Club Vista Serena: August 2009

18 August 2009

Gran Canaria is more than sun, sea, and sand

I've just uploaded a load of pictures onto Vista Serena's Facebook Profile page of a day trip that I had to Roque Nublo, and I thought it would be nice to make a mention of it in our blog too.

Many tourists come to Gran Canaria in search of a bit of sun and fun. What many don't do is investigate what other things Gran Canaria has to offer.

This was my first visit to Roque Nublo, and it won't be the last. When you're walking 1500 metres above sea level, you can easily forget that you're in Gran Canaria. When you think of Gran Canaria, you think of the sea and sand, but Gran Canaria actually offers a variety of landscapes. All you've got to do is go out and find them! You'll find dramatic canyons, rugged rock formations, numerous lakes, vineyards, pine and laurel trees, volcano craters and small streams and waterfalls running all year round. Enough to take anyone's breath away!

One of the most emblematic symbols of Gran Canaria, and situated at its very geographical centre, is ROQUE NUBLO.

Be prepared to walk though, and climb a bit too. It's not a difficult walk. If I did it, then anyone can do it, but it is quite a way. You can park the car next to the road and start walking. It takes about an hour and a half to get to the rock, but you can't get lost. As it's a landmark here on the island, there's always someone there visiting, so just follow the crowd. Believe me, it's well worth a visit...just for the views! Take a look at the photos below. And when your visit is over, and you've made your way back to the car, buy something to eat and drink at the stall that is always there. They've usually got lots of typical Canarian food there for you to try, as well as the much needed Coca Cola :-)

# posted by Home from home comforts... @ 2:04 pm 0 Comments

14 August 2009

Have your say!

I've just found this review about Club Vista Serena on one of the many review sites on the Internet. I think it includes just about everything....have your say....what do you think?

"Swapped a week’s timeshare to stay at the Vista Serena in Maspalomas. Location may not suit many as it is a long way from Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas beach which unless you have a car would mean a taxi everywhere; however this was not a problem for us as we had taken our car across on the ferry. In fact we were in a really nice quiet part of town but as others have said those looking for a noisy, lively holiday location should look elsewhere. Upon arrival we were met in reception and given refreshments while they checked to see if our apartment was ready. It was and we were in 2B which was on the ground floor close to the bar area and the swimming pool. The complex is small and very tastefully decorated with all of the apartments painted in lovely pastel colours of blue, green and peach. The layout gives you privacy if you want it; however during the time we were there not all of the apartments were in use.The apartments were well equipped with irons, hairdryers, mircrowaves and should you want them free DVDs. There are also some UK TV channels, a book swap and free WIFI also you can have use of the hotel PC at a small extra cost. There is a tiny supermarket on site which stocked a small amount of most things to get you started.The pool area is quite small but there were plenty of sun beds to go around and nobody felt they had to book these with their towels, which can be a problem in some complexes. There is not much for children apart from the pool and a table tennis area. Although a short walk away is Holiday World which is a complex with fairground type rides, video and games machines and a couple of restaurants. We used the bar for a few drinks as we went out most of the time but the staff were friendly and the menu looked good. Food is served under a large canopy next to the bar with specials served each night. The bar closed early and most nights was not open beyond 11pm. As we went out every night we were given a key to let ourselves in the side entrance. Reception closes at 3.00am so we didn´t have a need for the key as we were back most nights by 1.30am. (Aguilas, Tenerife)

# posted by Home from home comforts... @ 7:56 pm 0 Comments

11 August 2009

Travel quotes - some funny, others meaningful

What does travel mean to you? Here's a few quotes that I've found that either made me smile, or made sense to me...

The average tourist wants to go to places where there are no tourists (Sam Ewing)

Anywhere is within walking distance, if you've got the time (Steven Wright)

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all of your money. Then, take half of the clothes and twice the money (Susan Heller)

However far your travels take you, you will never find the girl who smiles out at you from the travel brochure (unknown source) http://www.clubvistaserena.com/about-club-vista-serena.html

One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things (Henry Miller)

But why, oh why, do the wrong people travel, when the right people stay at home? (Noel Coward)

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home (James Michener)

and last, but not least...I'm sure that many of us can relate to this one...

If you look like your passport photo, you're too ill to travel (Will Kommen)

Happy Holidaying!

