Occidental Roca Negra – Adults Only

The staff were always friendly, polite and helpful, and there was plenty of food at lunch and dinner. Breakfast was the same each day, though there were hot and cold choices, plus eggs and pancakes cooked fresh if you wanted. Dinner always had freshly grilled meat, but we found there was too much garlic in the food. Drinks had to be ordered, while the rest was self-service in a large open dining room. We enjoyed our stay, but I'm not sure the hotel deserves a four-star rating. We had half board and stayed on the third floor in a room with a sea view. The room was nice and comfortable, and the shower was good, but it was starting to look tired. There wasn't much decoration, mirrors were fitted in odd places, and the poorly fitted mini-fridge held just two bottles of water. The bathroom was cramped, with a noisy fan and discoloured silicone around the shower. Finding street parking can be a problem.

The hotel is away from the main tourist hub, which adds to its peaceful feel, though I'd recommend having a rental car. It makes it easier to visit the natural seawater pools at Las Salinas and the fishing village of Puerto de las Nieves. I stayed at the Occidental Roca Negra, formerly Hotel Roca Negra, a few years ago, and still remember it fondly. It feels like a real escape from the bustle. In Agaete, the dramatic mountains of Gran Canaria meet the Atlantic Ocean, and the setting is breathtaking. The views, especially from the pool, are beautiful and peaceful. The rooms were clean, comfortable and well maintained, and the hotel's atmosphere and surroundings felt welcoming. For a restful stay and a chance to reconnect with nature, it's a memorable spot.

The natural swimming pools are fab, just a five-minute walk from the hotel, and the quiet location makes for a peaceful stay. You'll probably want a car if you plan to leave the resort. Local restaurants have great traditional Spanish / Canadian food. We had a largely lovely four-night stay over New Year. The staff were excellent, attentive and cheerful throughout, thank you. Our room was spacious and clean, and looked as pictured, although a little tired in places. Sadly, there was a persistent drain smell in the en suite that was overwhelming at times. Breakfast had plenty of variety, but the ingredients were poor quality. Without some renovation, I'd worry the hotel is more like a three-star.

The staff were the best part of our Christmas stay in December. Their service was amazing, everyone was incredibly friendly and quick, and a special shout-out to Pablo. The hotel is beside a small town, with no nearby resorts, so it's quiet and doesn't feel overrun with tourists. Most guests keep to themselves, though, so it's not a very social place for meeting people. We went all-inclusive with full board, but the food was very average. They tried to vary dinner each night, and the quality was fine overall. The hotel was very clean, though some things felt quirky or worn, like lights that might not work, wall cracks and a broken water machine. Weather on the north side of the island is unpredictable, shifting from cold, rainy and windy to sunny within minutes. Your phone's weather app may not help much.