I arrived in Fuerteventura on 15th Nov for a sole 11 day stay. I'm used to travelling on my own & was looking forward a stress free and relaxing break, without all the frills. The "most important" requirements were: 1. Safe & secure accommodation, 2. Location- I wanted to be near the beach, 3. Clean & functional apartment- as I knew that as a sole traveller, I would prob be spending a considerable amount of time there.
Initial feelings on arrival: I arrived at Morro Jable (way down south of the island) by local bus from the airport. It was a very pleasant journey with lovely scenery! Arrived at my stop around 2pm & walked the last 100 yards. As I got near the hotel I saw a big tanker outside & lots of hose. Suddenly, like a kick in the face, I was hit with the pungent smell of raw sewage! It seemed that the hotel was having a tanker of sewage removed from their system- in broad daylight, at one of the warmest times of the day??? The associated gas was absolutely horrendous to say the least. My gut feeling was to turn around & run. However, I had booked my accommodation using my credit card & certainly couldn't afford to pay twice! Inside, there was inscence burning everywhere- my lungs were burning at this stage... I asked about the situation & was assured that it was a quick job & would be complete within the hour. I decided to try forget about it & move on. I had asked for an apt not far from reception/pool area, as I can experience reduced mobility frequently. I found my apt which had to be accessed by 4 steep sets of steps & a further 100 yards up a steep incline. It was a "basement" location, no light in bedroom at all, as there was a wall behind it's window... The living area had 2 single beds - full mattress size with matching covers and they were the sofas! Kitchen had little or nothing! No-kettle, toaster, oven, microwave, bowls, corkscrew etc? It had 2 electric rings & small fridge. Delph in cupboard was filthy!!!!! Same with cutlery!!! No teatowels, dishcloth, sweeping brush, wash-up liquid- nothing!!!! Smell of the sewage was belching at the front & back of the apt up through the man holes! I actually got sick from it. After an hour, I rang back to reception - looking to be moved. I was shouted at by the guy I checked in with... Telling me to be patient & remember how lucky I was that I wasn't as near to the operation as he was. I asked for some inscence- or anything to try to cover the smell. He said fine... Just wait a minute- nobody came - or rang back...I had bought some cocoa cola & after cleaning a glasswith boiling water & drying it with my own towel- I poured a drink & tried to forget about my annoyances! I laydown & fell asleep for about an hr. When I awoke, my drinking glass was black & looked like it was moving... It was in fact completely covered, inside & out with ants. Then there were the cockroaches... They seemed to have a great hiding place under a wooden panel on the wall- a 1/4 inch gap!!! There were about 12 cats... Who were allowed "everywhere"..... I got a gastric bug that lasted 5 days! The nausea was as disturbing as if it were early pregnancy nausea. There were no sound barriers between the apts! I could hear people going to the toilet... To the last drop... Also, other nocturnal activities were"impossible" not to hear!!!the cleaners arrived fresh & friendly almost every day & did a quick dash around before whizzing on to next apt! The pool area was clean, neat and tidy- though full of cats! The apts seemed extremely quiet & I don't believe for 1 minute that I couldn't have been moved elsewhere.... The other guests were all German and I didn't meet 1 other English speaker while there..... I really depend on getting intermittent breaks in the sun during the year to help me cope with chronic pain. Also, I try my very best at all times, to steer clear of stress, where at all possible... as it also excellerates pain & contributes to muscle spasm. This most recent trip was absolutely disgraceful & quite honestly the very "worst" experience of my travelling experiences!!! What a waste of money!! What a waste of time! What a load of stress.... Came home very disappointed !!! Any problem I tried to discuss at reception, was dealt with similarly .... They claimed not to understand English.... Absolutely disgraceful & unforgiveable by any standards! I really feel I deserve my money back!!