Escape to Paradise: Belvilla Palacio Caralluma, Fuerteventura Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, potentially sunburnt, and hopefully utterly relaxing world of Escape to Paradise: Belvilla Palacio Caralluma, Fuerteventura Awaits! Forget those overly polished travel brochures, I'm here to give you the REAL scoop. And honestly, I'm ridiculously excited, 'cause Fuerteventura? It's calling my name!
Let's get this straight: I’m not just a travel blogger, I'm you. I’m the one who packs way too much, worries about getting lost (despite having GPS), and secretly judges the hotel room decor. So, strap in, because here comes the unvarnished truth.
First Impressions & Getting There (and Accessibility, because, let's be real, it matters!)
Okay, so Accessibility. This is SUPER important, and thankfully, it looks like Belvilla Palacio Caralluma is trying. Listed as "Facilities for disabled guests" and the presence of an "Elevator" is definitely a good start. I’d be hitting them up directly to confirm specific details like ramp access, room modifications, and the like. I mean, who wants to spend their vacation wrestling with a poorly designed ramp? No one, that's who. We need details! I'm talking: How are the rooms, are they spacious? And how about the bathrooms? Good, solid accessible bathrooms are a KEY indicator. Accessibility is more than just a checkbox; it's about ensuring everyone can enjoy their escape.
Now, the Getting Around stuff. Airport transfer always gets a big thumbs up from me, especially when you're bleary-eyed and just want to collapse. A Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] are excellent, though free parking always sparks joy in my soul (it's the little things, right?). And Taxi service? Essential. I’m not a walking person on vacation. No.
(Anecdote time!: One time, in Italy, I thought I could "easily" walk to a restaurant. Three hours later, covered in sweat and thoroughly lost, I ate a terrible pizza. Lesson learned: Embrace the taxi! Or, at the very least, check the distance.)
Rooms: Your Sanctuary (Hopefully!)
Let’s talk rooms, baby! "Available in all rooms" is a godsend, especially when you're desperate for a nap or just want to escape the kids. Air conditioning, duh, in Fuerteventura, you NEED it! And the fact there's Free Wi-Fi for all rooms. Yes! Now, the nitty-gritty. Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access - LAN, Internet access - wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Sounds pretty darn comprehensive! Hopefully, the mattress isn't one of those rock-hard things that leaves you aching. I'm also a huge fan of Blackout curtains. Essential if, like me, you’re a vampire on vacation.
(Quirky Observation: Seriously though, why is it that the best hotel rooms always have a slightly wonky window? It's a conspiracy, I tell you!) Cleanliness and Safety: Because We Need to Feel Safe!
This is HUGE, especially after the last few years. Belvilla Palacio Caralluma seems to be taking it seriously, which is refreshing! Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available (LOVE that!), Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items – all excellent. It also mentions Staff trained in safety protocol and Sterilizing equipment. I'm feeling much more relaxed already. The fact that they offer Room sanitization opt-out available is HUGE for me. I want to feel safe, but I don't want to be drowned in chemicals.
Now, for the practicalities: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety deposit boxes, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms. All good signs of a secure environment. I definitely would feel a lot safer.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Fun!
Okay, let's be honest, food is a critical part of any vacation. And this place… well, it sounds promising. Restaurants, plural! That's my kind of paradise. A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Breakfast [buffet] (YES!), Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, and Western cuisine in restaurant. Whew! That’s a lot.
I really like Asian cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, and Happy hour! And of course a Poolside bar!
(Opinionated Rant: Seriously, if a hotel doesn't have a decent breakfast buffet, are you even trying? I NEED my eggs, my pastries, my possibly slightly concerning amount of fruit. It's the law.)
Ways to Relax: Ahhhhh… Escape!
This is where Belvilla Palacio Caralluma really shines, and now I get to go on about the Pool with a view and Spa, and all the Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. Oooooh, and a Massage, let's not forget about that.
Speaking of spas, I'm a sucker for a good spa day. Body scrub AND Body wrap? Count me in! It's all about the pampering, isn't it? I can already picture myself, slathered in something vaguely exotic, drifting into a state of pure bliss.
There's also Fitness center and Gym/fitness, if you’re into that. I'll probably pop in for a quick workout before heading to the pool. Maybe… (probably not).
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier
Okay, let's get practical again. Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge (useful for booking those day trips), Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes. These are all great! Contactless check-in/out is a welcome bonus in this day and age.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun?
