Aparthotel Caleta Garden

From the outside, this hotel is bright and cheerful, and the yellow, terraced building embodies the charming image of a Canary Islands retreat. The low-priced, all-inclusive deals here draw families and tourists looking to party. That charm rapidly fades upon stepping inside, however, as the spacious lobby is lined with unfashionable, dark tan tiles and sagging, outdated furniture. There are game machines, toy machines, and vending machines at the back of the lobby, amplifying the hotel’s low-budget vibe. Star-shaped cartoon stickers are pasted to many of the windows -- a motif that repeats itself in guest rooms, as well, and the hotel’s bars and restaurants aren’t particularly attractive, with cheap furniture and bizarre wall art hung upon faux-stone and bright coral-colored walls. The pool bar terrace is dotted with wicker furniture, including small tables for holding cocktails and beers, but there are no umbrellas, and the vibe -- with yellow balconied walls on either side -- is somewhat cramped and claustrophobic. Interior hallways do have some charm by way of colorful, sea-themed tiling, but the entire property could use a refresh. 

Situated on a street lined with tourist-ready shops, the hotel is within Caleta de Fuste’s commercial district on the east side of Fuerteventura Island, the Canary Islands’ second-largest land mass. A major perk of staying at this hotel is the easy, 10-minute walk to the town’s beach and seafront promenade, which are lovely. Like the rest of the Canary Islands, water sports are huge here and there are dive centers and wind-sailing outfits throughout town. Lively Pieros Cafe, which has nightly entertainment including karaoke, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The HiperDino Express grocery store is just across the road, convenient for stocking up the kitchenettes in the guest rooms. The island’s main Fuerteventura Airport is only a 10-minute drive from the hotel.

To be frank, guests looking for a chic and stylish island getaway should look elsewhere. Rooms are brightly painted, with green tile floors and pops of color in framed wall art, but these are budget apartments furnished on the cheap. Ranging from Studios to Two-Bedroom units, all apartments include telephones, small flat-screen TVs, and safes, as well as kitchenettes with microwaves, mini-fridges, and electric ranges. Every room also has a spacious terrace, many of which overlook the central courtyard pool and bar, meaning noise can be an issue throughout the day. Most aspects of guest rooms look outdated -- from frilly motel-style comforters on the beds to the pastel patterned curtains and floral-print bamboo furniture shower/tub combos. Daily housekeeping is included and while rooms are reasonably clean, there have been some reports of upkeep issues at this property and cockroaches have been spotted. Guests should also note that there is no air-conditioning in guest rooms and though fans are available, there is a fee to rent them. Kettles, toasters, and hairdryers also incur extra fees.  

The hotel’s main feature is its courtyard pool and hot tub that are surrounded by a stone terrace and old lounge chairs. Adjacent to the pool area, there is a large indoor and outdoor bar that stays open well into the night and has a small stage for live entertainment and bingo, and a billiard table. The on-site restaurant has little in the way of ambience, and it offers mediocre Spanish and continental fare. All-inclusive options are available and breakfast has a decent selection, though is only included with some bookings, and guests may find better meals for lunch and dinner by exploring the options in town. The hotel has an outdoor plastic playground on-site for guests with children, as well as a game room with air hockey and a pool table, though it's hard to tell whether the disproportioned murals are meant to be kid-friendly or outsider art. The hotel has one tennis court on-site and a nice rooftop terrace with a hot tub, and though Wi-Fi is available, it is not free.