Occidental Jandía Mar

We were hesitant booking given some recent negative reviews however were pleasantly surprised. First the slightly negatives, we were place in block 2 which was out of the main reception building and across the way, we had to use two lifts to go up 3 floors each time, this wouldn’t have been too bad if the lifts were always operational, there wasn’t a day when one of the lifts wasn’t working, the main glass lift in block 1 was out of order for at least 4 days, the the lift in block 2 broke down on the odd day here and there. Meaning lugging a toddler and pram up and down 3 flights of stairs. We found the rooms well maintained, cleaned most days, I think only one day they hadn’t been in. The beds are comfy, we had 3 single beds with two pushed together which most hotels do this, it would be better if there was some sort of mechanism in place to lock the beds together as our son almost fell through the gaps on a few occasions. The shower was mainly good, the pressure wasn’t the best and one of the days there was no hot water at all, when reported we were told the hot water was off throughout the hotel and was being worked on, which did take several hours. The pools were lovely and spacious, the top pool being the main pool which was warmer and busier, all activities and games tended to be around the top pool. The bottom pool is colder but bearable and a lot quieter. Both great to swim in. We didn’t use the spa facilities however just outside was a splash area which my son loved and went in daily, kept him very well entertained. The water park just outside of reception was great, lots of different slides for both adults and children. This was closed on only monday. The park had a mini snack bar serving burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and ice creams (the ice lollies are not included on AI just a basic ice cream cone which was mainly Ice than cream). The food in the buffet we were pleasantly surprised given some negative feedback, yes sometimes the food wouldn’t be piping hot always but this is a buffet with hundreds of mouths to feed. The tables weren’t always cleared and cleansed straight away, sometimes found ourselves walking round ages for a clean table but the staff do work hard, perhaps they need more staff in the buffet. The snack bar was our go to during the day, really good pizza, nuggets, chips, pasta and salads are available. Self serve drinks also around the pool which is great so hardly any queues there. There are mini magnum lollies aswell as self serve ice creams available. We didn’t stay around the entertainment lounge too late so can’t make honest opinion of the entertainment however it sounded like there was always something in most nights, singers, dancers etc. We spent most evenings in the piano bar which is quieter and more a chill out vibe, so our son could rest whilst us adults had our evening time. The bar staff in the piano bar were excellent. Transfer time was late, took us just short of two hours meaning we arrived

The good- Staff were very friendly and encouraging if you tried to say little bits in Spanish (badly). They would happily tell you how to ask for something in Spanish if you asked. When our safe wasn’t working someone came within 5 minutes to fix it and the same when the door wasn’t unlocking. When we didn’t have enough towels one day they brought another one quickly. The hotel grounds and buildings were lovely, clean and well kept. Every morning the paths were scrubbed and hosed down. The pools were nice and clean too. Our room in block 8 was big and clean and the large bottles of water were replaced as we used them. The ceiling fan was great for keeping the room cool too. Plenty towels, which were replaced whenever we asked for them to be and plenty hot water for the showers too. Food was ok and plenty of choices. Often had to clear our own table and ask for cutlery but the resort was busy so think the staff couldn’t keep up with how many people were passing through the restaurant. The pool side food bar was good too and they replaced the food regularly so there was always something you liked available. Pizza was always great at the pool bar and the fresh cooked meats and fish and paella delicious in the evening. Drinks- slushies from the pool bar were great and you could ask for alcohol to be added if you wanted to. We were normal AI but there was always something we were happy to drink. The water park was excellent. My eldest spent hours in there! So good that it’s right next to the hotel and is included in the cost of your stay. The two pools at the hotel were great too, though we used the top one more as it was heated. We managed to get pool loungers every day at 8:30ish on our way to breakfast. Worth a wander down to the bottom of the hill for a bit of shopping and a walk along the beach. We got the free bus down to the second stop at 10am then walked back when we were done. Not so good- When we arrived at 11:20pm there was a large queue at reception of about 20-30 people trying to check in. It took 1h and 20m to get to the front! On the upside the next day we returned to the room to see we had been given a bottle of bubbly, some chocolates and free use of the spa to say sorry for this so not all bad. Sadly couldn’t use the spa as it was just me with the kids but nice offer all the same. On day 7 my eldest got really sick when we were there and couldn’t keep anything down for 24hours. Not sure if it was too much salt water or something he ate as myself and my youngest didn’t get sick just him. When we asked for a blanket to go over our sheet we were given duvets but they had no duvet covers on them- hopefully they’re washed between guests and not just put back into the bag that was in the wardrobe. Our room keys kept stopping working and every time we had to traipse to reception to get them reactivated we were told keep them away from electronics (which we were already doing after the first time they stopped working).

We had a lovely time came 18th Dec for a week very friendly staff nice heated pool really enjoyed the food if you eat fish you will love it nice big clean rooms close to shops and beach and restraunts if you want to go out for a meal water park was great for the kids although wasnt open the whole we was there i was worried with reading bad reviews but glad i came would definitely come back loved it

Absolutely the most disgusting and worst hotel we have ever stayed in, not even worthy of 1star rating let alone 5. Requested a disabled room with easy access to lifts, not accommodating sent us to the furthest point away from reception with no easy access, ended up taking the car to near the room and 3 flights of stairs with our cases. No offer of help. Room poorly maintained with rusty bath with holes you can put your fingers through, light switch hanging off wall with bare cables, massive part of bathroom door missing, patio doors not fully lockable, stained mattress and generally not clean. Food is disgusting, on fully inclusive but now eating out, tried breakfast one morning and found mouldy bread. Dinner selection was atrocious, on the menu was veal liver, goat stew, pigs trotters, one guy ladled out a bowl of soup tasted it then tipped it back into the terrine, kids running riot around the dessert section hands in the selection. The entertainment was awful, kids trying hard with ridiculous quizzes, rubbish magicians and acrobat acts, no music whatsoever. The main pool area was closed with noisy workers. Outside areas never clean . This hotel needs to be closed right now, upgraded, staff retraining and the hotel Director dismissed for being allowed to manage such an awful hotel.

Mediocre hotel, the pools and splash park are nice. People work hard at the hotel, but the restaurant lacks any logic and is quite chaotic. The restaurant offers little variety in food, almost the same every day. The room is cleaned neatly every day but is quite outdated. There is loud music and shouting through the microphone during the day. Reserving sunbeds with towels is very common here, and there are few parasols, so you end up lying directly in the sun. It is very busy, and at the end of the day, there is a lot of trash around the pool.

Went for 10 days 24 August got back on3rd. Had a great time. Arrived late due to plane delay at 2 am they opened restaurant so we could eat which was great. Rooms were spacious and great reception helpful pools great. They even let our highly autistic son who would not leave room have food taken to his room. Maybe a description or note on the hill leading up to the hotel bottom part is steep but either scooters or taxi gets you up well enough. The photo shoot offered by hotel is absolute must and the town is accessible by local bus which comes outside the hotel. Lift opposite the main building continuously broke but that’s a minor moan. Food was nice and plenty of options and some in the party are particularly fussy.