JOIA El Mirador by Iberostar

Absolutely fantastic hotel!

I originally had a standard junior suite and it was absolutely stunning and huge with a lovely balcony and nice view (they are all sea facing but some have better visability than others) - I was very happy with my room but was intrigued by Star Prestige and managed to get a great deal on an upgrade so went for it and I’m so pleased I did!

The Star Prestige rooms are allocated on the second floor, so not as high up as at standard (which was 3rd floor) but they still have sea views (again, depends on where the room is as to how visible) and was laid out in a similar manner (huge!) but the rooms come with sunbeds which is lovely. But the main draw of Star Prestige is the access to the VIP terrace and sunbeds - absolutely stunning and so spacious! There are three terraces in total, spanning across the whole second floor, all with great views and access to two Open Bars on either side as well as two Jacuzzis on either end.

As I’m solo and primarily visiting for R&R, a relaxed atmosphere in comfortable surroundings is always paramount to my trip and this certainly provided that. The service is fantastic and you have two butlers who can help you with anything you need but equally, on Star Prestige you’re also given space - it’s kind of like you’re personal playground if you like. When everything else is packed away downstairs you can stay on your lounger watching the sunset and helping yourself to Aperol Spritz - heaven.

Having said that, I do think there’s still pros and cons to it. The open bar is a huge benefit, particularly in the evening, but I did miss waiter service to the lounges which you could get downstairs (obviously in exchange for purchasing cocktails individually) - I think potentially you could ask your butler to bring you a drink (paid for obviously) but they weren’t often around and it wasn’t totally clear what the parameters were on that. It certainly didn’t spoil the holiday in any way but I do think more obvious waiter service available to the VIP section would be a great addition. As lovely as it is to have an open bar, sometimes on vacation you just want things bought to you! That being said, if you ask, they do often deliver! I really wanted to soak up the evening on my last night so had room service delivered straight to my sunbed on the terrace - bliss! So it’s all possible, it’s just not totally made clear and the butlers aren’t always visible.

You also get snacks in the open bar throughout the day which is lovely but sometimes a bit hit and miss so I always went down to the pool bar for lunch. Food was great and very reasonable! I enjoyed the buffet one evening and it was great - wonderful food and service! It is quite expensive at €70 pp though and I was so full I couldn’t fit in dessert, which is fine but stings a bit when you’ve paid so much - so go ravenous to get your monies worth!

The bar next to the restaurants is absolutely gorgeous and their cocktails are incredible! I would have spent more time there but I have to admit I wasn’t a huge fan of the entertainment. It’s not terrible and they have a different act every night but if you’re looking to really relax in the evening, the bar isn’t quite the place to do so fully. Unless that’s your bag of course - each to their own!

I do a lot of solo trips and I’ve been to some lovely places but usually by the last day I’m ready to leave - not so this time! I was devastated to prize myself away from those gorgeous views and relaxed atmosphere. I very rarely return to somewhere twice as there’s so much out there to discover but I would return here! Late checkout is also included in Star Prestige which was incredible as my flight wasn’t until the evening. I think occasionally they may have to move you to a different room but luckily on this occasion I got to stay in my room until 6pm, enabling me to enjoy my entire final day stress free.

One slightly annoying thing is the charge on water in the bars / restaurants (not in Star Prestige) - I think as a Brit it’s so unusual to be charged, especially as it isn’t branded water but having dined at a few restaurants on the island as well as the hotel, I just think it’s how it is locally and not specific to El Mirador. It’s very strange as a Brit to experience this since in the UK unbranded water is free, but it’s just one of those things!

Anyway, I had a fantastic time and would highly recommend. The original price of Star Prestige was in my opinion too much (over one thousand euros for five nights) but if you can get a deal then you should go for it - you won’t regret it!

This is our third time to this beautiful hotel Cannot give it enough praise from the moment you walk in until the time you go home Everyone is so helpful, especially Tiziana and her team From Little gifts left in the room to cocktails around the pool, we would never go anywhere else Beautiful surroundings and perfect service it’s like Home from Home Cannot give it enough praise A massive thank you to Tiziana for her help See you next year and many years to come