool side bar was very handy. Of a night time we would always start off using our main bar. Sitting at the main bar, the bar staff made you feel very welcoming and with the entertainment on too. They provided some good shows, especially to prove successful with a wide range of clientele as there was majority of Germans and Spanish but they still made you feel very welcome. The only gripe I had was that I would have preferred more entertainment on. Also if you have children I would advise if you were to stay here you would want to be doing more out and about in the resort as there was not much to entertain the children in the evening.



Overall my stay was fantastic and would recommend it to anyone, if I come to Gran Canaria again I would definitely stay here.

Have just returned from my...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2007

Tour Operator:

Excel

Submitted By:

Miss R Emmerson

Comments:

Have just returned from my first holiday away with my boyfriend and we couldn’t have asked for a better hotel. The hotel was in a perfect location, 5 minutes walk from the beach and 5/10 minutes from both the yumbo centre and kasbah, 2 lively shopping centres which at night become 2 of the most popular eating and drinking locations.



As a young couple, we found the nightlife fantastic spending most of our time between Irish bars and the lively kasbah centre which comprises many bars , to which the only downside was the large number of touts trying to pull you in their bars, the key is to ignore them!



The hotel itself was very clean; rooms were cleaned by the maid every day and were very spacious. The only thing I think needs mentioning is that there is a lack of utensils in the kitchen so if you’re planning on doing any cooking you will need to take some or purchase it there yet. We didn’t do any cooking ourselves as it is quite cheap to eat out but did make use of the fridge to keep our drinks cool.



There is plenty of wardrobe space, a large shower and balcony (we looked over the street but didn’t hear any noise as there was a lovely garden between the two).



We were on a bed and breakfast basis and found the food was fresh and there was a big variety of both hot and cold to choose from. The only improvement I thought could have been made was keeping the hot food slightly hotter as it cooled quickly.

We didn’t sample the evening meal but saw it one night and I have to say it smelt and looked fantastic, if only we had of realised before the last day!



We took part in the day time entertainment; there were games like French bowls, rifle shooting, archery and shuffle board. I think maybe the games should be better advertised as sometimes when announced it was difficult to hear but we enjoyed joining in and despite not being able to speak to some of the other foreign guests we some how managed to have a laugh and communicate, a great way to be sociable!



We took a taxi to the water park, a short ride away which was only about 5 euros and was well worth it, a great day out! We also visited the beach and sand dunes (watch out for the nudist area which we walked through) but the dunes are a must see, it feels like your in the middle of the desert.



All in all, we had a great stay in the hotel and a week just wasn’t enough, I would recommend longer as we only just settled in when we had to leave! A point which I should mention is the amount of Germans in the hotel; we found out just before our departure that it is German run!

However, there is no need to worry about getting a sun bed; we managed fine every day as there are plenty available around the gorgeous pool (with massage bubbles and a water fall).



Drinks and food bought in the hotel work on a no cash basis, all money is charged to the room and paid at the end of the holiday. I would say playa del ingles is a bit like Benidorm in the sense of beach side restaurants, they all have the same menu so I would suggest venturing to the yumbo centre to try a Chinese (Chinese Indonesian) or jardin del sol (where the only Indian restaurant is in the area).



I would definitely recommend this hotel!

My boyfriend and I went to the...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2007

Tour Operator:

Airtours

Submitted By:

Miss G Whitehead

Comments:

My boyfriend and I went to the Sandy Beach Hotel in July this year for a two week, All Inclusive holiday. With out doubt this is the best holiday that we have been on together and would recommend Sandy Beach Hotel to anyone that is thinking of going to Plya De Ingles.



The hotel was beautiful and the staff fantastic. As we didn't arrive at the hotel until late and we were all inclusive they had laid out fresh fruit, bread, ham and cheese for us in our room as well as a bottle of water each, which was a nice touch.



As our room was on the lowest floor of the hotel we benefited as our balcony went out onto landscaped gardens which was superb. Even though the room faced a busy road no one could look in as we were quite high up and the trees acted as a barrier as well as cutting out the noise!



The beach is only a five minute walk from the hotel and all the shops and bars are around a tem minute walk away. The Yumbo centre and the Kasbah centre are fantastic for shopping and night life. (The Kasbah centre more so for the young ones as the clubs are open to six in the morning!!!).



The choice of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner was fantastic. There was always something different to chose from and a selection of meats, fish, salad and a whole lot more.



We received clean bath towels and pool towels everyday which was great and our room was cleaned every morning, as well as the bed sheets being changed every other day. The hotel its self was very clean and the pool area was cleaned every morning. All the staff were brilliant and helpful.



