Iberostar Playa Gaviotas
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"4 stars only in the sky 😂"
I stayed at this resort from August 6th to 20th with family and friends, giving me two full weeks to evaluate the property and its services. The only true highlight is its location — right on a calm stretch of coast with beautiful sea views and wide beaches easily accessible from the resort within minutes. The common areas are fairly clean and give the appearance of a four-star hotel, but unfortunately, that’s where the positives end. We stayed in double ocean-view rooms, and the reality was shocking for a supposed four-star: old, poorly maintained rooms with damp walls, dated bathtubs, worn furniture, and an overall sense of neglect. The bed itself was reasonably comfortable, but the stay quickly turned into a nightmare. Cleanliness was nearly nonexistent, with clumps of hair left in the bathroom corners and foul sewer smells rising from the sink. There were no basic amenities such as bottled water on arrival, a kettle, or even a coffee machine. The all-inclusive package was convenient but heavily tailored to German guests, with overly spicy food and unappealing drinks made from low-quality branded spirits that we avoided. To make matters worse, cockroaches freely wandered through the room at night, forcing us to improvise solutions to block gaps under the skirting boards. Paying €8,200 for this experience was nothing short of outrageous. After last year’s stay at the five-star palace next door (sadly closed for renovations), this resort was a huge disappointment. I will never return — adiós.
"Great we will come back"
The hotel’s hillside location offers direct access to a long stretch of sandy beach, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing getaway. Our room was comfortable, though the bathroom could benefit from a renovation. A special mention goes to Irene, the cleaning lady, who always ensured our room was spotless. The food was another highlight, with a wide selection of dishes that were both fresh and delicious. Throughout our stay, the entire staff was exceptionally friendly and helpful, which made the experience even more enjoyable. In the evenings, we joined the entertainment, whether in the theatre or on the terrace, and found it to be excellent every time. Overall, this hotel provides a wonderful stay, and we can definitely recommend it to others.
"A great Family Hotel"
We arrived as a group of nine adults and two children (aged 6 and 8) and overall had a really enjoyable 9-night stay at this hotel. Our private transfer from the airport took about an hour, and from the start, things ran smoothly. The food was one of the highlights. The buffet restaurant offered a fantastic breakfast with plenty of choice, and Bruno made the best omelettes! Lunch and dinner also had a wide variety, including fish and shell-on prawns. We especially appreciated the branded drinks and were pleasantly surprised when Moët & Chandon champagne and Prosecco were brought around on a couple of evenings. On some days, we had lunch at the Oasis Bar by the pool, which was ideal. We tried the tapas bar one evening, but it wasn’t really to our taste. We also enjoyed the Coronas Bar overlooking the pools—it has a lovely setting, although the drinks were a little disappointing as they often tasted flat. Perhaps tonic and other mixers would be better served in small bottles. Poolside ice creams on a few occasions were a nice touch too. The beach is beautiful, reached by about a 5-minute walk down four flights of stairs. A lift would definitely make it more accessible. During our stay, it was quite windy and the sea was rough, but still very scenic. The entertainment team was very friendly and worked hard. We particularly enjoyed an amazing magic show, though the scheduling could be clearer. The hotel app didn’t always match the display boards, which caused some confusion—for example, the magic show was listed as an acrobatics show. This is something that could be improved. Our bedrooms were light, airy, and spacious, with good balconies and daily cleaning. Beds were comfortable, and the air conditioning was fine. The bathroom setup could use updating—stepping into the bath to shower felt risky, so I requested a bath mat. Showers instead of shower-over-bath would be much safer. The towels in the room were disappointing: thin, grey, and poor quality, whereas the pool towels (deposit of €30 each) were perfectly fine. Toiletries in the room were a nice bonus. Overall, we had a really lovely holiday here. With a few small improvements—better towels, clearer activity schedules, and updated bathrooms—this could easily be a near-perfect stay.
