Casthotels Fuertesol Bungalows

“Few days away ”

After reading previous reviews I was a bit apprehensive but need not to worry all was well rooms where basic but clean no ant's anywhere shower lovely and powerful and hot beds where a bit hard pool lovely but it opens up at 10.00 could have a bit earlier not noisy lovely break

“2nd Visit and Won't Be My Last”

Dates: Friday 26th July - Friday 2nd August Board Type: Self-Catering Room: 330 Travelled: Couple in our Thirty’s This is more for those: individuals, couples or even families who are open minded and will use this hotel as a base. We have to go during English school holidays due to job roles. My … more

Dates: Friday 26th July - Friday 2nd August Board Type: Self-Catering Room: 330 Travelled: Couple in our Thirty’s This is more for those: individuals, couples or even families who are open minded and will use this hotel as a base. We have to go during English school holidays due to job roles. My second visit to this hotel, and no doubt won’t be my last. I have read most of the reviews since my previous review from last year and want to shed some light on these useless and distrustful submissions as the hotel deserves more credit [granted, there is still plenty the hotel could do with doing and my review will certain help highlight that]. Use my review[s] as a guide or don’t, I try to make them a little more thorough because before I went on my first ever holiday 11 years ago the reviews I read at the time were not great and I want to make sure people who read my review[s] can get a better essence of what they are looking into. But it’s an opinion nonetheless and you will have your own experience. This review could be similar or slightly different from my first visit but I have not compared them, so this could contradict something I’ve said before; I have also had a better time this holiday than the last so my opinion is going to be different. Just remember, you’ve paid to stay at a 2 Star Hotel and guess what… you’re going to get some issues but, a few of these issues people have slated the hotel for is beyond the FuerteSol as a hotel's control for example: • The shops are too far [they really aren’t far, check google maps directions FuerteSol to HiperDino], there are road works… this happens everywhere there’s a road, get over it. • The surrounding area is untidy, again this is mostly from the road works and other construction in the surrounding – granted there is a small plot of land adjacent which the hotel manager could do with getting sorted BUT they could be waiting for the surrounding works to complete as the works have been going on well over a year now. • The hotel while we were there was fully booked, guess what will happen if it’s fully booked? They’ll lack alternative rooms to accommodate peoples issues. So either, be patient and wait a day or two or even find a way to resolve your issue. For all you know, you can deal with whatever you are complaining about. Regarding bugs, however I have seen that the cleaning staff do have insect and bug repellent etc on their carts. They might not use it unless requested or notice any reason to use it. Granted there are certain chemical or other deterrents professionals use which are more efficient and won’t require further action. If there are further issues, it’s no doubt just nature especially when you’re leaving doors and windows open. I have stayed in various star hotels and it’s something that happened in all of them. Some Recommendations to Help Your Stay: • Plenty of advice from people are saying don’t eat here, their Customer welcome sheet shows a photo of the food and it does look as described from the reviews so I would say don’t go for any other board than Self-Catering. Plenty of food choice in the local HiperDino 5-10 minutes up the hill depending on your capabilities. • Pack one of those USB / Rechargeable battery fans, £5 in most English stores [Home Bargains / B&M for the two I bought] as the rooms do get stuffy at night, there is a plug and shelf situated either side of the bed so you can have them on there in the night. The hotel charges you €20 for a fan if you want one, I’m not too sure how good they are so unable to comment how good they are. • If you are English and for whatever reason can’t survive on the local shelf or fridge food and need something that you would usually find in our supermarkets, then there is an English Import Shop up the road next to the HiperDino which have a decent amount of stuff. Expect to pay more than you usually would though. Pro’s • The pool is a great size and depth if you enjoy swimming. It can somewhat be cold, but when it’s hot outside it is a nice way to cool down. It’s definitely cleaned in the mornings. Usually plenty of space to swim around, as well as usually can get a sunbed if you need one. • Check-In [and Check-Out] is usually very quick and is not that difficult to navigate around the grounds, there is a map given to you. • The hotel is situated in an almost a perfect spot, between the Beach and near the Shops / Restaurants and Bars. • It is a brilliant base; cheap to go here and utilise the money you have saved so you can go out and enjoy your holiday. We booked through Love Holidays and I believe for a week it cost approx £400 total [for the hotel and not including flights]. We spent, an additional €500 on food, drinks and extras such as an excursion [the value in euro's is for eating and drinking out several times]. For me, this is somewhat better for money as at an All-Inclusive you are looking at £900 for the bare