Firstly, I give it my 5 star hotel. Further later.
Fifth time there.
Solo again.
But.
The new non schengen entry.
I tried the machine. It failed me. I reported it and was sent to a different machine around the corner. Failed again. Reported and sent to passport control. Held up my passport and sailed through.
That though made me very early for my booked, through hotel transfer.
I went to the Sierra y Gonzalez, my transfer desk and informed them I was very early for my 1230 tranfer.
They asked me to wait at the desk and a driver would come.
Nothing for 15 minutes.
They then sent me, with a gate number written on a scrapm of paper to a gate outside for transfers. Eventually someone turned up and pointed me to a coach. I got on. Nothing. Driver vanished. After virtually an hour sal on my own he appeared with other passengers, then more.
We eventually set off one and a half hours later. Then after six stops and another hour plus I arrived at the Costa Los Gigantes.
Three hours.
I reported this at the hotel and explained the circumstances.
I was told I should have been transferred directly with maybe one stop to the Sister hotel around the corner, not six stops.
It would be ivestigated. I was offered a refund, which I turned down as 12 Euro and it was the principal. And would not happen on my return to the airport.
My return only stopped at the Sister hotel and then straight to the airport. Part of the shuttle as hotel outlined.
Then at the airport.
Same. Machine did not recognise me. Sent to another which came up with a green tick and waved through.
Ryanir shown as gate at top end. Joined the big queue for yet more checks. 20 minutes later got to virtually getting through wken I was informed Ryanair moved to a gate at the other end of the terminal. A long walk. Me and others trudged to it, a time consuming walk. Then more checks. Eventually got on plane, All of us from the other end of the terminal, with a few minutes to spare.
If you have been to Tenerife South, you will know.
NOW hotel!
Reception superb and quick as I booked in online.
I paid cash on arrival.
Booked a suite directly with hotel. Plus flight
Same one as last few times. Overlooking the sea and La Gomera.
Good improvement was a walk in shower, doing away with the shower in a bath and the circular bathroom sink which always spilled a lot of water so now a deep square one.
All room facilities great, very clean and cleaned every day.
Food was superb and varied, brakfast/lunch/dinner, with "show cooking" The outside "restaurant" Nautilus had varieties of hot and cold food, from vegan to meat. Self service beer, bottles of chilled wine and sangria on tap.
Once again, if you did not get the hot food when it was put out, it was not as hot as I would have liked.
At lunchtime freshly made in front of you, burgers, sausages, paella was piping hot.
My free a la carte. I opted for the Italian. There is also Bones, meat.
The food was superb, Starter, main, sweet with ample drinks. I had a calzone. A proper Italian sized one. Excellent
Well worth a visit.
My slight insignificant gripe. The two now occupy what was a walkway from my suite to the main buildings, restaurant, etc, but no problem walking the "scenic route"
Entertainment was good. Kids main stage, then adults, theatre. Plus you can have drinks.
Very good heated pools for children. There are plenty of activities every day for ALL
At the side of the main bar entertainment every night.
Superb sunset to view. Got some great pics using my sunglasses as a filter over my camera lens.
Then there are the gaming machines, pool, plus shops.
If you want to get out and about you have to be wary of the downhill and back uphill to the sea, shops resteraunts, bars.
Mercadona not far but uphill. Lidl not far, pretty level, but after it downhill to the shops, sea.
There is a taxi rank directly outside the hotel with all prices on a board.
I will certainly be back for my sixth holiday there, after one with family, one with son and three solo.
Given I have been on many holidays, family, etc and now solo and 77 nothing in my personal view beats this hotel for what i want.
Weather, May, good. Start with high factor lotions and drop down during a stay.
Bear in mind this is a big complex, level, two pools and a decent walk from one end to the other. Main entrance road level then two floors down. Next, middle restaurants, then ground to suites, entertainment, etc
Next nearest was Punta Prima, Menorca also five times, for good holidays, family etc
RO
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