In my view the resort hotel has an undeservedly low reputation as the rooms (consisting of a sitting room, bedroom and en suite bathroom, with efficient air-conditioning) are clean and secure. OK, they do not inspire and are rather ‘basic’ but we were not uncomfortable and there was a regular cleaning service etc. There were no bugs or spiders in the rooms.
Apart from being quite some distance from reception and the communal facilities rooms were mostly disabled accessible although the bathroom doors opened inward with very little space to squeeze between the toilet and washbasin.
Having said that there are some drawbacks. Maintenance is certainly not fast and efficient – it took three days to change our shower hose and head so that it worked better, although others in our party fared better. The reception area was often hard to converse in because of loud music playing to entertain the guests.
As an ‘all-inclusive’ resort (requiring the wearing of a pink plastic wristband) coffee, cocktails, beer and other drinks were available from the bars but were served (except for coffee) in very small plastic cups which then had to be carried to the restaurant… annoyingly only watery squash was available with meals unless you took your own in (which we bought from their shop).
The biggest drawback was the food – never really tasty and boringly the same most days. Vegetarians have a particularly bad time as most days it was pasta and tomato sauce or nothing and, on other days not even that only the cabbage based salads. Potatoes, some pasta and most rice dishes always contained a smidgen of meat sufficient to render it non-vegetarian.
Under ripe fruit was the usual dessert offering with an occasional offering of rice pudding – which came around for several days until my wife announced she was celebrating its anniversary!
Staff members were surly with the exception of just one chap clearing tables, and they all wanted a tips, whether it was to provide butter for the rolls or fry your breakfast omelette. The person in charge also exerted her one power to ensure that there was always a queue by never opening the doors until five or ten minutes past the allotted mealtime.
If you want to visit Zapata (and those interested in wildlife certainly will want to) there are no real alternatives, none at all if you have a disability.
- Playa Giron Hotel
- Playa Giron
- Resort All Inclusive Playa Giron
