Cotillo Lagos: Fuerteventura's Hidden Paradise (Unbelievable Photos!)
Cotillo Lagos: Fuerteventura’s… Well, My Fuerteventura? (Unbelievable Photos! …And a Few Real-Life Gripes)
Okay, so “Hidden Paradise” is a bold claim, right? I’ve seen those glossy brochures, the Instagrammable infinity pools…and frankly, I'm a bit cynical. But after a week wrestling with the Fuerteventura sun, sandy toes, and more than my fair share of café con leche, I’m ready to say…Cotillo Lagos might actually live up to the hype, mostly. Let’s dive in, shall we? Don't expect a perfectly polished review, this is my experience - warts and all, baby!
First Impressions & the "Oh Crap, Did I Pack My Charger?" Syndrome (Accessibility, Internet, Services)
Getting there? Easy peasy. The airport transfer they arranged was smooth (major points for that after a red-eye flight). The hotel itself is relatively accessible, but let's be real, Fuerteventura isn't exactly known for its perfectly smooth pavements. Car park is free, thank the heavens! This is a win because parking can be a nightmare, and I'm the kind of person who will wander around in circles for 20 minutes before giving up and parking a mile away. The elevators are a godsend (I'm lazy, sue me!), and they seem to have considered facilities for disabled guests.
Internet Access - Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! This is huge, especially for me, because I'm a digital nomad and will literally lose my mind if I can't quickly upload pictures of my lunch. And you know what? It worked. Not blazing, fibre-optic speed, but stable enough for my needs. There's even Internet [LAN] if you're feeling old school.
Services: They've got all the basics. Daily housekeeping (thank the gods, I’m a disaster), laundry service (again, lifesaver), and a concierge who actually knew what they were talking about. They also have a currency exchange & cash withdrawal, which always is a plus. Contactless check-in/out - smooth like butter!
Now, about the rooms…
The "Home Away From… Pretty Much a Luxury Hotel" Factor (Available in All Rooms)
Okay, first things first: the beds. My extra-long bed was literally the best. Seriously. I could sprawl like a starfish and still have room. They also provide bathrobes – a small luxury, but a good one.
The little things that make you happy: air conditioning (essential), a coffee/tea maker (morning ritual, don't @ me!), a mini-bar (always stocked, sadly the cost of the mini-bar is a bit high, so prepare yourself!), and blackout curtains so you can sleep through the day if you want to. And if you're like me and need to feel connected, the in-room safe box is there for your peace of mind.
Things That Were A Little… Off: Okay, let's be honest, the walls aren't entirely soundproof. I had a neighbor who snored like a foghorn, and that sound can't be blocked by any hotel's wall. The TV selection could be better, but hey, I'm in Fuerteventura, I don't need to watch TV. The bathroom was perfectly functional, but a bit… dated. Needed a refresh, maybe? (Minor gripe, really).
The "Must-Do" List: Relaxation & Recreation (Things to do, ways to relax)
Okay, this is where Cotillo Lagos really shines. Let's start with the absolute musts:
The Pool with a View: Picture this: crystal-clear water, a horizon stretching as far as the eye can see, and a cocktail in your hand. Pure bliss. Seriously, spend at least one afternoon just doing that. The pool is huge, clean and not overly crowded. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon.
The Spa: I am not a spa person. I'm more of a "sun, sand, and sangria" kind of traveler. But I had to try the Massage. And…wow. Just wow. I opted for a deep-tissue massage, and it was heaven. They knew exactly how to work out all the knots built up by my stressful life. I wish I'd done this every day. This place also has a Sauna, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom and foot bath for those who are into that stuff.
The Beaches: Duh. You're in Fuerteventura! The beaches are incredible. The hotel has direct access to some, and you can easily walk to others. Clear water, soft sand, this is literally what makes this place.
Beyond THAT: The "Maybe Skip It" Section
- Fitness Center: Yawn. It's a gym, it's functional, it has gym/fitness machines.
