SBH Taro Beach

Part of a fairly extensive chain of hotels on Fuerteventura, the SBH Taro Beach is a pleasant place to unwind in the sun. That being said, expectations do need to be managed a bit, as the hotel -- at least from a style perspective -- isn't exactly the freshest property we've seen. Nothing's particularly wrong, it's just a bit dated throughout its interiors. A large comfortable seating area at the heart of the lobby offers a peaceful spot to shelter from the midday sun. The surrounding gardens are well-kept, with mature plants including giant cacti, palms trees, and tropical flowers. The overall vibe is peaceful and most guests are German, Dutch, and French couples, although expect some families in high-season. The hotel is particularly popular with mature guests who enjoy Costa Calma’s quiet atmosphere. There is wheelchair access from the lobby to the restaurant, and an elevator to the guest rooms, but it's worth noting that some parts of the resort have fairly steep paths.

Located in the popular tourist town of Costa Calma, on the southwest coast of Fuerteventura, this resort has direct access to a long sandy beach. In fact, it's just a minute or two down the road on foot. There are plenty of other hotels in the surrounding area, offering a variety of dining options, but most guests choose to stay on-site or buy provisions from the nearby supermarket, which is a 15-minute walk away. The Oasis Park Fuerteventura is an eight-minute drive from the hotel, and the popular beach town of Sotavento is an 10-minute drive away. Those wishing to venture south will find the quaint town of Morro Jable around a 25-minute drive away. Budget up to an hour to reach the island's airport by car.

The hotel's 293 rooms are decorated in a typical Fuerteventuran style, with colorful patterned sheets and curtains, and a mix of light and dark wood furnishings. Overall, things do look a little dated, with lots of floral patterns and stripes alongside colors like maroon and brown. All rooms have twin beds pushed together, plus sofa beds that sleep two additional people. Rooms have sliding doors that open to furnished terraces or balconies, with most offering sea views. Standard amenities include mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning, though safes and Wi-Fi are only available for a fee. Additionally, the internet signal can be spotty. Bathrooms have a dated orange or yellow color tiling with matching towels, but include shower/tub combos, large vanity mirrors, and baskets of basic toiletries. Double Superior Sea View Rooms and Superior Beach Front Rooms have separate living areas with sofa beds, coffee tables, and chairs, plus larger balconies. Premium guests who pay an additional fee get free Wi-Fi, free safe rentals, and a welcome fruit bowl, plus tea and coffee facilities. 

This hotel’s amenities are fairly limited, but the standout feature is a large curved swimming pool, which is heated in winter and has beach and ocean views. There are plenty of loungers with umbrellas here, and most guests spend the day relaxing in the sunshine. There's also a small children’s pool nearby. Keep in mind that there are deposits charged for pool towels. The nearby pool bar serves hot and cold snacks and drinks (including alcohol) throughout the day, and provides shaded or terrace seating. The decor in this area is fresh and bright, and feels more modern than the rest of the property. There’s a small game area too, with foosball and pool tables. 

The hotel has one main buffet restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner on a half board or all-inclusive basis. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, a good selection of hot and cold options, and a relaxed atmosphere. Themed buffets include Italian and Spanish nights twice a week. While food gets decent reviews, it can be repetitive. There are several bars dotted around the property, including a beach bar with panoramic sea views, which this resort shares with sister hotel SBH Crystal Beach. Keep in mind that all-inclusive drinks aren't available around the clock, but are served until relatively late in the evening.

In the evening there’s a selection of shows in the theater, including cabaret, bingo, quiz nights, and live music. A good-sized theater area seats around 80 people, and an evening bar is decorated with animal-print stools. There’s a small mini-club hut beside the beach and an outdoor play park with swings and a slide, but most children’s activities seem to take place on the beach itself, where there is plenty of space. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel for a fee, or is free for premium guests. There are two computers in the lobby for guest use. Plenty of free parking is available on-site.