Balcón del Mar

For a last-minute booking, the value was excellent, and the staff were helpful, attentive, and friendly throughout. We had a short family break between Christmas and New Year and got exactly what we wanted. I'd happily recommend the place and return. We booked a premium Gold apartment. It was spotless and had all the essentials, plus air conditioning in every room, though we didn't need it at that time of year. The complex has two good-sized pools, plenty of sun loungers, a small bar with food and drinks, and two pool tables. The hilltop location is ideal, just a few minutes' walk from the Europa shopping centre. Before booking, I'd read some negative reviews. Looking back, many seemed to expect more than this kind of accommodation offers. There's no daily cleaning, the large recycling and rubbish bins are outside, and towels can be refreshed on request. That's standard for resorts around Spain and the Canary Islands.

My two boys loved the air conditioning and spent ages in the pool. The staff were polite, helpful, and willing to assist. Our room was a decent size, with a huge balcony and a good sea view. It was a great place for our Gran Canaria holiday.

The apartments are wonderfully spacious, and I'd book again without hesitation. Everything was perfect apart from one small gripe: I wish the fridge-freezer were a bit bigger.

The location is up at the top of Puerto Rico, but the Europa Centre is a short walk for food and drinks. A taxi down to the centre of Puerto Rico is under €10. We booked through love holidays and got a great deal, and I'd definitely recommend the hotel and look forward to coming back. Our room was ready when we arrived, well before 3 pm, and reception staff were helpful and gave us useful information. The rooms are spacious, with huge balconies overlooking the pool. Facilities are basic, but everything you need is there. The pool and surrounding area were clean and tidy, with plenty of sunbeds. We ate at the pool bar most days. It had the usual bar snacks and full meals, all fairly priced and decent for the cost. A pint was only €3, a bargain. The bar staff were friendly and cheerful too.