The Foodie Adventures (Dining, drinking, and snacking)
My stomach is my travel companion, and I love food! Let's break it down:
- Restaurants Overall the restaurants were good, but nothing amazing. Lots of options, which is nice - Restaurants, Bar, Poolside bar, Coffee shop, Snack bar.
- Breakfast: The Breakfast [buffet], had everything. Seriously, everything. Western breakfast, Asian breakfast - you name it, they got it. And yes, I absolutely gorged myself.
- Lunch: I always kept it casual with a salad in restaurant or some soup in the restaurant.
- Dinner: The a la carte in restaurant was a great experience.
- Drinks: Lots of opportunities for a Happy hour by the pool!
- Other things: Room service [24-hour] is amazing when you're being lazy, and they have a vegetarian restaurant available if you needed it.
- The Almost Imperfection: the coffee, seriously needs work. The coffee they serve in the restaurant could make me cry, but not in a good way. You HAVE to try some local cafe and drinks.
The "Keeping You Safe" Chronicles (Cleanliness and safety)
Okay, safety is paramount. And Cotillo Lagos is clearly making an effort.
- COVID-19 Precautions: They really went all-in. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, Individually-wrapped food options (buffet could be a bit of a pain), Physical distancing of at least 1 meter enforced… it’s all there.
- Other Safety Stuff: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour] etc.
- Rooms sanitized between stays and Safe dining setup.
- Staff trained in safety protocol.
The "Kids Are Alright (Maybe, I Don't Have Kids)" Section (For the kids)
Family/child friendly, but don't expect Disney. I didn’t have any little ones running around, so I can’t fully vouch for it. I saw a kids meal option on the menu.
The Human Touch: What I REALLY Thought
Look, Cotillo Lagos isn't perfect. No place is. But it’s pretty damn close. The staff were friendly and helpful. The location is stunning. The spa is a must.
My Emotional Verdict: I'm in love with Fuerteventura. This hotel is a great basecamp for exploring the island and the sunsets are incredible.
The Offer: Escape to Cotillo Lagos - Your Slice of Paradise is Waiting!
Tired of the same old vacation? Craving sun, sand, and soul-soothing relaxation? Then look no further than Cotillo Lagos, Fuerteventura's hidden gem, ready to offer you the escape of a lifetime!
Here's what you get:
- Stunning Views: Wake up to breathtaking ocean vistas from your well-appointed and air-conditioned room.
- Ultimate Relaxation: Indulge in a blissful massage and lounge by the pool.
- Pure Beach Bliss: Direct access to pristine beaches perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and exploring.
- Unforgettable Dining: Savor delicious cuisine at our on-site restaurants, and enjoy a cocktail at our poolside bar.
- Unbeatable Value: Everything you need for a perfect getaway.
Limited-Time Offer:
- Book your stay now and get a complimentary bottle of local wine upon arrival!
- Use code "FUERTEVENTURA" for 10% off your booking!
Don't wait! This offer won't last forever. Book your escape to Cotillo Lagos today, and start living your dream vacation!
Click here to book your getaway now (insert link here!)
Unbelievable Marrakech Riad: Dar Al Assad Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn’t just a travel itinerary; it’s a chronicle of my potential descent into sun-soaked chaos in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura. Prepare for sand in your socks, questionable decisions, and the emotional rollercoaster that is… me… on vacation.
El Cotillo: Operation Sunbake & Sanity… Maybe? (October 2024)
(Note: This is all very aspirational. Real life is… well, you’ll see.)
Day 1: Arrival & Tentative Triumph (or, the Airport Panic)
- Morning (aka, when I hope the alarm actually goes off): Flight from… somewhere north. Gotta get to the airport before my usual "running-in-a-frenzy-five-minutes-before-boarding" routine. Expecting absolute chaos. Last time, I forgot my passport. This time, I'm trying to pack "light" (which, in my case, means "slightly less than everything I own"). Pray for me.
