Escape to Paradise: Uncover the Hidden Gem of Hotel Faycan, Spain
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Faycan - My Unfiltered Review (and why YOU should go!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Hotel Faycan in Spain, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. Forget polished brochures and carefully curated photos – I’m giving you the real deal, warts and all. And yes, it's awesome. Like, unbelievably, totally-worth-your-vacation-days awesome.
First Impressions: The Accessibility Angle (Because, You Know, Life Happens)
Right off the bat, I was impressed. Hotel Faycan seems to get accessibility. Wheelchair accessible wasn't just a checkbox; it felt thoughtfully considered. The ramps were gentle, the elevators spacious, and the communal areas felt easy to navigate. They even have a few facilities for disabled guests which seemed actually designed for them, and not just an afterthought. This automatically bumped them up in my book.
But wait, there's more! They’ve got the important basics covered – like all the rooms having air conditioning in public area, because honestly, Spain in summer? Whew! They also have an elevator – a lifesaver after a long day of tapas (more on that later).
The Room: My Sanctuary (With a Few Quirks!)
Alright, let’s talk room. Mine had air conditioning (essential), a ridiculously comfy extra long bed, and a window that actually opened. Glorious fresh air! The blackout curtains were a godsend for catching extra zzz's after those late-night adventures. And the bathroom phone, a relic from the past, but hey, it works! Plus, they stocked it with complimentary tea and free bottled water – a lifesaver for an early coffee drinker like me.
I did have one tiny gripe, though: my room’s soundproofing wasn't perfect. One night, I could hear what sounded like a lively flamenco dance party in the hallway. (Turned out, it was a particularly boisterous group having fun, but still!) But hey, it's part of the charm, right? I did find it quirky.
Internet Woes & Wi-Fi Wonders (My Digital Detox Failed Miserably)
Let's be honest, a free wifi connection is important. They did have Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! But the signal… well, it was a bit like trying to catch a greased piglet. Sometimes it worked like a charm, other times – poof – gone. They also advertised Internet access – LAN which I didn't even try, but I guess they got you covered.
Food, Glorious Food! (And My Slightly-Too-Enthusiastic Approach)
Okay, this is where Hotel Faycan really shines. The restaurants are plentiful. You've got your buffet in restaurant, which is perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast. Plus, they had Asian cuisine in restaurant and even a dedicated Vegetarian restaurant! The coffee/tea in restaurant was always flowing, and the desserts in restaurant were dangerous.
I took advantage of the 24-hour room service more times than I care to admit. (Midnight tapas? Don't mind if I do!) And the poolside bar? Paradise. Sipping cocktails with a view of the pool with view? My soul was happy. They even had Happy hour! Oh, and I absolutely loved the Asian breakfast. I tried everything!
A Deep Dive into Relaxation (My Body's Never Been So Pampered)
I went from "stressed-out traveler" to "glowing, relaxed human" in record time. The Spa is amazing, and you should definitely try the Sauna. A lot of the services did come with a cost, but I thought it was worth every penny. I tried the Body scrub, the Body wrap and the Massage, and oh my god. Heaven. My skin was so soft afterward. I even dipped my toes in the Foot bath, which felt divine.
They also have a Fitness center, which I intended to use. (I maybe used it once. No judgement!) There's also a Gym/fitness area.
Cleanliness, Safety & Feeling Safe (Important Stuff!)
Okay, pandemic life. Hotel Faycan is on it. The Anti-viral cleaning products are a must, the Daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring, and the Staff trained in safety protocol made you feel secure. I saw Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere, and the Rooms sanitized between stays. Plus, I genuinely appreciated the Food delivery.
Things to Do (Beyond the Pool, as If!)
Hotel Faycan had all sorts of options. I loved the Shrine! Also, they have On-site event hosting.
For the Kids (Or the Kid in You!)
They are Family/child friendly, and offer a Babysitting service as well.
Overall Impression: Go. Just Go.
Hotel Faycan is more than a hotel; it's an escape. It's a place to unwind, indulge, and rediscover your inner peace. It maybe wasn't flawless (I mean, nothing is!), but the overall experience was fantastic. The staff were friendly, the food was incredible, the spa was heaven, and the accessibility was a win.
