Marina Elite

If you've ever wondered what would happen if someone took a beautiful part of Gran Canaria and plonked a hotel from a parallel universe in the middle of it, welcome to Marina Elite. Let's start with the food. If prison inmates saw this buffet they'd probably start a petition. The pizza somehow managed the impossible – raw in the middle and burnt around the edges. Breakfast sausages seemed to be participating in a "guess if I'm cooked" challenge, and if you're not a fan of garlic, congratulations... you're on an involuntary diet. The hotel is built into the side of a mountain. Walking from reception to the top bar should qualify as an Olympic event. By the time you've reached the top you've burned off the calories from the slice of uncooked pizza. Entertainment? That's a generous description. Bingo featured one ticket stretched over what felt like an entire geological era, all for the chance to win the same sad bottle of Malibu every night. More like "Mali-boo-hoo." The mini disco consisted of one bloke with a laptop who looked like he'd accidentally wandered in from an IT support desk. The snack bar looked like someone had raided the canteen bin. Some of the food had been sitting there so long it looked like it was developing its own postcode. The pools are nice enough... if you can actually get in them. They're far too small for the size of the hotel, and heaven forbid anyone has fun. A beach ball? Confiscated. An inflatable? Absolutely not. Even toddlers in armbands seemed to be treated like international smugglers. The cocktails are works of fiction. One sip and your teeth begin dissolving from the sugar, yet somehow they still taste of absolutely nothing. The cola tastes like bargain-bin knock-off cola, and the lemonade is flatter than a pancake that's been run over. Once the bar closes, the lights go out as if someone's forgotten to pay the electricity bill. We ended up playing Uno in the dark. Next time we'll bring glow-in-the-dark cards. The highlight of the holiday? A woman we'd affectionately nicknamed "Sicky Vicky" was sick beside her sunbed. The staff apparently decided to leave it there as a historical monument until the following day. The beach bar should have incredible views. Instead, you're treated to a lovely panorama of wasteland that looks like the set of a post-apocalyptic film. There was building work taking place while we were there, with broken glass falling nearby as we walked to the lift. As someone interested in health and safety, that was... memorable, and not in a good way. Our room's air conditioning blew hot air. Reception cheerfully informed us someone would fix it "tomorrow." By tomorrow we'd have evolved into raisins, so after some determined persuasion we managed to get moved. Now for the positives, because there are some. Gran Canaria itself is stunning. Puerto Rico is brilliant, and we'd happily come back to the area. One final warning: don't get too excited by the "glass-bottom boat." It's less Jacques Cousteau and more "tiny scratched porthole." The window was so scratched even the crabs were probably wondering what everyone was looking at. The location saves this hotel from complete disaster, but how this is marketed as a four-star hotel is one of life's greatest unsolved mysteries. If you're after a good laugh, you'll get one. If you're after a relaxing all-inclusive holiday... pack plenty of snacks and a sense of humour.

Where do I start? Well I am gonna start by quoting an icon “ my life would never be the same” which is how I feel if I didn’t eat the food here which most days I didn’t, we consumed bread and butter most days. If you didn’t want to play is it cooked or faking till it makes it. We played this game daily with pizza and multiple meats wich shouldn’t be that hard to cook. The rooms where ok if you ignore the fact that you have to climb a mountain to get to them good look if you had actually eaten till you where full. The other issue was the fact the room was for 2 and a whole army of ants so hope you like bugs. Also hope you like shampoo on your hands and hand soap in your hair because that’s what you’re getting when you come to marina elite. The soap dispenser was placed on the wall of the shower and the shampoo dispenser on the wall next to the sink. Need to put your stuff in a safe? Ok that’s €2.50 a day. And good luck having a sleep in with the don’t clean sign on your door, the cleaners can’t read and will try the door anyways then knock loads to check if you want it cleaned. As far as entertainment goes I’d give it 1 and a half stars and that’s me being generous. I’d say 1 and half because that’s the same as the number of entertainers you’re getting when you come to marina elite. They couldn’t even afford to pay the wages for 2 entertainers so they hired half a person to keep the budget down. You’ll have one of Santa’s little helpers with no idea about the invention of deodorant, “teaching” you water aerobics and hosting a quiz night which can only be described as welcome back to school special with a game of kahoot. Now if your looking for alcohol don’t bother the water possibly contains more then the drinks themselves. Pina colada more like pina ca - nah nah. They just get put under a machine and thrown at you, now if you look further then the hotel to pourta rico you will find alcoholic drinks however we will come back to this. If you want to get to the pool bar from reception it’s about a weeks journey to get there you could actually walk round a big Tesco quicker. But I just wouldn’t bother I would rather pay the taxi to take me to a real bar or even a local pub who has a some old lad sat there since opening with his John smiths. Now the positives. There’s a marvellous and luxurious sight when you come to marina elite. It’s the hotel over the road. Spans for miles and makes you think wow I wish I’d booked a week there and leaves you kicking yourself with disappointment and a Deli belly from the restaurant 5 miles down the mountain. However, I would defiantly come back to Gran Canaria because it’s a beautiful place. If you go to Mogán it amazing to soak up all the culture they have. Then there is Porto rico which is absolutely incredible it’s got everything from shops to an actual beach so next time I will be staying there.

