Our Trip
There were three of us. Me (Dawn, 40), my little girl Alma (7) and my mam Brenda (72). Three generations, three very different sets of needs, and somehow this hotel got it right for all of us.
We booked a couple of weeks before we went and the price had dropped to about £750 per person all inclusive. We will not always be that lucky, but it is worth keeping an eye on late deals if you have the flexibility.
Where We Stayed
We had a pool view room at the Invisa Hotel Ereso in Es Caná. The view over the resort and out to the sea was lovely, but the real bonus was being able to watch the evening entertainment from the balcony. For nights where my mam or my little girl needed an early one, this was perfect. You could still enjoy the show without having to commit to staying up.
The Staff
Every single member of staff we came across seemed genuinely happy to be there. Polite, helpful and warm, wherever you went in the hotel. This was not a fluke. It is clearly part of the culture of the place and it does not happen by accident. It is part of what makes it special.
Special mention for Tony, one of the reps. He really makes a huge effort at all times, even when no one is watching. His enthusiasm is infectious and he clearly takes pride in giving guests a good experience.
The Food
The food was great and suited everyone. My little girl is a fussy eater and she was happy every meal, which if you know, you know. The service in the restaurant was brilliant too. No complaints at all.
What Made It Work
The entertainment package is what made this holiday. It gave every single day a predictable routine, which was exactly what we needed with a 7 year old and a 72 year old.
Here is how a typical day went:
About 9am we would head down for breakfast. Then we would get settled on sunbeds by the kids pool. Alma would splash about for an hour or so while Brenda and I had a coffee and read. At 10:45 we would all join in with Bomba, then walk along to drop her off at mini club before meeting up with the friends we had made and joining in with the adult activities. We loved corn hole, Molkee and shuffleboard best, but we also had a go at killer pool and killer darts. I particularly enjoyed the water polo. It was very competitive and a lot of fun, but not for everyone.
At 1pm we would pick up the little one and join in with crazy game and Bomba again. Then lunch. After lunch, more swimming, then the afternoon activities at 3pm until about 4 or 4:30 depending on what was on that day. More swimming and lounging by the pool after that.
At 6pm we would go up to the room for a quick nap and to get ready for the evening. Tea at 7:30, followed by mini disco at 8:15. After that we would sometimes walk down the street to the shops or the fair, or just have a stroll and a paddle on the beach. Some nights we stayed for the show, other nights we went up to the room and watched it from the balcony.
This routine kept everyone happy. Alma was occupied, well fed and watered, which meant no tantrums. Brenda could go at her own pace. And I could actually relax. We made lovely likeminded friends and the camaraderie during the games was one of the highlights of the whole trip.
The Swap Boxes
This is a small thing but it made a real difference to our stay. The hotel has swap boxes that are always full of useful things left behind by other guests. We found a buoyancy-aid swimming vest that my little girl used all week so she could enjoy the big pool safely. It would have cost about £30 to buy. On the last day we ran out of sunscreen, so we just picked some up from the box instead of buying a whole new bottle for one day.
When we left, we put helpful things in for others to pay it forward. It is such a simple idea but it works brilliantly and it says a lot about the kind of place this is.
The Splash Pool
The splash pool was a winner for us. My little girl loved it, it was shallow enough that we knew she was safe, and we could sit right next to it and watch her while we relaxed. It took the stress out of pool time completely.
Es Caná
Es Caná is beautiful and really close to the hotel. You can walk along the promenade or the beach after tea without spending a penny. No need for additional expense, just take a towel and enjoy it.
I did a sunrise swim one morning and it was magical. The beach is lovely and the sea is clear. You do not have to worry too much about rocks, seaweed or anything under your feet. It is one of those beaches where you can just wade in and enjoy it.
There are plenty of supermarkets and shops very close by for anything you might need. The Hippie Market is a short walk away too and made for a lovely afternoon out.
Would We Go Back
Book it. Best holiday I have ever had.
We went in August and it was perfect, but you might find a better deal outside of peak season. We booked a couple of weeks before and the price dropped to about £750 per person all inclusive. That will not always happen but it is worth a try if you can be flexible.
Alma, Dawn and Brenda went, aged 7, 40 and 72, and every single one of us had the time of our lives. That tells you everything you need to know.