Canaima Apartments

8 readers found this review helpful

Me and my partner stayed at the canaima apartments during october for 2 weeks and were very satisfied with the accomodation for the price that we paid for it. The rooms were clean and included everything that we needed for the fortnight. The maids came 5 days a week and changed the towels most days and the bed linen every monday. The staff were friendly although some could not speak english. If you are not a fan of cats then i would not recommend this place however we enjoyed their company and found them very friendly. The apartments are very central, 10-15 minute walk to Puerto rico's beach and a 5 minute climb down 300 odd steps to the shopping centre! Can't comment on the pool as we went to the beach everyday! the weather was amazing and the food was cheap but found alcohol very pricey. Overall we very much enjoyed our stay and would return to the canaima apartments again if in need of a cheap and cheerful holiday :)

6 readers found this review helpful

We stayed in these apartments for 2 weeks, just returned 26th october. They were basic but clean. staff were friendly. The first week was quite but on the saturday there was 2 young girls in the apartment above us. The 1st night they went out and returned at about 4:45 am and made a terrible noise. One of the girls she was realy loud they were from scotland. She was swearing and the noise of the heels on the tiled floor sounded like a herd of elephants. I had a word with reception and they said they would have a word. The monday night was just as bad and the guy who worked reception over night (he was very nice guy) went and knocked and asked them to be quite this was about 3:30 am. The noise continued and he went and knocked again. this time success. I asked him when they next went out to ask them when they returned to be quite. This was a bit better after that. On last day we asked if we could keep the room on or if there was a courtsey room. We were told they were very busy, but there was a shower we could use. This was like a cave and it was very dirty, I refused to use it. Other wise place good.
Be prepared to either walk up and down 307 steps down to shopping centre or walk down the path which is hilly. We got taxi's back up at night time. Reocomend Balcon Canary Restuarant and Minanna Restaurant it is Geordie owner very nice and reasonable prices. M&M's for drinks just over a euro for a bottle of lager or strongnow compared to 3.50 euro at apartment. Hope this is helpful.

3 readers found this review helpful

My wife and myself went to these apartments for the first time and found them great you get what you pay for and it was worth the money. As for eating out we went to the san miguel there food is out of this world and very cheap it was big plates and you foung it hard to eat it all. If you are going just say chers party sent you and they go out there way for you always.If your looking for a drink you have to go to the M&M bar cheapest in Puerto Rico. Also a must is the drag show great laugh on for a couple of hours so they say we went and it was on for about 3 hours. Pool is good and so is the staff. We have booked up for next september 2010 for 2 weeks. We found the taxis were cheap but take the transfers from the airport much better and cheaper. As i am a big celtic fan there is the hoops bar loads of big tvs and all the celtic games live and others good staff nice and friendly and table service if you want it.Good beach and take the boat on a friday to the market 10 euros each a taxi will cost you alot more. There is a water park just down the road 5 mins walk great fun but is 45 euros for 2 people.

4 readers found this review helpful

We found the canaima apartments to be very quiet on our first week but got busier as the holiday went on. They were very clean and maids were in every day with fresh towels.The reception was open 24 hours with security which we found very good.They also kept the mini market open all night which we used frequently.The pool was clean with a childs pool at the side.The pool side bar was open 9 til 4 every day but on our 3rd week it was open til 10pm which was better.We found all the staff to be very friendly and helpful and would recommend anyone to visit.It was quite central and not too far up the hill we tended to walk down the steps to the centre but get a taxi back which was 3 euros.The views from the apartments was beautiful and we would certainly be going back to puerto rico and would pay the canaima apartments a visit.

1 reader found this review helpful

I was very disappointed with the standard of accomodation at this resort. I understand that it was not very expensive but I felt that the owners made very little effort with the accomodation. Our flight was delayed and we arrived at the resort at about 3am, very tired. We were given a key for our apartment and pointed in the direction we should take to find it. We were left to struggle up the stairs with two heavy cases to find our own way. The cooking facilities left a lot to be desired, one hotplate, a toaster, a kettle and a fridge freezer. The bathroom was very dismall and shabby with a lot of the paint on the ceiling flaking off. The maid didn't come in to our apartment if we were there, but did leave clean towels outside for us most days. She was only there two or three times in the whole week. On one of those occasions i had straightened up my bed, so it was left like that although she did make my son's bed, which he had left in a mess. There was no entertainment at all except when Barcelona & Real Madrid were playing football, then posters were put up to advertise it being shown in the bar. We were to be picked up at 7.45pm to go to the airport and the owner said we could stay in our room until then - FOR 20 EUROS!!! I would advise anyone going there to try to change their apartments.