I don’t always review every hotel I stay at, but I felt the shortcomings here should be highlighted as a warning to potential visitors. We had paid extra for the deluxe suite with sea view, should really be described as a slightly larger room with a roadside view & 2 loungers crammed onto a small balcony. Upon arrival there was one receptionist & no porters so you are handed a map & then have to try & find your room, while carrying your cases good luck. Absolutely hands down the worst food I have ever seen at any hotel, cold, bland, repetitive & very limited choice. The beach bar(evenings only) should really be described as the quarry bar terrible cocktails & beer served in 14 pint glasses.The staff are so miserable it’s actually funny. I have given it 1 star purely for the excellent air conditioning, avoid at all costs.

We paid a lot of money for a 4-day all-inclusive stay, but unfortunately it turned into a nightmare from the moment we arrived. When we checked into our room, it was full of cockroaches. We reported it immediately, but instead of moving us to another room, the staff simply sprayed insecticide throughout the room while we were still inside and expected us to sleep there afterwards. When we asked to change rooms, we were told we would have to pay extra because the replacement room had already been cleaned. There was no empathy or willingness to help. My daughter has special needs and autism, but the staff showed no understanding or consideration for her needs. Communication was poor throughout our stay, and even the bar staff were unhelpful and unfriendly. The room itself was in poor condition. The bathroom was not properly cleaned, the air conditioning did not work, and the telephone in the room was broken. After finding cockroaches, we spent the rest of our holiday worried that more insects would appear. Although we booked an all-inclusive package, it did not feel truly all-inclusive. We had to pay extra for ice cream, and the buffet food was almost the same every day with only small changes, making it repetitive and disappointing. The only positive aspect was the location. The hotel has beautiful sea views and is right next to the ocean. However, there is no proper sandy beach directly beside the hotel. If you want to spend time on a beach, you need to walk quite a distance or take a bus or taxi to reach one. Overall, this hotel was very poor value for money and completely spoiled what should have been a relaxing family holiday. I would not recommend it, especially to families with young children or children with additional needs.

Ok here's my honest review. Sea view was amazing. Beds were comfortable. Food was always nice and tasty. Not a large buffet. But always something to eat. Same deserts every day, only 3. Cake, mousse or profiteroles. Couldn't get to the tea or coffee machines as the Spanish surrounded them, and instead of taking their small expresso cup, they toom mugs and just kept hitting the button over and over creating large lines. Spanish all had green bands, everyone else had yellow. Spanish also paid less in the onsite supermarket, and the entertainment was in Spanish. They only put on the TV for the world Cup when it was Spain playing. The TV in in a small corner, we asked if we could even put it on with the sound down as did many other people, but were told no. Only Spanish game. My husband went down at 8pm to get dinner, and was told there were no plates or cutlery left, he would need to wait half an hour, but they were letting Spanish parties in. The room was clean enough, fresh towels every day, bed changed every 4 days. The walk to Anfi was lovely and Anfi is stunning and not expensive at all. 30 euros for 2 meals and 2 drinks. Puerto rico is only €1.40 per adult on the bus. Great for shopping, fab food and bars, and lovely beach. We took the water taxi from Anfi to Puerto rico and its €8 return per adult. Pools were lovely and warm. We were on floor 3, first pool is on floor 10. And the top pool where you can get snacks, pizza, burgers, hotdogs, chips, and pasta until 5.30pm daily. The top pool is acceptable by 3 lifts. We asked to extend our room on the 1st day, the lady put a note on our room on the computer. I asked the day before we left and said it was fine. Then I went down on the morning that we were leaving when we were told to go down and pay the €40, they had given our room away, you guessed it to a Spanish couple. Whilst there 3 other Spanish people got to extend their rooms. I feel like if your not Spanish you were definitely treated less than the Spanish guests. It is an extremely hilly hotel, but the lift make it doable. The buses were every half an hour in both directions. We used them daily. The drinks, my husband loves beer from lots of different countries, but found this beer tasted very sour and the whiskey was watered down. There is self service for soft drinks, but they are absolutely swarming with wasps, and as i am allergic couldn't use them. The pools are lovely and warm, and not too deep. Overall, its cheap and cheerful, we made our holiday amazing, as we went out alot. But i really do think they need to treat every guest with the same respect, as this really was more apparent than I can explain. I wouldnt return, but had a good time.

