Review date: 24 September 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Dundee wrote:-

Review title: "Guanabara Great!"
Travel date: September 2008
Just back yesterday from two weeks in the Guanabara Park Apartments. Absolutely loved it - didn't want to come home!

Maid service was fantastic - in every day changing towels and even did our dishes, which I didn't expect them to do. Pool area very clean and well kept. Rooms perfect - have everything you need.

Guanabara is in a great area as it's not right in the middle of the hectic resort but is ideally close so that you can go into the main resort when you want to - ten minutes walk.

Paul Santangelo, who does the night time entertainment at the apartments, is brilliant. He does a great job and gets everybody laughing - takes care to remember everyone's name and get everyone involved in the legendary knock-back quiz!

Will definately be returning to the Guanabara Park on my next trip. For everyone who complains about the stairs: you are on a volcanic island - they are hilly.

Review date: 08 September 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Norwich, UK wrote:-

Review title: "Basic But Brilliant"
Travel date: August 2008
First time to Gran Canaria and our decision to stay at the Guanabara Park was a good one. The complex is located at the head of a valley and the walk down to the main areas of interest takes only ten minutes or so. The walk back however can be tiring, but with taxis very cheap and plentiful this is no real problem.

Rooms are basic but well equipped. We found the maid service to be excellent. Apartments (we had two) were cleaned almost every day with towels and bedding changed when required. No sign of cockroaches as some others have mentioned but if you are not careful with bins and waste you may have a problem - so put tops on bins and do not leave food out or unprotected.

Prices are above average at the bar with the food very basic but they have a captive audience so expect to pay a little bit more. Good thing about the location is that its quiet at night so no problem with getting the kids off to sleep. We stayed at the hottest time of the year but as the apartments are high up, most evenings had a nice breeze and there was really no need for air conditioning. Pool gets busy with the usual placing of towels on sunbeds by some at the crack of dawn - so be prepared for that if you do not venture out from the apartments.

Paul the English host/entertainer does a good job to look after the guests on quite a limited budget. What amazed me about Paul was that after meeting you just the once he can remember your name and everybody else's name for the duration of the stay - quite some feat. I don't know how he does it!

If you get the chance and your budget allows - hire a car. Mine was booked on line in the UK and only came to £80 per week inclusive of all insurances - a bargain indeed. The beaches west along the coast are very good. Our favourite was Puerto Mogan. Good bars just off of the beach, staff friendly and welcoming. At around three, when it is very hot, my family of five would get out of the sun to a bar/restaurant - 12 to 15 euros would enable you to buy excellent tapas for all of us - fish, squid, octopus, chicken wings, Canarian potatoes and cheeses etc. good value.

We thoroughly enjoyed our first trip to this island and found Guanabara Park good value for the money.

Review date: 01 September 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Hull wrote:-

Review title: "Great Place To Go On Holiday "
Travel date: August 2008
Great hotel. Basic but good. The entertainer Paul Santangelo was pure class. Quite a walk to the supermarket but only two euros in taxi. Paul Santangelo - you made our stay at the Guanabara Park fantastic.

Review date: 06 March 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Staffs, England wrote:-

Review title: "Guanabara Park Rocks"
Travel date: January 2008
It was our first visit to Gran Canaria. We were very happy with the apartment - it was lovely and clean (no roaches). The beds are too cheap and hard, that was my only gripe.

The pool and area was spotless and the cleaning ladies were non stop.

Lots of walking up and down but that was enjoyable and we worked up an appetite. We were self catering so I can't comment on the food, although snacks we had were not so good and alcoholic drinks seemed pricey.

The weather was a perfect 20+ degrees all week. We would definitely go again to the Guanabara Park.

Review date: 01 October 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from Yorkshire, England wrote:-

Review title: "Nice And Clean"
Travel date: September 2007
Lovely views and nice clean apartments. However, the Guanabara Park is at the very top of the hillside and is a taxi ride from anywhere. No shops, bars etc nearby, nothing.