Ah, the question of the kids. Babysitting service? Gold star! Family/child friendly? Excellent news for anyone with little ones! Kids facilities and a Kids meal? Now we're talking.
Things to Do: Beyond the Pool
Alright, so what else is there to do beyond the pool and spa? I'd need to know what the area is like. Is it near any beaches (essential for Fuerteventura!), hiking trails, or charming towns? The list doesn't provide that level of detail, but hopefully they have day trips and excursions available.
Internet: Staying Connected?
The fact that there's Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is fantastic. I'm assuming it's a decent speed because, you know, streaming is essential on vacation (don't tell anyone). Having Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, and Wi-Fi in public areas is also great. Just imagine, relaxing by the pool, checking Instagram, and not having your data eaten up.
Things to Consider Before you Book
Here's where the critical thinking comes in. While the amenities list is impressive, I'd suggest doing a little digging.
- Location, Location, Location: What's the actual location like? Is it near the beach? Is it quiet? Or close to nightlife?
- Read Recent Reviews: I'm talking TripAdvisor, Booking.com, etc. See what
Okay, buckle up buttercup, 'cause we're about to get REAL. This isn't your perfectly-curated Instagram trip. This is… ME in Fuerteventura, battling the wind, the sun, and hopefully, my own inner demons. Here's what I think is going to happen at the Belvilla by OYO Palacio Caralluma, with all the messy, glorious reality thrown in.
Fuerteventura Fiesta: A Messy Manifesto (and Mostly Tentative Itinerary)
Day 1: Arrival and the "OMG I'm Actually Here" Moment (and a Mild Panic)
- Morning (ish - let's be honest, I'm never an early bird): Touchdown in Fuerteventura! Pray to the travel gods that my luggage made it too. The airport…well, it already feels like a giant wind tunnel. And the sun?! Blinding! First impression: HOT. Possibly too hot. And is that a distinct scent of… something… in the air? Seaweed? Sunscreen overcompensation? Unclear.
- Transport: Rental car – a tiny Fiat, probably. Pray it can handle the roads. I've heard horror stories about potholes and the sheer audacity of some Spanish drivers. Wish me luck.
- Afternoon: Arrive at Palacio Caralluma. Ooh, looks promising on the website – a gorgeous palatial villa. Hoping it's not a total bait and switch. Mental note: Immediately scope out the pool situation. Crucial detail.
- Early Evening: Check-in, get settled. Immediately unpack. (Okay, maybe not immediately. Probably stare blankly at the view for a good 15 minutes, trying to soak it all in). Then, pool time. Absolutely essential. If it's not everything I dreamed of, I will rage. I will vocalize my rage.
- Evening: Grocery run. The real test. Navigating a Spanish supermarket with my non-existent Spanish skills. Pray they have good cheese. Pray I don't accidentally buy cat food.
- Dinner: Hopefully, I'll somehow assemble a meal out of the grocery store bounty. If it's a complete disaster, there's always tapas, right? God, I hope there's tapas nearby. The thought of a sad, solo microwave dinner is already a downer.
Day 2: Windswept Beaches and the Elusive Perfect Photo
- Morning: Wake up. Stumble out of bed, bleary-eyed and praying my back doesn't hurt from the plane. First mission: coffee. Second mission: find some damn sunshine. Third mission: find those legendary Fuerteventura beaches.
- Afternoon: Beach hopping! (Assuming I can actually figure out how to drive my little Fiat). Goal: Find THAT beach. The one from the brochures – the one with the turquoise water and the perfect sand. Guaranteed to be more crowded than the brochure suggests. Prepare to be underwhelmed, yet still thoroughly delighted.
- Quirky Observation: Beach combing. I'm terrible at it. I'll probably just end up picking up an empty water bottle and a few bits of plastic. But hey, at least I'm trying.
- Late Afternoon: Attempt to take the perfect photo. FAIL. The wind will blow my hair into my face, the sun will glare, and I’ll look like a bewildered tourist. Accept this fate and embrace the imperfection.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. Trying to immerse myself in the culture, not look like a tourist, but failing miserably. Asking the waiter in butchered Spanish, the food’s probably amazing… or, at worst, edible. Either way, I will try new things. I will be brave. Or, you know, order the pasta. Comfort food, always reliable.
Day 3: The Surfing Saga (or, The Day I Almost Drowned)
- Morning: Okay, this is the big one. Surfing lessons! I've never surfed before. I am slightly terrified. I will probably look like a complete idiot. But I'm doing it anyway because, dammit, I need a story.
