Review date: 25 June 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Meath, Ireland wrote:-

Review title: "Bitacora Club Apartments"
Travel date: June 2008
My girlfriend and I found the Bitacora Apartments to be basic, yet clean and well maintained. Its location in Puerto del Carmen is fairly central and negotiating the little side streets and alley ways becomes second nature after a few days. Staff were friendly and helpful to us.

This being my fourth trip to Lanzarote, I knew to expect the hilly locations but for anyone unfamiliar with the island or who has difficulty walking, Bitacora is quite an uphill struggle especially in the midday heat (even for us in our early 20s). Simply get a taxi for 2.60 euros - it's so much easier after a few San Miguels.

Really enjoyed Texas Rancho Park, jet skiing by the harbour, scuba diving with the ever patient and professional Mattius of Nautic Dive Lanzarote and the water park - none of which are cheap but worth every cent in the end. Hiring a car is the best way to appreciate the island's terrific topographical features and you'll easily get around Lanzarote in one day.

Review date: 08 May 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Dublin, Ireland wrote:-

Review title: "Bitacora Club Apartments - Thumbs Down!"
Travel date: September 2007
The Bitacora Apartments are nice, basic apartments situated in the new town of Puerto del Carmen, but I did experience a couple of problems during my stay.

When my friend and I arrived there, we were told we would have to wait two hours before we could go in to our apartment because it had not been cleaned yet. Standing there in my tracksuit bottoms, I wasn't very impressed about having to wait two hours in the heat to use my room to change my clothes.

I found that the staff were not very helpful at all. A couple of the apartments were being broken into and money and mobile 'phones were being stolen from a few of the people staying there while I was there. Almost every morning at the pool there was someone else saying they had been broken into during the night and some people saying it happened to them during the day when they had popped down to the beach or out for breakfast. We had heard that the reception had been robbed a few weeks earlier and that the keys were stolen from there which was why the apartments were being robbed, i.e. the locks were never changed. We panicked because we thought that not only could the keys of the rooms have been stolen, but that it's possible that the safe keys were stolen too - what hope would we have then!? I don't know whether the story was true or not, but it did sound very ironic. I approached the staff and asked if we could have security walk around at night as my friend and I were both a little shaken by it. Our apartment was in the corner and slightly hidden so we were a bit worried that whoever was stealing would be watching. The staff were very ignorant and inconsiderate. They literally just kept repeating the words 'there is nothing we can do'. I found this to be highly unacceptable! I would certainly not recommend these apartments to anyone because of how unsafe I felt during my stay. If the staff had been more approachable and helpful I wouldn't have been so disappointed.

A lady staying with her husband, told me at the pool that a mouse came under her door because the gap was that big between the ground and the door. She approached the staff about this but, once again, they did nothing.

The location of the apartments was not great. They're at the very top of the hill so it was very awkward getting up and down the hill a couple of times a day.

For anybody who may dislike cats, I would not recommend it because there are cats constantly walking around the pool side. The staff do have a sign up to inform people that they are clean and harmless, and urge people not to feed them as they will continue to return.

The pool was not very clean and didn't look like it was cleaned regularly. It had things like leaves and rubbish built up in some parts of it.

I am sorry to sound like someone who is difficult to please and I assure you I am not! I just like to feel safe when I am on holiday and comfortable in my apartment.

I have been to Lanzarote a couple of times and have had a great, enjoyable and comfortable stay! Apartments I would recommend are the Montana, San Francisco Park and the Jable Bermudas. They are all ideally located in the new town, with no more than a five minute walk to the strip or to the beach. The staff are great and the rooms are very clean. The pools were also very clean and well looked after.

Review date: 07 January 2006 - A HotelStreet visitor from Ireland wrote:-

Review title: "Bitacora"
Travel date: November 2005
We had never been to Lanzarote so hadn't a clue what to expect. It's much quieter than other Canary Islands and it took us three nights to find a lively Irish pub that had a good crowd in it, maybe it was due to the time of year, anyway, the 'Brian Boru' was the place to be.

The Bitacora Apartments were spotless and well maintained. On arrival we were directed to another complex across the road (Bitacora also). We went to check it out first, again spotless and well maintained with a pool, but there was no reception and our allocation was right at the back of the complex. We felt it might be a bit scary late at night so requested an apartment in the main block which we got without a problem.

The poolside bar served wonderful toasted specials. The apartments were located at the top of quite a steep hill which is not so bad to get up and down, but taxis are only €2.50 either way. Beaches were clean and again well maintained. Everywhere we ate was really good.

We had been to Sioux City in Gran Canaria a few times so we had to try the western night here. It was absolutely brilliant, well organised, everybody seated for the night, not herded around like cattle as it is in Sioux City. Staff were lovely and kids were well entertained. They got taught some line dancing, which almost everybody got up for, fellas as well. A highly recommended night out.

Tried 'Mulligans' twice but the place smelt strongly of damp. It was the same band on both nights we went and they were good at what they did, which was very bluesy rock. Not too many people there, again that could be down to the time of year, but we expected a good Irish night and were a bit disappointed with that. Also went to a drag show, we didn't know it was drag; it's called a vaudeville night. Entertainment and a meal all inclusive. Again it was an excellent night, entertaining, and professional, not smutty or offensive in any way. There were kids there too – another highly recommended night out.

We had one overcast day when we did a bit of shopping, other than that sun every day, a few sand storms as well, which is unusual for this time of year. All in all, a very pleasant experience and we will go back again for sure