We (Two adults in early 30's and two children, 4 and 6) went to the two bedroomed apartments in November 2010 (not 2011 -but had to put that there as the option for 2010 wasn't there) for a week on an all inclusive basis and we loved it. I didn't write a review at the time, however we are now booking to go back and I have again seen very mixed reviews so wanted to post a realistic review.

We flew with a low cost airline and had booked a car for the week - however the car hire place turned out to be a 10 min drive from the airport, and when we arrived this was not apparent - there was no one to meet us and we ended up having to call them to find out what was happening not a great start particularly when you have two young kids after an early start and a long flight. Eventually a bus arrive to collect us and two other couples and drove us 10 mins to the collection point in an industrial park. We had to queue then to provide details etc. The we drove from the rental place to the petrol station to discover the petrol cover wouldn't open and had to return to get another car. Also when we dropped back the car we were told to just leave the keys with the desk which we did and they ended up ringing us two days later to ask where the car was, and whilst they accepted that car was returned they charged my credit card for the two days and I had to sort that out with my bank. I would however recommend Pay less car hire which we used after the week when our flight was cancelled due to industrial action and we had to stay another two days and that car hire place was in the airport, friendly and helpful and had good quality cars at low prices.

We found the hotel very easily, we checked in at the main reception are for the hotel and were given directions to the apartments. The apartments were lovely and modern and clean. there were two single beds in each room, and the pictures on their website are an accurate depiction of the rooms. The only downside is the TV has no real english language stations, which would just be handy when kids are having a nap etc. We were on the ground floor, and there was a spacious patio area outside that had a clothes horse, table and chairs. While we had our own area it opened out to a walkway that was shared with the other apartments so it wasn't private however this was fine for us as the kids could play out there and there were some neighbours with young kids so they would bring their cars out and play together in the morning and evenings which was nice.

We arrived on a Saturday, and that evening we went for dinner in the buffet restaurant. This was our first all inclusive holiday and I don't really have anything to compare this to. We were expecting the worst, but we had gotten a great deal on this and agreed that we would go out for dinner if we needed to, however I was pleasantly surprised. The food wasn't the fabulous but it was fine, there was always something on offer that I would eat, and the kids loved being able to go up and pick what they wanted. The salads were fresh, there was a great choice of seafood, especially shellfish. There was different things most nights and lots of ice cream etc for the kids and it wasn't fast food type food which is what I had expected. there was beer, wine and soft drinks available for you to serve yourself with. the wine was OK, but not something I would have chosen myself in a restaurant, the beer was grand. After dinner we went to the bar across from the restaurant and were a bit worried - it was huge and people were just sitting around and there was no entertainment, it wasn't until the next day that we found out that there is no entertainment on Saturdays.

The next morning we had a lovely breakfast - there was lots of fresh fruit, yoghurt, cereal,pastries etc, and hot food as well, eggs, beans, sausages, bacon etc. We went for a walk around the resort and like other people were amazed at how big this is. There are loads of lovely swimming pools. In the children's area which is beside the two bedroomed apartments (although they have their own pool area), but there was a larger pool, a shallow pool, a playground, a large sand pit and the kids club. there is also a small bar that serves drinks, ice cream and some pastries during the day, so it was easy to stay there with the kids during the day. We decided to try out the kids club, it ran from 10am to 12.30, and the first day they went for a walk over to the light house across the road where chipmunks run around . The two "leaders" were both german but spoke a number of languages including English, and our kids got on fine with the children who were there, although they were the only Irish children (or English speaking) there. The kids club also ran in the afternoon from 2-4, and the kids also went in the afternoon a few days as the weather wasn't great.

When the kids were in club, we went for walk around the complex and down through Jandia. The complex is on a small hill, with the beach at the end of the hill which is where the front entrance is, when you come in the gate there is a large palm tree lined road that runs up the hill through the resort. When you come in the gate the Afrikana theatre/bar is to your left where the entertainment is on at night, there is also a large swimming pool and snack bar there. to the right is the zoo, which wasn't open when we were there. as you walk up the hill there was a hotel block to the left which didn't appear to be open although I knew from reading the reviews that not all parts of the complex were open. To the right were villas of some sort. A little further on the right were the apartments where we stayed with their own pool and just past that the kids play area, pool etc (described further down) then there was a crossroads and past there on the left is the block where the main restaurant, large pool, reception is, on the right was a small gym (not state of the art) and where there is a masseuse (who was good - I went one day). behind the gym there were other villa type accommodation. There was a small train that took you around the resort if you didn't feel like walking (approx 10 mins from reception to main gate near beach). Out the main gate at the bottom of the hill, there is a beach which is beautiful, and the main street of shops and restaurants is lined across from the beach. There were a good few restaurants and an english bar which my husband went to one day to watch a soccer match. There was a shop next door that sold beach things like small surf boards, buckets and spades etc. Further down there is a small supermarket. There were also some shops selling perfumes, clothes and gifts. To the other side there was a small Mango shop.

