IFA Altamarena Hotel
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"Spring break"
We were expecting good service based on previous reviews, but unfortunately our experience was very disappointing. On arrival at 3:45 pm, our room wasn’t ready and we were asked to wait in the bar. We had booked a double room directly with the hotel but were given a twin instead. When we raised this at reception, we were told that no doubles were available and to “take it up with our travel agent” — even though we had booked directly. A staff member later came to the room and tied the beds together with a cable tie, leaving single bedding on top. The food was good, and the location is excellent, but several things fell short of expectations for an all-inclusive hotel. For example, ice cream at the pool bar was chargeable. On our last day, we needed to check out early to catch a bus to the airport. When we requested an early breakfast or even a simple packed breakfast the night before, we were told this would cost an extra €6 per person. Overall, the service did not match the standard we expected, and we will not be returning.
"Very happy, 100% recommended 😄😄"
Year after year, this place continues to be the highlight of our holidays. It never disappoints, offering excellent treatment and quality services that make every stay enjoyable. Highly recommended for those looking to create unforgettable family moments under the sun. ☀️🌊
"Back there never"
We visited in August and, while it’s true that all the staff were extremely friendly and welcoming, the hotel itself left a lot to be desired. The air conditioning did not work, the fire alarm went off at midnight disturbing our sleep, and no apologies were offered for the inconvenience. The property is clearly in need of a very urgent general renovation. Honestly, I would think twice before choosing this hotel for a vacation again. For a Lopesan, it was far below expectations.
"I would not recommend"
We chose this hotel mainly for its location, and in that respect it did not disappoint. It is only 100 meters from the beautiful El Matorral beach, 50 meters from the shopping area, and about 1 km from the old town, which can be reached with a pleasant 15-minute walk along the beach. Unfortunately, this is the only truly positive aspect of the hotel. There are other properties in the same area, such as the Robinson, which we would recommend instead. The negatives, however, were many. Eden Viaggi/Alpitour sells the All Inclusive package at IFA Altamarena, but in reality, it is extremely limited. It only includes water, beer, Pepsi, and wine from dispensers, along with watered-down juices. Anything beyond this comes at an extra cost: bottled water, cocktails, canned beer, or decent wine must all be paid for. The hotel even pushes a so-called “premium all-inclusive” at €36 per day per couple, which adds up quickly over a week, and feels unfair when guests have already paid for an all-inclusive package expecting a complete service. On top of that, the hotel charges extra for almost everything. For example: €1 every time you want to change a towel, €1 to weigh your suitcase before departure, a daily fee to use the in-room safe, and €10 per day to park your car (with nearby street parking nearly impossible to find). The restaurant was another major disappointment and nowhere near 4-star standard. When guests leave, tables are not properly cleaned or disinfected, and used placemats are often left in place. The self-service counters are poorly maintained, and there is no table service whatsoever. Guests must collect everything themselves—napkins, cutlery, plates, and glasses—making it feel more like a motorway cafeteria than a four-star hotel restaurant. We have traveled extensively and stayed in many hotels around the world, but never have we encountered a 4-star property that felt so low in standard.
"Close to the beach and food a 10, the rest must improve it much"
The truth is that the quality of food and the hotel’s proximity to the beach deserve a perfect 10. However, the air conditioning in the rooms was a real disaster, leaving us uncomfortably hot throughout our stay. Showering was also a challenge, as the water fluctuated every few seconds between extremely hot and freezing cold, turning it into an odyssey rather than a relaxing moment. Additionally, the rooms were equipped with only two plugs, which is quite unusual and inconvenient. While some aspects were excellent, the comfort of the rooms clearly needs improvement.
"Improvements needed"
Overall, we had a good holiday here, but I would rate this hotel as closer to a 3-star than a 4-star. There were definitely some highlights. The animation team were fantastic — my son adored them, and they really made his holiday special. The pools were great, and the inflatable slide one afternoon was a big hit with the kids. We never struggled to find sunbeds, and the location is excellent: just a short walk to Jandía’s beautiful beach, with plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. The rooms were clean, the beds comfortable, and there was always hot water available. On the downside, the hotel is looking tired and would benefit from updating. The food was okay but became repetitive, and at busy times tables weren’t cleared quickly and queues formed at the grill. Evening entertainment was hit and miss — while some singers were enjoyable, the venue wasn’t ideal. The biggest issue for us was reception. Check-in was slow and frustrating, especially for a large party, as every guest’s details had to be entered manually into a tablet late at night. We had requested and been assured of two late check-out rooms, but on departure day, only one was honoured. To add to the frustration, our room keys stopped working while we were trying to pack and move luggage. One staff member was particularly rude and unhelpful, and no apology or solution was offered, which left a sour note at the end of our stay. In summary, we had a nice holiday, especially thanks to the animation team and the fantastic location. However, improvements in service, food, and décor are needed before this hotel can truly justify a 4-star rating.
