R2 Pajara Beach

For a short winter break focused on sun, rest and the beach, the setting is hard to beat. R2 Pájara Beach is right on the shore, with blue-green sea views and a beautiful sandy nudist beach just to the left. That became our favourite place, about a five-minute walk back to the hotel bar, and we took our own water bottles. The room was large and clean, with a comfortable double bed and a balcony set back a little, looking over the pool and, in the distance, the sea. Fresh towels were available daily, and one blue pool towel was provided for the stay. It was fine for five nights, though the décor could use an update and we missed having a coffee maker. The garden setting felt peaceful rather than crowded, and we got lovely warm weather even in winter. There was a good selection of food if you wanted to eat fairly healthily, and we liked the ice cream and surprisingly good red wine. For a longer stay, though, the choice might get repetitive, as there’s one main restaurant and one main bar, and queues were common. The all-inclusive deal had a lot of exceptions: the beachfront bar wasn’t covered, even though it was the only comfortable place to sit and smoke with a drink; pool tables weren’t included either. Beachfront sunbeds cost an extra €50 and were the only other real smoking spot on the resort besides your balcony. Paper cups were used everywhere except the restaurant, which felt a bit cheap. WiFi was dreadful, slow and unreliable. There were only two proper shows in five nights, with quizzes on the other evenings, and the hotel generally lacked atmosphere. Some staff were lovely, but most interactions felt abrupt or unfriendly. The rule against wearing a boob tube at breakfast also seemed odd for a hotel by the beach. The other guests were noticeably older, I’d guess around 80% were over 75, though many seemed to be regulars and were very friendly. The place is best if warmth, relaxation and beach time matter more than lively shows or a premium all-inclusive experience. The location is beautiful, but there’s room to improve how it’s run and the atmosphere.

The garden was beautifully looked after, with so many plants to admire, and the hotel sits close to several beaches. Our Christmas stay was wonderful, and the staff across reception, kitchen, bar, cleaning, gardens and animation were kind, respectful and professional. Every interaction made me feel welcome. We enjoyed the spacious, well-equipped gym with its new machines, and played tennis twice on the court overlooking the ocean. Our room was quiet, very clean and close to the beach, but away from both the pool and restaurant, which we appreciated. There was a huge choice of food, including fruit, vegetables, salads, meat, fish, desserts, breads and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The Christmas dinner was especially lovely, with delicious food in an elegant but cosy setting. A big thank you to the kitchen team for all their hard work making it such a memorable Christmas.

The gardens were lovely, with palms, grass and trees all well cared for. We slept incredibly well because our room and bathroom were spacious and, at least in our wing on the 2nd floor, it was quiet at night. They count floors down from the top, so the top floor is called the first. There was a good mix of entertainment, with the option to watch a show or head upstairs to the disco and bar. The food was just average, not bad, but could be better. The pool bar makes the best cappuccino. We had a great time and would definitely recommend it.

The views really stayed with us, and we felt comfortable from the minute we got there. The hotel was clean and well kept, and the staff were kind, efficient and always willing to help. A lovely choice if you want comfort, quality and beautiful surroundings. I’d stay here again.