Got a chance to book a cheapy at these apartments, anyone got any recent info?

Cheers,

Jim

we went a while ago .just booked for may 2005 . rooms ok all with seaview good balcony/terrace . never used bar resturant as we always ate out . there are reports in the hotel reviews .

gary

Hi Jim

We have some reviews of this hotel at Altmar Apartments reviews

HTH

luci

We stayed at the Altamar for a week in Sep 04....

We were in room 120...which is on the 5th floor (I think!!) - we used the lift immediately after you leave reception to get there.

The lifts themselves are a bit ricketty, and not much use if more than 5 people get in them - or, as we often encountered, if the cleaning staff decide to completely fill them with their gear!

The apartments are basic, but not bad for the money. There's no air conditioning, and they get really hot in September!! You can hire a fan for 15 Euros, and you also have to pay to hire a kettle & safety deposit box. I can't remember how much, but you do get a deposit refunded on return. The tv's are also pay as you use, around 1 Euro per hour...and you can get BBC Northern Ireland (??) but after about 8pm, the reception gets a bit dodgy!!

The balconies are big, and have a table, 3 chairs, 2 sunbed loungers & clothes horse, though the balconies aren't entirely private, and can be accessed easily by anyone. I must say, no one strayed onto our balcony whilst we were there! We had a decent view of the sea, and of the other hotels in the area, and we looked down to the pool area that's next to the restaurant/entertainment area. The hotel has 2 pools.

The reception is 'interesting'...all wicker furniture and plants. It's all open plan, and there's a Spar supermarket (not cheap!) and internet area (3 PC's - 15 mins use for 1 Euro). Be warned - there's often a queue for use!

To get out of the complex, you have to either climb stairs, or there is a ramp. At the top, just over the road, there's a taxi rank, that's more or less always got a taxi ready & waiting, and for 3 Euros into Puerto, it's worth it! Just a bit further away on the same side of the Altamar is a bus stop - I think it's 1 Euro down to the town.

The Europa shopping centre/bars is about a 10 minute walk away, and looks like it could get quite lively on an evening. There's 3 Nettos there, loads of restaurants, shops and a booking office to book your trips through. They are a bit cheaper than booking through the JMC reps.

Back to the Altamar - my one major 'gripe' was the entertainment. You have no choice but to listen to the DJ....in the afternoons, and between 9.30pm - 12.30am every night!! We were self catering, and liked to eat out on our spacious balcony each evening, as we spent the days away from the apartment. In the end, we sat in the hot apartment as the DJ has his speakers inside the restaurant (fair enough) - AND outside at the same volume! Even people we spoke to who stayed next door at the Blue Star complained about the noise. The DJ himself was really good - and very professional, but the noise ruined our evenings. I joked on the last night that I hoped he'd lose his voice....and the next day, he was silent as he had indeed lost his voice!!!!

Despite that moan, the entertainment team seem to work their socks off, having a 2 week rotation of acts/discos & bingo in the afternoons, with prizes of around 150 Euros.

The JMC reps have an office up in reception just near the entrance, but they're not always around, as I found when I needed their help when I broke my wrist on the last day of my holiday (I still have the cast on for another 3 weeks!!!). Also, if you do have an accident requiring medical attention, the medical centre near the Europa centre, and one in the main commercial centre in Puerto Rico - be warned. They don't accept E111 forms and you have to have your insurance details to hand. I waited until I got home later that same day and went to a UK hospital.....I'd have been in the same amount of pain regardless of where I was!

All in all, the Altamar isn't a bad place....though I prefer Tenerife!!!

Enjoy your trip!

Hi Debhiwahh

If you haven't done so already, perhaps you would like to copy your report into our review site for these apartments by clicking on the link in my post above.

Thanks

luci

Have just got back from Puerto Rico, was staying in Peurto Azul on the opposite side of the hill. Have stayed in Altamar when they started to build the new hotels, so was interesting to see what it was like and does not have appeared to have made an impact.

If you like and a stunning view you are in for a treat, and I would not hesitate going back there just for that. However it seems JMC block book them for UK visitors during the summer and I think it becomes Scandanvian for winter. Alpha rooms, Medhotels, Wintersunshineholidays dont offer them so I guess they must be popular and only booked via JMC otherwise I would book direct.

