HD Lobos Natura Fuerteventura

The animation team made a special difference for our girls. They were all amazing, especially Jesus, Olivia and Linda, who made the experience extra special. There was a good mix of daily activities for kids and sometimes adults too, from crafts and games to surf basics. The water mat being rolled out each day was always a big hit. We also really enjoyed the food on the evening of the Day of the Canary Islands (Día de Canarias), when the local dishes were spectacular. We think the hotel should serve a local dish or two every night. The live meat and fish grills were popular each evening, and the breakfast omelette station was a hit too. Most nights the food was good. All-inclusive drinks had a good selection, with good wine, Amstel on tap, plenty of soft drinks for the kids, and very nice cocktails. The complex was clean and well maintained, and staff were friendly and approachable. It’s a fantastic hotel for families, and we’d definitely visit again.

We stayed at the HD Lobos Natura Fuerteventura from 17-24 May with Jet2holidays, and this was one of the most disappointing holidays we’ve had. We were often worried about food safety and regularly left meals hungry. Despite paying for all-inclusive, we ended up eating out frequently, which added expense. I have severe fish and nut allergies and carry an EpiPen. Buffet dishes were wrongly labelled or had no labels throughout the week. Once, something marked as an onion ring turned out to be calamari, which I realised only after tasting it. That could have become a medical emergency. I’ve travelled safely with allergies for years and take care to check food, but accurate labelling is a basic requirement, especially at an all-inclusive hotel. Our son is also being investigated for allergies, which made this more worrying. The information and advice about allergy procedures were poor and inconsistent. Staff gave conflicting guidance, many couldn’t identify foods correctly, and the boards listed every possible meal instead of what was actually being served that day. Several days into the stay, the hotel’s experience manager finally explained the right process, after we’d already spent much of the holiday stressed and unable to trust the food. When we raised it early on with the Jet2 rep, they suggested perhaps we should avoid all-inclusive buffet holidays because of my allergies. I found that dismissive and inappropriate. The problem was the hotel’s failure to give clear, accurate food information. The food itself was disappointing too: repetitive meals, many dishes served cold, and few safe options. The advertised à la carte restaurant was closed for our whole stay and was only offered after we complained. There were several other problems. The pirate splash pad, one of the main reasons we chose the hotel for our toddler, was closed for most of the week. The play park and soft play were unavailable as well. Bottled water was never replaced in the room despite the all-inclusive package, and tea bags were unavailable for several days. We found ants in the bathroom, the shower often flooded because of a poor seal, and housekeeping was poor, with stained bedding and dirty floors. Some staff were polite and tried to help, but the overall stay brought our family stress, disappointment and extra costs. The hotel fell short of what Jet2holidays advertised and what we expected from a four-star all-inclusive resort.

The complex wasn’t fully ready when we visited, with the parking and gym still closed. The kids’ club was open, though, and the staff looked after our child very well. A special thanks to Violeta, whose kindness and enthusiasm really saved the experience. Our daughter loved spending time with her and looked forward to the club every day. She also showed real responsibility and dedication in her work.

We’ll miss the evening cocktails and the top-notch wine. We’ve spent seven days here in a swim-up room, and it’s been amazing. The room is beautiful, nothing is too much trouble, and the minibar and coffee pods were replenished every day. The Emblem Concept restaurant was out of this world. Each evening they talked us through the menu, usually with three choices each of pasta, fish and meat, plus a range of vegetables and different potatoes. Everything was delicious, and the portions were filling. The help-yourself starters and desserts were plentiful and lovely too. The restaurant staff really made breakfast and dinner feel special. Nauria was an absolute delight, and so was Matt, but really, they were all attentive and made my husband and me feel special. It’s our last night and we’re sad to be heading home. We’ll definitely be back. This is our happy place. Thanks to all the staff, you’re amazing and a real credit to the hotel. xxxx Claire and Glyn Davies