- Afternoon (aka, the actual landing… hopefully): Touchdown in Fuerteventura! Greeted by… hopefully, a balmy breeze and not a dust storm. Navigating the airport. Will I find the rental car? Will the rental car find me? Knowing my luck, I'll end up driving off in someone else's Fiat. (Actually, a Fiat would be charming. Maybe.) The drive north to El Cotillo… music, hopefully something good. And snacks. Definitely snacks. Gotta find the villa ASAP.
- Evening (aka, the settling-in period): Check into the villa. Pray it looks like the pictures, not some damp dungeon. Unpack (or, more accurately, surgically remove my suitcase contents). First sunset drinks. Gotta find a decent bar with a view. Maybe a cheeky Mojito to celebrate not being stuck in a grey, rainy hellscape. This deserves a moment. I'll probably spill it. I always spill. Ugh.
Day 2: Beach Blues & the Pursuit of "Chill" (Emphasis on "Pursuit")
- Morning: Attempt to "rise with the sun." Fail miserably. Crawl out of bed at a reasonable hour, which is still probably late. Breakfast at the villa? Or, you know, just coffee and a bag of crisps. Head to the beach at Playa de la Concha. Aim: to be a beach bum. Goal: To achieve a level of zen usually reserved for monks. Reality: Probably will get sand EVERYWHERE.
- Afternoon: Lunch at a beachside chiringuito (beach shack). Think: fresh fish, cold beer, hopefully not a flock of seagulls fighting over my chips. I hate seagulls. Maybe get a bit of a tan (or develop a lobster-like hue, we'll see). Thinking of going snorkeling. Probably will swallow half the ocean.
- Evening: Walk along the beach at sunset. Romantic, right? Nope, it will probably involve a) getting sand in my eyes, b) stumbling over a rogue rock, c) arguing with my own brain about the merits of another bottle of wine. Dinner at a restaurant in town. Tapas, please!
Day 3: Surfing Shenanigans & the Sweet Taste of Defeat
- Morning: Time to learn to surf! (Or, more accurately, time to repeatedly fall off a surfboard.) The beach at El Castillo looks perfect for beginners. Expect: waves crashing, me flailing, possible public humiliation. Actually, getting wiped out by a wave might be a relief. That's how exhausting life is.
- Afternoon: Recovering from my surfing humiliation. Probably need a nap. Or maybe a giant ice cream. Or both. Head back to the villa. Do some reading (if I haven't dropped my book in the sea). Contemplate the meaning of life while staring at the ocean. Or just nap. Naps are good.
- Evening: Explore (if I haven't collapsed in a heap). Find a different restaurant, try something new. Maybe a walk along the harbour. Feel the ocean breeze… sigh. Find somewhere to people-watch, and judge.
Day 4: Exploring the Interior & The Mystery of the Missing Socks
- Morning: Day trip! Driving inland to explore the volcanic landscape, the villages. Trying to get lost, on purpose. I always get lost, by accident. But this time it’s intentional! Discover some hidden gems, maybe a local market. Maybe get the car stuck in a ditch (again, knowing my luck).
- Afternoon: More exploring! Maybe a hike (emphasis on “maybe”). Take photos of cacti. Wonder how the people here deal with all the relentless sunshine. Wish I had a decent hat. Also, where are my socks? Why do I always lose socks?
- Evening: Dinner and drinks in a village. Try local food. Get hopelessly lost on the way back to El Cotillo. Embrace the adventure! Get home and fall asleep on the couch.
Day 5: The Blissful Repetition of Beach Days (and a Meltdown)
- Morning: Back to the beach! Playa de la Concha, again. Maybe try a different beach, but probably not. Embrace the routine. Get a tan (or sunburn). Lose my sunglasses. Probably.
- Afternoon: Reading. Napping. Sunbathing. The perfect trifecta.
