Hotel Sol Parque San Antonio

The hotel is situated in a quiet residential area of the northern resort of Puerto de la Cruz, with no other hotels in the immediate vicinity. The closest beach, Playa Jardín, and the town centre are both located around one and a half miles away, easily accessible both by foot or road. The hotel does not have its own car park, however this is not a highly frequented area, so you will find a space to park without too much difficulty. The island's northern airport is 17 miles away while 57 mile separates the southern airport from the hotel.

While this hotel does have some animation, it is not one of the main focuses of the hotel. There are only two shows per week and not a huge amount on offer for children, although during the summer holidays there is someone to look after them and put on some specialized activities. Otherwise, the main idea of this hotel is for it to be a place to relax and unwind in a natural setting without the noise and nuisances of the town centre.

The hotel's lobby is quite a low key affair, where a square reception desk is surrounded by bamboo framed furniture with floral cushions. There are a few green plants dotted around the place hinting to what awaits the guest within the main part of the hotel, while opposite the desk through the windows is a view of the pool area, gardens and accommodation buildings. During our visit the well meaning gentleman at reception seemed a bit out of sorts and there was no one else around to be of service. In one corner are a few coin-operated PCs for guests' use and there should by now be wifi available too (there were plans for it at the time of our visit). There is just one pool at the hotel with one end sectioned off for the use of children. It is surrounded by in the first instance plenty of loungers and parasols positioned on the lawn and a little further back by lush vegetation including palms and flowerbeds. No matter that there is no view from the poolside as even the accommodation buildings which encircle are pretty to look at with the sloping roofs of the ground floor rooms covered with grass and flowerboxes overflowing with colour from the windows of the rooms on the first floor. Adjacent to the pool are several areas of gorgeous, well-kept gardens, complete with ponds home to ducks and various fish and fountains. This is possibly the hotel's trump card as not many properties can claim to have such grounds.

In terms of animation, every night there is live music outside (or inside during the winter) while two nights a week a show takes place: Tuesday night is Argentinean night and on Fridays a Flamenco show comes to town. For adults during the day the one animator will either organize several on-site activities or alternatively take guests in town or arrange short trekking excursions. For kids, if there are any in the hotel, she will occupy them with games, painting etc although the facilities available to do so are limited.

Other services at the hotel include a minimarket, a book swap and babysitting on request. The hotel is in a general condition, clean and is a calm place to be. Access to the rooms is easy with lifts in all buildings and well indicated room numbers.

The 260 rooms at the Parque San Antonio are divided into two main types: standard and family. The rooms are not the best decorated we saw but are certainly functional and clean and do have great views of either the interior gardens and pool or of the mountainous interior of the island. The generously proportioned standard rooms have the classic combination of desk, bedside table, wardrobe and table and chairs in terms of furniture as well as a fridge, safe (11.50? per week), regular television and phone. What makes these rooms a little different from others is the bamboo detail on some of the furniture which is a nice touch, continuing the tropical theme established by the gardens. The bathrooms are equally spacious and are in good condition and have bathtub with shower, bidet, hairdryer and basic toiletries. As for the balcony, well this is made very pleasant by the plants in the boxes on its edge and of course by the views. Rooms on the ground floor have more greenery on the end of their terraces. Family rooms have a small porch/lobby at their entrance and a larger surface area filled with extra tables and chairs and a second single bed. They also boast larger balconies.

The hotel's only restaurant, a buffet setup which serves both breakfast and dinner, is situated on the first floor with a view onto the pool and gardens. It is a simple room with modest décor and furniture, however the food is of a high standard and there is a good choice of dishes, for vegetarians too. The service is efficient and carried out with a smile while the setting is calm with no mad rush for the buffet. Twice weekly there are themed dinners. Lunch can be taken, at extra charge for those not on an all inclusive package, at the pool bar where a menu of light snacks is available. This small hut with Andalucían tiling also serves various beverages throughout the day and has open air seating around the pool. Just nearby there is a barbeque which operates in summer only and which also includes a buffet. The final outlet is the lobby bar which is adjacent to the entrance hall and which is where the evening show takes place in the winter months. The room itself is nothing to go crazy about and is a little dated, while the performance area is also slightly amateurish despite good sound and lighting. There is a flatscreen television here too where sporting events can be watched.

Closely monitored and well maintained, the Playa Jardin is quite large, carpeted with coarse dark sand and flanked by a long foot walk. Equipment include parasols, deck chairs (both at extra cost) and showers. Water sports and games are readily available for children.