Having written a very positive review of this hotel after my first visit back in 2008, I expected I wouldn’t need to write another. However, this time, I had mixed feelings about this establishment:
1. The sunsets are still breathtaking and a sea view room is still worth paying up for.
2. The food at the buffet breakfast (and dinner) still leaves an almost guilty feeling of abundance.
3. A positive change has definitely occurred to the reception – most staff are now multilingual and are very helpful (Severina was a star). They do try to give you a ‘good deal’ or at least make you feel like you’ve got one (like a discounted upgrade).
However, a few things left bleak spots on my holiday experience that I believe prospective guests should be aware of:
1. Stay away from rooms facing Plaza del Duque in the Sansofe building (esp. on lower floors) as these rooms seem to be located just above the garbage collectors’ or food supply entrance. That is, unless you feel like experiencing the other side of the civilization at about 4 am as garbage cans (or food boxes?) rattle downstairs .
2. Having booked half-board on the basis that I wanted to be as safe on the food side as possible, I came down with poisoning / infection / virus (the local doctor never worked out) for nearly a week, with horrible fever on the first two days (v. unusual for me). The hotel was quick to dismiss this as a ‘virus’ but accepted that some other guests got it, too. This may or may not be the fault of the hotel, but what was striking was that they did not ever have a thermometer as part of their first aid package and suggested that my elderly mother go buy one at a pharmacy! I personally find it extremely discomforting that a five-star establishment in a first world country would not have something as basic as a thermometer (makes you want to guess what else they were lacking behind the glam exterior??)
3. Free wi-fi is available at the reception but not in the rooms (I hoped they’d be able to make this improvement from 2008). There might be a technical quirk that prevents them from installing it in the rooms – but why was I then able to see the networks of the nearby hotels?
4. Massive electricity problems in the room (half of the lamps were not working) that no one seemed to notice until I made a point to the receptionist. Doors would stick and won’t open (not v. fun trying to get to the loo at night!) and, again, housekeeping made no notice until I complained.
On balance, although this was not the worst (or best) holiday experience, I can unfortunately no longer recommend this hotel – their front office is excellent but the back office delivery definitely laisse à désirer.
- Dream Hotel Costa Adeje
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