Rural Rugama

The bed was the biggest problem for me: it felt like sleeping on a cliff, with the springs giving an unwanted massage. The sheet they provided as a cover wasn't enough, though there was a blanket in the wardrobe. The garden lights stayed on all night and only went off at 6am, and there are no blackout curtains. I also noticed black mold in the shower. The room was spacious and had enough equipment, and the little table and chairs in the backyard were nice for having a drink outside. The grounds are beautiful, but the pool wasn't as clean as I'd want before swimming. It’s about a 15-minute drive to the airport, so it can work for an overnight before an early flight, but I wouldn't choose it for a longer vacation because of that bed. There’s no reception, so the keys are in a locker and the code comes after you fill in your personal details online. I'm not sure that feels very secure; I’d rather hand over my passport at a check-in desk, but I understand it's the option without reception. There was no WhatsApp or other messenger contact, and calling with my poor Spanish didn't seem a good idea. Email for small issues felt odd. The Wi-Fi password in the instructions was wrong, so I couldn't connect.

We had a relaxing stopover in one of the rooms, and the surroundings, food, and friendly service were all a delight. There was live music during our visit from the superb singers Katie Gilles and Neil. It wasn't too loud and suited the Sunday Mother’s Day lunch really well. Whether you're staying for a break or just coming for a meal, it's a lovely experience.

The photos in the ad looked quite different from what I saw. Definitely a big no from me.

The house is a beautiful old, typical Fuerteventura building with a nice swimming pool, but it's far from town. If you need water, you'll have to drive into town to buy it. Hotel Rugama IS NOT AN HOTEL, it feels more like an Airb&b. There's self-check-in and no reception, no bar, and nobody around EVER to help if you need anything. The restaurant isn't run by the same owners, and it only opens a few hours a day, not every day. They should explain all of this when you book, but for some reason they don't.