Hovima Jardin Caleta

Unfortunately I couldn't give 5 stars because we felt like we were not part of the 'club'. Why? Because we refused to stump up €200 when checking in, this was to open an account so we could get drinks from the bar! We chose to go Half Board because we are not big drinkers and we wouldn't have got our money's worth, we are talking a beer with our evening meal and the occasional drink by the pool, certainly not €200 worth. We were fully prepared to pay as you go but they flatly refused this. Yes we would've got any money left back on checking out but we take money to spend, not take it home. In all my years of travelling I've never had to prepay drinks. We were allowed OJ, tea and coffee for breakfast and only water for evening meal. We ended up having to find bars outside the hotel and even buying alcohol from the local shop to drink in our room this meant that we missed all the hotel entertainment because we weren't sitting in the bar with a glass of water! It's a shame because apart from this everything else was lovely, the food - despite what other reviews said was amazing, Although the waiters are way too keen to whip away your plate sometimes before you'd even completely finished. We even had a bottle of wine waiting in our room because it was our honeymoon . But everywhere was clean, they came in to clean apartment 5 times a week. Last day however despite checkout not being until 12pm, a cleaner pressed the buzzer at 11am then immediately opened the door before quickly closing it again, I was semi naked at the time (I was putting suncream on because we weren't being picked up until 5pm) so not sure how much they saw or if it was a male or female cleaner surely when check out is 12pm the cleaner should wait until after 12 to clean the room unless they are 100% certain the occupants have left! Unfortunately we won't be returning to this hotel.

Stayed here and upgraded to all inclusive, Massive mistake food was dire. Sunbathing and there was an ashtray beside the sunbed ( I don’t smoke and haven’t for over 20 years. Was verbally abused by the bar woman and when I held my hand up and told her to go away she sent security to intimidate me. Not only that she blatantly walked past somebody who was actually smoking at their sunbed. I complained to the manager and nothing. We went back to our room and were unable to use the only all inclusive facilities at the bar and it was the only one open. Would I stay here again NEVER. I have never felt so embarrassed in my life.

The employees are really helpful