We stayed at Cinco Plazas in late-Nov/early-Dec 2007 on a Thomson package holiday. The place is very well presented, the rooms are clean and a respectable size and have a large balcony. It is very conveniently located close to the centre of Playda del Carmen. The Netto supermarket is just next door for all your self-catering needs (if you don't know the name, Netto is similar to Lidl and Aldi in UK), and the Hotel supermarket is useful too (especially for warm bread if you like that for breakfast).

We agree with the contents of most of the previous reviews, but as we think it is important that the whole picture is given to travellers, you should know about a major down side to this hotel. Because of the complex layout there are several rooms that have no view whatsoever from their balcony. And I mean NO view, except that of a white-washed wall. For this family an important part of any holiday is to sit on the veranda/balcony, whether day or night and soak and up the views and atmosphere. However, we were unfortunately allocated one of the no-view rooms (Room 3228). I immediately returned to reception and complained firmly but the receptionist, while trying to be helpful, couldn't do anything until the next day. I called the Thomson in-resort helpline who in turn contacted the hotel, but they confirmed there was no chance of an immediate move. Eventually, later the next day, we were moved to Room 2213 in a different area of the complex which was perfectly acceptable. If we hadn't been given another room we'd have packed up and moved out - the government Tourist Information & Hotel Booking Office is just at the bottom of the hill from the hotel and round to the left on the sea front.

These no-view rooms are probably suitable for holidaymakers who stay all day by the poolside and all night in the clubs, or low-cost, allocation-on-arrival vacations, but are totally inapproprite for full-price family use. Personally I think the proprietors (nordotel Group, part of Thomson/TUI) should take an honest approach and avoid using use these rooms for guests except in exceptional circumstances, and then a discount should be offered.

I'd have given the hotel 5 stars for the room quality, facilites and amenities, but because of the (estimated) 10 or so no-view rooms I feel the complex overall is worth no more than 3 star, particularly if you are paying full price.

uncletony, Aberdeen, UK

Me and my friend stayed at the cinco plaza hotel it was our first holiday abroud baringin mind only 18 had the best time the hotel was amazing we dont know how the staff put up with us coming in at 6 in the morning jumping in the pools and singing out loud and causing havook.It was so good we did not want to come home now we have decided to come back and live here and find work if wasnt for a nice welcome to the hotel we would of wanted to come home on our first night. We booked our holiday a day before we set off got a last minute deal allocated on arrival and it was the best thing we ever done staying in the cinco plaza.

Natalie and Toni from Feltham middlesex England

My boyfriend and I stayed here for 10 days at the begining of September 2007. After a very early morning flight, we couldn't wait to get to the hotel and have a shower and sleep. When we arrived at reception we were told our room wouldn't be ready - wasn't a problem and we sat and waited for about 10 mins and then they told us our room was ready. We were handed our key and a map of the hotel complex, I didn't realise just how big the complex was. The receptionist didn't really give us much help by telling us where to go but after five minutes we finally fount our room. There are 3 swimming pools and each pool has all the apartments around them, the pools were really busy and people were up at the crack of dawn reserving sun loungers which is quite annoying. I was a little bit disappointed in the room as they were very basic, plus the beds had two single beds pushed together which looks quite cheap and you also had to pay to use the TV. The rooms are not equiped with hairdryers so either take your own or you can hire them from the reception desk and are very cheap. The rooms were cleaned every other day giving you clean towells albeit they smelt funky which is probably down to the soap powder. The swimming pool area was pretty dirty as some young girls were smoking around the pool and 4 days later they cigarette butts were still there, not a problem just make sure you always have your flip flops with you.

The hotel is in an excellent location even though its on quite a steep hill - not cool in heels!! There is a huge sumermarket right next door to the hotel and at the bottom of the hill there are loads of lovely resturants, my personal favourite was the Slow Boat 3rd chinese restaurant, which is up stairs to an arcade I think, we liked it so much we went back twice. Don't go to the American resturant as the food was terrible even though it was always so busy.

There is a complex that has 26 night clubs and bars that are open until the early hours of the morning. There is a shopping mall in Puerto Del Carmen but its quite far from the hotel but is walking distance - we walked there once and it took about 20 mins... You're not really missing very as it has more food places than clothes.

I hope you all have a wonderful stay here and would recommend to others.

me and my boyfriend booked our holiday to lanzarote to celebrate his 21st birthday. As we were going in october lanzarote seemed the best place because of the guaranteed sunshine. we were greeted by a member of staff at the cinco plazas apartments who was friendly and helpful and who knew our names as soon as we entered reception. The lady showed us where our apartment was using a map, our apartment was situated very near to the reception area so we didnt have far to walk. our apartment was a very spacious open plan apartment, comprising a sofa, cane chair, television, kitchenette including a hob and microwace. Off the living room was a bathroom and double bedroom. the entire apartment was modern and very clean (see pics). The location is good just 3 roads and it takes 4-5 minutes to reach the main strip and beach. Cinco Plazas also has its own supermarket but next door to the apartments is a netto supermarket with a lot more products, but beware of rude staff at netto. The main strip has lots of great restaurants and bars. Lani's is a chain of restaurants with all different style of foods, indian, mexican and bbq to name a few. Overall this is a great place to stay and is ideal for families and couples, the resort also has a lot to offer. would definately reccomend it to anyone and will be returning ourselves.

Stephanie