Gavimar Cala Gran Hotel and Apartments

Firstly, 3 pools advertised online, only 2 open- and been this way since 2022! Meaning that the pools were massively overcrowded and not enough sunbeds at all! Even out of peak season. You’re only allowed access to the pools and terrace after 10AM, all locked up. On check-out, you are made to give back your wristband as your ‘board ends’ or pay an extra €10 to extend it. Never in all my holidays have I known this- ever! Hidden cost, good job we took money as some wouldn’t being All Inclusive! We were unaware of the Euro deposit for plastic cups- believe this should be advertised. However, we did take our own cups to keep our drinks cold but manager didn’t like this and proceeded to tell his staff off in front of us but not say anything to us. Food was taken off from one side of the restaurant half an hour before the end- aswell as this, staff and manager helping themselves before the end- like feeding time at the zoo, discourages guests. Food was never hot, the only hot thing I had whilst here was the soup. You can see this when they come to take off the food they pick up the metal tins with bare hands. No hot water in the Bain-Marie’s- which experience of working in catering, this is what keeps the food warm. For some reason before the manager helps himself to a plate full of food he takes photo’s of all the food- unsure why. You’d struggle if you have any allergies at all as there is absolutely no allergen labels on any of the food. Baskets of bread-rolls are left out UNCOVERED most of the day which you can see from the top of the stairs to the restaurant. The lock on our room was broken from day one- also our bathroom light, there was a gap in the balcony door. Shower is physically unfit to use- especially if you have long hair (to wash it!) The 1 bin in our room wasn’t changed for the duration of our stay. Upon speaking to the Jet2 man that was at the hotel on some days telling him we were unhappy with several things- he wasn’t helpful at all, just told us he was new to it. The one day we did attempt to get a sunbed by the pool- we were told it had to be straight and can’t face a certain way, however a few days later, saw someone doing exactly what we were told we couldn’t. Because of this and round the pool being overly crowded we decided to use the beach instead- however another hidden cost due to having to pay for sunbeds which were advertised as €5 each on the sign, but €6.05 with tax when the sunbed man comes round and gives you a slip. Also, due to using the beach we couldn’t make full use of our All Inclusive board as it was made very clear you couldn’t take food or drink off the premises. All the gates to different areas- pool to beach etc all locked with padlocks, so have to walk all the way round. The ‘locked’ safe area for your luggage on the last day isn’t locked as it’s broken. All the plugs in the downstairs bar area don’f work and if you have a late transfer chances are you will need to charge your devices! We were provided wit

…including, sadly, some of the staff! Most of them were very helpful although the gent behind the bar most of the time we were there was rather too full of his own importance. Have a good look around at the potential add-on costs if you’re thinking of booking as they are everywhere. €4 per night plus €10 deposit is the most we have ever paid anywhere, including in The Bahamas, for use of the room safe. We paid €25 for a late check-out (until 3pm, 7pm will cost you €40), plus a further €10 each to extend our all-inclusive bands. Beach towels hire is €7 each, plus €10 deposit and €2 every time you wish to change them (but I do think it is excessive that some people need a clean towel every day!), and then there’s the daft €1 deposit per plastic drinking beaker. This must be saving them a fortune in staff not having to clear tables. Finally, the tourist tax (€0.55 out of season per person per night & 2.20 in season), which is not the hotel’s fault. Standing under the dribbling shower trying to guess when it was going to run hot again became a fun daily ritual – it almost seemed like it was on a regular pattern of hot to cold and back again, and the whole bathroom was rather tired. Beer and soft drinks as well as hot snacks are available – for all-inclusive guests – at most times in a small room off the downstairs bar. Drinks can be self- served, but obviously only once you’ve paid your €1 for a plastic beaker, and should you want a hot drink then it’s back to the nice gent at the bar to ask nicely for a paper coffee cup as only he gets to issue them, one at a time. The food is plentiful & hot where it should be, but mostly bland. We also thought the selection was quickly repeated.

Most awkward hotel I have ever visited. We visited end of April 2024. Read the hotel description very loosely as the hotel isn't as advertised. Only 2 pools open and has been since 2022. Both pools over crowded, guests aren’t able to facilitate the pool until 10am and if you don't get there fast all the sun beds are taken and this wasn’t in peak season! We even had to go pay for a sun bed at the beach as there was no space around the pool a couple of the days and when we were able to use the hotel sun beds we were instructed where to relax! We checked in at our hotel at approx 14:30pm, there was nowhere to sit by the pool. We decided to get some lunch to discover that half of the food had been taken away even though the buffet was advertised to be open for a further 30 minutes. This was a reoccurring situation, for lunch and dinner. If you were late to the restaurant you wasn't able to get a full meal and before the guests had the opportunity to get food the staff (manager included) had already swarmed and taken their meals. Food on the other hand, was just un edible. The ban-marie wasn't even warm, the lights were just lights and not keeping food warm, the chefs were picking up metal trays after service with their bare hands, meat undercooked and if you have any allergens these weren't catered for. We stayed all inclusive and the snacks they advertise are crusty stale bread rolls for burgers/hotdogs until they take these off and leave biscuits! Our transfer to return home was at 17:00, check out was at 11am therefore leaving us time to spare. There were options to pay and extend your check out however what was the most obscured thing was we had to return our all inclusive wristbands at check out and having spoke with the travel rep he spoke with the manager who advised because we checked in early (14:30) we had exceeded our use. Luckily we took money as we had to pay €10 each for the privilege to extend the bands. As a frequent holiday maker we have never come across this. You can forget the secure luggage room also as the lock doesn’t work so anyone can gain access! Another thing not disclosed if you need to deposit €1 for a plastic cup. Don’t think you can use your own cup to keep drinks cool either as the manager abruptly told off his staff in front of us yet didn’t say anything to us who were the ones who tried to save on the washing up! Room wise, there was an unnecessary third bed taking up all of the space, our lock was broken since day one, the balcony doors didn't close properly, we had no light in the bathroom, shower leaked every use and the water was just as if it was coming out of a cup and our bin wasnt changed for the duration of our stay. A kettle was present in the room but no facilities to make a hot drink. The balconies overlook each other so no privacy. Multiple derelict areas unused, very dated, with colder weather than anticipated we asked for an extra pillow and blanket and was told to wait until the following day. Lo

