Reviews of El Faro Apartments, Benidorm, Spain

Out of season Bargin

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2008

Tour Operator:

Global Late Deals

Submitted By:

robertgeorge

Comments:

We stayed for a week in El Faro. Maggie and Paul were both great and the other staff courteous and helpful. We had the apt cleaned twice and it was a nice apt with everything for a self catering stay. Benidorm is a bus ride away but the average person could walk the pleasant seafront path and get to the centre in around 26mins (we timed ourselves). It appears to attract the older visitor and family type, we never saw any boisterous groups but accept that others had a different experience.

Glad to be home!

Overall Rating:

4/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2008

Tour Operator:

Other - Please Specify

Submitted By:

margaretelizabeth

Comments:

The best thing about El Faro was the reception and bar staff. They were always very helpful and attentive. On arrival we were given a room on the second floor with a twin bedroom, cot and two single sofa beds in the living room. With three children age 10, 7 and 3 months, it just wasn't big enough. We asked for a bigger room and were given a two bed apartment on the 18th floor. The size of the apartment was suitable, views nice and we were happy with the way the staff dealt with our concerns. However the apartment itself was still not very good, it was advertised as having a fully equiped kitchen, the utensils looked like something from the 1960's. There was no kettle or microwave. We had to boil water in a pan to make our coffee in the morning. There was also a storm and the windows were not tight, rattling about, we were kept up all night with the shutters banging about, water came in the windows in the terrace. We didn't bother complaining because it was structural problem, nothing the staff could really do about it. The furniture in the apartment was also very old. I didn't sleep for a fortnight, it was the worst and most uncomfortable bed I have ever slept in.

The room wasn't all that clean. The cleaner was supposed to come every three days with clean towels, bed linen and toilet roll. She came on the fourth day and then didn't show up again. Eventually we had to ask reception for clean towels and she came the next morning. We bought toilet roll to avoid running out. The pool area was not kept very clean either and the loungers were often dirty and used ashtrays lay about for a couple of days.

The place was advertised as having a restaurant and entertainment, there was neither. There was nothing to do except play pool or drink at the 24hr bar if thats the kind of thing you like. It was also advertised as being three star, it definately is two star. It is not close to the resort centre at all, it is at the very end of Poniente beach, you have to go by bus or taxi to get to the centre of Benidorm. The bus is a ten minute walk away outside the Gran Hotel Bali. We were ripped off by the taxi drivers a few times because they took longer routes than necessary and one didn't even bother to put on his meter.

The supermarket is also a ten minute walk at the top of a hill. It was generally very expensive to eat out if you want something decent. Eolo and Faluco were top notch but so are the prices. If you ever come accross El Corner in Centro avoid it, it has the worst food and rudest staff you could ever get, expensive too. Another restaurant in the old town beside the castle told us that we could only order pizza off the menu because we were British, the waiter wouldn't let us order Spanish food, we just left.

On a positive note we had a brilliant meal and night out at Benidorm Palace. It seems expensive at first but by the end of the meal and show you will realise it is value for money. The kids also had a brilliant day out at Mundomar, the dolphin park. It costs 13E to have your photo taken with a dolphin, well worth the money. Terra Mitica is also good value for money and suitable for children of all ages, the carnival rides are well maintained and there is plenty of them. We were there for 5 hours until closing time and we still didn't manage to do all the rides. There is also a lovely baby shop in the old town called Marisol.

I wouldn't recommend El Faro to anyone I know. I was glad to get home to my own bed and kitchen!

Arrived 19th september for 1...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs K Hilton

Comments:

Arrived 19th september for 1 week, it was a week from hell, drunken stags and hens everywhere, no restaurant could not even get a cup of tea at the bar.

gangs of young men shouting around the pool.

had to ask for clean towels only to be told that we had not been there long enough to need new towels even though i offered to pay for them.

bed linen never changed during our stay, just sheets straightened.

felt really sorry for the families with young children that would have liked to go into the pool if it had not been full of drunken young men.

would NOT recommend this accomodation unless you want to drink at the bar 24hours a day.

would have liked to rate this propety -5 but don't have that option.

all in all not a property to visit as a family or a respectable couple.

there for 2 weeks in 16th sept...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Select

