R2 Bahia Playa Hotel & Spa

Guests here are mainly mature German, French, and Polish couples looking for a quiet holiday retreat -- kids under the age of 18 aren't allowed. The hotel's architecture is modern and austere. The main lobby building is brown and boxy with geometric details and large rows of patterned windows. Inside, the lobby is naturally lit from a large row of windows that overlook the outdoor pool. Room blocks are modern and bright white. Every day there is a different local craft person in the hotel lobby selling their wares. 

Tarajalejo is a sleepy fishing town that's still relatively untouched by tourism. The paved promenade in front of the hotel offers a pleasant walk along the beach front, and can be accessed directly from the main hotel hallway. A small bar serves smoothies and cocktails on the beach. There are benches along the promenade to stop and admire the black sand and pebble beach. Since there are few facilities near the hotel, most guests rent a car to explore the island and use the R2 as a base. It's a five-minute walk to the nearest supermarket and a small selection of local restaurants and cafes. The Oasis Park Fuerteventura is a six-minute drive south along the main motorway and near the village of La Lajita. It's a 15-minute drive to Costa Calma, with it's lively main street full of bars and restaurants catering to tourists. Fuerteventura Airport is around 50 minutes away by car. 

The 163-rooms in this hotel are divided between Double Rooms, Junior Suites, and Suites. Rooms are decorated in a brown palette, with dark bedspreads, and heavy curtains. Each of the rooms has a different back-lit photograph of Fuerteventura covering an entire feature wall. Wooden furniture is functional but includes a good-sized wooden desk, wardrobe, and bedside tables. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, telephones, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Suites have armchairs, coffee tables, and reading lamps. En-suite bathrooms provide a sink, toilet, and deep bathtub with a shower partially covered by a wall of frosted glass that makes bathrooms feel light and airy. Hotel branded toiletries and a hairdryer are provided. All rooms have a balcony furnished with table and chairs, a sun lounger, and a retractable clothes line; some rooms overlook the beach. 

The R2 Bahia Playa has a good range of vacation facilities including two swimming pools and a spa. One pool is heated and has a peaceful vibe, while the other is cold and has a pool bar with music. Note that pool towels require a deposit. One pool is much livelier than the other, and guests choose to relax or enjoy daily poolside activities like sangria making. Both pools are busy during until late afternoon when many guests either go for a walk or a siesta, or use the spa facilities. Every Friday there is a chill out night at the main pool. Other evening activities include a casino night and a disco in the large basement nightclub. On the top floor, a large spa area has a swimming pool with beautiful ocean views. Other facilities include a sauna, steam room, three different aromatic showers, and a group of heated loungers. Four treatment rooms can be booked for a fee, and one has a water massage system. A large outdoor terrace overlooks the ocean and has a small collection of loungers. The fitness center has cardio machines and weights placed in front of large windows facing the ocean. All-inclusive rates include pre-made cocktails like pina coladas and tequila sunrises from the pool bar, plus local spirits. During our stay several guests enquired about snacks at the pool bar, but unfortunately there is no food available between the end of breakfast and start of lunch service. The lobby bar has a good selection of local spirits and international spirits are available for a fee. The buffet restaurant offers plenty of hot and cold breakfast options including bacon, sausages, eggs, and pancakes, plus fruit and cheeses. Room service breakfast is available for fee, but isn't widely advertised. When we visited the hotel the evening buffet was Italian themed, with plenty of pastas, pizzas, fresh fish, and ice cream. The restaurant is busiest in the early evening. There is free street parking beside the property and a car park at the back. Wi-Fi is free throughout.