Gavimar Ariel Chico Hotel and Apartments

Massive shout out to Jose and Robin who really made it for the teenagers (Hope and Esmee) I was with for this holiday. We had a fantastic time and they endless enthusiasm and energy was massively appreciated. Thanks fellas!! I was generally very pleased with the value of this place . It was exceptional for the first few days but I would say the last day or two in the dining where not as great as more and more people arrived for the season . But I will say I loved Cala D’Or and I would come back and again exceptional value. But that fifth star is due to the masters of entertainment. The fabulous duo of Robin and Jose. Thank you for the fun quizzes, the crazy golf, the ridiculous dancing and being constantly ready to make everybody smile. It makes a big difference!

This was our second visit for a group of 8 friends staying for 4 nights. The location is perfect for us and very central. The rooms are spacious and clean, 4 of us sharing and not cramped at all. The staff are friendly and helpful. The food is pretty basic but you shouldn’t go hungry. Visit 3 booked already.

I was really worried about coming to this hotel after reading some of the bad reviews but thankfully I didn’t need to worry at all. This was my first solo holiday with my 7 year old twins. We had a fantastic time! Don’t get me wrong, there are things that could be improved but they didn’t affect our holiday. This is a typical 3 star Spanish hotel. It is really well run and the staff are all friendly and welcoming. Our room was small and yes it was dated, shower not great but always had hot water. I think the bed linen should have been changed as it was dirty by the end of the week. We were only there a week, you just make do. We were only in the room to sleep and get ready anyway! We didn’t have a fridge in our room (we had one of the smaller basic rooms) which I had hoped so I could have a morning cuppa. We used the restaurant for every meal time and I always found something different to have every day. People have said there was not enough choice but there was always a meat option, fish choice, paella and if you didn’t like any of those you could have pizza, pasta etc. It is only a small serving area for food which did get busy, I feel the hotel would be limited to give more choice simply due to serving space. Desserts were great, plenty of choice and usual ice cream for kids. Staff quick to clear plates and we always got a table no problem. Location is perfect, right near the beach (very busy but stunning) and Cala D’or is a lovely resort. We didn’t queue for the pool, got there just before 10am most days when it opened. No issues with sunbeds. No queues at the pool bar as most of it is self service, plenty of ice cream for the kids too. Animation team are really friendly, my two loved the mini disco. I think this should have been on a little earlier though and also maybe the restaurant to open a bit earlier too. Anyway, it’s a good hotel for the price, give it a go!

Have to say was dreading coming here as some of the reviews were bad But I'll be totally honest form what I've experienced Rooms are a little basic but laid comes in every day to empty bins and cleans bedding every 2 days Location is brilliant 5 minutes walk from either the shops and restaurants or the beach Pool is good size and my main worry before coming was all this about ques from 9am as the pool Dosent open till 10 This is absolutely a lie Not once in my 7 days here have I either qued or struggle to get a bed been easy every time do not believe these reviews Food is basic and very repetitive we ate here a few night and breakfast but ate out most nights Drinks round the pool are fine self service on fizzy or beer and go to bar for cocktails and spirits Didn't really go to the entertainment on the night as we were out most nights so can't comment on that This was our 1st holiday with our 11 month old and was absolutely fine Have I been to better hotels - yes but absolutely had a lovely week and don't believe everything on here Apart from this one ,😆

Ok so I read the reviews on here before going and I was so nervous to take my children to what was described by some others…. So now I’ve been here is my honest review…. Hotel/Room - lovely welcome at reception, we arrived 1am and they offered food and drink. Very friendly gentleman. Make sure you print your hotel voucher if flying from UK as they need it. Our room was fine, it was very basic and not the cleanest but it wasn’t terrible. The floor wasn’t cleaned, sand and bits stuck to our feet without shoes which would have been from the previous people but it wasn’t bad just hadn’t been swept properly. Bathroom dated but clean enough. Towels, washed out white/light grey so look grubby but not actually dirty if that makes sense?!? I did a thorough check on the bed sheets due to reading some of the reviews and they were clean but they did have stains on, you could tell they’d been washed but they did have marks on. One of them has bright pink stain but they smelt clean so they were not ‘dirty’ sheets. Pillows are flat so you’ll need to ask for more if you don’t like low pillows. Balcony, we didn’t really have one. Our doors opened and we had less than a meter then a wall which lead to the roof of the kitchen, we could smell the food being cooked so we kept our doors closed the whole time. Air conditioning - non existent! We did ask for it to be fixed and they said it had bit it definitely didn’t let out any cool air, our room as boiling! Food - wow now this was not great at all, it was basic food, but what got me the most was how filthy the plates and cutlery were. I can deal with basic as I am a plain girl but the filth was bad. People also use the tongs on whatever they want so lots of cross contamination! I’m vegetarian but couldn’t have cheese or chips because people used the ham / meat tongs for both. My parents enjoyed the lunches they had their but I preferred to eat our for all apart from breakfast as it wasn’t clean. The cloths for wiping tables are also just water, no spray. Pool food - you’ve got to pay for a plate so take money with you! It’s burgers and hot dogs. Drinks - you’ve got to buy a cup to get a drink, so make sure you always take euros. Cruz campo larger is the only decent drink, even the soda pumps are take drinks not what is advertised. It’s pretty awful. Pool - no floaters. No balls, no fun! Basically! It’s full by 10.30 but clears in the PM a few beds. Anyway, apart from a few things, the hotel was fine as long as you don’t fancy eating or drinking to a decent standard.

Just home after 10 days. My second time here in 2 years. Not sure why people moan about paying 1 euro for a cup or plate as you get your money back when you return them. It encourages people to not leave them around making a mess. It's 3 star so expect 3 star food. Breakfast was fine and lunch, I rather eat out for tea. Variety was good, everything you'd want for breakfast - eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast, cereals, danishes, pancakes. Only stayed in the apartments (both visits) as we were a family of 4. I'd recommend always getting an apartment. Near the smaller pool, less busy, always get beds and you can get away with floats in that pool! Is it outdated in the room, yes, it's not perfect but you're on holiday. Hardly in the room. Bound to be sand in room as you're in and out. Get on with it. I'd go back again! Entertainment better for younger kids (up to7 or 8 yrs old). Nothing really for older kids but the pool is great, near the beach and the centre! Don't be put off by negative comments.