# posted by Home from home comforts... @ 12:52 pm 0 Comments

07 August 2009

Travel Tips for your holidays in Gran Canaria

After working here at Vista Serena for 6 years now, I see things, sometimes on a daily basis, that our guests do, or forget to do when they come here on holiday, that if they hadn't done them or if they had remembered to do them, would have made their holidays a lot more care free.

Here's what I suggest....

First of all, if you have any special requests about the type of apartment you would like to stay in, the time to make those requests is when you make the booking. For example, many of our guests arrive, and they find out which apartment they have been allocated, and they're not entirely happy. If you have a preference, let us know about it. If you don't let us know, then we can't help you, and we will accommodate you in an apartment that we have available. My Dad for example, has stayed at Vista Serena a few times now, and when he makes a booking, he always requests an upstairs apartment looking onto the pool. 9 times out of 10, we can fulfil his wishes. We do the same for all of our guests. If you have small children, and you want to be able to keep an eye on them from the pool, you can request a downstairs apartment near the swimming pool. If you are in a wheelchair, and you need a downstairs apartment, let us know. One of our apartments has even been adapted to make it a little easier for a wheelchair user. If you want a South facing apartment, so you can get a little bit of sun in the afternoon on your balcony or patio, then tell us. That's what we're here for! On the enquiry form that you can fill in on the website, there's a space for 'Special Requests' - all you have to do is use it :-) http://www.clubvistaserena.com/booking.aspx

Second thing...clothes. Gran Canaria enjoys a tropical climate throughout the year. Don't pack too many warm clothes. You won't need any during the Summer months, you're better off packing more t-shirts and shorts. As it's a little hotter in the Summer, during the day, you might have to change your clothes a couple of times. I know I do, because I get a little sweaty ;-) In the Winter months, you probably won't need a jumper during the day, but more than likely, you'll need to wear a jacket or something if you go out at night. It can get chilly, but never as chilly as my home town of Sheffield. We don't need central heating and carpets over here you know!

Next, bring your driving license if you have one. You might not even be planning to hire a car, but if you bring it with you, at least you'll have the possibility once you are here. The island of Gran Canaria is relatively small, you can drive round the whole island in about 4 hours, but there's loads of beautiful places to see, and most of the time, if you don't want to pay loads of money out on organised excursions, you'll need a car to see it. By staying at Vista Serena, it's the perfect opportunity to get out and about and see a little of the island that you're visiting. You're not fastened down to any timetables here, so you can do what you want when you want. If you want the names of a few hire car companies, just get in touch with us, and we'll be able to help. www.clubvistaserena.com/contact.html

If you're staying here at Vista Serena, remember, you don't need to pack any books to read. That'll save a bit of weight on your luggage! We have a book corner at the complex, just under the Reception area, and you can borrow as many books as you want. All we ask is that you put them back after you've read them.

Next tip? Bring you're toiletries from home. I know they take up a bit of space and weight, but things like shampoo, conditioner, body lotions, sun cream, deodrants, etc... are all cheaper back at home. Well, back in England anyway. Whenever I get someone coming across from the UK, I always ask them to bring me a shampoo and a conditioner over because they're so expensive over here compared to the UK. Once we get a Wilkinsons over here, it'll be another story :-), but I doubt that it will ever happen. Once you're holiday is over, you can leave the left overs here, that means you'll have room to take another bottle of Vodka home with you :-)

Here at Vista Serena, you won't need to bring a travel kettle or a travel iron, or anything like that. All of the apartments are well kitted out, and if there's anything you think you need extra, we've got a list of items available that we can take to your room. All you have to do is ask.

And my last tip for the day...our check out time on your departure day is 11am. If you have a late flight, or you've got kids who'll need a 'siesta' during the day, you may want to stay on in your room. If there's no-one checking into your apartment, we might be able to help you for a small fee of 30 Euros, you could prolong your stay in the apartment. However! Don't leave it until the last day to enquire about it. Tell the Receptionist as soon as you get here, that means that we will have a week or 2 to sort something out. If it's not possible, we have a luggage room where you can leave your suitcases, and there's also a courtesy shower so that you can spend the day round the pool and clean yourselves up later before you go to the airport.

Hope this helps. Happy Holidays!

# posted by Home from home comforts... @ 9:44 am 0 Comments

05 August 2009

I hate 'All Inclusive' holidays!

