Sandos Papagayo

This has to be the worst 4 star (not) hotel I have ever stayed in. The pool areas were dirty, not once cleaned in the 10 days we were there. The tiles are broken, grout between tiles is non existent and are covered in dirt. The main pool used for entertainment has green algae in the white filters surrounding the pool. China and glasses were filthy dirty in the restaurants, we picked up at least 5 plates each time to find a clean one. Clearly they don’t replenish their dishwashers with clean water during the day or use tablets. We bought our own cups for drinks and ate out most evenings. The room was worn out and stank of the neighbours constant smoking on the patio. Definitely won’t be returning there or the island again, it’s totally put us off. The only saving grace was the evening entertainment.

We arrived yesterday and initial experience was so so. The reviews from 2 years ago still hold strong. Despite Sandos providing feedback to individuals- nothing has changed. No concierge to put bags away whilst waiting for the room to be ready. The baggage room was chaos. I had to assist some older people getting their bags from the back of the room. Food is okay - not sure what vegan and vegetarians eat- food is laden with meat, even the pizzas. Worst of all- who comes on holidays with families to go to a hotel with concert level loud music until midnight? My bed was vibrating to the base. The sun loungers are broken, old and no where near enough to satisfy the holiday residents. One bar man to serve 30 people at peak holiday period?? This is the least favourable hotel I have been to in the Canary Islands. If you want fast food, plenty to drink and not to sleep due to very very loud entertainment - stay here.

We came back to Sandos Papagayo after we had a lovely stay in April 23 . Lovely hotel with good food and friendly staff. We paid for the Royal Elite package as that suited us for what we wanted from our holiday. The Royal Elite is good but it could be better, if there was a place exclusively for Royal Elite to go and have a sun lounger in their own area or even on the balcony of the rooms ( which are plenty big enough) . The pool areas get packed pretty quickly as people reserve their sun loungers even before the sun rises ( as we found on our last morning due to getting up for an early flight) .. we were shocked that the hotel lets this happen, I was tempted to throw all the towels in the pool , but would have taken too long and would have missed the transfer bus . Also there are not enough parasols for the amount of sun loungers. On other notes , some of the decor in places are looking a bit tired . Over all we had a fantastic week, if they could do something about the points we have made we would definitely come back .

Currently halfway through 11 night stay. The second visit here, gone Tui Royal this time, so pleased we did. If u like a drink, it's the way to go, just get more choice and the restaurant not to busy, private lounge-roof top so peaceful. Restaurant, big positive Danno, will go out his way in explaining what's on offer, all with cheerful smile. Entertainment at night, pool bar. You won't get better singers. Host will hunt u down a seat. It gets very busy... With that, it brings only negative for this hotel/holiday The big bosses need to see how hard the minimum staff work at the bar to fire fight the que. Day time. One staff.. must be two to cover three pools and snack area. They'd have time to clean up and replenish the self-serve area. Night, got to be three staff from 21:00 with a fourth half hour later. Last night counted 27 people in que. This is just not good enough for a 4 star. Staff support later, but it'stooo late by then. A number of guests left halfway through the act because of this issue. I missed 6 songs standing in que. Last year wasn't as bad, but they had self serve beer pulls then. Please improve this and you'll have so many more happy guests and points on trip advisor. Big positive, the staff. Next year.. yes will return. Will add more after hols finish.

Like many, I read the reviews for this hotel before our arrival. They were pretty evenly spread between love and hate so for what it’s worth, I will add mine, pulling no punches! We arrived late evening and the reception area really does have the wow factor. Plenty of staff at check in but no porter to take your luggage. Layout of rooms a bit higgledy piggledy, we had to ask a couple of people to help direct us. Key always worked…..hoorah! The room was the superior sea view…..yes, a fabulous patio and sea view. I read the review about not much space for clothes etc and lack of storage, I took an additional 14 coat hangers and used them all. No drawer unit, just small drawer each next to bed. A couple of shelves in wardrobe. Bathroom was huge……with double vanity unit. Sadly one of our plastic (well they weren’t ceramic) was yellow. There are no fancy tiles here…..looks like a job lot of laminate and melamine…..yes the fixtures and fittings in this huge bathroom were cheap and nasty. There’s a huge drawer under the basins that was useful. The bath is dangerously slippy for a shower….ask for a bathmat. Towels have seen better days…….grey is back in fashion? The bed is vast so no problem if you want to sleep in a different time zone! That’s pretty much the room. Average ……oh good luck if you manage to work out light switch combinations. The air con was noisy too. Meals…..now the food is superb and plentiful, loads of choice however……don’t expect to be able to go to the Asian or Mexican more than a couple of times…..you see it’s the same restaurant, they just change a bit of decoration…..stick a cactus in and voila it’s Mexican, stick a bit of tai chi music on and yeah….its Asian! The Italian is an extension of the International buffet with a bit of pasta and a few pizzas. Didn’t go to the larger family pools, stuck with adults poolside. We knew we had beds in same place each day…..the same fag ends were on the floor all week. I saw one chap with a mop who gave a cats lick on a few tiles one day but there was no apparent cleaning regime. Oh I tell a lie, a window cleaner did a thorough job one day. Didn’t ever see the pool cleaned. Folk have moaned about cracked tiles…..get over yourselves, yes there were a few but nothing dangerous. Talking of danger, at the bar there are exposed wires showing from a broken junction box that had been poorly attended with a bit of insulation tape. This in the bar area by the pool where children come and go regularly, especially at night time entertainment. Talking of entertainment, the award goes to the worst bingo caller ever…..Mr monotone shout, doesn’t use a microphone has no personality. You can set your watch……just when you try for the post lunch nap by the fag end, sorry pool. Time to come home…..they’re not worried about you nicking the spa towels, you would have to be desperate to pinch some of the threadbare efforts. We asked to extend our room for late check out and told it would be fine, come back the d

Reception is lovely and staff were welcoming. However, after being here 3 days, I feel the hotel is poor on detail and not performing as it could. Our balcony was flooded on our first night, and there is no drainage system to remove the water until the maid cleared it the next afternoon. There's rust on the bathroom drawer and the shower looks like it might collapse. At lunch all the wine glasses were dirty, some still had lipstick on them. The sunbeds are old and uncomfortable. We booked a room for 3 people but arrived to find only 2 chairs, 2 towels 2 cups etc. The pool bar only had one person serving on a hot afternoon. These issues shouldn't arise in a 4 star hotel and are easily fixable. Plus points The hotel is clean, staff friendly, and food is fine. Elite bars are very nice. The hotel just needs to sort out the small things. We wouldn't come back.

Superb stay. Lovely helpful staff. Gorgeous pools. Big hotel. Lovely entertainment. Really enjoyed the Abba Night. Lots of space. Great walk to the fantastic Rubicon Marina. Fantastic views from the hotel. Been here before, twice. Fab!

Stayed in July 2023 with my daughter as a post gcse treat. Had a fab week and would have happily stayed longer. Food was good, gluten free options were noted in the buffet restaurant. Staff were helpful and friendly. Rooms cleaned daily. Adults only pool was an great bonus.