Hotel Pocillos Playa

Barry Lomas

Into our third day, the hotel is quiet which we like, there are plenty of sunbeds around the pool. It's quite windy which makes the sun pleasant rather than too hot. Lying on a sunbed keeps you out of the wind but still let's you feel a nice breeze. The rooms are nice , we are on the upper level which involves steps, request a ground floor room if you can't do steps. The food is very good, the only downside is the restaurant is below ground ( still gets natural light through a large window but you can't dine in the sun. We arrived at 10.30pm after the food had finished but they brought us two plates of cold meat, pasta and bread to our room. It was really good. The entertainment is good too. Just came second in a table tennis tournament. We came for a relaxing holiday and that's exactly what we're getting. At a great price too.

L

Hotel was quiet and relaxing. Good location. Rooms were cleaned daily with towels changed every two days. It was very busy whilst we were there and staff in the restuarants although friendly were always very busy - there wasn't enough of them. Choice of good was limited and often repetitive. There was a rule which was that you couldn't reserve a sunbed until 9 am great idea but as there wasn't enough beds for all guests beds were reserved earlier! Entertainment wasn't great in the evenings unfortunately and we ended up going into town a few times which we don't normally do when all inclusive.

A A

My rating is influenced (in a positive way) by the fact that we booked the room the day before our departure and paid a very good price. Upon arrival, it turned out that the hotel didn't have a room with a balcony or terrace we booked, but instead, we were accommodated in a very large family room with a separate bedroom and a huge window with a magnificent ocean view – for obvious reasons, we accepted this "inconvenience" with pleasure (a plus for the hotel). In the evening, we discovered that there was a problem with the bathroom shower – we contacted the reception desk, and the problem was fixed the next day (another plus for the hotel, because problems happen; what matters is how the hotel deals with them). This is an adults-only hotel, so it's the perfect place for a quiet getaway. The hotel is very well located, just a 2-minute walk from a huge, long, wide, and practically empty beach with golden sand, sunbeds with umbrellas available (additional fee: €10.50 for 2 sunbeds + 1 umbrella) and plenty of space for sunbathing. The hotel is close enough that a walk for lunch (or even to take advantage of the all-inclusive offer, as there is no beach bar) is easy. However, if you prefer to spend time by the hotel pool, this hotel won't be the ideal choice - the pool isn't very large and from early morning it's crowded with Brits, who make up about 90% of the hotel guests (very laid-back, spending most of their time eating, drinking, sunbathing on loungers and enjoying the evening entertainment - especially karaoke ;)). The sunbeds are covered with towels from early morning, reserved for later use. The hotel asks not to do this, but no one enforces it. The food was very good and varied enough for us. Breakfasts were geared towards Brits, but given the number of them in the hotel, I understand that. The themed dinners may not have been spectacular, but preceded by lunch throughout the day, they kept us satisfied and always full. More in "food & drink". And here we come to the main problem, that is, one very serious flaw that affected our stay: the way the meals were served and everything related to it. The hotel is 4-star, and the restaurant tables don't have tablecloths, only plain placemats – making it feel like a regular canteen, not a restaurant. There's no dress code for evening dinner (e.g., long trousers for gentlemen), which also creates a lack of a proper, elegant atmosphere. The restaurant staff's attire (excluding the chefs, who always presented themselves with class) also doesn't resemble waiters' – they're more like random, seasonal employees without proper waiter training (which is essential in a 4-star hotel). But the worst thing of all, and for us absolutely unacceptable, regardless of the hotel category, is... dirty dishes, glassware, and cutlery served with meals. We occasionally encountered glasses with lipstick marks, or plates with unwashed food remains! I reported this to the reception desk on the second day of our stay, and it improved for a day, then returned to "normal." After my second intervention, the same thing happened – a temporary improvement and a return to "hotel norms." I don't know if the hotel has old dishwashers, if they don't employ a dishwasher who pre-rinses dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, or if they skimp on detergent or don't use rinse aid? Regardless of the reason, I think the problem is poor hotel management and lack of proper supervision. Employees must be trained and then required to conduct themselves appropriately. You can't expect employees to acquire knowledge on their own and do "above-average" things that no one expects of them. Such unwashed (not to say dirty) plates or glasses should not be allowed in a restaurant (let us repeat: regardless of the hotel category), but someone should explain this to the employees and then require them to behave in this way and monitor them. In summary, if you manage to find this hotel at a good price, I recommend it. I hope that the restaurant will have tablecloths and clean dishes ;)

Shona Farish

First time at Hotel and would definitely return. Hotel in great location. Food and drinks good apart from cocktails out machine wasn't my thing. Great Adult only and with it being not to big was very friendly. Had issues once on room which was dealt with very quick.

Clare frances

We were looking for a relaxing break away near enough to amenities and far enough for the relaxation and that's exactly what we got. This hotel is absolutely stunning, so peaceful and calming surrounded by lovely palm trees greenery and the sound of birds we loved it. The pool area is spotless, the whole hotel is. Our room was cleaned every day with towel change every 2 days. Every single one of the staff are lovely and friendly. The area is lovely plenty of shops, restaurants nearby and just 15/20 minutes walk into the puerto del carmen. We walked in and out every day. The beaches are stunning. I would definitely go back.