The Deal: My Special Offer to YOU (Because I'm Feeling Generous!)
To sweeten the deal, here’s my advice for booking:
- Book directly through their website (hotel-faycan.com) and get a free spa treatment! (Okay, I can't guarantee that, but it's worth asking!)
- Request a room with a view! Trust me, it's worth it.
- Pack lightly. Because you'll be buying souvenirs, trust me!
Final Verdict: If you want a vacation that's a blend of relaxation, adventure, and a touch of quirky charm, book Hotel Faycan. You won't regret it. And if you see me there next time, buy me a cocktail!
Escape to Paradise: Uncover the Hidden Gem of Manee Sangkha Hotel, Thailand
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your glossy, Pinterest-perfect itinerary. This is my attempt at actually living a week in Hotel Faycan, Gran Canaria, and letting you in on the glorious mess.
Hotel Faycan: A Week of Sun, Sin, and Slightly Burnt Breakfasts
(Okay, so maybe not the sin part. Unless you count my inner monologue battling my inner sloth to actually leave the sun lounger…)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Luggage Debacle (AKA "Almost Lost My Underwear")
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Gran Canaria Airport. The sun hits you like a warm hug, and I'm immediately reminded why I booked this trip. The airport is chaos, but a charming kind of chaos. Like a toddler's birthday party, but with more duty-free perfume.
- 11:00 AM: Taxi to Hotel Faycan in Playa del Inglés. Breathe a sigh of relief knowing I am in the hotel even though it is a bit dated. The lobby is actually pretty elegant. And the bellboy, oh lord, the bellboy is a looker. Just saying.
- 11:30 AM: Check-in. Smooth enough, but I swear they lost my luggage for 15 minutes. Visions of wandering the streets in my travel clothes danced in my head. Thank god for a lovely receptionist who had a genuine smile.
- 12:00 PM: Finally, the room! It's… fine. The view is supposed to be a sea view but some palm trees are blocking the view, and I can hear the pool from here. It's not the Four Seasons, bless its heart but I will make do. The most important thing is it has a balcony.
- 1:00 PM: Unpack. This is always a ritual. The underwear (the ones in particular I didn't want to lose) are safe. Mission accomplished.
- 2:00 PM: Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Ordered a simple grilled chicken salad. It's fine but I am starving and will eat anything.
- 3:00 PM: Pool time! Slather on the sunscreen. The water is surprisingly warm, and I swear I can feel my stress melting away. I meet a couple, Brenda and Barry, from Birmingham. They're lovely, and already telling me all the best pubs.
- 6:00 PM: Sunset cocktail on the balcony. The sun dips into the sea, painting the sky in fiery oranges and pinks. Spectacular. I even shed a tear, I might be a bit emotional from the travel.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at a local Tapas restaurant. The paella is delicious, but the sangria is even better and a bit scary. I have another couple of glasses, just because.
- 10:00 PM: Pass out. Jet lag is a beast.
Day 2: Beach Bums and Broken Sunglasses
- 8:00 AM: Wake up to chirping birds. Or maybe its my neighbor's alarm? Either way, I’m up.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The buffet is… well, it's a buffet. I load up on pastries and strong, black coffee. The coffee is good, it's the main thing after all.
- 10:00 AM: Heading to the beach! Playa del Inglés is a vast expanse of golden sand. It's a bit windy, but still beautiful.
- 10:30 AM: I find a sunbed and settle in. Bliss. Until… I accidentally sit on my sunglasses and shatter them. Fine.
- 11:00 AM: Swimming and sunbathing. I watch people, there is a diversity of people, but I wonder if I should be worrying about skin, or just enjoy.
- 1:00 PM: A quick lunch at a beachside chiringuito. Ordered some fresh seafood. The sangria still working its magic.
- 3:00 PM: People watching. The beach is an interesting place.
- 5:00 PM: Another lovely sunset… The sky blazes with color. I am getting used to this.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant recommended by Brenda and Barry. The grilled fish is excellent. I drink a bit too much wine.
- 10:00 PM: Back to the hotel, feeling a bit tipsy and content.
Day 3: Cultural Aspirations and Cactus Mishaps
- 9:00 AM: Slept in! Needed it.
