Hotel La Siesta

La Siesta enjoys a privileged situation right in the heart of the southern resort of Playa de las Americas. It is just seconds away from the collection of bars, restaurants and stores of the resort and the beach is just a few minutes' walk away too. Fans of golf will be pleased to know that the golf course which shares its name with the area is less then a mile from the hotel. The hotel doesn't have a car park although you will be able to find a parking spot along the road just outside the hotel. The island's southern airport is 14 miles away while the northern airport is 52 miles away.

The hotel offers four categories of room each one with more advantages than the next. When booking your room make sure you ask about the difference in price between one category and then next as sometimes it can be as little as 6? per day although what you get in return is worth much more (financially or otherwise).

It's difficult to miss La Siesta, a long peach-coloured structure in the centre of the resort, with its name in large letters emblazoned on a support structure. Above the main entrance is the hotel's butterfly emblem whose grace is perhaps a little misleading in terms of the reality of the hotel. The lobby, which has a mirrored ceiling, is not the most attractive in the world with a clash of styles at reception between the bamboo and marble tiling. The chill out music though was welcome (and is welcoming, just like the staff) and the flower arrangements on the tables at each cluster of seating brighten the space up. The rest of the lobby is largely empty with a mix of wicker and old fashioned upholstered furniture taking up some of the space. Outside you'll find the hotel's main pool with a smaller one close by for children. There is heaps of space in which to set up your lounger and parasol and take in the rays all day which are not blocked by the low-rise buildings surrounding the area. The bridge which arches over the pool leads on one side to Magic Park the hotel's kids club. An excellent facility, it comprises two rooms with arcade games, a ball pool and everything else needed to keep the little ones entertained (although in the afternoon parents must accompany their children). There is a full animation programme for both adults and kids involving sports tournaments, a minidisco and entertainment such as the Eagle Show and traditional music.

Natural is La Siesta's spa and wellness centre, which also has a small fitness room with basic machines. The entrance is made atmospheric with tiny spotlights in the ceiling resembling a night sky, while the rest comprises four treatment rooms, a hair salon and both a hydrotherapy pool and jacuzzi. Not the most complete or aesthetically pleasing spa in Tenerife, but one with a good offering of treatments and which is perhaps a bit of a surprise for a hotel of this standing. The hotel also offers a business centre with coin-operated PCs, free wifi in the lobby (this will be extended to some rooms soon) and a tennis court.

The hotel is in good condition despite being filled with dated décor and furniture and is clean and user-friendly. Access to the rooms is easy if not sometimes quite lengthly.

La Siesta offers several types of room with varying amenities and, sizes and views. The standard room has a generous surface area and even includes a small seating area which is not always a given with standard rooms. The lively matching linen and curtains and the floral paintings on the wall do a lot to give character to the room, while its furniture includes bedside tables, a desk, coffee table and wardrobe. Amenities in the room take the form of a regular television, safe (free of charge) and fridge (deposit required). The long balcony is equipped with some basic furniture, while the spacious bathroom has a bathtub with shower, bidet, hairdryer and a small basket of toiletries. The superior rooms which are very similar boast a hydro massage bathtub while the Club Alexandre rooms in clued a pool view, one entry to the spa per person per day, bathrobes and slippers and fruit and water on arrival. For a little more space think about opting for the junior suite which boasts a jacuzzi as well as sea views.

The hotel has just one, unexceptional, main restaurant, El Drago. All three of the day's meals are served here in the form of an international buffet with a barbeque accompanied by traditional music taking place once a week. During our visit we found the restaurant to be below par. The floor was dirty, there were not enough waiters and waitresses and as a result some of the trays of food were left empty. El Bohío is the hotel's pool bar, open during the hours of the pools and serving light lunches (sandwiches, burgers etc) and all kinds of beverages. In the evenings head for the Piano Bar from 5pm for a drink and, in winter, the animation show. Slightly dated, it would probably be wiser and more pleasant to sit outside on the terrace if the weather allows.