Having just come back from a weeks stay at the Barcelo Lanzarote (Costa Teguise, Lanzarote), I must say the holiday was OK. Nothing overly special but definitely not grim.

The hotel itself is massive as too are the grounds. For instance, there are 5 swimming pools, two tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, small shooting range and two french bowls pits. All facilities get used frequently thanks to the cheesy Entertainment Team.

If you are going to this hotel listen out for their theme tune 'daaa daaa daaa d-d-d daaa daaa daaa' (exciting times); they usually start calling around 11am, 12.15pm, 3pm and 4pm!

I travelled with my girlfriend (half board) looking for a relaxing week in the sun - and in all honestly, that is what we got. However, we did have a few moans...

Rooms
On arriving we were given a room which over looked the roof of shops outside the entrance of the hotel - not much of a site in the mornings! Therefore, we soon had a moan and were moved to a 'pool view'; If you don't ask you don't get right.

This view was much better as we were now overlooking the entire grounds. We were given room 4122 and although the brochure/website states the rooms are 'air conditioned', this is a little white lie. I can blow harder than the fan and that's with it set on speed 3. The fan temperature was terrible too, it's not air conditioning if the fan isn't blowing out cold air is it?

Beds: If you like your bed hard-as-nails you'll have no problems laying on their beds for however long your stay is! If you like them soft, I'd start practising laying on the floor before you go!

Bathroom: Nice size and clean except the toilet seat. Bit grubby and stained.

Other than the beds and the room feeling like a sauna, we had no problems.

Restaurant
Like the hotel the restaurant is massive and has an over-spill room should there be no tables left. For me, a non-fussy eater, the food was ok and quite enjoyable.

There was enough variety to keep me going for the week. If you stay for two weeks or are fussy with what you eat, then you may have a problem.

Waiters: Quite moody really. One morning we asked the same girl for coffee three times, eventually getting a pot after we had finished and were ready to go.

They all speak English quite well, but they do prefer the Spanish holidaymakers when it comes to serving!

Oh and before I forget, like our hotel room, the restaurant is also like a sauna.

Nightlife
Nightlife wasn't really for us. Ok, we stomached the cheesy evening in-house entertainment most nights. However, the surrounding area doesn't offer much either. And that's even travelling into Costa Teguise town and Player de Puerto.

As many people have said, the taxi rides anywhere are pretty cheap. Three Euro's for a ride into town - which in England would cost you £10 plus.

We did not use the free courtesy bus; we could not handle any more saunas!



Pool
Pools were a lovely size and there was no problem getting beds in the morning. Mind you, this might be because my girlfriend was up at 9am making sure we had a good spot!

I must warn you though, the amount of fly’s that are constantly landing on you is a joke and you soon find yourself swearing like mad. They just don't leave you alone. Buzzing from one leg to the other and then onto your body back to your legs.

Tip: spray insect repellent over you. This minimises the annoyance. On the other hand, stay in the pool, they cannot touch you there!

Finally
Would I go back to the Barcelo Lanzarote... even though I had a nice relaxing time… na! The hotel is OK, nothing more but certainly nothing less.