Entertainment OK but nothing through the day. Poorly stocked supermarket. Staff friendly and pool area nice. Too far out of town but only three or four euros in taxi into centre which is brilliant.

Puerto Rico is great but Guanabara is too isolated for anyone.

Review date: 28 August 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from wales wrote:-

Review title: "Guanabara Park"
Travel date: August 2007
Very disappointed and disgusted. Wouldn't recommend it, very unfriendly staff. Wouldn't rate it as a two star.

Review date: 09 August 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Stirling, Scotland wrote:-

Review title: "Guanabara Park Apartments. Great"
Travel date: July 2007
I wasn't sure about these apartments when we booked last minute but was pleasantly surprised by them! Yes, they are not your five star apartments but they are totally clean and were always cleaned by the maids.

The pool and pool view was lovely and the staff are really friendly (struggled a bit with the women on reception but we didn't speak Spanish so I'll let her off).

The fact the apartments were on a hill didn't make any difference to our holiday. Taxis were easy to come by (ask reception to book one) and cheap.

The resort and restaurants were great. Loved the place. So much so, guess where we are off to last minute next week? Guanabara Park!

Review date: 27 February 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Newcastle wrote:-

Review title: "Guanabara Park"
Travel date: July 2007
I have been to Guanabara Park and I thought that it was a lovely place to stay. There are many bars and restaurants, also a mini market next to the apartments.

The only down side was that you has to walk down a lot of steps to get to the bars and restaurants but apart from that it was a good holiday.

Review date: 20 July 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from Guildford, England wrote:-

Review title: "Guanabara Is Lovely"
Travel date: July 2007
To all those bad reviews of the Guanabara - OK, the rooms are basic but you get everything you would need for a self catering holiday. You would know when you book that the hotel is up a hill and it's not so bad to get taxis, it's only about three euros each way.

The entertainer was pure class - he is exactly what you would expect for this type of accommodation. If you don't want a cheesy Butlins performer, pay extra and go to a four or five star hotel, but the knock back quiz and stand up sit down bingo are so funny. Paul Santangelo, you made our holiday!

The cleaners are very satisfactory, unless you make a huge mess you don't need you sheets changed more than once a week anyway. There are one or two cockroaches, but it's a hot country.

The staff are very friendly (except the woman on reception, you have to go on a hunt to find her) and they try and help when they can. They really appreciate it when you attempt a bit of Spanish too.

Overall, a lovely place to stay and the views over the harbour are amazing, although the commercial centre is very touristy, we preferred it along the seafront.

Review date: 16 July 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from Nottingham wrote:-

Review title: "Very Average At Best"
Travel date: July 2007
Very basic accommodation. You need to pay extra for TV, hair dryer, fans, cooker etc but then again this reflects in the price. Cleaners visited most days, although they just make the beds and don't actually change the sheets.

Previous comments on the resident entertainer are spot on - he is Butlins class and irritating. Biggest complaint is the cockroaches though - five in the apartment in the first week! Get some insect spray from the reception as it definitely helps (why don't the cleaners spray whilst they go round!?)

Accommodation aside, Puerto Rico is very nice. Amadores and Anfi beaches are superb and night life has a lot of choice. Loads of day trips available also. Shopping centres are fine, but the guys selling sunglasses/watches at night should be avoided (its a cover for what they really sell). Avoid Anfi time share reps also.

Would visit Gran Canaria again but not Guanabara Park.

Review date: 10 July 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from Notts, England wrote:-

Review title: "Guanabara Park Is Poor"
Travel date: June 2007
Why do most of the reviews on this site say its good at Guanabara Park apartments? It's up a steep hill, no good for old or young, beer was poor and not cheap, food OK and all the talk about the resident entertainer - he loves himself and the jokes and the act is the same so after week one, keep away from the Guanabara week two because its the same rubbish. Sorry to say rubbish but he's OK for Butlins and no more and I noticed when he talked to kids he had no time for them, unless mum and dad are stood there.

