we enjoyed our stay here, though we wouldnt say it was four star. the room was clean but dated, paper peeling and well worn carpets. we enjoyed the buffet style dining, while not spectacular was pretty good with 2 freshly cooked choices each night usally a fish and a roast dish. waiting staff were superb, but reception staff we found bordering rude. location ideal for us, up the hill out of the way. would use it again for a winter break

Our second stay in a year and although it's a mile from town we found it to be the ideal venue for a relaxing break in the winter. The staff at all levels are excellent and nothing is too much trouble. Rooms are typical for the area and if u book in the winter you may be better off specifying the Tiede view as they have all day sun onto the balcony. Pool is heated but still fresh to the skin and the drinks are reasonable with coffer at 1.65euros.
Not a good venue for kids as older generation are here and if you don't like walking or are infirm then it's too hilly for you ! If you are fit it's good. Free wifi in bar or reception or even near pool, not available in rooms.

We, too, had a week at El Tope (our third) 9-16 December. Booking via Thomson, avoiding their lowest price rooms - the 'dungeons' [see other reviews] and their highest priced double-balcony rooms [generally on a floor too low for good views], we'd contacted the hotel directly well in advance to ask for a higher floor and on the mountain-facing (and hence at this time of year sunny) side - and were allocated an excellent room on floor 4. We greatly enjoyed the breakfast and dinner buffet meals, especially the freshly grilled fish and roasts; and a Canarian-themed evening was excellent. We prefer meat-and-two veg. meals and were never disappointed. El Tope's rooms on floors 2-6 are large, fairly well sound proofed and comfortable. Staff were pleasant but had limited English - UK guests are a small minority. At this time of year there was no competition for sunbeds by the pool / on the sun-terrace, though the hotel was pretty full. There is a single Thomson rep. for the north of the island, who we've found helpful when we're taken the time to meet him; but of course he's not often actually at this hotel. We're fairly fit and can take the public steps (several flights) that are the direct way down to the centre of the town in our stride - probably not all would be able to. This was our third week here in 2010-11; we can see that its location and its quite traditional menus won't / don't suit everyone, but it suits us fine. It's not ornate or highly contemporary but traditional and conscientious.

Holiday 9th Dec to 16th Dec Booked in April as we had been to this hotel when it was a Thomson Gold requesting a high floor.
On arrival we were given a room in the dungeons when we asked for a higher floor we were told abruptly & without eye contact "You asked for a room with a balcony"!!!
As we were tired & don't like to argue we carried on lots of steps down to the room later we discovered another 2 flights of stairs which took us to the pool area.

The room looked onto to the gorge surrounding the back of the hotel & workmans huts
The room was spotless & balcony had astro turf flooring & fully enclosed with glass, we could open or close the windows & sit comfortably day or night with no one overlooking us & watch the birds & butterflies.

Besides the man at reception we met on arrival,all other staff were friendly & helpful especially the pool lifeguard who was very attentive to everyone re mattresses,parasols etc.
The grounds round the hotel was kept immaculate.

Food was the only let down,I realise the travel companies probably don't pay the hotel much & they are cooking for different nationalities but surely the chefs don't eat cold & tastless food at home.Where was the famous Albondigas Espanol (Spanish meatballs) I am sure they are not too expensive to make.(I didn't notice a microwave next to the carvery until the last day)

Puerto is more upmarket than the south of the island with German,Dutch & Belgium tourists being the majority.

If the I thought the food would be improved we would happily go back to this hotel