Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada

This was a return visit, and unfortunately probably our last. We visited and 2024 and back then I had nothing negative to say at all. Unfortunately now cost cutting seems to have reduced the quality of stay. The food mainly, very repetitive with hot food options being poor. The salad bars were lovely and plenty of choice. The restaurants unfortunately rush courses way too much otherwise would be an enjoyable experience. Many sunbeds need replacing, they are just plastic sunbeds and I think if a hotel is claiming to be 5 star a comfy sunbed is a basic. Positives- rooms are spacious, modern and clean. Housekeeping is excellent and the minibar daily replenishment is good. Cafe is really nice, good coffees and cake and sandwich selection is also good. Location is good, took around 45 minutes transfer on coach and shops and restaurants in short walking distance. We hired a car from the desk in reception, this was easy and convenient with free parking. Evening bar staff are great, really attentive and friendly. Cocktails are lovely. The hotel appearance itself is nice.

Despite the good points I just don’t think it warrants the price tag to stay, and too much focus on pushing grand club. We hoped this was a hotel we would return to over the years but quality has slipped, perhaps if first visit you’d be happy but as we’ve experienced better it’s spoilt it for us.

We’re currently staying at the Grand Hyatt Lanzarote on Grand Club Half Board and, having read some of the negative reviews before arriving, I honestly can’t understand many of them. We’ve been really impressed.

We’ve eaten breakfast in Ola every morning and the choice is fabulous. There’s a huge spread, with eggs cooked freshly to order – omelettes, fried or poached – as well as a crepe station making fresh crepes while you wait. Dinner has also been excellent. They try to vary the theme each evening and we’ve always found plenty that we enjoy. Sunday Gala Night was particularly good, with a great choice of meat and fish freshly cooked to order.

Our room is gorgeous – spacious, spotless and very comfortable. The huge 50-inch TV has actually been a big plus for us travelling with our young son. We don’t tend to do very late nights and, thankfully, he could sleep through a hurricane, so it’s been lovely being able to relax in the room in the evening! Housekeeping has been first class. The room is immaculate and towels are refreshed twice daily.

The choice of pools is another huge plus. We’ve split our time between the Grand Club infinity pool and the family pool with the slides and have loved both. Everything has been extremely clean and we regularly see staff cleaning the pool areas and testing the water.

The staff throughout the hotel have been fabulous – friendly, professional and genuinely helpful.

Is it a true five-star hotel? In many ways, absolutely. There are, however, a few areas where the hotel is beginning to look tired. Some internal doors and skirtings could do with being renewed and some of the tiling around the pools needs attention. These are cosmetic things rather than anything that has affected our holiday, but they are probably what stops the hotel feeling completely polished and luxurious throughout. If Hyatt continues to invest in these areas, this could be an outstanding five-star resort.

For comparison, we stayed at Princesa Yaiza in Playa Blanca during the summer. I would still put Princesa Yaiza slightly ahead in terms of overall finish and that really polished five-star feel – but the Grand Hyatt honestly isn’t far behind.

Overall, we’ve had a fantastic stay. Great food, beautiful room, excellent pools, superb housekeeping and, most importantly, wonderful staff.

Would we return? 100% yes – for the right price, without hesitation.