San Marcial Apartments Reviews

We have just returned from a 2-week package holiday in the San Marcial Apartments booked online with JWT / First Choice. JWT gave the apartments a 2-star rating, which is about right for the amenities and service currently on offer. They have the potential to be 4-star, but are let down by skimping on the finer points.

The San Marcial apartments are located in the heart of Matagorda, the easternmost suburb of Puerto del Carmen, around a 10-15 minute coach ride from Arrecife airport and a 15-20 minute taxi ride from the centre of Puerto del Carmen (too far to walk). The complex consists of 15 whitewashed blocks of 4 apartments, two up, two down, laid out in an open, south-facing open rectangular arrangement, looking out to sea if it were not for the Beatriz Playa hotel blocking the view (the two are separated by a 1-acre open space of palm trees). The complex is arranged in terraces, with the apartment blocks in the topmost terrace, overlooking the bar/restaurant on the middle, and the pool on the lower. There is an overpriced on-site supermarket in a sub-level adjoining the pool run by one of the surliest shopkeepers you'll ever come across!

Our first impressions were not good; despite an on-schedule arrival at lunchtime following a 5am check-in in Dublin, most of the apartments were still being cleaned, leaving most guests to wait around until between 3pm and 7pm before they could move into their apartments. Day 1 was a write-off; any benefit of the early flight was completely lost. And it was not an isolated incident; we watched the same thing happen with guests arriving the following week. There appeared to be insufficient housekeeping staff (about 4 in all) to cater for all 56 apartments in the complex in a timely manner.

When we eventually got to occupy our one-bedroom apartment, we were further unimpressed to immediately find long-standing water damage across the bedroom and bathroom ceilings. The paint was continuously flaking off the ceilings and upper walls throughout our stay and the musty smell in the bedroom was intense if the window was left closed for any length of time.

Housekeeping was cursory. The bathroom remained liberally splashed with sun cream from the previous occupant(s) and the shower tiles ran brown when we washed them down with a drop of bleach and water. The icebox in the fridge was frozen solid and required complete defrosting before we could fit anything into it. During our 2-week stay, towels were changed only twice and bed linen only once, not particularly hygienic in a sweaty peak season when temperatures sometimes reached 40°C or more.

That aside, the apartment was spacious and typically equipped with a 2-ring electric hob, an electric kettle and a microwave oven/grill, and a manually operated TV with just CNN, Sky News (in BandW only) and the local canarian TV channel. Basic utensils were a tad stingy and did not match the number of occupants; no teapot, toaster, brush or mop were provided - unless you were willing to hire them at reception. Contrary to other reviews, we found the metal sprung frame beds uncomfortable; either the sprung wooden slats or the plastic mattress cover groaned or squeaked with every turn.

The pool area consists of a freeform pool and kiddies pool. Sunbeds are limited and parasols even more so, and most were usually snapped up before dawn by returning late-night revellers. Despite signs warning that towels would be removed by 'night security', this was never enforced. In fact, the so-called 'security' turned a complete blind eye to the rowdier revellers, leaving it to guests themselves to confront any late-night racket-makers.

JWT's description of Matagorda was of 'a rapidly developing area with an ample selection of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants to choose from'. It is actually a neglected backwater of Puerto del Carmen, a purpose-built then forgotten tourist overflow consisting of nothing but apartment complexes and vacant lots surrounding a single, two-storey 'Centro Commercial'. There are no other amenities apart from the dozen or so bars/restaurants, two mini-markets and four souvenir shops concentrated inside the open-air mall. The nearest alternatives are 800 metres away along the charming seafront promenade, in the modest commercial strip bordering the Jameos Playa complex. To be fair, all of the restaurants in the mall serve good food at low prices (typically ?7-12 for a main course, about half the price of restaurants in downtown Puerto del Carmen). Our favourites were the Auld Triangle, Paradise Beach (try the rack of baby ribs or the meat platter cooked over the barbeque) and the Sirocco (their Steak Provençale is fantastic).

Should you need to top up with ready cash during your stay, there is no ATM in Matagorda itself; the nearest is the Banca March at the roundabout on the main road opposite the Jameos Playa (about a 15 minute brisk walk along the promenade).

Would we return to Matagorda and San Marcial? No. We usually go for quiet, family resorts, but Matagorda is positively lethargic with virtually no distractions except to watch planes land in nearby Arrecife airport. San Marcial has great potential, but needs a little investment and more aggressive management.

after paying over £2000 i didn't expect to have to wait 5 hours before we could get into our room, then the bedroom window was only held on by one hinge and was reported but nothing done about it the room was only cleaned twice during our week stay. the receptionist was really unhelpful and although lanzarote itself was lovely i would never stay in san marcial again

We went via First Choice to Lanzarote - Matagorda resort between 3/4 - 10/4. The accomodation was Self catering. The place was excellent, the staff helpful. Kids loved the Pool. The beach was good, its a quite family resort. All in all - our first trip to Lanzarote and definetly not our last. We had a great time

This was our first trip to Lanzarote, and we had a very enjoyable stay.