- Actual Experience: Went to a small local surf school, was absolutely terrible, and swallowed a sea of saltwater… I mean, I went under a lot. After a good 30 minutes, I managed to stand up for approximately 2 seconds! The instructor was very kind and helpful, they showed me every trick and technique… But I've never been so exhausted. I felt like I had been working out for 10 years. Still so satisfying, though. Surfing is HARD.
- Afternoon: Recover from the surfing ordeal! Probably spend the rest of the day at the pool, drinking something fruity, and pretending I’m not slightly sunburned.
- Quirky Observation: The sheer variety of sunburn intensities at the pool will be extraordinary. People will range from lobster red to a respectable tan. I will probably fall somewhere in between.
- Evening: Dinner in a more "local" restaurant. Trying to look like I know what I'm doing. And probably order pasta.
Day 4: Exploring the Interior and the Pursuit of Serenity (and Avoiding the Tourist Traps)
- Morning: Road trip! Time to explore the island's interior. Hoping to see the "real" Fuerteventura, away from the beaches and the resorts.
- Transport: Fiat v2, electric boogaloo. Pray it can handle the mountain roads. Hope I remember to fill it with petrol first.
- Afternoon: Visiting those cute, white villages. I've looked up a few places on online, I hope they can live up to the hype. I'll probably get a bit lost. It’s inevitable.
- Quirky Observation: The dogs. There'll be stray dogs. Probably some cats too. I love them. I might try to befriend them. I will definitely take photos.
- Evening: Hopefully, have found a hidden gem of a restaurant. Maybe a local festival? Maybe some live music? Or, failing that, a quiet evening on the villa terrace with a bottle of wine, watching the sunset. I'll probably write in my journal, full of self-pity.
- Emotional Reaction: The possibility of the sunset at the villa terrace, or maybe somewhere looking onto the sea, or from a cliff, I can almost feel my existentialism disappear. A sense of peace, I truly hope for this.
Day 5: The Goodbye and the Grand Finale (or, The Day I Never Want to Leave)
- Morning: Final breakfast. Trying to savor every last moment. Trying not to panic about packing. Procrastinating, probably.
- Early Afternoon Pool time. One last dip! Take it all in.
- Late Afternoon: Pack. Sigh. Start the dreaded journey back to reality.
- Emotional Reaction: I will genuinely feel sad to be leaving. The freedom, the sun, the escape… it’s addictive. The thought of the return flights, the airport queues, and the real world will fill me with dread.
- Evening: Last dinner. Hopefully, a memorable one. Maybe tapas again. Definitely a toast to Fuerteventura.
- Departure: Say goodbye to Palacio Caralluma. Remember the beautiful view. Say goodbye to the sun. Say goodbye to freedom.
- Final Thought: I WILL be back. With better Spanish, and hopefully, a slightly better tan.
Imperfections, Rambles, and Emotional Reactions:
- Food: I will probably burn some food. I'll be slightly resentful of people who are naturally good cooks. I'll eat a lot of cheese.
- The Weather: I'm secretly terrified of the wind. But I will embrace it. (Or complain about it constantly. Possibly both.)
- The People: I will try to be polite and friendly, but my natural awkwardness will probably shine through.
- Alone Travel Anxiety: The initial days of being totally alone in a totally new place will be hard. I will definitely be calling those back home.
- The Pool: I'm gonna spend too much time in the pool. It's a weakness.
- Things I Will Never Do: Learn to speak Spanish; Learn to keep my car clean; Go on a hike.
This, my friends, is my "plan". It probably won't go to plan. But that's the messy, glorious beauty of it, right? Wish me luck. And maybe send me some emergency chocolate.
Escape to Paradise: Fischerhaus on Germany's Stunning Malkwitzer See
Escape to Paradise: Belvilla Palacio Caralluma – Fuerteventura Awaits! (My Brain on Vacation Edition)
Okay, Seriously, Is This Place ACTUALLY Paradise? Like, Real Paradise?
Whoa there, slow down, buddy. Paradise is a big word. Let me tell you, when I booked this place, the pictures were *glowing*. Instagram-filtered perfection, you know? So, I was a little skeptical. But…
Then I arrived.
I can't lie, seeing the actual place, Palacio Caralluma, for the first time? My jaw actually dropped. The view? Stunning. Think sprawling turquoise ocean meeting rugged volcanic landscape. That initial "Woah" factor? Absolutely legit. Do you immediately feel like you're in paradise? Hmm.. I'd say.. the first few hours are a blur of joy and logistics. But, when you finally sit down with a glass of vino on the terrace and watch the sun dip into the Atlantic? Yeah, then you start believing the brochure.