The only downside about this hotel was the evening entertainment. Out of the 14 nights we were there I could only probably say that only 3 nights of the entertainment was entertaining!! However there are so many places to go too outside the hotel.



I would recommend that you do the super cat day out with your tour operator. It is fantastic and well worth the money. It is on a £2 Million boat and you are out at sea for at least 5hours. Also a trip to Purto Rico is a must, it is stunning.



Over all I strongly recommend this hotel to any couples or families that are thinking of going to Gran Canaria.

Me and my boyfriends first...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2007

Tour Operator:

Airtours My travel

Submitted By:

Miss Jp Williams

Comments:

Me and my boyfriends first holiday together and we chose the Sandy Beach hotel as it looked fab in the brochure.



When we arrived in the hotel the guy at reception was completely rude, our holiday rep just left us there and did not try and help us.



The hotel was spotless but the staff were unfriendly to me and my boyfriend but there was very friendly to the German people saying at the hotel.



We was all inclusive and when our drinks was empty there was never anybody there to serve us and if we went up to the bar we was told to sit down, as this wasn't how you got a drink in the hotel. I was called an idiot as I got my room number wrong by one of the bar staff as he thought I was not listening.



The restaurant was outside which was nice but as I'm used to a inside restaurant, smokers was put before non smokers you would have to walk through clouds of smoke to get to the food and then back though with your food to get to the non smoking section.



Staff were really rude, shops were basic and the same where ever you went around the island.



Me and my boyfriend would never go back to the hotel again and maybe even Gran Canaria.

We picked this hotel for...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2006

Tour Operator:

Airtours

Submitted By:

Miss R.H Williams

Comments:

We picked this hotel for location near to the beach and were not disappointed. Just a 5 minute walk and you are on the beach.



Alternatively, the hotel has a lovely pool with a children’s section, waterfall and spa jets to lie on.



Make sure you ask for a pool view room as there are a small number that overlook a main road. Rooms were kept clean as the maids were in daily. It was my birthday whilst we were there, the reception staff picked up on this from details provided at check-in and surprised us with a bottle of bubbly, which was a great touch.



All staff in the hotel were friendly.



We only had breakfast included, but there was an excellent choice. Something for everyone.



We took advantage of the sauna which was free to use everyday from 4pm.



The Yumbo and Kasbah centers are approx 10 minutes walk away, and both centers have lots of shops, bars and restaurants to choose from. You can get buses from the Yumbo centre to Las Palmas, the Aqua park, and other places. The hotel reception will help you with a timetable.



Walk along the beach to the lighthouse at Maspalomas before the sun gets too hot, and watch out for the nudist beach.



All in all we had an excellent holiday and would recommend this hotel to anybody.

This was mine and my boyfriends...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2006

Tour Operator:

Cosmos

Submitted By:

Miss N Anne

Comments:

This was mine and my boyfriends first holiday together and what can I say it was fantastic from start to finish. I can’t praise the hotel and resort enough, 10 out of 10 is not high enough.



I recommend this hotel to anybody apart from groups of friends. Its got such high standards, great for families and couples. Me and my boyfriend are 20 and 24 and it was perfect for us. The hotel was immaculate, rooms were spotless and so clean. All the appliances worked in great order and the room was cleaned everyday and fresh towels. Staff were fantastic, on the ball all day and we were well waited on all the time.



Food was buffet style and very Spanish, it wasn’t to our liking but it was good quality and well served food. As we were all inclusive, drinks were served all day the beer was nice, cocktails were amazing and also soft drinks such as Fanta were quite refreshing. The pool was cleaned everyday it was gorgeous and the pool bar was lovely, we always got a sun lounger every day with no problems. The area we was in was the best we could of hoped for, we was central right near the beach with water sports, the bars was so close but still avoided rowdy noises at the hotel, restaurants, shops, supermarkets were a minute away.



The Kasbah centre was great for night life with lots of clubs and pubs and is open till 6am!And also good for shopping in the day. The Yumbo centre is a laugh quite highly populated with the gay community and drag queens if you into that! The beach front has lots of friendly pubs with the bar staff who love to wait on you. Also there’s a burger king and McDonalds! There is lots of Irish bars which are a good laugh.



Overall we had the most fantastic holiday we could have hoped for, everything was fantastic. Id also recommend having a day out to Puerto Rico its beautiful with lots to do and also have a chance to see the dolphins!

Just back from another well...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Jan 2006

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr Ray Lloyd

Comments:

Just back from another well earned rest. We've been coming back to Sandy Beach Hotel for many years now and it's incredible to note that every time we come back, we see the same staff. That says something for this hotel!