- Evening: Dinner somewhere new, or somewhere familiar. Depends on how lazy I'm feeling. Probably another bottle of wine. Stare at the stars. Complain about how fast time is going, while secretly wanting to stay forever. RAMBLING: Okay, so this is the point where I'm supposed to be all "Zen master chilling by the sea." But, here's the truth: I'm a walking ball of anxiety. I'm probably going to run into a massive existential crisis. Maybe I'll start panicking that I haven't achieved enough. Or maybe I'll just miss my dog. Or perhaps I'll have a colossal meltdown in public because someone looked at me the wrong way. It’s hard to say. But the possibility… and the fear of the possibility… that is precisely why I need a vacation. (Deep breaths…) Okay. Moving on. Back to… the beach.
Day 6: The Lighthouse & The Last Sunset (or, the bittersweet goodbye.)
- Morning: Visit the Faro del Tostón lighthouse. Spectacular views! Take about a million photos (and probably delete 90% of them later). Breathe in the salty air. Think about the vastness of the ocean and the sheer insignificance of… well, everything.
- Afternoon: Last lunch. Buy souvenirs I don't need. Contemplate not leaving. Start to feel sad.
- Evening: Last sunset. Find a perfect spot to watch it. Hold a cocktail. Probably cry. Take a final, lingering look at the ocean. Swear to come back next year. Dinner with a view. Remember all the memories. Start to pack… or, the reverse of packing (re-unpacking? Re-packing? Ugh). THE MOMENT: Okay, let’s be honest, the last sunset is a big deal. It's not just about the pretty colours in the sky. It’s about the feeling. The feeling of peace, of being… present (or, at least, trying to be). It’s about the weight of the world lifting, even if just for a little while. Even if just while you're still drunk and can't see to pack. It’s about a certain kind of acceptance that everything, even vacation, comes to an end. And maybe, just maybe, a sliver of hope that this trip… this messy, imperfect, sandy-sock-filled trip… has somehow, miraculously… changed me. Or at least given me a slightly better tan and a few good stories. Time to cry.
Day 7: Departure… (Or, the inevitable airport drama.)
- Morning: Wake up. Feel sad. Pack. Drive to the airport. Pray the car rental return is as smooth as possible (i.e., not a disaster). Try not to panic. Try to remember where I put my passport.
- Afternoon: Hopefully arrive home. Unpack. Start planning the next trip.
- Evening: Realize I’ve forgotten to buy something crucial, like a key or a hairbrush, or some other essential, and spend the rest of the weekend going crazy while looking for the missing piece.
(Disclaimer: Actual itinerary might vary, depending on the weather, my mood, and the general whims of fate. Expect the unexpected. Especially from me.)
Escape to Paradise: Mercure Samui Chaweng Tana Awaits!
Is Cotillo Lagos REALLY as beautiful as the photos make it look? (And, should I even bother?)
Alright, let's be real. Those photos? Yeah, the ones with the turquoise water and the blinding white sand? They're pretty damn accurate. But... *and there's always a but, isn't there?*... they also lie. They lie by omission, mostly. They don't show you the wind. The WIND, people! It's like a permanent, slightly sandy hairdryer on blast. So, yes, it's gorgeous. Jaw-dropping, even. But pack for the weather, and be prepared to eat a mouthful of sand. (It *does* make you appreciate the Mojitos a little more, though…)
Should you bother? Absolutely. Even on a slightly less perfect, wind-blasted day, there's a magic there. Just go, you'll figure it out. And bring a good book to hide behind when the sand-blasting gets too intense.
What's so special about the Lagos specifically? I see 'em mentioned everywhere.
The Lagos are essentially these little, naturally formed lagoons. They're protected from the full force of the Atlantic by a barrier of rocks and reefs. Which means… calm, clear, ridiculously inviting water. Think paddling pools… only, you know, the size of swimming pools, and filled with ocean water. Perfect for kids, perfect for pretending you're a freaking mermaid (come on, we've *all* done it), perfect for… well, just *being*.