minimum, somewhere in not the greatest location or possibly lack variety during this time of the year. If you are all-inclusive you would no doubt seclude yourself to the hotel to make the most of your money, which is understandable however will not experience what Caleta De Fuste has to offer as a holiday location. • Safety Box is only €10 and €5 Deposit for a week. • Provided with two sun loungers, tables and chairs on the terrace. Cons • Agreeable, the hotel as a whole is very ‘tired’ and needs new paint / plastering works in various parts throughout. [Though I have witnessed some of this work being done] • The outdoor light is solar powered and doesn’t run off mains, therefore is intermittent and made eating or sitting outside somewhat irritating having to wave over the sensor. I don’t think this is the case at a few other Bungalows. • Some care for the light bollards throughout the walking path, various light bulbs need changing as it can be quite dark navigating back to the bungalow. Could do with sweeping up around each accommodation as well as there are load of pebbles that kids are just throwing around and making it look messy. • There is a fusty smell in the base unit under the sink, wall units and in the wardrobes [doesn’t affect the smell of your clothes]. This is no doubt from the humidity and heat throughout. Which to be fair is important that the hotel works to fix. • The main sliding door is a good yank away from being a security issue along with the windows NEED those security bars in front of them like most Spanish places. It is rather uncomfortable having the window open at night while you’re trying to sleep or if you wanted to let some air in the place while you go out; there is no security. Neutral • Again, the cooking pans might not be sufficient. • The shower pressure is fine, but it’s a small head. • Sofa [Futon] is OK, might not be fit to sleep on for an adult though. • The sofa in the last one I stayed in, was not fit for either. • The cooking facilities such as the pans are adequate and serve the purpose, it’s not exactly expensive to buy your own from the shop if you’re staying longer than 3-4 days if you wish [the Spar Shop down the coast do them roughly at €10. If you’re cooking more than once a day; this might be a good choice]. • It not well sign posted for the toilets and showers near the Pool area. These also need a good bit of renovation. • They can’t always accommodate your request but no doubt will do what they can, if so I do recommend either a corner Bungalow or one away from the pool area as this can be busy with foot traffic so it makes it little less private when you want to sit outside. Overall The hotel is worth staying at if you think about the price you’ve paid and the location you’re at. If you’ve been to hotels where it’s been better and you can get it for the same price then that’s fine; go there! It is certainly not without its faults though. But I absolutely love Caleta De Fuste and the fact I use this place is used for Self-Catering and as a middle ground it’s fit for my purpose. There are worse hotels in the surrounding areas. If you put more money in for a self-catering then you no doubt will get a better hotel but we are talking Cost against Value for money and this works out fine. I will also upload some google map photo’s to help show some of these locations I've mentioned. If the management read this review, I hope you take some of the comments into consideration and work towards remedying any of the issues. As well as update your Customer Sheet you're giving out, needs sprucing up a bit. The hotel is brilliant and has plenty of potential. I’ll hopefully be back in 2025 or in 2026 and look forward to it already. Special Mentions: • Taxi from the airport for us was €15 each way and took only 15 minutes! The taxi rank is about 10-15 minutes’ walk away from the Hotel for those needing it. So, consider this if you consider paying for a private transfer [which are usually €40+ each way] or transfer supplied by your holiday provider which could take you anywhere between 30 minutes to over an hour to depart never mind arrive. • If you like beer, do not be afraid to have the local called: “Tropical” especially when it’s usually the cheapest. Ranging from €0.85 - €1.15 a 330ml [33cl] can or €2.50-€3.50 for 400ml [40cl] tankard, depending where you go. • If you are able to walk without much of an issue, try walking to the natural beach a little further down coastline toward the Commercial Centre where there a Spar shop and loads of other shops. It’s a better beach, water is usually calmer, less seaweed; and the sand doesn’t feel like it’s from a construction site. • A lot of the restaurants and supermarkets accept debit card as a norm now, so make sure to utilise this with the likes of a Monzo bank account as you’ll get a brilliant conversion rate [better than your Bureau exchange]. Just make sure to select “Pay in Euros” rather than “Pay in GBP”. • Zanzibar: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g658907-d17733776-r963584902-Zanzibar-Caleta_de_Fuste_Antigua_Fuerteventura_Canary_Islands.html • Oby Cat Experience: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g658907-d8293212-r963584034-Obycat_Experience-Caleta_de_Fuste_Antigua_Fuerteventura_Canary_Islands.html • My Previous Review: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g658907-d664505-r908525754-Casthotels_Fuertesol_Bungalows-Caleta_de_Fuste_Antigua_Fuerteventura_Canary_Islan.html Happy to Answer Any Questions

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