Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort

Review for Elba Hotel Lanzarote

Unfortunately, my experience at Elba Hotel Lanzarote has been deeply disappointing. While sharing this review might make the rest of my stay even more uncomfortable, I feel it’s necessary to speak out. People work hard to save for a quality holiday, and they deserve far better than what this hotel delivers.

The food is nearly inedible, with very limited options and absolutely no flavor. Although the salads may look appealing, the seafood left me feeling unwell. I’ve tried various dishes, but most were so poorly prepared that I couldn’t eat them. The prawns are overcooked, the roasted sweet potatoes are undercooked, and while the paella is tolerable, it’s far from excellent. Everything seems rushed and careless. For instance, I asked for a piece of warm meat from the grill, and the young cook told me to wait—even though the meat was clearly ready. As a mother of six and an experienced cook, I found this attitude both unprofessional and unnecessary.

As a soup lover, I was particularly let down. The soups served here are cold, bland, and resemble baby food or liquidized meals often prepared for those with swallowing difficulties. My husband, a professional chef with experience in five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, takes pride in creating flavorful dishes that bring people joy. It’s heartbreaking to see such poor preparation and lack of care lead to wasted ingredients.

Cleanliness is another major issue. After four days, the floor in our room hasn’t been wiped even once. Coffee stains I deliberately left on the table remain untouched after three days. Towels were finally replaced today, but the bed linens haven’t been changed, and the beds haven’t even been properly made. I’ve taken photos as evidence because the neglect in room maintenance is shocking. The rooms are spacious and have potential to be comfortable, but the lack of cleanliness ruins any chance of a positive experience.

The dining area is no better. Tables are left dirty for extended periods, and plates are rarely cleared in a timely manner. To make matters worse, the plates and glasses are often filthy—I’ve had to clean them myself before using them. As a paramedic, I’m highly sensitive to hygiene, and on my first day here, I developed a mouth sore—something that happens to me when exposed to poor food or unclean environments.

Hospitality is chaotic, at best. Getting a drink at the dining table can take anywhere from 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the staff member. While a few staff members genuinely try their best (and I appreciate their efforts), others seem overwhelmed, untrained, or indifferent. Basic courtesies like greeting guests or checking on tables are frequently overlooked. On one occasion, it took over 30 minutes for someone to clear our table, and when they finally did, they silently grabbed the plate and walked away without even acknowledging us.

What’s most disheartening is how management handles complaints. When my husband raised concerns, they avoided accountability and even told him he couldn’t record the conversation. This dismissive and evasive attitude only added to our frustration.

A message to the owners: Your hotel has so much potential, but it’s being ruined by untrained staff, poor hygiene, and a lack of care from management. Basic hospitality and attention to detail are completely absent. If these issues aren’t addressed, your reputation will continue to decline. My experience here has been deeply frustrating and uncomfortable.

A warning to readers: If you’re considering staying here, please think twice. Your hard-earned money deserves to go toward a holiday that meets even the most basic standards of quality and care. Stay away!