Hi,
we have just returned (Jan 07) from LJP. It was the most wonderful and relaxing holiday we have had in years. We are a family with small children - the youngest is only a baby and I can honestly say that nothing was a problem at this hotel.
Airplane noise is not an issue. As another poster has said, the planes approach from the sea and only when they are about to land do they get close to the runway- a bit scary the first time you see it. You do hear the odd drone but it is not even irritating.
This hotel is quite large. It has about 550 rooms. It has a lovely reception area arranged with three wooden balconies overlooking it (in the Canarian style I am told) and two large wooden staircases. The rooms lead off the reception area in a sort of semi-circle on both sides. The height of the hotel is limited to 3 floors so it is pleasantly low-rise. There are two pools (one heated to 25 C), a childrens pool(unheated I think) and a baby pool (heated). While we were the only a few brave souls went into the heated pool. The weather was pretty pleasant for Jan, 20 C every day. Sometimes you had to wear a sweater in the shade and in the evenings. But it was still lovely and warm most of the time.
The hotel has loads of leafy palms and other lush vegetation between the pools, and a little stream running around with a few little bridges over it. It is all very pleasant. At the far end of the hotel you can exit (with electronic guest card) onto Los Pocillos playa which is a broad stretch of sandy beach, and there is a nice long promenade and plenty of shops and restaurants too.
This hotel is German-owned and German-run (the director made a point of speaking with us during their stay, I assume she did this with every guest) and attracts loads of German guests. Also Dutch. British Guests were very much in the minority when we visited. Nothing wrong with the German guests, they were very polite (I have lived in Germany myself for many years so I feel I know a bit about the place), but they do have a certain way about them, I can't quite describe it, it is not exactly coolness, it seems to be more a desire not to interfere with one's neighbour, so there is a certain amount of 'distance' maintained. Having said that, anyone we did get into conversation with was very nice.
The hotel is very efficiently run. It is staffed by Spainards, all of whom speak excellent English and German. The staff were extremely nice. Nothing was too much trouble. I observed them dealing with several guests at reception and they were unfailingly polite and helpful. Travelling as we were with small children, they made a huge fuss of the baby and made great efforts to accomodate us at every meal with a large table, hot water for baby drinks etc.
The food here is really exceptional. Four star quality if not five star. Every meal was a delight. There is a half board option as well as all-inclusive. In my opinion the all-inclusive is probably unnecessary, you will dine like a king on half board. Salads, fruit, desserts, grilled fish, chicken, steaks, everything. Lots of stuff cooked in front of you on the grills. Drinks are included at dinner.
We are in our early 40s and (unusually) we felt like the younger guests at the hotel. Perhaps it was just the time we were there that they had a lot of older guests, 55+ (apologies if that seems ageist). No matter, all were treated equally.
There was night-time entertainment each evening which was of decent quality, but after 11 O'clock the place was 'dead trousers' as the Germans say, i.e nothing happening. So if you want a vibrant night life this is not the place for it. But for us with kids who are asleep by 9 o'clock, more or less it was ideal.
We have stayed in many four star hotels and this one was truly exceptional. We fully intend to return as soon as possible.
Hope this review helps.