"No warning of building work. An no compensation as promised yet"
This was our first time booking with Jet2 Holidays and staying at an Iberostar hotel. Initially, everything went smoothly, but by the third day our experience took a turn when unannounced building work began at the sister Iberostar hotel next door. From that point onward, we were subjected to the constant noise of jackhammers and heavy machinery, which significantly disrupted the rest of our holiday. We raised the issue with the Jet2 representative, and a formal complaint was filed. The following day, we were assured that we would receive a £540 compensation voucher, which was agreed upon and signed by all parties. However, it has now been two weeks since we returned home to the UK, and we have still received nothing, nor have we had any follow-up communication. Jet2, you cannot change the fact that our holiday was spoiled, but you can at least honor your commitment and give us a reason to consider booking with you again. Otherwise, we may return to using TUI, as we have trusted them for over 45 years. I will provide an update once this matter has been resolved.
"The staff are the heroes"
All in all, this was an amazing holiday made even better by the incredible staff, who were friendly, helpful, and always welcoming with a smile. Traveling with friends added to the fun, and the food was truly outstanding, with an impressive variety that catered exceptionally well to our coeliac daughter. The hotel itself was spotless, with fresh towels and linens provided daily, leaving little to fault in terms of cleanliness. Unfortunately, our experience was dampened by issues with the air conditioning, which was never properly addressed during our entire stay. I became quite unwell from the grime in the system, yet the management team showed little concern, even as I struggled with my breathing and fever. Despite being Star Prestige guests who paid a premium, all that was offered was an upgrade for a future stay—which we won’t be taking, though not because of the hotel or its wonderful staff. It’s disappointing to leave feeling so unwell, but despite this setback, I would still recommend this hotel, as the staff and the overall experience made it a memorable trip.
"Fab Location but take some ear defenders!"
We returned to this hotel and booked the Star Prestige package again this year, hoping to relive the fantastic, relaxing holiday we had last year. To start with the positives—the staff are truly wonderful, with the maids keeping the rooms spotless and the animation team working tirelessly. Special mention to Mateo for his endless energy and bright smile. The food was excellent as always, offering a wide variety that caters to every taste, and the Star Prestige area was well-stocked throughout the day with international drinks and snacks. Unfortunately, all of this was overshadowed by the constant building work at the sister hotel next door. For twelve hours a day we endured hammering, pneumatic drills, reversing vehicles beeping, and clouds of dust. The noise was especially intrusive in the Star Prestige areas, in the rooms, and even carried onto the beach, completely shattering the peaceful atmosphere we had loved the year before. What made matters worse was the hotel’s response—they claimed it was unrelated to them, despite it clearly coming from another Iberostar property. There wasn’t even an apology or acknowledgment of the disruption, which felt dismissive and unprofessional. On top of this, the Star Prestige desk in reception was never staffed, leaving us with no real support. Sadly, what should have been another wonderful stay turned into a huge disappointment this year.
"Wonderful holiday with some room for improvement!"
Returned from this holiday today and overall, we had a wonderful stay with many highlights. Although we chose not to upgrade to Star Prestige, we were delighted with our spacious third-floor room, which opened onto a lovely, secluded garden area—perfect for peaceful sunbathing and reading. The beach access was excellent, and the beach itself was a real “wow,” with soft sand and plenty of space for long walks. Around the pool, we were pleasantly surprised to find that sunbeds were always available, even later in the day, which made things much more relaxing. The hotel was clean throughout, with sheets and towels changed whenever needed, and the restaurant offered a great variety of dishes and wines each day. The staff were another highlight—always hardworking, friendly, and especially attentive at the Coronas Bar. There were, however, a few negatives that detracted from the experience. Firstly, there was no segregation for smoking, which meant the stunning views from the Coronas Bar were often spoiled by constant smoke drifting around. Coming from the UK, where smoking in social areas is no longer permitted, this was hard to get used to. Secondly, the restaurant dress code was not enforced at all—sportswear, flip-flops, and very casual clothing were common, which felt disappointing compared to previous Iberostar stays where standards were upheld. Lastly, the cocktails were a letdown. Most were premixed, watery, and lacking in flavour, with only mojitos made to order—but even those relied on syrup rather than fresh ingredients. Despite these issues, we still had a wonderful holiday overall, thanks to the excellent location, cleanliness, and the hardworking, welcoming staff.