That night after dinner we went to the Afrikana bar in the hotel complex where there was a kids disco from 8-8.30 with the kids club leaders which the kids enjoyed, at 9ish the evening entertainment was on - we thought it was great - the first night they did this dance/acrobatic production. The kids also really enjoyed it and were happy to sit and watch it. It finished just before 11, and we headed back to the apartment. Drinks were covered in the Afrikana bar under the all inclusive rate as well, although we were never there after 11, and I think you had to start paying then, although for people without kids I don't think there was a whole lot happening when the entertainment show finished, but there was a nigh club next door which I think residents had free entrance into. Other nights there were shows like their own version of Rocky Horror Show, We Will Rock You and some of their own productions. On the last evening we were there the kids practice a show at kids club and did that for everyone instead of the kids disco which was lovely. I couldn't fault the entertainment and thought it was really well done and also suitable for the kids. The entertainment crew were also around during the day doing yoga and other activities at the poolside.

At the large pool beside reception there was a small bar, and down at the pool beside the Afrikana theatre/bar there was a snack bar serving drinks and also hot dogs, chips and burgers during the day - not great food, but grand if you are at the pool all day and don't want to go up to the main restaurant - and we just had a snack here one day, as we were having a proper lunch in the restaurant each day.

As I said the beach is right across the road from the hotel and is absolutely gorgeous, although a bit breezy but then the island is a favourite of kite surfers. One of the days we went to Oasis Park which isn't too far from Jandia, and it was brilliant. Its mostly run on a show basis, as opposed to a zoo that you just walk around - so you go in and there is a parrot show where the parrots do tricks and it was brilliant, and then you go and see reptiles and the kids get to touch snakes and things, they also have a show with sealions which was amazing ( there are other shows - these just stood out).

We were genuinely sad to go home and agreed that this had been the most relaxing holiday we had been on with the kids. I wouldn't recommend this for a young couple, but for a family it was perfect. It isn't 5 star luxury but for the price I was impressed and pleased with what we got. Our flight was cancelled and we stayed in Fuertaventura for 3 more nights and decided to try Corrralejo - I cried the first night as the hotel that we stayed in was nothing like the Stella and I was devastated that we just didn't drive straight back. The place we stayed in was also all inclusive but we didn't eat there as the food wasn't great, there was no body there at night, as most people on B&B or self catering. A Russian couple who were also at Stella and had there flight cancelled ended up in the same place as us, and when we spoke to them they agreed that they should have gone straight back.

So anyway - Stella gets our vote and we are heading back this summer, and looking forward to it already. We had considered trying out somewhere new, but after what happened in Corralejo, we decided that it was better to go somewhere that we had enjoyed and were comfortable staying in.

I have been to this complex about 4 times, some of the complex is a bit tatty because that part of the compex is closed so some of the photos that i have seen on reviews are from that part, there fore why are they taking photos of that part anyway. The accomodation in the villas are really big even for 3 friends each of us with our own rooms with 2 toilets and a big shower room, a very relaxing week every time that we have been, plenty of choices in the restaurants and clean.Plenty of bars and pools, going back, you bet

Spent a week in this complex this month. Was in a villa and when I tried to go out the handle came off in my hand. I tried to call the front desk, but the phone wasn,t working. Not very safe for 2 older women travelling. The front desk staff were very helpful and upgraded us to the hotel. It was much nicer and the restaurant was a bit more civilised. All in all the food was very poor with a lot of repetition . We were a party of 4 and we all got a tummy bug. The beach is nice ,quite a walk but a train takes you to the front of the resort . There are naturalists on this beach so be prepared. Lots of good shopping nearby. Would not go back

We spent 13 nights in this curious hotel complex with 3*, 3+ and 4* accomodations. However, the democratic sense of Management makes all guests to share premises, services and poor-quality, badly-presented food. This may not correspond to your expectations, specially if you have paid 4*. I dearly remember the melting chocolat cover on a donuts in an overcrowded dining room with no air conditioning. Also, beware of Management: they modify time-table for meals without previous notice. The elevator between reception and dining areas was out of service all throughout. Lights outside dining area and adjacent restrooms were out for 10 days in a row. Maintenance and furniture of villas, deficient. Annoying and dirty birds throughout.
The best: location, and very nice, well-maintained subtropical gardens.
If you decide to go, try 3*. At least, you will pay less.