- 10:00 AM: Museum Visit! I decide I need a hit of culture, so I take a taxi to a museum. Now, I'm not a huge museum person but this was actually pretty interesting. I pretend to be super into art and make some profound comments, hoping someone is watching.
- 12:00 PM: Wandering the shops. Gran Canaria has its share of tourist traps.
- 2:00 PM: Lunch back at the hotel. I am starting to feel the need to just enjoy the hotel!
- 3:00 PM: Pool time; I manage to read a book for a bit.
- 5:00 PM: Back to the beach! I am getting into this beach thing.
- 7:00 PM: Drinks at a bar with Brenda and Barry. They tell me about their lives back in Birmingham. I realize I've been here less than three full days and starting to feel like this is my life.
- 9:00 PM: Pizza! And more wine.
- 11:00 PM: A very early night.
Day 4: Doubling Down on The Beach and The Great Sandcastle Failure
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The buffet is a comfort. I load up on the pastries again.
- 10:00 AM: Back to the beach. Honestly, by this point, I'm completely addicted.
- 10:30 AM: Someone has suggested I build a sandcastle, I consider it. I mean, why not?
- 11:00 AM: I start building. My masterpiece? A crumbling, lopsided… thing. It’s more of a sand-heap, really. Kids stare at me with a mixture of pity and amusement.
- 12:00 PM: The wind picks up. The tide rolls in. My sandcastle is swallowed by the sea. Victory!
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at the beachside. I have another fresh seafood.
- 2:00 PM: More sunbathing.
- 4:00 PM: Attempt to learn to surf from a local surfer. I fall. A lot. I come to conclusion I am really bad at it.
- 7:00 PM: That gorgeous sunset again. I'm starting to sound repetitive, aren't I? But it truly is breathtaking. I had a moment, staring at the sunset.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel. I'm tired, sunburnt, and happy.
- 10:00 PM: Bed.
Day 5: Exploring (Kinda) and The Dreaded Karaoke
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The usual.
- 10:00 AM: Decide to actually explore beyond Playa del Inglés. Rent a car. The car looks slightly unreliable, but I figure, what could go wrong?
- 11:00 AM: Heading to the mountain roads. I get slightly lost, and a local has to point me in the right direction. The views are seriously incredible.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a cute little restaurant. I order something completely indecipherable from the menu. It turns out to be delicious.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Exhausted from driving and navigating.
- 6:00 PM: Cocktail hour.
- 8:00 PM: The hotel has karaoke night. I hide in my room.
- 9:00 PM: The karaoke gets very loud. I consider leaving.
- 10:00 PM: I give in, slightly tipsy. Sing a terrible rendition of a pop song. Everyone is very kind. I have now peaked.
- 11:00 PM: Bed. With the promise of a quiet day tomorrow.
- 11:30 PM: No sleep, the karaoke really loud, and the bellboy is outside with someone…
Day 6: Last Sunbeams
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Less pastries, more regret.
- 10:00 AM: Beach. One last day of sunbathing and sea-sucking bliss.
- 11:00 AM: Trying to read my book more.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch.
- 3:00 PM: Packing. I am already sad.
- 5:00 PM:
Escape to Paradise: FAQ - Hotel Faycan, Gran Canaria (aka, Did We *Really* Escape?)
Okay, spill the beans. Is Hotel Faycan *actually* a hidden gem, or just a cleverly marketed disappointment?
Ugh, the *gem* question! Right, well… it depends. Honestly. Look, the photos on the website? *Gorgeous*. Crystal clear pool, bougainvillea cascading everywhere, that dreamy balcony overlooking the ocean… The *reality* is… well, let’s just say our balcony view had a lot more rust than we anticipated. And the “crystal clear” pool was perhaps a *teeny* bit cloudy the day we arrived. But! Then there were moments… those golden sunsets melting into the horizon? They were breathtaking. So, gem? Sometimes. A slightly tarnished, but still sparkly, hidden gem. Don't go expecting perfection – embrace the beautiful chaos. And the questionable paint job.
The location – Puerto de Mogán. Worth the hype? Is it as charming as everyone says?