Some good bars at the europa centre and a flat(ish) 10 min walk/stagger, however for more choice, noiser, livelier and more expensive bars go to the main commercial centre, you need a taxi (may have a short wait busy periods). Its not that far - cheap on the bus there and 20 euros back in (fast ) taxi if you need more nightlife in PDLI.

enjoy

I am going to stay in this hotel on 2nd May. Has anyone recently returned and could you let me know what it is like as I believe there is building working going on at the moment.

i am going on monday too , 1/2 the hotel( 1 side ) is closed . hotel is great ive been before

Hi All, just booked a late deal to the Altamar apts in Puerto Rico Gran Canaria, Has anyone stayed there and could tell me how it was? How far is the beach to walk to or is there transport to beach. Have two children aged 9 & 5 so any info about kids stuf also welcome. Does anyone know of any good maps of the area ones that show location of accomadation and local emenities etc. thanx , Happy holidays Sharon

Hello!!!

Me and my boyfriend are going to stay at the Altamar Apartments in Puerto Rico on Monday 15th May, has anybody stayed there and if so what are they like?

What is the nightlife like, are there plenty of bars and restaurants?

Also, does anybody know roughly what the temperature will be like?

Any information will be appreciated?!

Thanks,

Jodie.

We have reviews, including a very recent one, HERE.

For weather posts/info, please use THIS TOPIC

Pippy

I am seriously thinking of booking the Altamar apartments for 2 weeks during August 2008 as the reviews I have read have been excellent so far.

I would like to ask whether it would be better to go self catering or half board? Price difference is about £300 but would just like to have second opinion from previous visitors.

Thanks in advance to any replies

Hello, we are going to altamar on the 27th august, we have a little boy 4 years old. can anyone tell me about it, or is anyone going the same time as us. whats the weather going to be like and so on, look forward to hearing from anyone

Hi

Went to Gran Canaria last August, was very hot stayed at the Cala D!or very nice good entertainment best to eat at San Miguels in the Commercial Centre about 30 to 35 euros for our meal with 2 rounds of drinks had to queue some nights but well worth it. Going to the Altamar begining of August have not been there before but the reviews look good and have already booked for August 2008

to smiler 18

We are flying out on 6 August to the Altamar for 2 weeks but will reply when we come back. Also if you get chance Naughty Nigel is a good comedian to see and Chris Mooney is a good guitarist and sometimes does a set at the Bar La Fiesta in the Commercial Centre. They have a DJ on everynight and Bingo at 10pm 5 euros for a book of 6 usually about 230 euros full house

we have just come back from the altamar apartments and we had a fantastic time. we could not fault the apartments, spacious balcony with sun beds, clothes airer and four chairs and table. The only downside was the pull out sofa bed would not recommend it if you are a tall person but the kitchen was well equipped you need to hire a kettle if not use a saucepan to boil water enough plates, bowls a bit on the small side but large fridge freezer bathroom with shower no bath but good size. towels changed regularly and cleaned. the entertainment is ok, chris mooney, quiros brothers are worth seeing. have happy hour from 4 til 5 and then bingo which the week we were could be anything up to 550 euros for full house. we ate a couple of times in the restuarant which was ok but preferred the wellingtons or the tavern in the europa centre which catered well for children or san miguels in the commercial centre. being quite high up on the hill even with it being very hot there was still a nice breeze and the ceiling fans in the apartment were adequate. The spar supermarket was very reasonable and well equipped. You could wait ages for the lifts and sometimes broke down. You are not meant to reserve sunbeds but we put towels down and as long as you were down by about 9.30 we never had a problem. It was about 3 euros to the commercial centre. Some of the Thomas Cook trips were quite expensive as we have a 8 and a 14 year old which we had to pay adult prices for him even though he was only 14. The view from the apartment is fantastic. It does get very hot in august and a skin care advisor would come round selling her products. The after sun lotion is well worth it. It cost 18 euros but it does stop your pricly heat, redness and turns your skin to a nice brown colour.
On the whole we enjoyed it and are looking forward to going back next year.