Hi Tia73,

We were at the Gran Hotel Costa Meloneras at Easter and also visited the Villa del Conde whilst we were there. First of all they are definitely two separate hotels, the CM is right by the lighthouse with all the smart shops just outside the back gate, whilst the newer VDC is about a third of a mile up the road/prom towards Meloneras.

Although they were very happy for us to look round the VDC, there is no exchange of facilites as far as I'm aware. It's very smart (though so is the CM) and the reception area is like being inside some grand cathedral, which I believe it was modelled on. It was much quieter than the CM at Easter and also has about half the rooms (1100+ at the CM). There were three or four pools, one of which is sort of infinity, in that it's at the sea side of the hotel and water laps over the edge, but it's nowhere near the same league as the CM's fabulous infinity pool. Note that the area can be quite windy and I felt the VDC pools area was less sheltered from this than the CM.

There's also a Spa which has recently been completed, I think. If the deal's the same as the CM, it is great value. You mention the VDC having less facilites than the CM, but I'm not sure in what way ?

As we walked away, my wife thought she'd maybe rather have stayed at the VDC, mainly because it was quieter, but although I thought it was beautifully finished, personally I preferred the CM. The gardens and pools at the CM are quite superb, I guess the gardens have had 3 more years to establish but the sheer scale and landscaping is mighty impressive. By coincidence I was looking at some pictures of it this morning and a colleague asked if it was the Caribbean.

We DIY'd it with alpharooms.com who are a very good hotel booking site. You can also book direct at the hotel's website which is http://www.lopesanhr.com . I'd be quite tempted to phone to enquire about availability, as the reception staff are very pleasant and helpful. I'd be really surprised if they were full before the school holidays, especially if there's only two of you.

Any other questions, just ask. I love talking about these hotels !!

Thank you for this information - its proved really useful and it also appears that by booking direct with CM there is still availability and the prices are quite reasonable so thank you for the web link.

We're still a little undecided - we like the idea of it being quieter at the VC but love the sound of the pool at the CM and the fact that as that hotel has been established a little longer , the grounds reflect this.

I wasn't aware that the VC had a spa which was why I thought the CM appeared to have better facilities so thanks for pointing that out.

What are the rooms like at the CM and is it worth paying that little extra for a pool/garden view do you think?

Are there restaurants etc in easy walking distance from both hotels as we both enjoy to wander out of the hotel in the evening for a meal and a drink (or should I say drinks!)?

Thanks again - look forward to your response.

Tia73

I would definitely pay for a pool or garden view room at the CM, as I believe most of the standard doubles look out the front (north side) of the hotel. Most of the front is very nicely landscaped with long ponds on the approach drive and fountains, but on the east side is the car park and not even this hotel can make that look attractive !! Factor in noise of arrivals, departures, deliveries and the (albeit fairly distant) road and it's definitely to be avoided.

Having said all that, we didn't pay for one, but I e-mailed the hotel before we went requesting a garden view and we got a very acceptable room on the west side. If you pay I would imagine you're placed on the south side where all the main gardens and pools are, with the sea beyond and I'll definitely do this when (not if !!) we go next time.

With the VC, the entrance/driveway is much, much smaller and I didn't even see a car park, so it maybe wouldn't be such an issue. As I mentioned, it was much quieter than the CM and that's maybe because it's building up it's clientele, so you never know, there might be the oppurtunity of a free upgrade on arrival and if that doesn't materialise you could always pay the extra at the hotel if you weren't happy.

We had a junior suite which was very spacious, in fact as I said in my review, I was just expecting a larger room whereas it was two separate ones. More of a suite really and I wondered whether we'd been upgraded, but when I checked on the last day they confimed it was a junior suite, so very impressed. The standard rooms I'd imagine are the size of one of the one's we had, so pretty spacious and my wife was very impressed with the amount of wardrobes/drawers.

Regarding the location of restaurants and bars, I'd say the VC is about 400m from the nearest one's, so not far. However the location of the CM really can't be beaten. Come out the back gate and there is the Maspalomas lighthouse right in front of you. To the right are all the smart shops, restaurants and bars some of which are actually built into the sea front side of the hotel. All the rooms are far away from this though, so noise is not an issue. To the left are the more traditional shops and restaurants, in that they've been there much longer and are not part of the new development that came when the CM was built. Come out the front entrance and directly across the road is an emerging shopping centre with more restaurants etc and then there's the casino and another shopping centre to the left.

We were half board so didn't eat out at all, but people we met who were on B&B thought the restaurants were very good. I can certainly vouch for the bars too.

Tricky deciding between the two. As I mentioned, my wife just preferred the VC but I loved swimming up to the edge of the CM's infinity pool and gazing out across the prom to sea. Whichever you choose, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Thank you for takng the time out to reply - it is very much appreciated.

We have decided to go to the CM and are currently in the process of booking it. We are curerntly trying to decide whether to book a sea view or the pool/garden view so I am hoping we do get a good room. I have tried on two occasions to email the hotel direct via their website through their reservations email address to ensure we do get a good view, but have received two replies (both a little off-hand - perhaps the language barrier?) that keeps telling me I need to contact reservations!! I've explained that I'm following their link on their site, but I'm pretty certain this is getting lost in translation. You don't happen to have the email address you contacted them by do you??

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards.

Tia73

I used the contact form when I wrote to them and I must admit I only got an automated reply and it was only when we got to the hotel that it was clear the message had got through.

There is a reservations address mentioned on the site...

reservas@lopesanhr.com

...or is that the one you've been trying ?

If that doesn't work I'd be tempted to phone. They nearly all spoke great English on reception.

im sure you will be glad you chose CM as your hotel. we are going again next week for our second holiday here. if you like peace, relaxation, pampering and good entertainment thats not too rowdy you will love it here. yes, there are many different nationalities here, but there are so many pools, bars and restaurants to choose from that you wont be bothered by anyone. have a great holday

christine and derek