"Pleasant holiday with air up"
The hotel benefits from a fantastic central location, close to the stand and city center, making it very convenient for guests. The rooms are clean, though the hotel clearly shows its age. The staff are friendly and genuinely committed to their work, which creates a welcoming atmosphere. The pool and garden areas are well maintained, clean, and beautifully landscaped, with plenty of loungers available. Entertainment and animation are enjoyable, led by an enthusiastic team of young employees. However, there are areas that could be improved. The variety of drinks included in the All-Inclusive package is limited, and it feels disappointing that cocktails not from the vending machine come with an extra charge. The food is sufficient but falls short of what one would expect from a 4-star hotel, offering only a modest dessert buffet and very few regional dishes. Incorporating more traditional cuisine would greatly enhance the dining experience. Overall, while the hotel has many positives and great potential, it would benefit from renovations and improvements. Once updated, it will certainly remain a solid option for future stays.
"Mixed Experience: Great Location but Room for Improvement"
The hotel has a fantastic location, just a short walk to the beach with shopping options nearby. The staff were always very friendly, and the cleanliness of the rooms was impressive, although the hotel itself shows signs of age, particularly in the corridors. Unfortunately, several aspects made the stay less enjoyable: rooms facing the street lacked proper insulation, and the bar across the road played loud music until the early morning hours. The dining experience was also disappointing, with food often cold, repetitive, and the dining room noisy. Finding a table was a daily challenge unless arriving exactly at opening time. Additional costs were frustrating, such as €5 per sunbed and umbrella at the beach, which added up quickly for families, making the beach less appealing. On the positive side, the pool area was more comfortable, with loungers always available, and pool towels could be rented for a deposit, though towel changes required a small fee. Overall, while the location and staff were excellent, improvements in food quality, noise insulation, and added costs would greatly enhance the experience.
"Will not return"
We have been visiting this hotel for the past 15 years, but sadly this will be our last. The hotel is no longer child-friendly — the only food options for children were pizza and chips, which quickly became repetitive. As a group of 7, we constantly struggled to get a table together in the dining room, which made mealtimes stressful rather than enjoyable. Housekeeping was also very poor: our room was cleaned only once during the entire week, and the balcony was never swept at all. It is such a shame to see the standards drop so drastically after so many years of loyalty. Unfortunately, we will not be returning.
"Great hotel with lovely staff"
From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel so welcome. Alicja went above and beyond to arrange a quiet room for our wedding anniversary, complete with a thoughtful note and chocolates. Pepe, the waiter, always greeted us with a warm smile, while Lorenzo from the animation team kept the poolside activities fun and full of laughter. Our maid ensured our room was spotless every day. The food was varied and excellent, and the drinks were always generous. We would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a relaxing holiday. A heartfelt thank you to all the staff for making our stay unforgettable.
"Met our expectations but needs improvement"
We enjoyed several positive aspects of our stay at this hotel. To start with, it is small, cozy, and very easy to move around in, with clean and well-preserved common areas. The atmosphere was peaceful, making it an ideal place to rest. The hotel seems to attract mainly international and older guests, although from July onwards more families with children started to arrive. The staff were friendly and efficient, but without a doubt the best feature of the hotel is its excellent location—just a few meters from La Scrub beach and about one kilometer from the charming village of Morro Jable. The buffet food was tasty and well-prepared, and overall, our stay gave us exactly what we were looking for: tranquility and relaxation. That said, there are areas that could use improvement. The room was in need of some renovation, with very few power outlets for charging devices, a curtain instead of a screen, and noticeable humidity from the air conditioning. While the buffet was generally good, we found it repetitive, with chicken breasts and pork fillets served five days in a row. Natural juices were missing, replaced instead by drinks from the tap, and at breakfast the serrano ham with tomato felt basic. The included drinks were mostly white-label brands, and cocktails came pre-made from a tap; if you wanted something of higher quality, you had to pay extra. The snacks available were also quite limited. In conclusion, this hotel offered us a pleasant and restful stay, but it would greatly benefit from refreshing its rooms and improving the variety and quality of its food and drinks.
"Too expensive for that type of rooms."
I have no doubt that the room assigned to me was probably one of the least favorable in the hotel. The balcony overlooked an interior corner where some employees chose to smoke, which made the location far from ideal. The carpet in the hallways also appeared quite dirty and in need of attention. That being said, the rest of the hotel, including the common areas, was pleasant, and I believe other room categories may offer a more enjoyable experience. The food, while not very varied, was of good quality and satisfying. One detail that stood out negatively was during one dinner, when the waiters seemed more engaged in their own conversation—speaking loudly between tables—than in attending to guests.
IFA Altamarena Hotel
A boutique hotel in El Cotillo, offering a rooftop pool and a relaxed local vibe near surfing beaches.
Address
Av. del Saladar, 28, 35625 Morro Jable, Las Palmas, Spain
Email
https://www.lopesan.com/es/contacto
Telephone
+34928540430