Occidental Roca Negra

Fantastic hotel, quiet & clean, friendly staff. Plenty of beautiful walks, and the local town is lovely with some sea swimming spots too.

It's important to state that we were not hotel residents, and that this review is based on a single dining experience. We were staying in an apartment not too far from the Occidental Roca Negra hotel, and on our last night decided to eat dinner locally rather than walk down to Puerto del las Nieves, where we'd eaten consistently well at the various restaurants in the port. We walked to the Occidental Roca Negra hotel, where we'd enjoyed a pleasant and relaxing nightcap in the rooftop bar a few days earlier. We explained to the Reception that we were not residents at the hotel, and asked if it would be possible to eat there. They kindly informed us that it would be no problem at all, and offered us the choice of buffet or à la carte. We chose the latter, and proceeded upstairs to consult the menu, and order our meal at the bar. The menu was not extensive (which was not a problem), and after a number of evenings eating fish and local dishes, we opted for a simple pizza Margherita and Angus beef hamburger with cheese. After what was a maximum of 10 minutes (although it was probably no more than 8), our food arrived. Very quick indeed! However, the pizza, the hamburger and the accompanying fries were all served lukewarm. It would have been impossible for the kitchen to have prepared and cooked the items, and in such a short space of time for them then to cool down and be served almost cold. The most likely explanation was that the pre-cooked items had been zapped in a microwave or some other type of re-heating device for a short time prior to serving. The pizza, burger and fries all tasted OK – but we were not happy that they were served almost cold. The server kindly took them back ... and then a few minutes later the same items reappeared, just a little hotter this time: Our pizza (less the slice we sampled the first time), the burger (that we'd previously cut into two halves), and the fries. It was bizarre that they had simply reheated the items and brought them back to our table. We questioned the server, who was very kind, but unable to offer an explanation. A minute later another server came, apologizing profusely. They took back the pizza, and offered to take back the burger and fries (but we told them we'd keep these two items). About 12 minutes later a hot pizza arrived with a large dollop of cheese wobbling on top. On the subject of large dollops of cheese, the burger also contained a large spurt of inedible flavourless, highly-processed orange-coloured gloop. (See photo.) Yuk! (In the end we weren't charged for the burger and fries.) It's important to mention that both servers were courteous, kind, understanding and apologetic. This culinary catastrophe wasn't their fault. The kitchen should do better. The wine (a Ribera del Duero) was excellent, and good value. If we return to Agaete, we would consider staying here, knowing that the port is a short and relatively easy walk down and up the hill.

Mouldy, smelly, with a view of a wall We complained and no resolution offered Would not recommend at all

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. The variety of the food, which changed every day, was exceptional as was its cooking and presentation. We had a sea view room on level 4. This was convenient both for Reception, and for the restaurant which was just a floor down. (There is, of course, a lift) Thanks to everyone.

We stayed here as part of a walking group. We were surprised at the excellent quality of the buffet meals, the lovely outlook and warm pool. It was also good that there was space indoors and in outdoor bar to meet together in the evenings. Our room had a couple of maintenance issues but otherwise everywhere looked well maintained and clean. It is a bit of a downhill walk to the village( and a slog back up!) . As tap water isn't recommended to drink it was necessary to buy/carry bottles.