Alternatives to Fuerteventura Princess now that Club Lookea is dominant

[Roger 1]

We were due to visit in September 2014 but had to cancel following an accident on the way to Gatwick.  No problem, we claimed on the insurance and rebooked for this year, this time with flights and accommodation separate.

There has been much online discussion about recent changes at the FP, including the emergence of Club Lookea, apparently a French 18-30 type organisation with loud music and loud participants.  I fear the hotel may no longer suit us.  We want a relaxing holiday close to a good beach in the South, preferably with naturist facilities.

Has anybody else decided against the FP and looked elsewhere?  I've seen references to the Jandia Princess, Magic Life and some others.  We haven't been to the South before and would prefer to be there but would consider returning to the North for something exceptional.  I'd be happy to be naked all day, but my wife prefers to cover up when not on the beach or at the pool.  We'd welcome advice, including telling us that we're worrying too much.

Luckily, we can cancel our booking at the FP without penalty.   Thanks for your advice.

[notdeadfred]

Roger1,

We had 2 weeks in the FP at the end of March, (our 5th stay there) and whilst the Club Lookea were annoying, there were not as bad as some of the recent TA reviewers seem to have experienced. It seems that it was particularly bad during the French "half-term" holiday period from late February to mid-March, when there were lots of "adolescents" staying. Our experience a few weeks later was that on most days there were more Lookea staff than guests taking part in their stupid games. There was no lengthy thumping music, only short bursts to announce the start of some activity.

The young Lookea staff were however extremely brash and annoying, seeking to be the centre of attention everywhere they went (kissing guests' heads and ruffling their hair at their tables during dinner in the main restaurant; running around in daft costumes chasing each other; blocking footpaths whilst "performing" some sort of play etc etc.

On balance, whilst we didn't like Lookea presence, it didn't spoil things too much for us during our stay - the weather was our biggest issue this year! We have decided we will go back to the FP again, because we like so many other things about it, but we will ensure we avoid any major French holiday periods. However, if the contract with Lookea is the start of a move by the hotel management to totally change the nature of the place and appeal to those kind of guests then we would seriously have to reconsider.

We have not stayed anywhere else in Jandia, but having had a walk round the Club Jandia Princess we would consider it. It doesn't have such lovely grounds as the FP and feels a bit more cramped, but still quite pleasant. We tried to have a look at Magic Life but they wouldn't let us in! Another option is the Monte Marina in nearby Esquinzo, which has apartments which are totally naturist attached to a textile hotel, with the ability to use the facilities of both as appropriate.

[jaynek65]

We have also stayed at the FP many many times but last yr decided to try somewhere different and found the VIK Risco Del Gato suites in Costa Calma which were very nice ( but a tad expensive) beautiful walled private courtyard with outside shower, loungers etc, all very "private" but no naturist area in the hotel, but a 5 min drive away found a great beach with loungers on that was mainly occupied by naturists.

We had previously looked around the Jandia Princess and found this to look nice, our friends, who normaly stay in the FP, stayed there (due to a error with their booking and on arrival they found the FP to be full so they transferred them nextdoor on a free upgrade!) they said it was a great improvment and would deffo return.

We had heard about the madness at the FP now and have decided to try the Magic Life next door, we arrive there in 13 days so can report our findings then !

[Roger 1]

Thanks very much for your very helpful and interesting comments, notdeadfred and Jaynek65.

Fred (if I may call you thus), your comments were reassuring.  Yes, it was the TA mob who were out in force discussing the French invaders.  I should bear in mind that several of them were shocked that sauna users had the nerve not to wear anything!

Jayne (if I may), you raise some interesting opportunities.  I had not come across the VIK Risco Del Gato suites before.  Your comments and some I found in a search make it sound ideal.  I'd hope that the private courtyards get the sun all day through.  And if the beach is 5 minutes drive away, it shouldn't be more than 15-20 minutes on foot?  (we probably won't have a car this year).

I'll hold fire re changing for now.  It would be interesting to see your comments on the Magic Life.  Enjoy!

[jaynek65]

Hi Roger

We did in truth, love the concept of the VIK suites ( we went there in June and October last yr) but the only down side for us was the evenings, There are only 50 suites so max 100 people and the hotel and grounds were vast so people were well scattered and there was little atmosphere. But the food was fantastic, as were the staff.

Each suite has it's private courtyard that indeed got the sun for most of the day, but as it was enclosed, in the heat of the summer it got rather warm !!! the ourdoor shower soon solved that though ! If you wanted to use the main pool then you had to wear swimwear.

