LABRANDA Aloe Club

Thumping music from the pool sets the stage for this affordable mid-range resort. The scene is lively, with parents playing with kids and several couples sunbathing and dunking themselves into one of the five pools (some are quite dinky and not suited for proper swimming). The animation team here drums up the excitement even more with live music and children’s sing-alongs, amping up the guests and inviting those to join in. While things here are vibrant, elsewhere the hotel feels rather abandoned, like the lower-level lounge with air hockey tables, games, and lounge chairs that sat empty our entire visit. On the plus side, guests seeking to escape the noise and crowds can use this area for a breather. But most visitors here are eager to jump into the lively poolside scene or mingle together at the buffet restaurant.

Aloe Club Resort is well situated, but just a touch too far to be walking distance to the beach or the main commercial strip of town (it's about a 30-minute stroll to either). Most guests will need a car (or a taxi) to take them there, though the drives are short -- six minutes to both the heart of Corralejo or the little Waikiki Beach. Being just outside of the heart of town does mean it's a bit closer than most resorts to the majestic sand-dunes beaches (Grandes Playas), which are just a five-minute drive away. A few small businesses including a convenience store, a surf school, and a small grocery store are a 16-minute walk away or a two-minute drive. The airport is a 32-minute drive away.

Simple and paired-down, the apartment-style units at Aloe Club aren’t anything special in terms of looks. But guests, especially families, appreciate the space they offer and their kitchenettes with microwaves, two-burner hops, mini-fridges, toasters, and electric kettles. They're stocked with cookware on request. One-bedroom apartments have sleeper sofas in the living room that can accommodate an adult or two children. Furnishing sport a warm, washed out hues, such as bedspreads in a faded orange or curtains in a rectangular yellow print. Units also have balconies with plain white plastic tables and chairs. All rooms have TVs, but they're older tube models. They also have air-conditioning, a perk for this price category that many other mid-range resorts are lacking. (Remotes for AC units require a deposit.) Use of the in-room safes also incurs an extra fee. Rooms have free Wi-Fi as well, though it's very unreliable. The basic, beige-tile bathrooms are roomy with shower/tub combos, but some betray a bit of wear and tear like warped/stained ceiling tiles. Be aware that noise can be an issue, especially nights when the animation team is in full swing.

The hub of the resort is its five pools, which sounds like an excessive amount for a property with less than 200 rooms, until you see that several of these are on the dinky side. But the larger pools offer enough room for swimming, and there are ample loungers for sunbathing (no need to “reserve” one with a towel, for example). A juice bar provides drinks and smoothies to the guests, and a poolside snack bar stays open when guests get the munchies as well. There’s a buffet restaurant providing all meals and an a la cart Italian restaurant (reservations are required). Rates are all-inclusive, so guests can indulge in food throughout the day, but the quality is mediocre. A kids’ club gives a playground and plenty of space for kids to race around, while tennis and volleyball courts give a spot of adults to do the same. A small gym is also on the ground, but has dated, limited equipment. The resort also has a spa, rare at this pearl level, that offers massages and other treatments. A game room has foosball and pool tables, air hockey, and a mechanical racing car, but it only sees action on rainy days. Families can request cribs, but there's no babysitting available. A coin-operated washer/dryer is another added convenience for guests. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but the connection is quite spotty.