Daily budget for holiday in Lanzarote?

Savvy_Sue

Actually you probably don't want me there: we came for a week and had at least one of your four days' annual rain ... it was cloudy the whole time too, which in fact suited me very well as I don't like too much sun!

Elle1971

Ah! Then stay away Don't want any more bad weather this year at least

Elle xx

shopaholictiedtheknot

Elle1971 wrote: »

Hi there shopaholictiedtheknot.

I live in Lanzarote. (Yes, I know... I'm a bit smug about it).

If you let me know which resort you'll be staying in... I might be able to help with some hints and tips for you.

Elle xx

Hi we are staying in Puerto Del Carmen

lowonmoney

Elle1971 wrote: »

Hi there shopaholictiedtheknot.

I live in Lanzarote. (Yes, I know... I'm a bit smug about it).

If you let me know which resort you'll be staying in... I might be able to help with some hints and tips for you.

Elle xx

I don't suppose you could recommend a resort for me & my family? I have 2 children aged 3 and 6, and we want to go on holiday in April, self catering. We want somewhere with a pool (preferably heated as we went to fuerteventura a couple of years ago in April and the pool was freezing!), close to the beach and where they have a kids disco in the eve. Also somewhere within walking distance of a variety of restaurants. We came to Lanzarote fot the first time last year and felt we'd picked the wrong part to visit!

Thanks x

Elle1971

I typed out a reply to you... and then my PC crashed - grrrr!

Anyway... here's some info for you.

Jaspar's Bar is at the San Antonio end of the strip... and the best place for cooked brekkies, and roast dinners if you can't bear to be without them whilst on your hols. Say hi to Sue - she's very friendly.

Spenders Bar is the cheapest place if you want drinks in the afternoon. The owner John is a Geordie, and great fun... as are Steve and Natalie. I don't know Natali so well - but the fellas are both cracking men. Give them a pinch from me!

If you are in the Old Town - then an absolute must is Emma's Cantina which is run by Mike and his Mexican wife Emma and is one of our favourite places. real Mexican food, cooked properly - not to be confused with the dozens of Lani's Tex Mex places, which aren't of the same quality. That link also shows his menus... so you can get those mouths watering.

In Matagorda is a little Italian place, underneath Chev's bar. I'm sorry I don't know of a web site for that.

The Waterpark at Costa Teguise is looking a little tired these days - but at least you're not doing it in the height of summer, so you should be ok. I'd definitely recommend a trip to Rancho Texas, which is on the outskirts of Carmen. You can book trips for that. I'd go to Last Minute Travel for that, as the markup isn't too bad. Last Minute will also do the Timanfaya mountain trip for you too - although again if you are hiring a car... then it's more of a bargain, plus you're not jostled on and off a coach. I can give you directions, if you need them - just yell.

Food shopping for self catering - hmmm... sore subject right now on the Island, as we feel that the resort supermarkets are ripping people off. There are a number of Nettos about. But if you are hiring a car, then I would recommend a trip up to "Ropers" which is close to the airport. From PdC... head to the airport, but don't take the airport slip road. keep going until the Playa Honda turn off. Go straight over the first roundabout... and turn left at the next one to take you under the bridge. At the roundabout the other side of the bridge, go straight over, and park up where you can. Ropers is on the main road. It's where loads of us locals go... and has loads of bargains. The fruit, veg, fish and meat here is excellent. Plus you can get all the usual bread etc too. I got a massive piece of lamb for Xmas dinner that cost €8. It did us 3 meals, and 3 lots of lamb sandwiches too. That's for 2 adults and a dog lol. Cracking! If you are planning on doing a fair amount of self catering - then do pay that place a visit. On the opposite side of the dual carriageway to Ropers is the Deiland, for shopping. There's a Hiperdino in there, which is certainly cheaper than the Nettos... but still pricier than Ropers.

There's a couple of tips for you now eh? Sorry... once I start typing about our Island, I can't stop and it turns into an essay - bit of a passion of mine.

Have a cracking time!