Yes the beach was within easy walking distance, maybe 15mins walk if, like my hubby, you walk fast and not "slow" like me !!! And of course, if you did have a car, then Risco Del Paso beach was only 10 mins drive away and at the far end, was mainly naturists, but the down side is there are no loungers :-(

Please feel free to pivate message me if you need any furter info, I will of course report back about the Magic life in a few weeks time .

[Roger 1]

Hi, Jayne.  Thanks very much for your kind offer.

I'm away at the moment on a dodgy wireless connection.  I'll look forward to your Magic Life info  as I need to sort out our trip before too long.

[Roger 1]

Back from our trip, I need to firm up arrangements for September.

I've had another look at FP on Tripadvisor.  The Club Lookea situation continues unabated.  I know TA can be very Marmite-ish and can include extreme views.  Nevertheless, we will be looking for calm relaxation, and thumping dsco (? club? whatever) beats are unlikely to fit the bill.

I'm concentrating on JayneK's recommendation of the VIK Suites at the moment.  I do like the private patio area and jacuzzi and shelter from the wind but am disappointed by the textile pool - I hate wet costumes and can't remember the last time I used my cozzie for a swim.  But the sea's not far away.

I'm also looking at notdeadfred's recommendation of Monte Marina and the adjacent hotel.  Both recommendations would be welcome to Mrs Roger as she is a little uncertain about staying undressed for the duration.

One thing I've noticed: hotel rates have jumped since I booked the FP @ â,¬117 per night half board.  It would cost much more now, and the VIK Suites more than double what I paid!

However (I tell myself), we have standards to maintain.

[bedouin]

We've stayed at VIK a couple of times.  The private courtyard area is good.  The rooms are nice.  The food is fairly average, and half board is bad value - better to get a cab to La Galeria for dinner!  Or eat at VIK's own a la carte restaurant, by the road.  VIK is very quiet though, it often feels like you're the only people there.  You might get better rates by booking via Expedia, Hotels.com, etc, through a cashback site, usually 10% cashback to be had.

I looked at Monte Marina, but I'm not sure the ambience is great. And the trek to the beach is challenging! On top of which, it's not the nicest beach.

We use VIK as a base for those really windy days, and hop in the car and drive 10 minutes to Sotavento beaches on other days.

[Magoo]

I looked at Monte Marina, but I'm not sure the ambience is great. And the trek to the beach is challenging! On top of which, it's not the nicest beach.

There is no problem with the trek to the beach, however coming back is a ball breaker! As for the beach, it depends on the time of year & the mood of the Atlantic. Last September, it was spot on, with very few rocks showing. I have seen this beach blasted back to bedrock once, I did think "That's it, it's FUBAR, however it's amazing what the Atlantic can do

[bedouin]

There is no problem with the trek to the beach, however coming back is a ball breaker! As for the beach, it depends on the time of year & the mood of the Atlantic. Last September, it was spot on, with very few rocks showing. I have seen this beach blasted back to bedrock once, I did think "That's it, it's FUBAR, however it's amazing what the Atlantic can do

The last couple of times I've been to that beach, there's been a noticeable sewage smell, is there a sewage plant there?

[Roger 1]

Another question about the VIK Suites Risco del Gato, please: I've seen several references to 'jacuzzis' in the suites. Are these real Jacuzzis (capital J, registered trade mark, made by Jacuzzi) or a regular bath with whirlpool option?

The video online is unclear as it seems to show both.

Thanks.

[bedouin]

Another question about the VIK Suites Risco del Gato, please: I've seen several references to 'jacuzzis' in the suites. Are these real Jacuzzis (capital J, registered trade mark, made by Jacuzzi) or a regular bath with whirlpool option?

The video online is unclear as it seems to show both.

Thanks.

I don't know - the answer is probably "both", depending on the room.  The plumbing at the place is a little shaky; if, like most people, you want to shower immediately before they start serving dinner, you can find that hot water is in short supply.

[Roger 1]

Hi, bedouin.  Thanks for your updates.

The attraction of the private patio area is sunning and showering naked.  An ensuite Jacuzzi would be an added enhancement but a whirlpool bathtub probably wouldn't fit the bill.

I guess I can check with the hotel which rooms have real Jacuzzis and hope they know the difference.   

[bedouin]

Here's a pic of the bath we had last time we went, maybe you can identify it!

[Roger 1]

Thanks.  That helps!

Just one (more) question:  can you leave it topped up and bubbling or do you have to fill it up each time you want to use it?  Thanks very much.

[bedouin]

It's not heated; you have to fill it with hot & cold like a normal bath, then empty it after use.

[Roger 1]

Thanks for clearing that up.

