Folias Aparthotel

At 107 rooms, Hotel Folias is one of a handful of medium-sized hotels in San Augustin. The hotel was actually the first one to be built in this area during the 1960s building rush, and unfortunately it may have seen better days. While the lobby area is clean, breezy, and relaxed, with a colorful modern art installation and water feature, other public areas feel neglected and in need of some TLC. At the time of our spring 2017 visit, the downstairs lounge had stains on the floor and dust on guest computers. Although the pool area is attractive overall, we couldn’t help noticing the cracked and dirty tiles. Still, these are relatively minor cosmetic complaints that most guests are willing to overlook, in favor of the hotel’s low rates and good overall value.

San Agustin isn’t much to write home about -- it’s far less developed than its popular neighbor Playa del Ingles -- but this means its beach is a relaxed, less touristy alternative, and there aren’t nightclubs around to keep guests awake all night. The hotel is accordingly quiet, with no evening entertainment, and is better suited to guests who don’t mind a trip to neighboring Playa del Ingles for a night out. Expect to see a variety of couples and small families here, with mostly German, British, and Scandinavian travelers visiting in the winter.

Hotel Folias is tucked away at the end of a quiet street lined with other hotels, and there isn’t much going on in the immediate area. San Agustin Beach, with its modest strip of restaurants, is a short five-minute walk away. The main shopping center, packed with restaurants as well as a supermarket for self-catering, is also about five minutes away on foot. The popular tourist beach, Playa del Ingles, is a 10-minute drive away, and has an endless promenade of restaurants with nighttime entertainment. It's a 20-minute drive to the airport, and the vibrant city of Las Palmas is 40 minutes away by car.

There are two room types at Hotel Folias: Standard Rooms, which accommodate a maximum of two adults and one child (via an extra cot), and Family Rooms, which accommodate a maximum of two adults and two children (via a sofa bed). Decor ranges from basic modern to slightly dated, including a range of blue-and-white-hued rooms or those done in more vibrant stripes and patterns, plus simple oak-veneer flat-box furniture. All rooms are suited for basic self-catering and include flat-screen TVs, AC, kitchenettes, and balconies -- some of which have partial sea views. Kitchenettes are equipped with electric ranges and refrigerators, but no microwaves or ovens. They do have coffeemakers, however, which is a rarity on the island. All bathrooms include showers, plus slightly dated fixtures and decor. Unfortunately the Wi-Fi in rooms is not free, and neither is access to safes for storing valuables. 

Hotel Folias sticks to the basics, and its main feature is its pool complex. This includes a large one for adults and a smaller one for kids, both of which are heated in winter. It’s an attractive area overall, despite some cosmetic flaws, with astroturf and a landscaped garden that includes palm trees and a pond. The poolside bar is a guest favorite, and serves drinks as well as light snacks suitable for a lazy poolside lunch. The buffet restaurant is a cheerful open-air space, and has a pleasant outdoor wooden terrace with tables overlooking San Agustin and the sea beyond. The restaurant serves a variety of local and international dishes (all-inclusive plans available), and the free breakfast is decent, with a good choice of hot and cold options. Some guests complain that hot dishes aren’t sufficiently heated on occasion. It's also worth noting that all-inclusive plans are limited by restaurant opening hours, so drinks aren't available 24 hours -- and, in fact, drink service ends fairly early according to previous guests. There’s a small outdoor recreation area with foosball and pool tables, and access to the gym is free. However, the basic equipment has seen better days. Free Wi-Fi is only available in the ground-floor lounge. Private parking is available, but costs extra.