IFA Faro

This is an excellent 5 star hotel. The location is perfect, just below the iconic Faro lighthouse, and right at the beginning of the Maspalomas beach. The hotel does not have a real garden, but it does have a large terrace with a big swimming pool and super comfortable sunbeds. The decor of the hotel is eclectic, I would call it casual chic, with some very creative ideas here and there: at times a bit unusual, but always tasteful. This applies in particular to the design of the rooms. It has a separate toilet room and a (very spacious) shower, but no separate bathroom: the washbasin is on a block in the middle of the room. It's a matter of taste whether you like it. It is however not very practical, the block takes up a disproportionate amount of room space, and when you wash yourself, the floor around the block inevitably gets wet and you keep walking through it. There is one chair, which is - I’m sorry to say - the most uncomfortable chair I have ever encountered in a hotel, the wicker structure seems to be made of steel wire. It can only be seated on if you put the pillows of the bed in it. There is a huge closet with plenty of storage space, as well as a Nespresso machine with daily replenished coffee cups, and there's also a daily supply of complimentary bottles of water. The view from my room was amazing: frontal sea view! The restaurant happened to change their dinner concept during my stay: from predominantly buffet with also the possibility of one daily menu fixe, to a fully open à la carte menu, with a huge choice of starters, fish, meat and vegetarian dishes and desserts, all of the highest quality. The staff works hard, is very efficient but also super sympathetic. There is some music noise from neighbouring bars, especially on weekends, but I didn't find that insurmountable. In short, this hotel is highly recommended (with as my special request: please replace the chairs in the rooms with more comfortable ones or provide chair cushions!).

I am really struggling writing this review.

PROS: Adults only Beautiful oceanfront hotel with rooftop pool Staff was very friendly, especially Jasmine the manager and Salvatore at the pool Great location

CONS: For the breakfast buffet, you have to make a reservation for a time slot; you can’t just show up when you wake up and are ready to eat You are not allowed to have plastic glasses with cocktails in the hot tub, pool or even sitting on the edge of the pool with only feet in the water New pool towels only before 6:00p, even if people are still enjoying the pool Rooftop pool requires a reservation and minimum 30 euro spend per person

For an adults only hotel, I felt like there were too many rules and we were treated like children. It’s not a relaxing holiday when you have to schedule breakfast, make reservations for the rooftop pool or cannot enjoy a cocktail by sitting on the edge of the pool. I did speak to management about my concerns. They did listen, took it into consideration and delivered a note, champagne and fruit to our room, which was a nice gesture. Never the less, our stay was not what we had hoped, which was a nice, relaxing holiday.