Hotel Diamar

I found the room clean and pleasant, and the view from my fifth-floor terrace over the beach, promenade, and sea was lovely. Diamar is also conveniently located. But there were several problems, and most seriously, I saw several cockroaches in the room during my six-day stay. That was really unpleasant. Breakfast felt poor quality, and the hotel seemed overpriced. I booked through the official Diamar website and agreed to pay in euros. Later I found they’d charged my UK credit card in GBP without authorisation, at a very poor exchange rate and with a 3% mark up. Diamar denied the unauthorised charge despite the evidence, so I had to raise a formal dispute with my UK bank to resolve it. It could be a decent option with some improvements, but as it stands, I don’t think it is, and I won’t be back.

The balcony overlooking the beach was the best part, a real little sun trap. I stayed three nights in a room on the fifth floor with a balcony. It was spacious and thoughtfully laid out, and the bathroom was fresh and clean. Breakfast was nicely presented with a good range of options. Some decaf coffee would’ve been nice, but otherwise it was all good. I think I’d stay again.

The location is great, but I don’t think this is somewhere for families or solo travellers. I sat outside every night and saw an English man knocked off a bench on purpose by a kid doing wheelies on a bike. There were also drunks shouting and drinking late into the night. This didn’t feel like a place where you’d have a great holiday. Breakfast was fine, and the rooms were clean. Still, I woke up every night, even with earplugs, because of furniture being moved upstairs and doors slamming in the corridors. A balcony room might give you a better experience, but I’d really recommend avoiding the other rooms. Lanzarote is an island of sun and volcanic rock, with lots to explore, and I wouldn’t choose to stay here.

The staff were friendly and professional, and I had a pleasant stay in a comfortable, welcoming place. The hotel's location made it easy to reach local attractions, and the views were stunning. Check-in could’ve been a bit more efficient, though it didn’t affect my enjoyment much. I’d rate the stay very good and recommend the hotel. More English-language TV would be useful, including a news channel such as Sky News or CNN. It would also have helped to have an easier way to use VO on the controller. A kettle in the room as standard would’ve been welcome too, though I understand you can get one from Reception.