Elba Carlota Beach & Golf Resort

Third visit to the Carlota, having also visited the Sara on multiple occasions. The hotel used to be a really excellent place to stay, pleasant atmosphere, casual but not too casual. It had reasonable food, good service and was a generally comfortable reliable four star to stay at. Unfortunately on the latest visit it's clear so so many corners have been cut. There's significantly less choice in the restaurant, most of the drinks I tend to drink had run out in both the indoors bars on the first night - tio pepe maybe I understand (though it ran out last at the sara too), but is johnnie walker really the sort of thing you're not going to stock? Long queues at the bar in the evening made it undesirable. Additionally the pool has a terrible atmosphere, music constantly being played and loud holiday reps not really considering some people may actually be trying to relax. Additionally 4/5 days we came back to the room with no towels which is just ridiculous - you can afford to substitute towels while they are in the laundry. It is not unheard of guests might want to shower in the afternoon. We had to pretty much fight it out to request an iron too, in this day and age a shortage of irons in a four star? For star hotel and you cannot afford to have an adequate number of fifteen euro irons for guests to use? As well as this I requested a taxi for 4 adults and a child, the receptionist called a taxi which could not fit us all. Then said she knew we wouldn't fit, why would you not request a 6 seater or call two then? Madness. The staff were otherwise pretty good, bar staff were mostly pretty friendly and some of the waiters really excellent. While the stay was not unenjoyable it was decidedly unremarkable and for the money poor value. More like three stars than four. My mum who has been staying at these hotels for over a decade reflected the same sentiment. Massive shame really, used to be such a well run place. By all means visit but know what you're getting.

Elba Carlota is a short transfer from the airport. It is set in its own beautiful gardens right next to a beautiful sandy beach. It has a variety of bars and 2 restaurants and plenty activities and shows if you want to get involved. The food is excellent and is constantly changed as it is buffet style with the head chef constantly checking quality and display. The all inclusive bars have a great selection of branded beers and spirits. The other main strength of the hotel is its staff! Nothing is too much trouble and the hotel is kept spotlessly clean. Special mentions to Paula in the pool bar, Williams in the lobby bar and Reynaldo and Antonio in the restaurant! The reception staff were excellent and were very helpful in sorting out problems that I had with my phone and organising a late check out for my flight home.

We found that we had to ask for towels as they were not automatically put into your room. Our beds were never changed while we were there. The food for breakfast and lunch were ok. The meals at night were NOT good if you didn’t like fish there was not a lot else to choose. Staff were very pleasant. We couldn’t get a room last day when we had a very late flight. We were given a room with a half hour slot for both of us to get showered and ready. Which to be honest was a disgrace.

Our 2nd visit to this wonderful hotel, wonderful location with town and beach very close,just got back from spending 12 nights, everything was perfect. I can’t give any negatives because I don’t really have any. Can’t believe other negative reviews about the food, our party of 6 Always found the food excellent. Rooms were cleaned each day, pool area clean and tidy. Plants and trees outside the lifts -1 floor from room 538 needs looking at they don’t look healthy. We will return many thanks.

Hotel is of good standard, rooms are a bit dated, however, everything you need for a good holiday. Outside space is well kept & pool areas are nice. Our room was a 5 minute walk from the beach which was very clean & not overcrowded. In general, the experience was really positive. Only criticism would be that if you have any issues & need to speak to a member of the reception team, prepare yourself for along wait!! The check in staff can be preoccupied with checking in guest's while the guest's stand there drinking the complementary wine. This is all very nice, however, when you are just trying to get your key sorted out as it does not work for your room & are waiting over 20 minutes, this can be a bit frustrating!! Food was good & a wide selection. Drinks available from breakfast til late at night which was good. (I have spoken to people who have gone to other hotels & been restricted on drinks & availability of food). Overall, I would return to this hotel without hesitation & would also like to comment that the staff were really friendly & professional.

We are here now… This hotel is beautiful, it’s clean, the drinks are standard, the staff are lovely but… The food is dreadful!! I’m not a fussy eater the only thing I do not eat is mushrooms. But this has to be one of the worst hotels for food I’ve ever been too. If I’d have brought one of my kids he would have eaten pizza, bread and butter and nothing else. Can’t fault the breakfast! It’s brilliant. But the food is left out for ages and it’s stale, it’s old, it’s just not great I’d expect this food for 2 maybe 3 star not 4. My friend has a fish allergy and the signs don’t always match the food. My other friend is a veggie and there is bare minimum for her to eat! The pool is lovely, the music around the pool brilliant except the Christmas song it’s a bit early lol The beach is lovely and a nice walk to the shops. Entertainment is great for the kids.

Currently on day 5 of our weeks stay here and we are having a fab time. One of the two large pools is heated, which is lovely for this time of year and takes the chill off of the water. The hotel is kept spotless and all of the staff we have come across have been pleasant and helpful. The animation team and daytime entertainment programme is brilliant with lots of lively activities and music by the pool. The restaurant staff also deserve a mention as they work really hard keeping everyone topped up with drinks and the place tidy. The grounds of the hotel are beautiful and the location of this hotel is right on a lovely sandy beach. There is a shopping centre directly next door which is handy for the supermarket and a few small bars/restaurants. There is also a bowling alley and arcade in this centre along with a small outdoor fun park for small children. Caleta de fuste is the closest town which is about a 20 minute walk down the seafront, however we actually preferrer the beach and location up here rather than down in the town (much more scenic.) Rooms are pretty standard and were adequately sized for 2 adults and a child, we were glad that we booked a room with a pool view as many rooms face outwards of the hotel and just onto other buildings. My mum booked a junior suite instead of a standard room, which was huge and definitely worth the extra money. Hotel guest are a mix of nationalities and we’ve found that the food was sometimes a bit sparse if you don’t like fish dishes or are a picky eater (like my husband and son.) All inclusive drinks options are good and the snacks available at the pool bar through out the day were good. Slushes and ice creams also available at the bar, but you have to ask for them and are not obvious. Lots of sun beds available by the pool, but we opted to pay the €5 a day fee to rent the comfy poolside cabanas. Not sure that we would choose to come back here again, due to the lack of things to do in both the immediate vicinity and town of Caleta de Fuste, but I have certainly stayed in worse hotels (and I’m super picky with holidays.) For the low price that we paid and free child place with Jet2 there’s not really much to moan about here. If you’re wanting utmost luxury then this may not be the place for you, but for a clean, more than comfortable holiday where the staff can’t do enough for you then I would recommend it here (especially for families.) Thank you Elba Carlotta for a lovely stay.