The food is always good and there's plenty of it. We had a Junior Suite this time, complete with our own patio area, double sunbed and a small kitchen. Well recommended.



Playa del Ingles doesn't change; it's still loud and brash, but coming back to the comfort and serenity of Sandy Beach Hotel is always welcoming at the end of the night.



Don't expect to see too many English people at this hotel; it's German-owned, so lots of other Europeans. It's not a "Lads" hotel; here they expect you to dress for dinner and no noisy parties after 11pm. My kind of hotel!



The pool area had a major re-fit last year and it looks great; warm too. Which is more than you can say for other GC Hotel pools.



Book direct with the hotel and you get it cheaper than through any agent; go there regularly and you'll get even better deals.

We are all regular travellers to...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

May 2004

Tour Operator:

Booked Direct with Hotel

Submitted By:

Friggett

Comments:

We are all regular travellers to Gran Canaria. We go for the sunshine, the beaches, cheap cigarettes and this first class hotel.



Sandy Beach Hotel is the large hotel on the left-hand side, going down to the beach, by the little Supermarket. It is German-owned so you won’t find it in any British holiday brochures! And because it’s German-owned, you just know that they will give top quality service.



People staying here are mainly German, Dutch and Swedish, with a few French. It is not for your ‘lads’ holidays but more for those of you who like a bit of quality in life. (You are expected to dress for dinner - i.e. no shorts, etc.)

We pay around £80 per night for a double room, which includes breakfast and dinner! (That’s £40 each!)



Breakfast can be a full-blown English or a straightforward continental. It’s buffet style, so help yourself! The choice is tremendous; cereals, ham & cheese, bacon & eggs, omelettes, sausages, potatoes, pastries, toast, etc. And you can eat as much as you like.



Dinner is even better. Normally a choice of 3/4 meats on the carvery, 2 fish dishes, soups, themed dishes every night, potatoes, chips, salad, cold meats and a selection of desserts to make your mouth water. The staff are great. This is a four star hotel but the staff are always willing to chat and have a laugh with you.



The pools are heated unlike many other GC hotels, there is a pool bar and nightly cabaret entertainment. The beach is just 250 yards down the road, the shops 300 yards up the road.

The Yumbo Centre is the largest of the shopping centres; great for sitting in a bar and watching the antics of the g-ay community having fun. The shops here are pretty tacky. Stay away from most the camera/video shops, jewellers and leather shops, they are all rip-off merchants. You can always tell the rip-offs, they will haggle over the price. You’ll think you have a bargain – and when you get home, you’ll find it wasn’t!



Maiseys, in the Yumbo Centre is probably the best clothes shop; they also have a branch in Maspalomas, along the Faro Boulevard, which is a great place for shopping. If the photo equipment tempts you, best place is Visanta. They have fixed prices, no haggling, but do ensure that you are getting all the extras.



Most other shopping centres in Playa del Ingles are to be wary of; the Kasbah is a smaller version of the Yumbo. One place we did like was the CITA Shopping Centre. The clothes shops there were of a better class and some the bars and restaurants had cabaret entertainment, including the famous Yanetta, who is a sight to be seen in the Westfalia Bar. Faro 2 Shopping Centre is not too bad. This has a spiral walkway with shops on one side all the way up. There is a restaurant/bar in the middle of this spiral.



Beware the ticket touts selling Scratch Cards. If you are a couple, you’ll be given one card each – absolutely free of charge. The guy will probably win a small token bottle of wine (maybe) and you’ll thank the seller profusely. Such a shame you didn’t all three cherries/bananas/plums, or whatever else you should have got. Now it’s your partner’s turn to scratch off. Guess what she’ll get? Yes, the big one!!!!

The Star Prize! A fabulous holiday? £600 cash or a video camera! Please, please, please, repeat the following saying ten times, "THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH!"



Playa del Ingles is a lively resort. Now I’m not gay myself (my boyfriend is!) but the gay community (boys & girls) have almost colonised it. In saying that, the Parades and entertainments that happen every May time are brilliant. When we were there last, they had Pride and the International Drag Queen competition - the sights were awesome!

We booked Sandy Beach Hotel direct through the Internet and arranged the flights also on-line ourselves.



If you are looking for guaranteed sunshine within 4 hours of England, then Playa del Ingles is not at all bad. Yes, there are some dirty places, particularly some of the apartments that you get with the UK tour operators. But if you try a first class hotel like Sandy Beach, you’ll love it as much as we do and come back time and again.