Abora Catarina by Lopesan Hotels - All Inclusive

The animation team were excellent with our 22-month-old daughter, spending time with her on many occasions, which meant a lot to us as parents. They ran fun activities during the day and put on top-class evening shows. Our daughter also loved the splash park, which was one of her favourite parts of the holiday. We had a fantastic stay at Abora Catarina with her and my wife, and would definitely come back. We stayed in room 242. It was spacious and suited our family well, with a large terrace and balcony and a whirlpool jacuzzi that was a real highlight for relaxing. The hotel is beside the famous Maspalomas dunes and within walking distance of food options, supermarkets and shopping centres. The food was very good, and we could always find something tasty. It was replenished quickly and stayed fresh. The snack bar was restocked constantly too, so the food there was always hot and enjoyable. We really enjoyed the pool areas as well.

The hotel has lovely, well-kept grounds with small places to relax among the trees and across different levels, so everyone can find a spot. It’s a huge place with a lot of walking, so anyone with limited mobility should ask for a room near the central area. The dunes and promenade are about a quarter of a mile away, and the nearest shopping centre is a similar distance. The whole hotel is kept very clean, and the pool and sunbed area is mopped every day. The cleaning staff work incredibly hard. Most staff are amazing and polite, and the food and drinks are very good. With so many guests on all-inclusive, you can eat as much as you like. That feels novel for the first week, until you’ve overdone it and start eating less. The outdoor mini theatre hosts shows most nights. The animation team work hard and are lovely, and the entertainment is good quality, but it’s mostly dance routines set to well-known films or shows. Some variety, perhaps outside acts like acrobats or jugglers, would improve it. The hotel is fabulous in many ways, and we’d book again without hesitation.

The hotel grounds are attractive, with lots of plants and greenery, and the pools are nice, though crowded. Its location is excellent, five minutes from the beautiful Maspalomas dunes and a 15-minute walk from Yumbo centre for nightlife. The food is really nice and the staff are very helpful. Still, Abora Catarina didn’t fully live up to the two other Lopesan hotels I’d enjoyed in Meloneras. I chose it because it’s part of the Lopesan group. This seems mainly aimed at large families with young children. Kids were everywhere, running, shouting and having fun as they should, but I hadn’t expected quite so much noise. It wasn’t right for me as a solo traveller looking for a quiet pool or balcony, so I think I’ll choose an adults-only place next time. The hotel needs a lot of renovation, especially the old, run-down corridors and lifts. In my room, the balcony door wouldn’t lock properly and the toilet flush stopped working, though both were fixed fairly quickly. The all-inclusive coffee was horrible, and you have to pay extra for coffee from the proper espresso machines at the bar. All in all, it was okay, but very loud, and the coffee was dire.

We’re sad to be leaving tomorrow after such a wonderful stay in room 364 at Abora Catarina. The pools were clean and bright, and we spent many happy hours relaxing there. The staff were so kind, genuinely helpful and always smiling, which made the holiday special. There was a fantastic variety of delicious food each day, and the hotel had a warm, friendly feel from the moment we arrived. Being able to reach the stunning Maspalomas Dunes for sunset walks so easily was a dream. We’re leaving incredibly happy. / Madeleine and Joy