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mr J Kelly

Comments:

there for 2 weeks in 16th sept 08 had to ask for clean towels and bedding ,nothing for the kids todo and ohh yes fitness center of whitch everyone goes to from benidorm looks onto the pool as the kids are playing , who wants to see men and woman flexing there pecs while kids swim and there is no entertainment attall no play area,but the best has yet to come thursdays to monday there are stag and hen parties it very loud so your kids cant go anywhere near the pool and the bar is opened 24 hrs aday 7 days aweek these apartments are not for famillies , just drunken yobs and ladies who run a complete riot in hallways and down by the poolside and not one of the tour operators tell the customer of theses parties and one last thing if you want a bite inyour room well just forget there no cafe

4 families 15 people (Adults...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs Joan Davies

Comments:

4 families 15 people (Adults & Children, ages from 15months to 62 years) 4 Apartments

Rooms clean. Linen & Towels changed twice a week. Mop & bucket Brush & pan available in room if needed before cleaners came. Pool cleaned daily. Staff great.We had a broken drawer & bed in our apartment when we arrived but within the hour they were mended. Staff great extremely helpful. Beach 2 minutes walk from El Faro. Shops, Supermarkets,Chemist Cafes. etc close by.Try the Beer Academy just up the road for good English food at reasonable prices. If you walk on the beach between 12 & 4 keep your shoes on as the sand is HOT. Water lovely & warm.

Transport to New Benidorm close by. Had a great time would go back to El Faro tomorrow if it was possible

Nice quiet base. Apartments...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs S Cutts

Comments:

Nice quiet base. Apartments suitable for two weeks holiday, but balconies vary in size. We were on the 13th floor and had a fantastic view.

Maid service was twice a week which was more than we anticipated with the reviews we had read. The kids loved it as the pool was the ideal base during the day, although the beach is only across the road this is the first time we have spent the majority of the time round the pool. All the staff were friendly. If you want to book any tickets to the theme parks ask at the reception as we got a great deal for Terra Metica at only 26 euros instead of the gate price of 35 euros, you can either catch the 41 bus at the restaurant falcoln just 200 yards away or even ask reception to book a taxi for you. Dont forget the bus is the same price whatever your distance so at 1euro 20 its not bad. You can catch the bus 41 on the sea front to the old town and then easily a taxi from the port side on your return for approx 6euros.

If you turn left at the bottom of the driveway you will find a small spanish supermarket about 100 metres away and if you turn right approx 50 meters is a paper shop. There are various restaurants in the vacinity and just over to the left hand side of the beach, a small walk away is another bay Cala de Finestrat which has a selection of shops and restaurants.

These apartments are a really nice place for those who want a little bit of everthing out of Benidorm. It has a nice relaxed atmosphere and the noise level is just about non existant. Fantastic place for family holiday.

The only downside what no airconditioning. But, heh, se la vie.

was well pleased with el faro...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Airtours

Submitted By:

Mr W Thompson

Comments:

was well pleased with el faro for the price we paid was well worth it nice beach,local pubs bus ride from old or new town most we paid for a taxi back was £7 that was 4 am would go back again pool nice room ok sheets changed twice a week ok pressure on shower was high we were on the 3rd floor cant fault it for the price

APARTMENTS CLEAN HOWEVER VERY...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Miss C Mclean

Comments:

APARTMENTS CLEAN HOWEVER VERY BASIC. ALL ROOMS HAVE TWIN BEDS AND WE ASKED FOR DOUBLE BED, HOWEVER MAGGIE SAID ONLY TWINS BEDS AND PUSH THEM TOGETHER. BEDS WERE DIFFERENT HIGHTS SO THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE. BEDS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND PILLOWS MADE OF COTTON BUDS INSIDE? APARTMENTS A BIT FAR FROM ANYTHING LIVELY. THE BARMAN MADE THE HOLIDAY AS WE ARRIVED LATE AND FOUND NO WHERE OPEN AND HE NADE US A PIZZA.

as a family we have stayed at el...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

May 2005

Tour Operator:

booked direct

Submitted By:

Mr B JONES

Comments:

as a family we have stayed at el faro so many times since 1997 and ever year up to 2006 and we couldent fly due to my husbands ill health, some holidays we stayed 5 weeks and loved ever minute of it Maggie,George and Gabriell were fantastic with us alwys our grandchildren Gemma and Daniel loves every thing about the el faro and of course Maggie and George as always were working hard but always made time to make sure we were ok we have nothing but good words to say except we miss you all very much and hope brian will be well enough to fly this year as we need aholiday and cant think of anywhere i would thather be than in the best place in Benidorm hope to see you all soon all our love to you all BRIAN,ANNE,GARY,LYN,GEMMA,BETH AND DANIEL JONES X

The general mood of staff within...

