Steven V
The hotel itself is excellent - the staff are kind, welcoming, and attentive. I felt genuinely well received during my entire stay.
I stayed for one full week, and overall my experience was positive - which is why, under different circumstances, I would have gladly given this hotel 4 stars.
However, I need to speak up about something important. One evening, a so-called “African” show was presented to guests. As a French guest - and more importantly, as a Black man - I found it deeply uncomfortable and offensive.
I took the time to calmly express my concerns to the front desk, and the person I spoke with was understanding and promised to pass along my message to the entertainment manager. But I never received any kind of response. No follow-up, no acknowledgment.
That silence is what disappoints me most — not just the show itself, but the lack of recognition that my discomfort mattered. As a result, I feel invisibilized as a guest.
That’s why I am choosing to give this hotel 2 stars, not out of anger, but out of principle. Because if someone stays for a week, raises a serious issue respectfully, and receives no answer, then something is fundamentally wrong.
Here's what I tried to express:
What I saw on stage was not a celebration of African culture. I was told it was “Kenyan,” but there was no Kenyan flag, no traditional music, no cultural references. What we saw were Black men, shirtless, performing exaggerated and primitive movements, to a soundtrack that sounded more like a cartoon version of “wild Africa.”
To me, this was not entertainment — it was a racist colonial fantasy brought to life. It played into harmful stereotypes: the happy, simple-minded, physically strong Black man, always smiling, always there to entertain white tourists.
In France, a show like this would not be acceptable. It evokes painful memories of colonial exhibitions - when Black people were put on display in human zoos to satisfy Western curiosity and reinforce ideas of exoticism.
Africa is a vast, rich continent with over 50 countries, each with unique languages, traditions, and artistic expressions. What I saw had absolutely nothing to do with any of that.
I may have been the only French guest — maybe even the only Black guest - in that hotel, but I am still a paying customer like everyone else. And that night, I felt like I had been transported back to the 1930s.
I’m not saying this to accuse anyone personally. I truly believe you can do better. There are ways to highlight African talent and culture with pride, authenticity, and dignity - instead of reinforcing outdated, harmful stereotypes for the sake of tourist amusement.
And in fact, this was clearly proven during the same show: some of the best parts featured the same performers in modern sportswear, doing impressive acrobatic work with no artificial “tribal” music or imagery. Those acts stood on their own merit. Which only confirms that the added “African” theme was not about art - it was about spectacle, and it didn’t belong.
I didn’t speak out because I wanted attention. I spoke out because staying silent would have felt like complicity.
You may choose to keep running this show - but after what I said, you can no longer claim you didn’t know.
gill Moore
There is a lot of building work going on at adjoining hotel.There is only one restaurant for two hotels to eat in for breakfast dinner and lunch so it is an absolute bunfight to find a seat without being trampled on.
We had a room with a sea view it was quite small and very, very hot. We had to ask for a fan because there was no air conditioning on.
The food was very good when you could get to it, we did enjoy our stay overall but there were certain things about the hotel we didn't like so we won't return.
Susan Hutchinson
Had a fabulous Christmas and New Year.
In a great location and the grounds and swimming pools were wonderful.
The rooms were amazing and so comfortable and clean.
The choice and quality of food was excellent.
The Gala buffet on Christmas Day and the Gala meal on New Year's Eve both brilliant.
All the staff so friendly and helpful.
Definitely recommend this hotel.
Alan Headley
Actually went in the spa underneath the carpark. Great staff had an amazing massage seaweed wrap and second day had a hotstone massage. Amazing and worth the 7.5km walk.
Ger Hall
We spent four weeks in the Don Marco hotel and over all had a wonderful holiday, celebrating Christmas and new year while there.. Any issues we had arriving ,were dealt swiftly by Annie @guests experience desk. Staff are courteous, friendly and Catering staff, waiters/waiteress are kept really busy. Food was satisfying and plenty of variety.. Bedrooms are cleaned on a daily basis by very patient staff. This was our fourth trip having previously stayed in don Pedro,and don pablo..Would definitely stay again..