Canary Islands 2023 Holiday Thread

[bernie_eccle]

Just had a look on YouTube <gulp>.

Looks lovely but going to be a struggle to be ready. I booked through the Barcelo app and it gave me a a confirmation number but said that the payment was pending. No sign of my card being debited yet. Regardless, we'll be going to Lanzarote as Ryanair have taken their money

[stevemcs]

bernie_eccle said:

Just had a look on YouTube <gulp>.

Looks lovely but going to be a struggle to be ready. I booked through the Barcelo app and it gave me a a confirmation number but said that the payment was pending. No sign of my card being debited yet. Regardless, we'll be going to Lanzarote as Ryanair have taken their money

When do yo fly ? We are out on the Sunday. I wasn’t brave enough to book. I think the rooms will be ready but not so sure about the pool areas so booked Princesa Yaiza. Transfers, a taxi is around 50/60 euros each way. We are just going to get a hire car. For around 110 euros.

[bernie_eccle]

We arrive 2nd December, the day after it supposedly opens.
I find it strange that the booking confirmation shows "payment pending".
I've probably dived in too soon. I normally do a lot of homework before booking but rather naively thought that it would have already been through a soft launch and being a Barcelo, all would be well. I guess we'll find out.

I'll look into a hire car - any suggestions for a reputable company?

[rustyuk]

bernie_eccle said:

We arrive 2nd December, the day after it supposedly opens.
I find it strange that the booking confirmation shows "payment pending".
I've probably dived in too soon. I normally do a lot of homework before booking but rather naively thought that it would have already been through a soft launch and being a Barcelo, all would be well. I guess we'll find out.

I'll look into a hire car - any suggestions for a reputable company?

We fly out on the 2nd Jan and weren't brave enough to book for then!

[stevemcs]

bernie_eccle said:

We arrive 2nd December, the day after it supposedly opens.
I find it strange that the booking confirmation shows "payment pending".
I've probably dived in too soon. I normally do a lot of homework before booking but rather naively thought that it would have already been through a soft launch and being a Barcelo, all would be well. I guess we'll find out.

I'll look into a hire car - any suggestions for a reputable company?

https://www.cabreramedina.com/


https://www.pluscar-lanzarote.com/


Or autoriesen, I’ve always used plus car but this year I think I’m going to try cabrera

[lost in espace]

stevemcs said:

https://www.cabreramedina.com/


https://www.pluscar-lanzarote.com/


Or autoriesen, I’ve always used plus car but this year I think I’m going to try cabrera

Recommend Autoraisen 100%

[havoc]

Cabrera Medina or Autoreisen - two best reputations in the islands, and still cheaper than hiring in the Med.

[LuS1fer]

I think Cabrera Medina is more an agency thing representing lots of hire companies? I used them once and got a Cicar vehicle.

I use Autoreisen or Payless, neither of whom mess you about or force extras on you. You just get the keys, take the car, refill the tank, bring it back and park and drop the keys off.

Autoreisen usually cheapest of the two but not always.

[PF62]

LuS1fer said:

I think Cabrera Medina is more an agency thing representing lots of hire companies? I used them once and got a Cicar vehicle.

Cabera Medina and Cicar are the same company - https://www.cicar.com/EN/view/info_EN - "In 1989 CICAR (Canary Islands Car) joined the Cabrera Medina group"

[LuS1fer]

PF62 said:

Cabera Medina and Cicar are the same company - https://www.cicar.com/EN/view/info_EN - "In 1989 CICAR (Canary Islands Car) joined the Cabrera Medina group"

Ah but perhaps of more note is that the queue at the airport always seems 3 times as long for Cicar which always rules them out for me.

[bernie_eccle]

Thank you, I'll take a look. Never felt the need to hire a car in the Canaries but would be quite good if the weather ends up being a little iffy and looks to be about the same price as taxi from the airport and back.

[98elise]

bernie_eccle said:

Thank you, I'll take a look. Never felt the need to hire a car in the Canaries but would be quite good if the weather ends up being a little iffy and looks to be about the same price as taxi from the airport and back.

I like to explore so always get a car. As you say the airport and back covers a lot of the cost, so if you have parking available it's a no brainer.

[stevemcs]

Payless are also the same as cicar, Pluscar have always been my go to.

[PF62]

stevemcs said:

Payless are also the same as cicar, Pluscar have always been my go to.

Payless might have the same type of operation as Cicar but they are a completely separate company.

[stevemcs]

PF62 said:

Payless might have the same type of operation as Cicar but they are a completely separate company.

But share the same head office ?

[Fifty]

I was in Playa Blanca in March, staying at the aforementioned Rubicon Palace. Nice hotel but would agree it’s a bit isolated. There is a bus stop right outside though and takes you to busier areas for about €1.20 from memory.

Went to the marina a couple of times and walked back to the Rubicon along the promenade - went past the Barceló and a lot of it looked like it was just a shell. Appreciate a lot will have changed since March but if they got it all done, then it’s a pretty big achievement as it looked like a big site, assuming it was all the same place.

Hope your visit goes well.

[PF62]

stevemcs said:

PF62 said:

Payless might have the same type of operation as Cicar but they are a completely separate company.

But share the same head office ?

Given that Payless Spain is part of the worldwide Payless car rental group that is ultimately owned by the Avis Budget group and Autos Cabrera Medina are not part of the Avis Budget group, then yes they are different companies.

[bernie_eccle]

Fifty said:

I was in Playa Blanca in March, staying at the aforementioned Rubicon Palace. Nice hotel but would agree it’s a bit isolated. There is a bus stop right outside though and takes you to busier areas for about €1.20 from memory.

Went to the marina a couple of times and walked back to the Rubicon along the promenade - went past the Barceló and a lot of it looked like it was just a shell. Appreciate a lot will have changed since March but if they got it all done, then it’s a pretty big achievement as it looked like a big site, assuming it was all the same place.

Hope your visit goes well.

Thank you. I'm going to have to contact them at some point as my booking confirmation is still showing as "payment pending". I suspect they may be holding off until they know whether or not they are going to be in a position to honour the booking.

[stevemcs]

There is a Facebook group for the hotel too, Princeas Yaiza, Volcane, White suites, dreams are all close by if you need a plan b, or if Barcelona move you then you may end up inTeguise.

[rustyuk]

Mr TravelOn released a video yesterday, he mentioned that he might put a drone up over the hotel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUJHDDxVCMI&t=...