I don't know whether it's because I work on a self catering resort http://www.clubvistaserena.com/index.html, or because I'm too fussy, or if it's because I work in tourism, but I have to admit, I DON'T LIKE ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS! I realise that in this day and age, they are probably the most economical option for a family holiday, and I'm not saying that I'll never do an ALL-IN, but it doesn't mean I have to like them.

My Mum, her partner and his daughter came out to Gran Canaria last month for 2 weeks. They stayed in an All-Inclusive resort near Amadores. Me and my partner paid to stay for a night at the same hotel, and I can tell you one night is enough.

I'm not saying that the staff were horrible (they all seemed to work really hard actually), or that the installations were bad (the pool was great, there was a small gym, a childrens club, etc) but it's just the whole set up that I don't like.

First of all...

My mum and her partner spent 2 weeks getting up at a ridiculous hour (on their HOLIDAYS!), just to make sure they got a sun-bed by the pool.
There's a huuuuuuge variety of food, but it's not the greatest.
You have to serve yourself. I know it doesn't sound too bad, but I don't know, when I think of being on holiday, I want someone to look after me.
As you've already paid the money, you don't want to miss out on anything. You can have all the self control in the world, but when things are put there on a platter for you, you think, why not! I've paid for it. The best part is, you're not even thirsty or hungry!
You don't see anything of the place where you're staying. As you've got everything included - why go outside of the complex and spend more money? You spend 2 weeks doing the same thing day in day out - eating, drinking, sunbathing and sleeping.
You go from one routine, right into another. Many of us complain about being at home and working. We get up in the morning, we go to work, we finish work, we go home, we go to bed, and we get up in the morning, and it starts all over again. Well, in all-inclusives, it's the same. You get up in the morning to put a towel on a sun bed. You have breakfast. You sunbathe, you have lunch. You sunbathe some more, time for tea and cakes. More sunbathing, time to get ready for dinner. You have dinner, then you go for a drink. You watch the entertainment provided by the hotel team, you drink some more, and then you go to bed. The next day, it starts all over again!
You have to stick to timetables - I know there's food and drink available all day, but there's a timetable for breakfast, one for lunch, and one for dinner.

I know all this sounds pretty negative, and I'm sure all-inclusives work for plenty of people, but I'm not one of them. I want to be able to do what I want to do when I want to, and I want to see things! If I go on holiday, I want to learn something about the place where I go. I want to eat where the locals eat, drink where the locals drink, appreciate the place where they live. http://www.clubvistaserena.com/self-catering-hotel-service.html

But then again, that's just me...perhaps others would disagree???

# posted by Home from home comforts... @ 10:00 am 0 Comments

04 August 2009

Could it have been any hotter in Maspalomas???

The weather in Gran Canaria over the past few days would have been a sun worshipers dream come true!

The Canary Islands enjoy a worldwide fame as having one of the best climates in the whole world. Gran Canaria’s weather is mild, with pleasant temperatures, rarely too high and almost always constant. The average temperatures oscillate in the summer months between 26 ºC and 28 ºC (79 – 82 °F), often exceeding 30 °C (86 °F), and in the winter months between 22 ºC and 24 ºC.

But this weekend was something out of the ordinary!

I was working in the Reception on Saturday 1st August, and I can honestly say, if it wasn't for the air-conditioning that we have on the resort, we would all have melted :-) I have to give a mention here to the cleaning ladies that were working this day - Dunia and Nico. They did a tremendous job to work in that heat and they both deserve a medal. The temperature was well into the 40's and the warm breeze made it feel like 50 degrees!

There were a couple of guests staying on the resort from the exchange company RCI, who were due to leave on the Saturday to go to another resort. But, because they were going to a resort without air conditioning, they wanted to stay at Club Vista Serena for another week. Thankfully, I managed to organise something for them with RCI, and they left happy, but I must admit, putting air conditioning in all of the apartments was one of our better ideas :-)

In order to control the usage of the units, we do make a small charge of 3 Euros per day or 19 Euros for the week, but at times like this, it's worth it!

If you're coming over to Gran Canaria in the Summer months, then I recommend that you find a place with air-conditioning, so you can sleep easy at night zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

# posted by Home from home comforts... @ 10:30 am 0 Comments

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