This hotel really is amazing. It was a cheap holiday but me and my partner went for 2 weeks and we really could have stayed longer. The entertainment staff are very friendly and always finding things to keep both adults and children entertained. Staff throughout the hotel are very friendly and always doing what they can to make sure you enjoy your stay. I would definitely go to this hotel again. The hotel is placed perfectly as well as you are literally minutes away from Puerto Rico and Amfi which is ideal if you are wanting a day or night out of the hotel. I would highly recommend this hotel. The entertainers Nico and Javi really did make sure that we had the best time and very grateful to them both.

Stayed here in May and had a really enjoyable stay. The views are absolutely stunning and were easily the highlight of the hotel – waking up to the sea every morning was fantastic. The hotel is definitely more “cheap and cheerful” than luxury, but it offers good value for money. The apartments were clean, the pools were nice, and the staff were friendly throughout our stay. I’ve seen quite a few complaints about the incline leading up to the hotel, but honestly, unless you have mobility issues or are extremely unfit, it’s really not a problem. It’s a short uphill walk and certainly wouldn’t put me off staying here again. Overall, if you’re looking for great views, decent facilities, and good value for money rather than five-star luxury, Marina Elite is well worth considering.

Title: Mixed feelings at Marina Elite – Great food, but accessibility and service gaps. We arrived from the UK on a late flight (23:00). Since the dining facilities were closed, the hotel provided a packed lunch (ham and cheese sandwich and a small cake), which was a thoughtful touch before we headed to the bar for the final hour of All-Inclusive service. ​Important Note on Accessibility: If you have mobility issues, please be aware that the hotel has a significant number of steps. While there are lifts, they only bypass some of the stairs, not all of them. ​Dining & Location: ​Food: There was a great variety at every meal, though it’s subjective and might not suit everyone's palate. ​Area: The hotel is located between Puerto Rico and Anfi. We spent 7–8 Euros on a 5-minute taxi into Puerto Rico most days for the nightlife. ​Anfi: Even with a bus or taxi, it’s still quite a trek to get there. ​Service: While the cleaning, bar, and restaurant staff were incredibly pleasant, our experience ended on a sour note. Reception was welcoming upon arrival, but very dismissive on our final day. We were denied a late checkout room, yet it appeared that local Spanish guests were being given priority for these requests. For this reason, we wouldn't choose to stay here again.

Given it is a Spanish four star, the hotel is lovely and the staff are very friendly. The food is okay.. not great but not terrible. The fresh fruit was my favourite. My only criticism would be the decking at the family pool. Lots of birds around during dinner time, and lots of bird mess is present.. which is extremely unhygienic.

We had a lovely holiday here. It is a budget style/feel holiday but for the price and all inclusive we were very pleased. Food was similar to many other all inclusive hotels we have been to. Aesthetically it is dated but it was sunny and that’s what we went for. It is certainly no more than a 3* hotel, so go with realistic expectations. The entertainers for the children were great and did a lovely variety of activities for them to join, which was always celebrated with certificates and prizes in the evening. For the price we paid we were very happy with the holiday and this resort was all it needed to be.