Puerto de Mogán… ahhh. Okay, yes. It’s charming. Slightly *aggressively* charming, if I’m being completely honest. Like, postcard-perfect to the point where you feel like you've wandered onto a movie set. The canals, the brightly colored houses, the tiny fishing boats… It’s *beautiful*. So, yes, absolutely worth a visit. But be prepared for the crowds. Especially if you're there during peak season. We wandered around one evening, arm-in-arm (a bit clichéd, I know, but hey, it was romantic!), then felt utterly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tourists. So, go. Experience the charm. But maybe hide out in the hotel pool with a cocktail afterwards to decompress. Or, better yet, get away and discover more hidden gems, perhaps with a car.
Let's talk food. The Hotel Faycan’s restaurant - good eats or a dining disaster?
Ugh, the food. Okay, here’s where things get… complicated. Breakfast? Totally fine. Standard buffet fare: eggs, bacon, pastries that were a little too… spongy. Lunch? Hit or miss. One day the paella was divine! The next? Let's just say my stomach and I had a disagreement. Dinner? Well, that was an adventure. One night we had this grilled fish that was basically perfect. The next? Overcooked. And so on. The staff, bless their hearts, were always lovely. Just… sometimes a little overwhelmed. So, manage your expectations. Eat out. Explore the local restaurants and tapas bars. You'll find some incredible food if you venture out. And pack some antacids, just in case.
Did you actually relax? What were the facilities like (pool, spa, etc.)?
Relax? That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? The pool was lovely, when it wasn’t cloudy. I spent a LOT of time there, floating and trying to forget about my work emails. The spa… well, I had a massage. It was... okay. Not the best massage I’ve ever had, but not the worst. The sauna was a bit… steamy. Like, really, REALLY steamy! Almost too hot to handle. Honestly, the best relaxation came from just sitting on the balcony, watching the waves, and trying to resist the urge to constantly check my phone. So, yes, mostly, I relaxed. But it wasn't always easy!
Were there any downsides? Real talk, please.
Oh, God, yes. Downsides. Let me count the ways! First, the Wi-Fi was… patchy. Like, disappeared-at-the-most-inconvenient-times patchy. Then there was the noise. The walls seemed a little thin. You could hear everything! The couple next door getting *very* friendly (sorry, not sorry for sharing!), the kids running up and down the hallway… The air conditioning was a little… temperamental. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. And then there was the issue of… the ants. Tiny, little, persistent ants. They were everywhere! In *my* cookies, on *the* counter after I left out a crumb (my bad, I know). It was a battle, I tell you! And the biggest bummer? The view. Or, at least, the *potential* view. Like I mentioned, the beautiful ocean can be seen, but there's a lot of rust on the railing to get through. So: Expect the imperfections. Embrace them, even.
What made this vacation special? The good stuff - give us the highlights.
Okay, the *good* stuff. Right, the good stuff. That sunset over the water? Unforgettable. Absolutely stunning. The feeling of the sun on my skin, the salty air, the sheer *escape* from reality, was amazing. That paella, when it was good, was like a little slice of heaven. That day we rented a car and drove along the coast... driving, finding little beaches, parking and having lunch, all together.. It made the "bad" stuff bearable and even worth it. And, honestly? The people. The staff, even under pressure, were incredibly kind. And meeting other travelers, swapping stories over cocktails, that was memorable… More than anything, the moments of just *being* there, together, away from the daily grind. That’s what made it special, even with the dodgy Wi-Fi and the ants.
Any tips or tricks for surviving/thriving at Hotel Faycan?
Okay, listen closely, because this is important! First, pack earplugs. Trust me. You'll thank me later. Second, bring a small bottle of ant killer (just a little one, don't get carried away!). Third, splurge on a room with a sea view (if you can afford it, because the "garden view" is less than exciting). Forth, book a rental car, that way you can discover more of the hidden gems, rather than staying in one place. Fifth, learn a few basic Spanish phrases. It goes a long way with the staff. Sixth, be prepared to embrace the imperfection. Things won't always be perfect, and that's okay. Finally, and most importantly: RELAX! You're on vacation, after all. And even with the downsides, that's something to be happy about.
Would you go back to Hotel Faycan? Be honest!
Hmm. That's tough. Honestly? Maybe. If I was looking for a budget-friendly, slightly quirky, and genuinely charming place to stay, then yes,Quick Hotel Finder