4 readers found this review helpful

Just got back from a week at Canaima Apartments, last week of March 2009 with my girlfriend. We got a good deal, £175 each (Teletextholidays.com) for seven nights, flights, self catering apartment and taxes etc. We didn't opt for transfers, chose to hire a car instead, £80.00 for the week, (Holiday Autos) Flights were with Easyjet, no problems, or delays, afternoon flight going out, evening coming back, 'New' planes, no frills, can't complain, flight times to Gran Canaria Las Palmas 4 hours. (Seats on allocation, get on plane early!) Arrived at Las Palmas, good airport, transfer from airport to Orlando Hire Cars 10 mins in Shuttle Bus. Car good, VW Polo, no stereo though, no air-con and seats 'flammable', another story... From Las Palmas to Puerto Rico about 40 min drive, on the opposite end of the island. Arrived in the evening at Canaima, it's up a winding road on the left from the beach. Staff/night security friendly, didn't speak English but I speak a little Spanish. Apartment was clean, spacious, but basic, no air-con, not 'aired' a bit stuffy - you have to feed the TV Euros for it to work, basic two ring hob no oven, toaster and kettle, cutlery and plates etc, loads of hot water, great shower – but that's it. View was of the opposite side of Puerto Rico, no sea view. Next morning woken up 10am sharp by maid saying 'Hola!' this happened every morning, she gave a quick clean of the apartment, but didn't get any new towels or sheets all week! First morning glorious sunshine on our balcony, we went to the pool area, and the bar restaurant, oversees the pool. Pool clean, but cold, loads of sunbeds, parasols for shade etc. bar staff very friendly, breakfast 4.50 euros for full English, OK food. (Happy hour from 4pm to 6pm, buy one get one free on drinks) View of the sea (just) from the bar. After breakfast, got a paper from reception, 2 Euros, only 3 papers for sale each day, get there early! - Miguel is a bit of a Victor Mildrew, doesn't smile much, but otherwise OK, he speaks good English and is the reception manager, wife works in laundry area/doesn't speak English – Also have internet at reception if you ask nicely, There are LOADS of cats here, also some terrapins/turtles in their small pond, overall, happy with the apartments. Walked into town 306 – yes, 306 steps down into town via several paths, takes 5 to 10 mins, the town centre is in the middle of the apartments 'valley', it's a bit like a 3 story Spanish Croydon, clean, but chavvy, lots of lights, looky-lookies from Africa selling watches and sunglasses, lots of neon lights, cheap restaurants with the obligatory photo's of meals for the social underclass to point at who cannot read in either language I guess, but there are some decent places to eat if you look for them, the Thai Buffet at the far end on the left upstairs was good, 5.99 Euros, eat as much as you want, nice tablecloths, very clean, fresh food, piping hot, loads of it, friendly staff – recommend. Then went to the beach, it's a fairly long walk from town, about 10 to 15 mins walking distance from the town centre, the beach is small compared to the size of the town, but this time of year not busy, full of sunbeds, calm sea because of the breakwater and curved bay, but freezing cold sea, very clean beach, not smelly, etc. a few restaurants around the beach but not many, we ate once at one of them, LOVELY fresh fish, very yum (everything comes with Canarian Salted Potatoes with Mojo Sauce, got sick of them by the end of the week) We also drove around lots all week, visited most of the southern resorts, best was Mogan, to the West, basically follow the road clockwise until it runs out – hey-presto, 'Mogan'!!! It appears to be an old fishing village but with new architecture but done in a sympathetic Mediterranean style, excellent restaurants and shops, beautiful marina and yachts to dream about... worth the short 20 minute drive. We also ventured in-land to the middle of the island to view the dam and lakes, the dam was impressive, but like the J Edgar Hoover Dam, only no water behind it, just a muddy puddle – didn't find any proper lakes (don't think they have any) We also ate at Fernando's by the dam, lovely rack of ribs and – you guessed it, Mojo potatoes and a lovely crisp salad, cold beer, yummy, best meal of the hols – yummy and cheap at 4.99 Euros each, so much meat, felt sick afterwards. Overall, great weather, cold water, the clouds disperse within minutes of clouding over – which can occur suddenly without warning, we never saw any authentic whitewashed Mediterranean houses or cobbled streets – all appears modern post 70's construction everywhere – A warning though, after spending an English winter in the UK, don't slap on sun tanning excelerant with a zero protection factor and lay in the sun all day on your first day like my girlfriend did, she shed her skin the next week, got very burnt! (On average, eating out, in a semi-decent restaurant for two, mains and dessert, with a couple of drinks about 40.00 Euros) Puerto Rico is cheap and cheerful, no yobs, but loads of old people (bit like the set of 'Cocoon') Natives are friendly, a little pushy when walking past the restaurants, learn to say 'No gracias, no a hora, no tengo hambre' – No thanks, not now, not hungry etc.... night-life seems low key, not noisy, we didn't bother with the late bars but there are a few – there are also a few supermarkets but pricey – eat out, it's cheaper! The resort is not good if you don't like steps and walking, and we were so glad to have our own car – came in handy lots! Overall, Gran Canaria is like a holiday on the moon, very, very, rocky, not much growing there, not much greenery.... but sunny.