We have been back one week now, and all wish we were back in Gran Canaria with the sun beaming down on us! We had a fantastic stay at the Marina Elite. The staff work incredibly hard and - in a single day - can be seen working in a number of different locations around the hotel. I'd read some reviews of the staff being unfriendly, but I wouldn't say this was the case - many are just really tired come the evening when they've been working in the sun all day. The rooms are basic but spacious and ours had a phenomenal view of the ocean. My only criticism would be the cleanliness of the room. We were there for 10 days and the room wasn't cleaned for the last 4 of them. However, the reception staff were quick to send new towels when we requested them. The food was lovely! Really warm and some of the best 'English Breakfast food' that we've had abroad. Lots for kids to choose from also, so no-one went hungry. Lots to drink also, from Cruzcampo beer to cocktails. Cava was a keen favorite of my wife's, though she said it had a kick to it! There wasn't a lot of entertainment, though the staff in charge of this did try their best. The pools were clean and there was never an issue getting a sunbed, providing you didn't drift down at 11am and expect to get four next to each other. Something to bear in mind: if you want to hire beach towels, you have to lay down €15 per towel (which is refund upon leaving). The bus stop at the bottom of the hotel ramp has a constant flow of buses and taxis are reasonable. We usually stay in Meloneras and it was €11 for our family (of 4) to travel there for the day and €23 in a taxi. I would love to return to Marina Elite. However, I think we got an absolutely phenomenal deal this time around!

The hotels really nice. Everywhere is clean and the staff are all friendly and helpful. We stayed in a 2 bed apartment and it was lovely. Nice and modern. Cleaned almost every day. Fresh towels almost every day. The bedding was changed a few times. The maids do a fab job. Because we had a 2 bed apartment we had two huge balconies with a side view to the sea. I’d contacted the hotel before we travelled asking to be put somewhere quiet as two of our children are neurodiverse. I think they’d probably normally put families near the family pool where the evening entertainment is but they put us over the other side away from all that. The food is nice. There’s something different every day along with the usual pasta, pizza, chips. Thankfully they did plain pasta as we have a beige eater who lived on pasta and bread whilst we were there. Everything is well cooked. I’d probably say there could be slightly more of a selection of desserts but there was always something we liked. You can book the other restaurant which is the snack bar during the day and they have themed evenings- we went to the Mexican which was delicious, Chinese which again was delicious and the grill which was a BBQ and again very tasty. You just ask at reception to book on and there isn’t a limit as to how many times you can go to them. Theres free wifi at the hotel- but ask at reception because they give you a piece of paper with a login for up to 4 devices. As there were 5 of us they gave us two logins and they last for a week at a time then you have to get another. The shop on site is very useful and sells lots of things from water and ice cream to groceries, hats and pool toys. Inflatables aren’t allowed in the pools which my kids were a bit disappointed about but the pools aren’t huge so it’s understandable. We preferred the rectangular pool to the one with music and aqua aerobics etc. It seemed warmer and less busy. There are lots of steps to everywhere in the hotel which is great to keep your fitness levels up- and the gym was pretty good too. There were lots of cats which are clearly well looked after and well fed. They were all very friendly- we had one lie on our sunbeds with us one day. They only come if you invite them over though so for the people out there who aren’t keen on animals don’t let this put you off. I don’t understand why the ratings for this place are only 3/5, it’s much nicer than many 4* hotels we’ve stayed in. I also don’t understand why jet2 only rate it a 3*. The hotel itself is listed as a 4* and I’d say that’s well deserved. It’s in a good position- not anywhere busy but you can walk into Anfi which takes less than 10 mins with 3 kids in tow. There is also a bus stop outside the hotel and the reception staff can order you a taxi. It cost around 6 euros to go into Puerto Rico- I can’t say I was a huge fan of this place though as it was full of restaurant staff trying to get us to eat at their restaurant. We just went for some novelty gift shopping, I wouldn’t want to stay there. We did the dolphin safari cruise which we booked through the jet2 app. It was fab. We saw loads of dolphins and their babies. The snorkelling was an added extra but the sea was very cold. I’m not one to visit somewhere more than once but we’d definitely go back here. It would be amazing if the hotel could secure the bit of wasteland to the side of it and turn it into a beach.