Elle xx

PS: lowonmoney - I'll post an essay for you as well in a couple of minutes xx

Elle1971

lowonmoney wrote: »

I don't suppose you could recommend a resort for me & my family? I have 2 children aged 3 and 6, and we want to go on holiday in April, self catering. We want somewhere with a pool (preferably heated as we went to fuerteventura a couple of years ago in April and the pool was freezing!), close to the beach and where they have a kids disco in the eve. Also somewhere within walking distance of a variety of restaurants. We came to Lanzarote fot the first time last year and felt we'd picked the wrong part to visit!

Thanks x

Hi there. As you want self catering, and a heated pool... I'd probably steer you towards Playa Blanca. All resorts have both of those... but Playa Blanca is becoming increasingly popular with families. I know that because I trip over the blighters every time I want to go out for a drink :rotfl:

Are you after a hotel? Or a complex? Or a villa?

For a hotel I'd recommend either Sun Park or Sun Royal - purely for location... but I'm unsure about the heated pool situation.

For a complex I'd always recommend Las Brisas. It's smack bang in the middle... just 5 mins from the beach - and the kids seem to love it there. It's a jmix of timeshares, and privately owned villas in there. Oh and the evening entertainment is spot on too. Our friend Allan Day sings there 3 or 4 times a week. Lovely guy, as is his wife Elaine (she works in The Inn Plaice at Punta Limones)

But I'd recommend a villa company if the warm pool is a must have. My pal Ange has a villa company www.Lanzarotelates.com and all the villas on her books have heated pools. mention my name, and she'll look after you. If you'd prefer not to go with my recommendation, then don't fear... a Google search will bring up dozens of results for you. Their won't be a disco unless you make your own, but any of the hotels around are happy for you to join in on theirs. If you book your own... double check the location - as some can be a little way out.

No matter which part of Playa Blanca you're in (except maybe Faro Park, Shangri La, and the real outskirts) there's plenty of restaurants etc in a short walking distance. The town centre has the most, but the Rubicon Marina also deserves a special mention.

Ther is another place that I should recommend. It's the Papagayo Arena Hotel. Now it's right on the edge of town... and about 30 mins to the Marina, and another 20 mins into town... but the hotel itself is excellent. Definitely a heated pool. My friends are staying there at the moment, and their lad was very excited about it - especially as he'd already discovered the UNheated pools! There is always something going on for the kiddies... and they have entertainment at night too. The kids disco is very "heads shoulders knees and toes" but by the age of your littluns, that would probably be perfect. A taxi would be €3 (approx) each way to town.

Hope that helps a bit!

Elle xx

lowonmoney

Thanks Elle - that's really helpful.

edna_clouds

Very interesting Elle.. I'm a big fan of Lanzarote.. Been twice, Costa Teguise the first time and Costa Mar last year.. We had so much fun.. There was nine of us last year and we hired a merc mini bus and really enjoyed exploring the island for the second time and sooo easy to drive around..

shopaholictiedtheknot

Elle1971 thanks so much for the essay:D you have been really helpful I have printed off your reply and will take it with me for reference! do you think it is best to hire a car rather than book on trips? I must admit we have done it before as I really HATE organized trips but always a bit concerned about the state of roads/drivers abroad?

thanks again

Elle1971

Lowonmoney - you're welcome. I'm happy to help!

Edna - Glad you enjoyed our Island! Who did you hire the bus from? Was it Canal Travel? I ask because someone's after one at the moment. Cheers hon!

Shopaholictiedtheknot (God, that's easier to say than it is to type lol) Hiring a car will save you money if you plan to use it most days. But if it's only for a 1 or 2 trips, then I wouldn't worry. I personally would always hire a car, because it's good to get out and see what else in on offer. For example, you could pop down and see how gorgeous our little town of Playa Blanca is eh! Plus there's Guinate Tropical Park in the North - well worth a visit. I held an otter's paw when I was last there. www.guinatepark.com is the web address I think.

Yes the drivers can be a bit unpredictable here - but that's mainly the tourists drifting over to the middle of the road if I'm honest. Just stay on the outside lane at roundabouts (yes, I know it sounds weird), and keep your distance from the car in front... and you'll be fine. If you do decide to go for a hire car, drop me a private message... or start a new thread and let me know it's on here - and I'll give you directions to a few other good places to visit. Petrol is really cheap here - so no worries there.
Elle xx