Just returned from 1 week in these apartments and frankly not what I would expect from a Thomson Hotel. the one and only lift was from street to reception - and I would not have got into it anyway -was ancient and dirty. then it was up 3 flights of stairs carrying luggage.
Very...very basic ,sheets on bed were dingy and mine had holes in it. Sofa was well worn and a bit stained. had to buy air freshener before 1st day was out.
I had Never had to pay coins in meter to watch TV before and thought was a bit much for only one english channel. Cats on every conceivable walkspace - we had to ask maid to clean up stairs with cat-poo on.
maids were very regular however, and did change sheets when asked to. Towels changed 3 times during week - tho a bit thin in places. Whole place could do with a complete makeover. kitchen had seen better days as well
would not go back, or recommend

1 reader found this review helpful

Could not fault the apartments at all. Basic but very clean, maids in every other day, staff very friendly and helpful. Views from balconys were fantastic............would definitley book same place for next year.

My husband and I just arrived back Sunday 6th September. Couldn't fault anything. The flights were on time the staff were very friendly and the meals were very tasty.
The apartment although basic was spotless. The maids were in 5 days a week and changed our towels daily and sheets twice. The bar at the pool was reasonably priced and you got plenty on your plate. We spoke to several couples over the fortnight who also flew with Globespan and we all agreed that it was great value for money. I would definately go back.
It is a bit of a hike back up from the centre but taxis cost less than three euros and the exercise is good for you. It's well worth it with the view we got from our apartment. There are a lot of cats but if you ignore them they don't bother you. I am a cat lover so I didn't mind them at all.
Great holiday.

2 readers found this review helpful

Just arrived back from the Canaima Apartments yesterday. Yes, these apartments are basic but they are very clean and the maids do come every other day to change towels and clean. The view from the higher apartments is fantastic. The pool is adequate and kept my 12 year old son entertained every day. Round the pool are sun beds and mattresses can be hired for a euro from the bar area. Although bear in mind the “Brits Abroad” type that leave their beach towels on all day and all night for a week just so they can bag a bed!! The Canaima also has a little shop for essentials, i.e. water, water and more water! These apartments are about half way up the hillside and the steps to the shopping centre (387 of them) are fine going down but a killer coming up, get a taxi back only 3 Euros.
The actual resort of Puerto Rico is OK but be prepared to be hassled everywhere you go by staff trying to get you to go into their bar, restaurant and even their shops!! Really hard to ignore them but in the end you have to, no matter how polite a person you are. Most of these people are OK but two particular men are extremely rude, the Cockney guy outside ‘Bar Restaurant Mephisto’ decided to shout “Whatever!” at us when we had just told him we were having a browse around as it was our first night, how pleasant. Secondly, the man outside Steak House Albatros swore at us because we didn’t go in his place and went in next door, all I can say is stay well clear of places with nasty PA’s.
But on a more positive note, two great little family bars with fab entertainment are tucked away at the very back of the shopping centre are Shooters and Oasis Cocktail Bar. Both really good on price of drinks and the price stayed the same for the same round all night unlike some of the other bars (Dicey Reilly’s & Piccadilly Bar). There is an entertainer called Taz who entertains both bars and is great and remembers there are kids present! He does quizzes, bingo, daft games, all with fab prizes and more importantly allows everyone to have a laugh.
Saturday night there is a comedian on in La Fiesta who is one of funniest men ever!! Definitely worth a trip in. Also a fabulous night and excellent band on in Scruffy Murphy’s which we only discovered on our last night, mores’ the pity.
Particular nice meals were in: Volare Italian (at the harbour), San Miguel, Mau Mau, Los Geranios., Si Senor Chinese.