It's not *flawless* paradise, mind you. There's the occasional rogue lizard (more on that later... let's just say I'm not a fan), and the internet can be a bit… let's call it "relaxed." But, the core ingredients of paradise - incredible views, sunshine, tranquility - are definitely there. So, yeah, maybe a slightly-less-perfect-than-advertised paradise. But, honestly? The imperfections just made it more real, and therefore, more lovable.
What's the Deal with the Pool? Is It Actually Swimmable? And, you know… Picturesque?
The pool. Oh, the pool! This is a big one, right? Like, poolside lounging is a VACATION REQUIREMENT. Okay, so, the pool? Yes. Absolutely swimmable. I spent a shameful amount of time in that pool. Shameful because I *should* have been exploring more… but… *pool life.*
Picture this: you're floating on your back, the sun is warming your face, and you can see the ocean sparkling in the distance. Yeah, it's picturesque. And it’s not even too crowded, not that many times, a few times. I even had it all to myself at sunset one evening! That was bliss. Okay, I need to stop talking about the pool before I start planning my return trip right now.
A minor gripe? They could have heated it, so it’s not always icy cold. But still, a solid YES to the pool. It’s a major selling point, folks, and it lives up to expectations. Make sure you pack a decent towel. Seriously, don't be the person with the sad, flimsy travel towel. Not a good look.
How’s the Kitchen? Can I Actually Cook There, or Is It Just for Show? (Because I’m Hungry.)
Right, the kitchen. This is a crucial question. Because let's be honest, eating out for every meal gets, well... expensive. The kitchen? It's *functional.* Not a Michelin-star chef's dream, obviously. But I think you would be fine. The basics are there, and, you know what, you don't have to clean the dishes after you ate at a restaurant.
I managed to whip up a decent pasta dish (using local ingredients, mind you! Fuerteventura has some *amazing* seafood.). I also made some terrible scrambled eggs one morning. But hey, it's the effort that counts, right? And the fridge? Generous size, which is essential for keeping your beverages chilled. Always a plus. Just pack some sharp knives, because you probably won't find a great chef's knife there.
My advice? Embrace the local grocery stores! Discover their fresh produce. You are on vacation, so why not have some fun with it? Don’t expect top-of-the-line equipment, but it'll do the job. You just might have trouble cooking some exotic dishes... but hey, that's part of the adventure!
Okay, But Seriously: About the Lizard Threat... Is It True? Are We Talking Godzilla-Sized Lizards Here?
Right. The lizards. Let's just get this out of the way. They're there. They're… plentiful. Are they Godzilla-sized? Thankfully, no. But they are… well, they are *lizards.* And I, personally, am not a friend of lizards. They give me the heebie-jeebies.
There's nothing wrong with them, nature is wonderful, I know that, maybe it was my fault. It was a warm day and I was just trying to enjoy a cup of coffee on the terrace and there it was, darting around. I felt my heart leap into my throat, and I practically lept back into the house. My emotional response? Overblown. But hey, I'm not a lizard person.
So, be aware. They're around. They're mostly harmless. Bring a good book and a healthy dose of tolerance. And if you ARE a lizard person? Even better! You’ll have a fantastic time.
Accessibility: Stairs, Steps, and Slogging... What's the Deal?
Alright, this is important, especially if you're mobility-conscious. Palacio Caralluma has some steps, yes. It's not *completely* flat, it's on a hillside, so expect it. There are steps up to the entrance from the parking area, and some more inside.
I was fine with it, but you know your abilities and health. However, if you need things to be super-easy, no steps at all? You might want to double-check the layout. But, generally, this wasn't like climbing Everest, it was manageable. Just be prepared. Packing things is always the worst part.
I'm not gonna lie, those steps were a bit of a pain after a long day of exploring. But the views... the views make everything worth it. Just don't overpack. You'll thank me later. The views are definitely worth the climbs!
Is Wi-Fi a Myth? Will I Be Completely Cut Off from the Outside World? (My Anxiety Depends On This.)
The Wi-Fi. Ah, yes. The modern-day conundrum. Will you be cut off? Partially. It's not dial-up slow, but it's not lightning-fast either. Streaming movies? Maybe not. Checking emails? Fine. Video calls? Hit or miss.
I found myself embracing it. I was forced to unplug, which, honestly, was great. I spent more time reading, exploring, and generally *being* on vacation. It might be a good thing! Escape To Inns
