Labranda El Dorado

First impressions: Reading some of the other reviews, you could be forgiven for being worried. My opinion is that some of the rooms are newer and some have yet to be updated. Our room, 318, is clean, functional and spacious, perfect for a family of four. The kitchen is basic but has everything we need. Bed linen is crisp and spotless. Great balcony with a pool and sea view. Located in a fairly hilly area, there are plenty of steps so I'd say you'd struggle with wheelchair access. Saying that, it is centrally located and there are ATM's and supermarkets everywhere. Perfect for self-catering. It's not the Ritz ... but you aren't paying for the Ritz! I'll update this review as the week progresses 👍

We stayed at Labranda for 1 week as a family of four. We have two young children and prior to arrival I asked on several occasions to have a ground floor apartment and for late check out as our flight home was late in the evening and this would be helpful for our children’s ages. We were given a ground floor apartment however with a number of steep steps from the Balcony at the back. I don’t feel we would of minded as much if it wasn’t for the fact that shortly after our arrival my husband helped 3 middle aged men to their room which was 3 round from ours, was ground floor and had no steps on the balcony. We did wonder the logic in this given hotels are aware of guests coming in prior to allocating rooms. We asked reception for the option to move as the morning following arrival my 2 year old nearly fell backwards down them despite being in our presence the entire time. We were told they could not discuss until management arrived on Monday. When we discussed this with the manager and said “do you feel this is safe for our young children?” He replied “yes” and my husband then asked “is this resort not family friendly?” To which he also said “yes”. We found the manager very rude and not friendly throughout the duration of the stay. Despite not moving, we made it work by ensuring we kept our children away from the balcony for the remainder of the stay. Furthermore, the rooms were average, beds were comfy, however, the floors were filthy throughout the duration of our stay despite asking for these to be cleaned and the maids coming in regularly. These were not mopped once and our feet were black. We asked numerous times in addition to prior to arriving for late check out and was told we needed to ask this on the day of check out, which I find bizarre in itself as hotels are aware in advance of guest capacity and allocation of rooms. On the day of check out we asked in the morning and was told we needed to of let them know in advance and this was not available. There was no changing facilities or side room for us to freshen up or have a shower after a full day of having no room before going home. I am thankful that we chose not to swim that day. The pool was tired, the lining on the sides of both the large and children’s pool were falling off and they were not heated. My children could only spend small amounts of time in the pool at once as they were so cold even with 29c heat. Despite the location of Labranda being central to both the old and new town which we love, I would strongly avoid staying here if you are a young family. We definitely will not be returning.

Please please avoid this hotel. Arrived on the 30th December booked in for 2 weeks the worst experience I’ve ever had. Was very traumatised and still am. My room was severely infested with ants and cockroaches the staff were no help whatsoever. The staff are very very rude and very very aggressive. The room was very dirty stains on the sheets, walls, tiles, everywhere. Cleaners did not clean the whole week I was there just changed towels no clean sheets I spoke to staff and reps for a full week with no help had to leave the hotel after 1 week as was not safe to stay regarding the infestation health reasons and staff being very aggressive towards me had to leave for my own safety and family’s safety. Worst hotel I’ve ever experienced place should be shut down. How this can be acceptable for anyone to stay in and receive so much abuse is beyond me. Not acceptable at all!!! I will be claiming compensation

This is our second time staying at the El Dorado. This time we stayed in a one bedroom superior apartment, not sure what made it superior though. The apartment was basic and overall cleanliness was satisfactory. The camp bed was made up in the lounge on arrival, however this was not comfortable, the mattress went through the middle and the whole bed made a dreadful noise as soon as you moved. The bedroom was nice, however on the second night we found a cockroach in the wardrobe!!! We told reception but were met with ‘you come to a tropical country’ and ‘it’s the rain’. We asked what we needed to do and she said somebody would come and spray, but nothing happened so we went out and bought our own spray. Was the apartment clean? It was ok but there were signs of not being spotless, hairs on the floor, mould in the bathroom and a dreadful smell under the sink in the kitchen etc. cleaners when they did come in only spot mopped and did not change towels. We had to ask for towels to be changed. The apartments are in a great spot, close to the shopping centre and at the end of the main strip. There are two pools, one being more child friendly. We stayed at the more adult one and there was always beds available. Sadly people do reserve with towels and even though sign saying towels would be moved, never once happened. It’s also frustrating when you see people putting towels on at 7.30am and not coming to the beds until 1pm even later especially as not really enough umbrellas. Staff are ok, I wouldn’t say over friendly but ok. I do think the late check out charge is a little high. 2 hours was 40 euros for a 1 bedroom apartment and 50 euros for a 2 bedroom. Overall we enjoyed staying at the El Dorado, our first visit was in 2022 which we really enjoyed when we stayed in a 2 bedroom, hence why we decided to go again but I do feel the 1 bedroom apartment is not as good as the 2 bedroom and if going again would forget the superior and go for a 2 bedroom apartment. The location is the best thing about the El Dorado.

Great location. Near to shops bars and restaurants not far from beaches bus stop ops etc. it’s got a main entrance and a rear gate to use to get to shopping centre and old town. Gardens on the complex nice and well kept and paths lit up at night. Pool behind reception not heated and we didn’t use. Pool far left from reception slightly heated but still very cool. We always managed to get a sun bed but at times they were all taken (school hols). The parasols were concreted into the ground so don’t blow over but can mice to where is needed either. A leaflet provided by reception stated pools closed at 6pm but they actually closed heated pool at 5pm and the cold pool at 6pm which was misleading and strange considering most people used the heated/sunnier pool later than the non heated pool. There was always a lifeguard on duty. Rooms basic but ok bottle of water provided in room on arrival. Cold water pressure in room non existent we had 2 sinks in the bathroom one just stopped when turned to cold the other just about ran a trickle of cold water but trying to get a cool temp on the shower was near impossible as it was scalding hot (and I like a hot shower) or just a trickle. Could be a little noisy at night from passing cars or karaoke from nearby bars but didn’t stop us sleeping. Wi-Fi patchy but ok (worked on balcony and living room but not in bathroom or bedroom). Nice big balcony with table and 2 chairs also an extendable drying rack. We were 3rd floor and felt very secure and could leave windows open as there’s no way of gaining access to them from the outside. Air con was included but we didn’t need it in Feb and the Safe also included but you need a fab thing to activate it from reception. If you ask at reception they will also provide pool towels. We didn’t have any bugs or mosquitoes in our room during our stay. Clean probably visited 3 time over the week to mop floor, smelt like they cleaned bathroom and replaced towels. Bedding not changed. Would I stop again? Yes for the right price down to its location.

This hotel is excellent value and bang in the middle of the old and new town of Puerto del Carmen, which makes it the perfect location. It has a lovely setting surrounded by palms and is lovely to sit by the pool. The hotel is in a busy area but it's very peaceful and you can certainly relax here. The rooms are spacious and have good balconies and air conditioning in each. It loses a mark because it's a bit worn out and will need refurbishment soon. Its certainly a great hotel to stay at and watch the sunsets.