"Ongoing building work"
Our experience was negatively impacted by the ongoing building work at the neighboring Iberostar hotel, directly above the Star Prestige sun lounge area. Unfortunately, this was not disclosed before our trip. Contrary to what Jet2 claims—that the work is finished—we had to endure the constant noise of jackhammers, JCBs, and the accompanying dust on a daily basis. It was very disappointing, and we believe future guests should be made aware of this situation before making a reservation. Very poor overall.
"Disappointed"
We travelled with Jet2 and paid extra for a Star Prestige room, but unfortunately it fell short of expectations. The room felt tired, with chipped furniture, peeling bathroom walls, and uncomfortably hard beds. The hotel caters mainly to German visitors, and very few staff, including those at reception, spoke English. Promised amenities were lacking, with no pillow menu, no sun loungers on our balcony, and no Balinese beds by the pool. Dining was also disappointing, as the only buffet restaurant was far too small for the size of the hotel, leading to cold food and a crowded experience. The location wasn’t ideal either, as the hotel isn’t directly on the beach but accessed via a steep pathway, and there is little to explore nearby. Evening entertainment left much to be desired, with limited shows mainly aimed at children, no entertainment at all on Friday in the main bar, and smoking allowed throughout, which often drifted into our room as early as 5am. The positives were that the hotel was spotlessly clean and all the staff we encountered were genuinely lovely, but overall it did not live up to the standard we expected.
"Great family beach hotel, exceptional animation and a mini-flaw at reception"
This fantastic complex is set right on a beautiful sandy beach, offering the perfect setting for a relaxing getaway. The room may not be brand new, but it was very clean and freshly repainted, ensuring a comfortable stay. The animation team was outstanding—funny, friendly, and engaging in the most pleasant way. The Kids Club deserves special praise for its exceptionally well-organized activities that children truly enjoy. Dining was another highlight, with the restaurant always spotless, serving fresh, delicious meals with an impressive variety, and staffed by polite, attentive people. The Coronas Bar stands out as a true gem, boasting stunning views that make every visit memorable. The only area that could improve is the reception, where the staff sometimes seemed dismissive at first, though persistence usually brought helpful answers. This minor issue is easily overshadowed by the warmth and professionalism of the rest of the team, making the overall experience highly enjoyable.
"Satisfied :-)"
We had a wonderful stay at the hotel overall. The food was excellent – always fresh, varied, and full of flavor. The staff were consistently friendly, attentive, and very helpful, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The only real downside for us was the smoking throughout the hotel grounds. Unfortunately, even in areas where it was not permitted, smoking was common and not really monitored. As non-smokers traveling with a ten-month-old baby, it was uncomfortable not having a truly smoke-free space to relax – whether outside or near the main common areas. That being said, if smoke-free zones are not a priority for you, this hotel offers great service, delicious food, and the chance for a lovely holiday experience.
"Windy hotel"
This is a large hotel located a fair distance from the town, set on a protruding headland. While the location offers beautiful views, the northern winds, which can reach 20–60 km/h, make staying by the pool almost impossible and certainly unpleasant during such conditions. The food is varied and generally good, with a wide selection of cold drinks and alcoholic beverages included in the all-inclusive package. However, many rooms are in need of renovation, especially the so-called “prestige” rooms, which are the most expensive yet feel outdated. Bed linen and towels are not changed throughout the stay, which is unacceptable, and the Wi-Fi connection in the rooms is weak and often drops. Room cleaning also varies depending on the staff, with only one out of the three cleaners I encountered doing a thorough job. The hotel makes an effort to provide entertainment programs for both adults and children, but many activities remain unused due to the strong winds by the pool area. Overall, this hotel can be recommended, but with caution. Guests should carefully check the weather before booking, as the exposed location makes it unsuitable for windy conditions, and nobody wants to spend their holiday confined indoors.
Iberostar Playa Gaviotas
Beachfront all-inclusive resort with pools, spa, and a variety of restaurants and bars.
Address
Pje. Playas, 2, 35625, Las Palmas, Spain
Email
https://www.iberostar.com/eu/contact-us/
Telephone
+34928166197