There’s a certain charm at the Hotel Elba Sara, thanks to its attention to detail. Take the large double-height lobby, for instance. It has an indoor/outdoor feel, with a cascading waterfall, rock gardens, palm trees, and orchids -- and these are just some of the details guests can expect to find under its beamed ceiling. Other areas -- particularly those that are outdoors -- are equally pleasant, like the poolside grill that sits under a pitched wooden roof with dangling foliage and toucans. The hotel is not contemporary, and some public areas -- like the tacky Broadway Bar -- need an overhaul, but it's nice enough to draw guests back year after year. The lush gardens are well-maintained and house some interesting design features, like meandering waterways and rock tunnels that could be straight out of Disneyland’s Wild West. Animation teams are on-hand throughout the day and there's nightly entertainment, though the vibe is never rowdy. Most guests here are on an all-inclusive basis, with families and more mature travelers taking advantage of the affordability of the beachfront location. 

Hotel Elba Sara has a similar setting to its sister property, Hotel Elba Carlota -- on the outskirts of the relaxed budget-tourism town of Caleta de Fuste, near a local shopping center. The hotel has direct access to a quieter part of Caleta de Fuste’s family-friendly public beach and is close to the Chiringuito La Isola -- a popular beach bar located at the end of a beach jetty. The stretch of beach right next to the hotel is scenic -- there’s an old castle on the shore -- but it's also quite rocky and isn't great for swimming or sunbathing. The Fuerteventura Golf Club is a short shuttle ride across the motorway, and the small shopping center next door has convenient supermarket and a couple of restaurants. It’s a five-minute taxi journey, or a 25-minute walk along the promenade, into central Caleta de Fuste. Fuerteventura’s airport can be reached in 15 minutes by cab. The proximity to the airport, under the flight path, means that aircraft noise is audible.

The Hotel Elba Sara’s rooms have one big advantage over other hotels in the area: all have a balcony or terrace with at least a glimpse of the sea. We recommend requesting a higher floor for the best views. While the scenic setting is nice, it can’t distract from the dated traditional decor inside. The gray-blue walls are pleasant enough, but the checkerboard blue-gray and peach flooring isn’t easy on the eye, and the dominant dark tiling in the bathrooms is far from modern. Even so, they are impeccably clean. Air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and minibars come standard. Spacious bathrooms have a shower/tub combo and a bidet. Double beds are two singles pushed together and rooms can sleep two adults and two children on extra beds. The choice here is kept simple, with Standard Rooms, interconnecting rooms for families, and Junior Suites. The Junior Suites are much larger, with a separate living areas, more updated bathrooms with separate tubs and walk-in showers. They also include double-length balconies. 

Hotel Elba Sara has some of the most attractive grounds that we’ve seen in this area. Its large pool area features two pools -- one for kids; one heated in winter -- plus a whirlpool and plenty of sun loungers. The in-water loungers are a nice addition. Indoors, there’s a gym with a sauna. Massages are offered at a fee on Balinese beds in the gardens. Guests also have preferential access to the thalasso spa at the Sheraton hotel nearby. 

For dining, Albatros is the main buffet restaurant with daily-themed cuisine. Other options comprise a poolside grill (Toucan; complete with hanging toucans) and a more intimate Italian eatery -- where luck-of-the-draw plays a part in whether it’s open (on selected evenings in high season). There's a bar in the reception area as well as the cruise ship-esque Broadway Bar, which hosts acts from singers to acrobats. Travelers should note that the restaurants and bars have an evening dress code, which includes long-sleeve shirts and trousers for men. Breakfast buffets are included in all rates. 

Most guests are here on an all-inclusive package, which receives decent reviews from previous guests, though many of the activities on offer aren't included in those rates. There’s plenty on-site to keep children entertained, including kids’ entertainment and animation teams, a kids’ club, game room, mini-golf course, multi-sport court, and beach volleyball court. Wi-Fi is free in all areas and parking is freely available outside the hotel. Shuttles to the golf courses nearby are free.