The weather was ideal, ranging between 20 and 25 degrees celcius, with a nice cooling breeze, which was ideal for entertaining our nearly-3 year old.

We booked the San Marcial apartments at the last minute, and they may not have been our first choice had we had a greater selection. Having said that, we were pleased with our accommodation. We requested a first-floor, poolside appartment, away from the renovations that we were warned about, and fortunately that is exactly what we were allocated.

Our parents-in-law were allocated the adjoining appartments, and both appartments were very satisfactory. Spacious, clean, and with very comfortable beds, a well-maintained accommodation with nice view of the pool and complex, and with adequate catering facilities (for the very limited amount of catering we did).
We had oven, hob, micro-wave/grill, kettle, hairdryer, etc. TV with Sky News / CNN / Eurosport and local channels.

My only words of advice about the San Marcial are that we were aware that not all fellow holiday-makers were as pleased with their accommodation in the complex - several families we spoke to had been allocated appartments in various stages of disrepair, and were extremely unhappy until they were re-allocated.

The staff were friendly and helpful, the standard of food in the bar/restaurant was excellent (especially the fish platter for two!), the complex has a supermarket on site which is great for fresh fruit, pastries, and other necessities. There is a children's playground. Unfortunately, the children's club on site was not open during March. The beautiful beach and promenade were a three minute walk away. The entire resort stretch of Matagorda / Playa de los Pocillos / Puerto del Carmen is within easy reach by taxis, which cost next to nothing (cheaper than the public buses), and are readily available (front reception organises taxis which are to hand within minutes).
The beaches were clean and uncrowded.

Matagorda is the most recently-developed stretch of coastline running the 5 miles or so from Puerto del Carmen Old Town to Arricife Airport. It is also the quitest stretch, in so far as the promenade by the beach is closed to car traffic, creating a very safe and pleasant walking area for a couple of kilometres. While flights to the nearby airport come and go all day long, they are not at all disruptive, and are quite interesting to observe.

There are plenty of restaurants along the promenade. As you travel by taxi from Matagorda through Playa de los Pocillos through the New town of Puerto del Carmen to the Old Town, things get increasingly busy in terms of shops and restaurants. Relative to other islands I've been on, there is little in the way of tackiness to disturb the soul.
We rented a car for 4 days over the fortnight, and found driving very easy.
The island's volcanic landscape is both stark and beautiful, and it is fascinating to see how agriculture operates so well from such a landscape.

Trips to recommend by car: El Golfo and its seafood restaurants, with breathtaking views of the sea crashing against the volcanic rock (and a playground for the children). Puerto Calero for its pretty marina with yellow submarine, catmarans, luxury yachts, and cafes. Playa Blanca for its beach and Rubicon Marina. The coast road from El Golfo to the salt plains, for its breathtaking views. Yaiza, as a pretty village. Arricife, for its seafront marble plaza with playground, exotic birds, cafes and patisseries. Our only regret was driving to Costa Teguise, which is abominable, and which we couldn't get out of fast enough.

Restaurants: our only complaint was that we didn't have enough time to enjoy them all! Excellent value (although what isn't when you live in Dublin?), great wines, and excellent standards. Highlights include most of our experiences eating out in the Old Town, where the seafood was great. The duck with black cherry sauce at Restaurant MontMartre was the most excellent dish I have ever tasted! A few doors up, El Tomate does an excellent seafood dish bake, which had our neighbours in the restaurant craning to enquire from us as to what we were having. Nippon Japanese restaurant in the old town was a wonderful treat the first night we tried it, but the service let us down when we returned for a second night. We also had a lovely meal in the Greek taverna in the Centro Commerciale in Matagorda , although it may have been as much to do with the atmosphere as the food.

Bon Voyage, et bon appetite!

We have just returned from the San Marcial Apartments and although the weather was not brilliant - an excellent time was had by all. The rep - Allison was brilliant too - the best we have met so far.

We were a little concerned before our departure as we had had a letter from the travel agents informing us that there was some building work going on. This was not a problem to anyone who is going there this year.

The apartments were clean, although they were in need of a face-lift, but that is exactly what is happening at the moment. We had a look at the new apartment - it was brilliant.

We enjoyed eating at the O'Orrero (I think that is how you spell it) You could get an excellent meal for 7 euros a head.

For anyone going to the San Marcial this year - read the previous reviews apart from the family who complained about not enough bed linen etc. If you need anything - ask - and you will get it.

I would certainly return to the San Marcial although would probably go a little later in the year - eg March.