Hotel Floresta

Originally two separate hotels, Hotel Floresta is now one sprawling property with two distinct sections located across a pedestrian street from each other. The lobby, the restaurant, two of the hotel’s four pools, and about half of its apartments are located in the main section, while the other area is home to the playground, the kids’ club, and the two other pools. During the day, the outdoor spaces around the restaurant are busy and lively, with some entertainment, pool activities, music, and direct access to the pool bar. The other section, though, is quieter and more relaxing due to the pools’ smaller size and the lack of easy access to food and drinks. The hotel is popular with German, British, and Scandinavian families in the summer, and nights are generally quiet. In the colder months the Floresta draws plenty of older northern European couples, some of whom stay for several months at a time. The property was built in 1986 and, despite extensive renovations in 2007, common spaces and apartments are starting to show some age. Interiors have a somewhat run-of-the-mill combination of dark wood furniture, blond wood paneling, and either off-white or cream-colored floors. Accent walls in blue, orange, and purple hues are cute touches, and large windows make common spaces light -- but the overall feel is a tad basic. This simple style, though, is on par with most other similarly priced properties in Lanzarote. Outdoor spaces are also simple but a tad more charming, with dozens of small white buildings lined with narrow black-sand gardens dotted with cactuses and tropical shrubs. The Floresta is a solid pick for families seeking a relaxing all-inclusive vacation, but those looking for something cheaper with similar amenities may also want to consider Hotel THB Flora, though it is farther away from the beach. Another budget-friendly option is Morromar Apartmentos, but it’s important to note that its apartments lack air-conditioning, and that there are plenty of stairs throughout the property. For a little more money, Beatriz Playa & Spa offers more amenities -- including a gym and a spa -- but there have been complaints of sloppy housekeeping, and rooms are dated. In that same price range, Hotel Lanzarote Village is closer to the main drag.

Hotel Floresta is located on a quiet street in eastern Puerto del Carmen. The northern end of Los Pocillos, one of Puerto del Carmen’s nicest beaches, is located just a block away, and there is a supermarket right across the street from the hotel. A small cluster of restaurants and bars can be found just down the street as well, but the city center -- located a five-minute drive away -- offers a wider array of dining, drinking, and shopping options. Puerto del Carmen’s lively promenade is about a half-hour stroll (or a five-minute drive) along the beach. Timanfaya National Park -- home to several stunning volcanoes, and one of Lanzarote’s top attractions -- is a 25-minute drive from the hotel. The airport can be reached in under 10 minutes by car.

Hotel Floresta has 242 one- and two-bedroom apartments, all partially renovated in 2007 and decorated in a simple, generic style. Dark wood furniture and brown floor tiles are more functional than stylish, while blue-and-yellow bedspreads and blue upholstery in couches and chairs are dated. Most kitchenettes are decorated with chocolate-brown cabinets and granite countertops, and all feature mini-fridges, cooktops, coffeemakers, and microwaves. Cutlery, pots, pans, and plates are provided in all apartments, but all other utensils and extras are only available at front desk for a daily or weekly fee. Living areas have sofa beds, small dining tables, and large windows opening onto small furnished patios or terraces. All apartments have flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning units in the living room, but there are only ceiling fans in the rooms. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby and around the pool bar, but it is an extra charge in rooms. Safes are available for a fee as well.Bathrooms are simple but clean, with either shower/tub combos or walk-in showers, wall-mounted hairdryers, and a few basic toiletries such as shower gel, hand soap, and shampoo. The hotel features five wheelchair-accessible apartments, complete with roll-in showers, grab handles in the bathroom, ramps throughout, and wider doorways. 

Each of the hotel’s two sections has two pools, one for kids and one for adults. The largest are located in the area closest to the restaurant and the lobby, while the ones located across the street are smaller and better suited for a quick dip than for swimming. Two of the pools have saltwater and can be heated in the winter, while the other two have cold freshwater year-round. Entertainment is available several hours a day around the main pool area.

The hotel’s main restaurant serves a small buffet spread for all three meals. There are generally fresh ingredients for a salad, some fish, beef, and pork dishes, and a couple of kid-friendly items such as chicken nuggets, pasta, and fries. Themed nights are offered three times per week, but food at the main restaurant generally gets average reviews for quality and variety. The poolside bar has a short food menu with hot and cold snacks, along with an array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Hotel Floresta offers all types of meal plans, from breakfast-only to all-inclusive, but while all apartments have fully equipped kitchenettes with all the basics for cooking a simple meal, most guests choose either the half-board or all-inclusive plans. The latter covers all food and local drinks until late at night, including snacks, hot and cold beverages, and cake at the pool bar.

The kids’ club is open a couple of hours in the morning and a couple after lunch, and offers enough group activities to keep children 4 to 12 years old entertained. Adjacent to the kids' club is the black-sand playground, complete with slides and swings, and loungers and straw umbrellas for parents. The all-inclusive rate offers two free hours of tennis and miniature golf per stay, but all other guests are required to pay a fee. There is also a small charge for use of tennis equipment, and golf clubs are provided for a deposit. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby and the pool bar.