Sotavento Beach Club

First impressions of the Sotavento Beach Club are positive thanks to the striking white facade with tiered arches. Inside, the modern glass-fronted reception area overlooks a sea of villas. The vibe is generally peaceful, although early morning music playing around the main pool might be a startling wake-up call for guests in the surrounding apartments. Most visitors hail from Germany, and occasionally Holland or Norway. The resort attracts families and older couples. Staff mainly speak German, Spanish, and a little English. Welcome information is provided in German, unless you request otherwise. 

This hotel is in the heart of Costa Calma's town center on the Southwest coast of Fuerteventura, so there are plenty of amenities within walking distance. The main shopping street runs parallel to the hotel’s main entrance, and a range of shops, restaurants, and bars can be found nearby, including a German pub. At the back of the property there is direct access to Jandia Beach. The popular Oasis Park Fuerteventura (a hands-on zoo) is seven minutes away by car. Those looking to explore the south of the island will find the quaint town of Morro Jable within a 25-minute drive. Jandia Natural Park is around a 26-minute drive away, and Fuerteventura Airport is about 30 minutes away by car. 

The 310 apartments at Sotavento all have an open plan living room and kitchen, plus either a balcony or terrace. The majority of apartments have one bedroom, but 21 of them cater to families with two bedrooms. Decor is traditional, but minimal enough to appeal to modern tastes. Brown or peach bed linens do look a little tired. Kitchens are well-equipped with full-sized fridges, a hob, kettle, and sink. Utensils are provided for cooking, and a large dining table would comfortably sit a family of four. Living rooms have two sofa beds, a coffee table, and a unit with an LCD television. There is no air-conditioning or electric fans, meaning rooms can get very hot. Free Wi-Fi is available in the apartments, but reception is intermittent. Bathrooms are decorated with colorful tiles, and have shower/tub combos, sinks, toilets, bidets, and large vanity mirrors. It’s worth noting that most apartments have a couple of stairs between the kitchen and the living room, but there are five stair-free apartments with walk-in showers for disabled guests. Good-sized balconies have a table, chairs, and a lounger; some have ocean views.

This resort has an extensive range of facilities, but the swimming pool is its main attraction. The pool is busy and bustling throughout the day and surrounded by clusters of loungers. The pleasant curved swimming pool has both adult and children’s areas, and the occasional tree overhead for shade. A pool bar serves snacks, hamburgers, and hotdogs, and has a few bar stools. For guests who prefer a dip in the ocean, there is direct access to Jandia Beach from the back of the property. An on-site diving center provides instruction and relevant equipment, for a fee. The small, but well-equipped gym, has new cardio equipment including running machines and cross-trainers, plus a collection of weights, and can be accessed for a fee. A sauna, tiny whirlpool, and additional loungers are available for guest use. Massages and beauty treatments can be booked for a fee. A spinning studio, table tennis, and a crazy golf course appeal to younger guests. Several floodlit full-sized tennis courts can be booked in advance, and guests are encouraged to join in with organized lessons. Food is served in the main buffet restaurant either on an all-inclusive basis that includes all drinks or half board rates for breakfast and dinner. Since the rooms have kitchen facilities, some guests visit the resort on a self-catering basis and pay a fee for additional meals. The attractive contemporary bar area with a sun terrace has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and is a popular place for guests to relax in the afternoon and early evening. The resort is child friendly with a few features for kids. There's a large open playground with slides and swings, and a mini football pitch. There’s a baby club and kids' club for guests under the age of 12, plus a game room with Playstation where older children and teenagers congregate. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Other facilities include a photo studio, hairdresser, car rental services, and large painting area for children and adults. A small boutique sells a selection of upmarket clothing. The well-stocked mini-market sells souvenirs and a good range of basic provisions. A large theater offers rows of wooden benches and the concrete floors and angular construction make it feel more industrial. Evening entertainment is always in German. Unfortunately, there is no on-site parking.