Absolutely shocking hotel, dirty rooms, we upgraded to an apartment which was a bit better, the food was disgusting, couldn't eat anything, we came home 4 days early & love holidays were no help what so ever, I would never in a lifetime recommend this hotel to anyone, I would seriously reconsider coming to this, if u want to enjoy ur holiday then book somewhere else, seriously disappointed

We arrived too early to check in but the hotel asked what time we were checking out and allowed us our A I Braclet, which is also your room key and opens external gates). We got to enjoy the food between food, food. ( between breakfast and lunch ) and also the bar. You need 1€ per glass deposit , which is refundable. There is gin, vodka, bailey's, Cava, red and white wine and numerous domestic drinks. Beer can be self poured as can soft drinks hot n cold. Meals, my experience they were amazing, lots of fish, eggs ( for breakfast ) fruit, pastries, bread rolls,meats ,cheese's and for breakfast, even baked beans. Breakfast time, Nuke your plate in the Mic ro wave, so your food stays hot. Sunbeds, Go to the beach, the other pools at the hotel or even the sister hotel outside 🤔, stop moaning there's no sunbeds, it the usual half heads who (have to have the same sunbeds every day. This hotel in my/our opinion is great, room , staff, location, food. Everything. Animation, Entertaining but a little Lacking. I'll be staying here again, but if you only want Chips , burgers, sausage and beans, go elsewhere maybe. This hotel caters for Spanish ,French ,British and many other nationalities well and that takes compromise

1 bed apartment very small the pull out bed is a joke, no lock on bathroom, no kettle, no complimentary soap ect. Poor air con. We only ever used the pool outside our room D1 it was the most convenient. Definitely not suitable for disabled people or if you have walking issues as it's a vertical walk with steps to reception and the restaurant. Food always the same, but not too bad. Staff are friendly and a lovely local beach which was crowded. Again very hilly to walk to the shops. Entertainment was poor so we gave up with it. No air con in reception there was literally no where cool to sit waiting for the taxi. Worst of all people smoke right outside reception so you have to walk through the smoke its disgusting.

The hotel has very nice pools. A basic but really hard working entertainment staff. The location is superb. The hotel is very basic. About 3 large lounges that aren't utilised. The lounge tv's don't work, it's as if they have zero budget, no tv licence for the shared areas and they were empty all the time. On arrival, our patio door didn't lock. I was told it didn't matter as we were 3rd floor, or some nonsense. The maintenance guy said he fixed it the next day but it never worked. The food was atrocious. The cheapest of meats and fish. No chicken, just turkey pork and they were regurgitated into curries and burgers. There were a lot of cold burgers and the lunch food was just burgers and very cheap goujons (if you were lucky). There were no chef prepared meals, just chopped up salad, boiled pasta and things you could just buy at the supermarket frozen or wholesale and reheat. I didn't think they even needed a chef but he came out at the end of the week smiling, it was bizarre. It was a shame as I think if the owners actually put some money into this hotel it could be amazing, the space, the location. Their staff deserve better.

Only good thing I can say is that the staff were friendly , 1 bedroom apartment , my 18 yr old son had to walk through our bedroom to use the bathroom ( not good ) . Cockerels and chickens running wild and waking everyone up from 4am onwards . The food , well what can I say , I must give my compliments to the chef , in all the hotels I’ve ever stayed at , this hotel is the only one where everything that’s cooked tasted equally as bad and smells horrendous ,well done !!! It cost me £2k to eat out over the duration of my ten night stay . Also our toiled seat was disgraceful , after complaining it took them until the day before we left to change it . All in all , not good !!!!

On arrival the guy on reception was lovely helpful & quick check in . Room very dated but clean & a beautiful sea view which we upgraded before arrival , The entertainment was below our room not a problem as finished about 11pm ,, Room cleaned daily fresh towels tho a bit thin ! & pillow’s were awful, bed was very comfortable, Food for a 3 ⭐️ I thought food was pretty good & we had no complaints there Entertainment again was ok they try really hard to involve everyone Bar staff were lovely Pool area got a bit crowded & this was may so no idea how it would be peak times , We enjoyed our we always make the most of a bad situation!!! Well I do