Also, this is a small tip, but I always recommend spending a bit more in the Lagos, you'll be able to catch an authentic experience.
Is it crowded?
Okay, so let's call it a *qualified* no. During peak season (July/August) and on weekends, it gets busier. Don't expect to have a lagoon all to yourself (unless you're there at dawn, in which case, good for you, you early bird!). But Cotillo, thankfully, hasn't been totally overrun like some places. You can still find space, especially if you're willing to walk a bit further down the coast. I remember one time I went, and it was packed... and I mean *packed*. Not the idyllic, remote paradise I imagined. Lesson learned: Go off-season! And accept that your Insta-worthy pictures will probably have a few random people photobombing. It's part of the charm, right? ... Right?
What's the best time to visit?
Ah, the million-dollar question! Shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) are generally your sweet spot. The weather's lovely, the crowds are thinner, and the prices are usually a little more agreeable. I went once in October and it was pure bliss. Sunshine, warm water, and… not a lot of people fighting for sunbeds. Bliss, I tell you! Avoid July and August if you can. And, as I mentioned, be prepared for wind, wind, and more wind.
What can you *do* there besides stare at the pretty water (which, let's be honest, is a main draw)?
Okay, so you can snorkel (the water is incredibly clear!), stand-up paddleboard (if you're brave and don't mind a little wind turbulence), swim, sunbathe (obvs), and build sandcastles. But the real gem is the *feeling* of the place. And for me, this is an experience. So I will tell you all about it:
So, I remember one time, I was alone, I lost my way between the various lagoons, which are not big enough to lose yourself permanently, so don't panic. I thought it might be a good idea to sit down to think and enjoy the view... I sat there, and suddenly, a strong wave came, and literally made me lose my stuff. My backpack, the towel, even my flip-flops! I ran, and I laughed so hard. I spent a good amount of time looking for the objects, which were scattered... everywhere! Eventually, I found all of it, but it was dirty, sandy, and useless. I swear, the only reason why I didn't lose my swimsuit was simply luck.
I ended up getting back like this, without a towel, with the wind and the wet clothes, and, you know, it was awesome. It was authentic, it was wild, and it made me laugh for the rest of the day. The imperfection makes Cotillo and its lagoons unforgettable!
There is the Cotillo town, with its restaurants (fresh seafood, yum!), and shops, plus a gorgeous lighthouse nearby (perfect for sunset viewing). And surfers love the waves along the coast.
Food – tell me about the food! I need to know where to fuel my sun-worshipping.
Oh, the food. Okay, so you've got your classic Spanish/Canarian fare: fresh seafood (grilled octopus, mmm!), tapas, paella, that kind of thing. There are some decent restaurants in El Cotillo itself, mainly facing the sea, with amazing views. But here's a pro-tip: Avoid the tourist traps. Explore. Walk around, and sniff out places where the locals are eating. That's where you find the *real* gems. (Seriously, I had the best grilled sardines of my life in a tiny, unassuming cafe. Pure gold.) And if you're on a budget, grab some groceries and have a picnic on the beach. Wine, cheese, bread… perfect!
Accommodations – any recommendations? Or a warning about something?
Accommodation ranges from boutique hotels to apartments. Again, book in advance, ESPECIALLY during peak season. I once (okay, more than once) waited too long and ended up with a less-than-ideal apartment. Think: loud neighbors, dubious plumbing, and a view of… the parking lot. So, plan ahead! Look for places with a balcony or terrace – that's where you'll be spending most of your time.
Also, consider where you want to be in relation to the Lagos. Some places are a bit of a walk to get there, which, depending on your energy levels, might be a problem. But honestly, even the walk is worth it. The scenery is amazing!
Is Cotillo Lagos good for kids?
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