Hotel Sol Puerto de la Cruz

The hotel is situated in a rather noisy part of town in the northern resort of Puerto de la Cruz. There are a few other hotels in the immediate vicinity of the property as well as a handful of shops, bars and restaurants. It is quite high up inland from the town centre and closest beach (Martianez, 10 minute walk) although there is a free shuttle bus which runs between the two during the week. There is a free-of-charge car park next to the hotel where you should try your best to get a place and keep it as otherwise you may have to park some way away. The island's northern airport is situated 15 miles away while the southern airport is 56 miles away.

While children are welcomed with open arms here at the Puerto de la Cruz, there is very little to keep them occupied outside of the summer holidays aside from a playground. Between July and September there is a miniclub but this only employs one animator and activities are limited.

The hotel's lobby paints a pretty accurate picture of the rest of the hotel. It is gloomy and dated and the staff behind the desk isn't the most proactive we've seen. There are some wicker sofas and armchairs to sink into upon your arrival and, besides the shrubs without which the space would be ghastly, there is a digital photo machine and two coin-operated PCs for surfing the internet wifi is available throughout the hotel). The first of the hotel's two pools is just outside the reception area and is surrounded high up by lush vegetation. There isn't much space in which to bronze by the pool side and although calm, you can hear the noise of traffic from the road outside. What's more, the exposure to the sun is hampered by the height of the accommodation building. A second pool on the other side of the hotel is also the site of the kids pool and has a great view of the mountains and its towns. However its surroundings are pretty dull and it is just as noisy as the other. The hotel doesn't have a wellness centre but it does have a small fitness room with a few machines and a television. Massages are available for guests although this is by appointment only. In terms of other activities at the hotel there is a tennis court, ping pong, darts and a games room with arcade games and a television. Five nights a week at the hotel there is live music in the lobby bar and on the other two nights there is a professional show brought in from outside such as flamenco dancing, Canarian music, a magician or ballet. A disco is also put on two nights per week.

Standard and junior suite are the two categories of room offered at the Puerto de la Cruz and are perhaps the most positive aspect of the hotel. The standard rooms, which look out either towards the sea or the hotel's interior and the volcano Teide, have bright upholstery, attractive Andalucían tiling behind the bed and great reading lamps by the beds and on the desk. There are paintings on the wall which give character to the room and amenities include regular television, safe (2? per day), fridge (1.80? per day) and telephone. The bathroom is small but in good condition (they have been renovated relatively recently) and has bidet, bathtub with shower, hairdryer and minimal toiletries. The modest balcony has plastic garden furniture and is separated completely from those of the adjoining rooms. The junior suites, which are located at the end of the corridors and always interconnected with a double room, enjoy not only extra space, but also corner terraces, a separate living area with sofa bed, television and coffee table and a jacuzzi in the bathroom. Other advantages are the mock parquet floor and the free-of-charge fridge. The handicapped room, which is also always linked to a double room and is located close to the lift, is extremely spacious has special facilities such as purpose made hangers in the wardrobe.

There is just one buffet restaurant at the hotel which serves breakfast and dinner only. Like much of the rest of the hotel it isn't the most uplifting place but it is clean and fairly smart. We advise that you try and get a seat next to the window to have a view of the pool and its green surroundings. The food itself is nothing to write home about but there is a decent choice and the service is quick and friendly. Two nights a week there is a themed dinner which alternates between Canarian and Oriental. Lunch can be taken at the poolside snack bar just outside the lobby in the form of light snacks offered throughout the day. For something more substantial though you should probably head out to the town centre. In the evenings the place to grab your drinks is the lobby bar adjacent to the main hall of which it is almost a mirror image. Besides the evening's entertainment taking place here, there is also a pool table and a flatscreen television for watching sporting events.

The closest beach is Playa de Martiánez. The beach enjoys fine white sand although this is mixed with a little seaweed once in the water, which is pretty clear. There is plenty of space in which to sunbathe and sufficient loungers, which are available at a fee (all beaches in Spain are public). Even in the high season one does not feel too claustrophobic. Note that it can get quite windy in this part of the coast.