Apartamentos The Koala Garden

Crisscrossed by several public streets, Apartmentos The Koala Garden sprawls over several blocks set around a huge traffic circle. Its big gardens and dozens of two-story structures with yellow facades and terra-cotta tile roofs make it look like a private residential community from the street. The property is divided into five main areas with several blocks and a pool deck each, but there is only one restaurant, one snack bar, one kids’ club, and one lobby here, which means long walks between some rooms and main hotel amenities. Gardens are kept clean and tidy, but interiors are mostly dated and no-frills throughout. The lobby is the most contemporary (if still generic) of all common areas, with plenty of colorful plastic chairs and large windows overlooking the grounds. Clay-colored floors are a tad old-fashioned, but the many bright pops of blue, yellow, pink and green at least feel a bit fresh. Most guests here are couples and families on a budget, and it can get loud with kids running around during peak season. Entertainment is limited here outside of peak season, though, so don't expect lots of showtime socializing.

The hotel is located in a quiet, somewhat isolated residential area outside of Maspalomas. Most of its neighbors are other hotels and apartments. There is a supermarket and a large public park with sports facilities a three-minute walk from the Koala Garden, but little else of interest can be found within easy walking distance. The hotel offers free shuttle service to Maspalomas Beach several times a day, and there is another nice stretch of sand at Playa del Ingles, located a 10-minute drive away. Playa del Ingles also offers a wide array of bars and restaurants, and is home to Yumbo, a popular mall known for its hopping nightlife. The airport is a 25-minute drive from Apartmentos The Koala Garden.

All 229 units at Apartmentos The Koala Garden are sunny studios and one-bedroom apartments with tiny kitchenettes, living areas, and furnished outdoor spaces. All are spacious, but past guests have complained of subpar cleanliness and bugs in rooms. The design style is basic and dated, with a simple red and white color scheme throughout, competing patterns in the soft furnishings, gray tile floors, and plain wooden furniture. Studios have a low wall separating the sleeping area from the living space, while one-bedroom apartments have two day beds in the living room, and can fit up to four guests. Kitchenettes are equipped with mini-fridges, cooktops, microwaves, sinks, and coffeemakers, as well as all of the utensils needed to make a simple meal. Other in-room amenities include flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning, but there are daily fees for Wi-Fi and the use of safes. Bathrooms are spacious but basic, with gray tiles, wall-mounted hairdryers, small showers with plastic curtains, and separate tubs.

Apartmentos The Koala Garden draws many families, and offers several kid-friendly amenities, including a kids’ club, a playground with slides and swings, a game room with arcade machines, and entertainment for all ages (though not daily in the off-peak season). The hotel does offer a few extras, like a sauna and billiards, but there are fees for both, and there is a free shuttle to Maspalomas Beach. Massages can also be booked. The hotel has five small family pools -- one in each section of the hotel -- and three kiddy pools, all with loungers and umbrellas. There is a snack bar adjacent to the main pool, but there have been complaints of limited options. Meals are offered at the buffet restaurant, which serves a spread that most guests find bland and repetitive. All-inclusive rates are available. The hotel also has a mini market with a few basic items, and coin-operated laundry facilities. Airport shuttle services are available for a fee, and excursions can also be arranged.