IBEROSTAR Playa Gaviotas

I returned to this hotel for a second stay because I had really enjoyed my previous visit. Last time, I had a quiet, cool room with a large terrace and a beautiful view, and that was exactly the kind of peaceful holiday I was hoping for again.

Unfortunately, this stay was very different. My room overlooked the pool, so during the day there was loud entertainment, and in the evening there was music from the bar. I was offered another suite, but its terrace was even smaller, so I decided to stay in the original room.

The main issue was the air conditioning. Because of the large windows, the room heated up badly, with temperatures around 27–28°C during the day and about 25°C at night. I reported the problem to reception every day, sometimes several times. A technician only came for the first time on the third day, and although things improved briefly, the problem soon returned. On two nights during our stay, we had to sleep in other rooms where the air conditioning actually worked properly.

The room was also quite noisy even with the windows closed, and the cleaning was disappointing. The floor often remained dirty, and the terrace did not seem to be cleaned at all.

I was also disappointed that around a month before arrival, I had requested a second proper duvet and an additional yoga mat, and the hotel confirmed that both would be provided. Neither was there when we arrived. After I reminded reception, I was first given a blanket instead of a duvet, and only after asking again did I receive the proper duvet. The yoga mat never arrived.

That said, the staff in the restaurant and bar were excellent — very friendly and attentive. The reception staff were also always polite, but I felt there was a lack of initiative in actually resolving the problems. I had to keep following up about the air conditioning myself, and no one checked whether the situation had improved or offered an alternative unless I specifically asked.

The hotel has a great location and truly beautiful views, which makes this especially disappointing. After my first stay, I really wanted to come back. After this experience, however, I will most likely choose a different hotel next time.

This was, of course, only my personal experience — my first stay was much better.

My review is only of the experience we have had deciding to upgrade to star prestige and not with regard to the hotel or facilities given to everyone. We decided before arriving to upgrade to a suite in Star Prestige as we thought we would benefit from being near the extra facilities offered and enjoy the whole adults only experience. We had been here to celebrate our anniversary and a special mile stone. After paying an extra 730€ we were taken to our room, first view is of a gravelled area and horizon of the sea not the full sea view offered in their description of the room. We were also based on 3rd floor at the far side of the hotel away from Star Prestige, meaning a good trek to use the facilities we paid for. The room we had been given had been what the hotel describes online as a senior suite with no prestige entitlement. Which is good if this is what you decided to choose. Once we realised our location i went to reception 4 times, one of these I spoke to a very rude member of staff who thought it was ok to raise her had and say STOP when I wanted to speak about the room. We then met a member of the management team who was lovely, understood the situation and straight away. Told us she would send bottle wine to the room this never arrived and not the compensation you expect and then realising through the night and early morning they had put you in a family area, due to children running against the adjoining room door at 7am, not what we had paid extra to be in an adult area. My text is to warn about upgrading as they do not offer all upgrades to the prestige area but happy to take the extra money this costs. We feel let down, promises never fulfilled and conned of what should have been a restful and happy time.