Overall Rating:

3/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2007

Tour Operator:

Aspro

Submitted By:

Miss K German

Comments:

The general mood of staff within this establishment was unfortunately impolite and rather rude at times.



I was dismayed to discover that there was glass in the children’s section of the pool, and after being told that it had been removed by a pool cleaner I felt lied to, as the pool was still dirty.



Our sheets or curtains (we could not work out what they were) were changed once during are 2 week stay and our room remained unclean and there was no toilet roll provided. Unless we asked for it, but had rude remarks made by Maggie.



Being a group of 17-18 year olds we were accused of being loud and unpleasant, I feel that this was unfair.



Overall I feel that the accommodation was poor and the staff needed to be a bit more polite and cheery as it would have made our stay more comfortable.



However there were plus points, the beach was gorgeous, and the staff at Beer Academy were always well mannered and the food was great!



Club life in Benidorm was amazing!

14 of us went to stay at the El...

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2007

Tour Operator:

aspro

Submitted By:

Miss J Toms

Comments:

14 of us went to stay at the El Faro this year. To be honest the accommodation wasn’t great. We had to ask for toilet roll several times, cleans towels or bedding wasn’t provided. From previously read reviews, everyone says Maggie was nice and welcoming. We found her rude, ignorant, and generally unhelpful. She wouldn’t give us a fan on the hottest nights, and even when she did we had to pay for them. The pool area is open to anyone during the day so advisable to keep personally belongings locked in the nonexistent safe.



On a positive side, the beach is close by, but the town night life isn’t. You will have to catch a bus or taxi to get to anywhere decent.



There is the beer academy up the road, which was a refreshing change as the people there were lovely and catered to our needs. We would go back their just to see them, and did good cheap food.



The town itself is a good night out but would advise to any groups of youngsters going to Benidorm to stay away from the El Faro, as they don’t seem to like anyone under the age of 30.



Enjoy!

Cleaning left a lot to be...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2007

Tour Operator:

MyTravel

Submitted By:

Mrs L Cannell

Comments:

Cleaning left a lot to be desired had to complain so that the maid came and changed sheets, the apartment was not mopped our entire stay. Broken sun beds by the pool. Lifts not working, fire alarms not working. The food on offer was of very poor quality and seemed to take an age to be prepared. Would not stay in these apartments again. Rep for my travel an absolute waste of time.



The beach was excellent and the people at Ginger nuts and The Sports Bar went out of their way to make you feel comfortable.



Short bus ride to the old town costing 1 euro.

Recently come back from El Faro...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr MAR Richards

Comments:

Recently come back from El Faro on a boys holiday. It was absolutely fab Vincent and Justine were amazing. Whilst people only ever seem to mention Maggie, we met her on one occasion I think people are really over rating her.



Anyway on a more positive couldn't of wished for more. The only thing I will say which has nothing to do with the hotel is never go with company for longer than a week by the end of it you'll wanna throttle one another. I'll also add for anyone who's coming here is in for one hell of a treat as Justine is bloody gorgeous definitely the best looking bird in Benidorm .... adios amigo's Miles, math, Sam and Mike

The apartments were clean and...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2007

Tour Operator:

Airtours

Submitted By:

Miss K Robinson

Comments:

The apartments were clean and nice. Swimming pool area was kept clean and pool was lovely.



Maggie was a gem went out of her way to make use feel welcome and any problem was not to much.



The down side of this (yes there’s a but), we only got two changes of sheets and one was the day we were leaving and same with towels.



As well as that the entertainment was rather thin, there was karaoke two nights a week which was good fun but not many people there.



But I think the hotel was ok and the staff were brill and yes I would go back there.



Ps did not see man with monkey.

Had a great holiday at the E...

Overall Rating:

4/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

May 2007

Tour Operator:

MyTravel

Submitted By:

Mrs A Meacock

Comments:

Had a great holiday at the E Faro apartments. They are next to a great beach.



Would only give them a 2 star rating because we only needed a base to stay at and we didn’t think they would be up to much but they were ok.



The bar and reception are open 24 hours a day. The staff were nice and worked hard. The pool was nice and clean.



Plenty of English & Spanish small bars in the surrounding area, which made good food. The ginger nuts, Beer academy, the time and place open 10am to 10 pm.





The downside to the El Faro apartments are if you are looking for a quiet week away you will not get this, at the weekends has the stag and hen groups arrive and get very drunk and loud in the middle of the night.