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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Anyone been to Playa Blanca in Lanzarote?

40 replies

penona · 21/09/2010 21:53

Is it nice? Am thinking of going in a couple of weeks time, with 3 yo DTs and grandparents. Want somewhere that we don't need a car, can walk to a warm sandy beach/restaurants/shops etc so don't need buggies. Have found a nice looking place to stay, but don't know anyone who's ever been there!!

Any ideas? (Or anywhere else that would be recommended?)

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Tyson86 · 21/09/2010 21:57

Me and dh went before we had dc and tbh found it really boring and we are not into clubbing/party type holidays, just normal beach/restaurant/shopping type hols. Now i have 1 dc and another on the way i would still never choose to go back.

Nefret · 21/09/2010 22:01

If you just want a relaxing holiday doing very little it is a nice resort. there isn't much to do but the beach is nice and there are some good restaurants and shops.

I must admit though I much prefer going to Turkey.

Tyson86 · 21/09/2010 22:02

Nefret My holiday of choice is Marmaris, Turkey :)

Original poster
penona · 21/09/2010 22:06

We are going to Turkey in May, hence going somewhere different this time (have been to Turkey last three years in May).

Boring does not sound good for my parents! Although since I haven't been bored for 3 years maybe it'd be perfect ;)

Anywhere else good in the Canaries?

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stanausauruswrecks · 21/09/2010 22:17

We've been to Playa Blanca for the past 3 years. We go in Feb when it's a bit quieter, and have had a really relaxing time. No karaoke bars/discos/pissed up kids puking in the gutter.
Plenty of nice places to eat out, and your DTs will be made to feel welcome wherever they go (even if they smear bolognaise sauce all over the lovely pristine white table clothes Blush) Beaches are clean, and if you fancy a bit of culture there is all the Caesar Manrique stuff to go and see, plus all the fire mountain malarkey.
maybe we're old boring farts but we're off there again in Feb and really looking forward to it already Grin

Original poster
penona · 21/09/2010 22:23

Thanks for that. Basically we are quite exhausted, as long as the kids have a beach to play on and we can sit alongside half watching, we will all be happy! They are quite plain fussy eaters so we don't need fancy food. Just want a sunshine break for now - will look forward to more interesting holidays again when they are older!!

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jonicomelately · 21/09/2010 22:28

It's nice, not at all boring.

SixtyFootDoll · 21/09/2010 22:30

We wnet last year and stayed in the Maarina Rubicon just nest to Playa Blanca, lovley climate and if all you want is a chilled sunny beach holiday it is perfect.
Not loads to do, but the beach is great with nice walks or bike rides along the promenade.
Are you hotel or self catering?
I found self catering difficult as supermarkets were expensive and choice was limited.

ElizabethWakefield · 21/09/2010 22:32

We went to the sun tropical holiday village in Playa blanca when DD was 2 (so 7 years ago!) It had just opened that summer and it was really nice. I don't remember being bored

Original poster
penona · 21/09/2010 22:38

We were going to get a villa and self cater, haven't found any decent looking hotels we can afford (there is an all suite which looks amazing but way too pricey!). I guess we will eat out quite a bit. DD rather fussy so she would be happy to have pasta every night!!

We have done All Inclusive hols before which were great, might look into them. Or do you ahve hotel recommendations?

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SixtyFootDoll · 21/09/2010 22:39

We ahd a fab day out in the 'volcano park' but that might be a bit dull for LO's

BoobyMcLeaky · 21/09/2010 22:46

DH and I went there last May and had a really good time. (In fact it's where DD was conceived Grin - sorry TMI Blush).

We were self catering and ate out every night, as SixtyFootDoll said there isn't a lot of choice with supermarkets. There are reasonably priced restaurants on the front though.

SixtyFootDoll · 21/09/2010 22:53

TBH if you can do all inclusive I would
I found it quite stressful trying to self cater for my two fussy eateers and pricey too. They have lots of Netto supermarkets there but they are very small with not a lot of choice.
Eating out was not cheap, about the same price as here.

happystressedmum · 21/09/2010 22:58

we stayed at the timanfaya hotel. really nice and peaceful with lovely clean beaches. Good holiday but not much to do which suited us.

mel38 · 22/09/2010 11:54

We have been going since my eldest 7 was 1, it is lovely, very nice people very clean,good choice of restaurant and lovely beaches.We have stayed in villas and we have stayed in hotels there is a very mixed choice it depends what you are looking for.If you want a mix of self catering with a restaurant a little entertainment and lovely warm pools very close to the town you will never beat las brisas these can be booked through owners direct etc and you can see reviews on trip advisor , it really is lovely and very reasonable.1,2,3 BEDROOM bungalows on a very pretty site.

Melxx

Original poster
penona · 22/09/2010 22:23

Actually Las Brisas is where we are hoping to go, so glad to hear it's nice.

Is it worth taking some food with us? I usually take spices to make a curry/chilli/bolognese since you can usually get rice/lentils/pasta/tomatoes/meat fairly easily anywhere. Or are they not widely available? Am intrigued to know what a poor selection of food means, as a couple of you have said it. No fresh stuff? Please explain! Still have time to add it to my luggage!

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SixtyFootDoll · 22/09/2010 22:55

If you hire a car you can go to a larger out of town suermarket with more choice.
The Netto by us had no fresh meat and salda stuff was extortianate.
There was woman in the next villa to us, she oens it, so goes all the time, she flies out with suitcase full of vacuum packed meat from her butcher.
She had 4 sons so obv had a lot to cater for!

I would take a lot of food with you.

Crisps were really expensive for some reason nearl 2 euros a pack Shock

CaurnieBred · 22/09/2010 23:10

There was a proper supermarket with a fairly decent selection when we went there in 2008: Hiperdino Supermarket, Corralillos, s/n: As you come in to PB turn right at the roundabout heading for the harbour. The Hiperdino is on the left hand side, at the first zebra crossing. You need to turn left after it to get into the car park.) www.hiperdino.es

SixtyFootDoll · 23/09/2010 08:55

Some friends of ours just came back they were driving to the supermarket near the airport

mel38 · 23/09/2010 10:14

The Hiperdino is opposite las brisas and sells everything you need fresh veg fruit and meat etc if you buy spanish versions of things it is cheap enough , if you are into a glass of wine in the evening there is a lovely bottle of white or red for 2 euros cant remember the name will ask hubby and post later , we are going there for new year(in a hotel) and back again at easter(las brisas) so definately a favourite with us. the one thing you will struggle to get is strawberries for some reason !!

melx

Original poster
penona · 23/09/2010 21:55

Thanks for that. Yes we do love wine, esp for 2 euros a bottle! We won't have a car so can only go to walkable supermarkets. Are there any local foods that are cheaper: cheeses, meats fish etc? Any tips you have happily received!

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Molly499 · 24/09/2010 22:56

Car hire is really cheap in Lanzarote and would add so much more to your holiday so may be worth a thought.

SixtyFootDoll · 26/09/2010 17:23

There isnt much there that's cheap as most of the food there is imported as nothing grows there.

It is lovley though!!

mel38 · 26/09/2010 20:15

the wine that you want is caller liria it comes in 3 different types if you want white iys a green label , it is more expensive in some supermarkets about 3 euros but if you go to the supermarket that used to be netto in the town it was 1.95 euros in august and has been that price for ages its lovely . We are back there at new year and will definately be stocking up

Enjoy
Melx

Original poster
penona · 22/10/2010 21:24

Hey Mel the wine was 1.99E but it was fabulous, thanks for the tip! We had a great holiday.

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