Review date: 12 August 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from UK wrote:-

Review title: "What A Voice!"
Travel date: May 2007
We booked this holiday to relax and that is exactly what we did. I enjoyed the stay at the Guanabara Park apartments and Paul Santangelo the entertainer gave us so many laughs while we were there with his humour and general off the cuff moments. We plan to be back again next year!

The apartments were clean and so was the pool. The staff were very helpful too. Definitely a happy place to go! See you next year Paul, you legend!

Review date: 06 December 2006 - A HotelStreet visitor from England wrote:-

Review title: "Go Guanabara Park! It's Ace!"
Travel date: September 2006
It was amazing! Best holiday ever! The pool was brill! The entertainment was awesome! I got to be a princess! Wow - they even made bingo fun! I suggest this place as it is wicked! I'm hopefully going back there next year, fingers crossed.

Review date: 12 August 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from Suffolk wrote:-

Review title: "Fantastic! "
Travel date: May 2006
We had a lovely stay at the Guanabara Park! The weather was lovely, the apartments were lovely (cleaned every other day) and the staff were so helpful, couldnt have asked for more!

Yes, we did have two cockroaches and I hate them, but you are in Gran Canaria, what do you expect! We told the staff, and the very next time the cleaners were in, there sat a cockroach spray and we never saw them again! For me to say that is something because I hate the things!

As for the entertainment at Guanabara - pure class! Yes, it's cheesy but Paul Santangelo (legend) is so hilarious! I spent many a night cracking up at his jokes! If you like a bit of light hearted, harmless fun, then you'll love Paul Santagngelo! He made my holiday and is so welcoming to everyone! He got to know everyone's names and made a real effort with us all! The barbecue he arranged was fantastic also and a good opportunity to get to know people around the hotel.

All in all, a fantastic holiday, in a fantastic location! Not suitable for people with walking difficulties. I'm a fit 26 year old and even I struggle with the hill!

Review date: 25 July 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Brighton, Engaland, UK wrote:-

Review title: "Enjoyable Holiday"
Travel date: July 2005
Guanabara Park is old but clean with regular maid service. The staff are friendly and the entertainment in the evenings is great. The atmosphere was relaxed with all the holiday makers becoming friends and really interacting with each other. All the staff are very helpful and the kids had a great time.

There were only a few problems: if you have children that can not swim then the pool is no good as it is very deep (even I could only just about touch the bottom!). The children's pool is tiny and very shallow.

It is way up in the hills and frequent taxis home were needed, but at least they were cheap. Being up in the hills had its good points too: it is very peaceful and the views are fantastic.

The drinks are expensive at the bar which is a shame as you want to stay there for the entertainment. The on-site shop/mini market is extortionate and rarely open

Review date: 13 April 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Dundee, Scotand wrote:-

Review title: "Fantastic"
Travel date: April 2005
I am recently home from a holiday in the Guanabara Park. It was fantastic. At first we thought that we were in the middle of nowhere as we didn't look down the the main resort but it was ideal for myself, husband and two year old daughter. The staff couldn't have been more helpful and friendly, especially the girl on reception, Adam our rep and Rebecca.

Apartments were clean although there were a lot of cats around. The pool was heated and always kept clean. The apartments are a short stroll downhill to the resort centre where you will find all the usual resort attractions. We will be returning to the Guanabara Park.

Review date: 12 February 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from England wrote:-

Review title: "Excellent"
Travel date: January 2005
It was wicked. The staff were excellent. I will be coming back shortly.

Review date: 15 February 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Norway wrote:-

Review title: "The Best"
Travel date: December 2004
Hi! I stayed in Guanabara Park for one week and its the best vacation I've ever had. You had to take taxi if you didn't enjoy walking, but the taxi rates were very low. Gran Canaria is only mountains and coast, you can't expect to have everything on your doorstep. They had many evenings with great shows and the workers (bartenders, reception people) where looking great ;)They helped you whenever you needed help and it was great.

The sun came on the apartments approxomately at ten in the morning and you had the sunset on the horizon every night. Beautiful view. Like I said you can't have a view like that and live near the sea, you have to get high up in the mountains.

I'm working hard to get there whenever I can. To live at Guanabara Park was the best thing ever!