Well, I've made a cancellable booking at the VIK Suites.  It seems to have the following pros and cons:

Pros
Private sunning (but less sociable);
Better food;
Protection from wind on windy days;
Quieter than FP;
Possibly nicer beach than FP

Cons
More expensive than FP (but see below);
No naturist area (but private sunning)

Yes, it's more expensive, but I booked with Venere (15% discount code, expires today) via TopCashBack (10.5% cashback) for a more reasonable price.  In addition, we have â,¬1,200 EC compensation coming from BA for a separate matter, which helps.

At the moment, I have 2 cancellable reservations, one at VIK, one at FP.  I'll reflect and cancel the unwanted one in due course.  And if a better option turns up, I'm flexible.

Thanks to all for your advice, and to JayneK who I hope had a great time at Magic Life.

[jaynek65]

Hi Roger,

Well as promised I would report back on our return from the Magic Life, It was a lovely hotel but with all hotels has its good and bad points. There is a good naturist pool there, which is located overlooking the sea on the cliff top, Can get a bit hot there though ! You have to access it through the spa, but easy enough to find once you work that out yourself ( no-one tells you this!)

Hotel food is excellent, and hotel laid out well, We stayed in block 14 which was located into the cliff face so the sea was directly underneath when there was a high tide. Rooms are good with flat screen TV with HDMI port if you want to take laptop/tablet to watch TV, Free Wi-Fi but not that good in the room at peak times.

Beach is down some steep steps as you know from the FP it`s a long way down !

As for the VIK Suites, for a treat I would recommend them, but as you say, it is more expensive but for a change worth it, but be prepared it is quiet in the evenings !!! The separate and non related restaurant at the bottom of the complex does (according to my hubby) do the best fish meals ever ! All freshly caught.

Friends who we normally meet up with twice a yr at the FP went a few weeks ago and said NEVER again, they so wish they had read the TA reports before they booked up, then did however spend their 2nd week here: http://www.its-natural.net/naturist-holidays/fuerteventura/gran-hotel-natura/ and said it was lovely, but being based n Corralejo it's a bit too far north for our liking.

Whatever you choose, I'm sure you will have a great time. Jayne x

[Roger 1]

Welcome back, Jayne, and thanks very much for your update.  Magic Life sounds ideal.  It certainly looks like I should add ML to my list of possibles.

Based on your friends' confirmation, I will go ahead and cancel our FP reservation and concentrate on the VIK for the booked dates.

However, I want to go  now!  Temperatures seem to be 25-28 degrees, clearly attractive.  Just one problem, Mrs Roger can't get the time.  It's many years since I went on a beach holiday alone.  I could manage the non-couple aspect, but there'd be the problem of applying sun cream to my back.

This must have been thought of before.  Is there some kind of cream applicator that I could use instead of embarrassingly asking somebody to help?  (Perhaps I should start a separate thread.)

[bedouin]

It's many years since I went on a beach holiday alone.  I could manage the non-couple aspect, but there'd be the problem of applying sun cream to my back.

This must have been thought of before.  Is there some kind of cream applicator that I could use instead of embarrassingly asking somebody to help?  (Perhaps I should start a separate thread.)

I often grab a week in the sun on my own. My solution is a long wooden spoon!  My wife laughed when I announced my solution, but it works a treat!  The other essential is to use once-a-day sunscreen (Ultrasun or Reimann P20) so that you can perform the wooden spoon technique in front of the bathroom mirror.

[Roger 1]

Sounds good, Bedouin.

I'd thought of using a roll-on paint applier, but a wooden spoon sounds better - easier to wash and maintain!

[jaynek65]

Hi Roger 1

I think cancelling the FP is a wise idea, friends could not believe the transformation since they were last there a yr ago, We haven't been there for 18months either.

Don't worry about going on your own (although if my hubby went on his own it would be cause for divorce -  how dare he not take me with him to paradise !)

We often see people on their own and have witnessed the "mini-roller application dance" whilst on the beach, best to use P20 or Calipso "once a day" and save it for your own entertainment / amusement while alone, :-)

Where ever you end up, I hope you have a wonderful time.

[Roger 1]

I think cancelling the FP is a wise idea, friends could not believe the transformation since they were last there a yr ago, We haven't been there for 18months either.

Done!  FP cancelled.   I've also cancelled and rebooked the VIK Suites, a discrepancy on my part. 

Don't worry about going on your own (although if my hubby went on his own it would be cause for divorce -  how dare he not take me with him to paradise !)

You raise an interesting point.  Domestic harmony may demand a rethink.  In any case, flight prices look high for the next couple of months.  I see Norwegian prices from £68.20 return from November, so perhaps a cheapie at the Best Age or similar may be appropriate.  November weather must be better there than in London!

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

these do the job:
http://www.backbliss.com/lotion-applicators/