Amy Adejokun
Section editor
We liked the Jacaranda a lot. It may lack a couple of the facilities of the biggest and best hotels, but what it does do, it does very well indeed. OK, it's a little far from the beach, but the rooms are large and comfortable, the food is good, there's lots of space for everyone and the kids will have a whale of a time. The hotel's unique charm makes of the Jacaranda a hotel definitely worth considering for a great family holiday.
Best Jacaranda - © Luis David Alvarez / EASYVOYAGE
Best Jacaranda - © Luis David Alvarez / EASYVOYAGE
The Jacaranda is located in a quiet area of the south resort of Costa Adeje. The immediate vicinity of the hotel holds little of interest, but it is rather quiet when there are no coach loads of tourists arriving. Both the beach (the closest is Fañabe) and town centre are about a 15 minute walk away while there are a few shops and cafés round the corner. There is a small car park at the hotel which operates on a first come first served basis and which costs 6? per day. If this is not possible then you'll probably find a free space on one of the roads next to the hotel. The island's southern airport is 13 miles away while the northern one is 51 miles away.
Of the 563 rooms at the Jacaranda, all but 10 are standard rooms. They are generous in size and quite well decorated compared to many other hotel rooms, with bamboo print panels running along the lower half of the walls and up narrow strips to the ceiling. They are equipped with two double beds, a small sofa and coffee table, desk on which is a flatscreen television, a safe (15? per week), fridge (1.80? per day or full from 18?) and on the walls hang floral prints. The balconies, which look over either the sea or the hotel's interior, have both table and chairs and loungers and are private in the sense that you can't see your neighbours. The bathrooms are tiled and painted nicely and have hairdryer, toiletries in sachets, bathtub with shower, but no bidet.
The exterior of the Jacaranda is a million miles from its next door neighbour the Isla Bonita. With a stone façade and a pyramidal structure poised on top, the early signs are promising. The lobby is not far away from resembling the entrance to an international standard hotel, with heaps of space, ample seating, a central installation with greenery under a glass dome and a warm welcome from the staff. Within the hall area are a couple of shops (one selling bags, another souvenirs and supplies), an ATM and a room with coin-operated PCs and computer games. Outside at the main pool area, aside from the fact that the hotel building blocks briefly the sun's rays, it is one of the nicest areas of its kind that we saw. The three pools (two regular and one kids) have plenty of space around them and the space is clean and smart, with the blue of the pools' tiling giving the water a lovely deep blue colour. Palm trees have been installed along stretches of decking crossing the pools and at one end a huge rock feature (under which is the pool bar) has a cascade running down it. There are more pools up on a terrace which are not only a little more tranquil but also have good aerial views of the hotel and its well kept, colourful gardens. Something that makes a nice change lounging by the pools here is that the architecture of the hotel is actually quite pleasant to look at and has creeper plants running up the exteriors of the buildings.
There is a full animation programme for both kids and adults, put on by the three cheery animators who are all English-speaking. Grownups can partake in aqua gym, stretching or various sports tournaments, while for several hours in the morning and afternoon the little ones can head to the miniclub to paint, play and enjoy themed days each one with special activities. Other activities available at the hotel include pool, table football, beach volleyball, pétanque and tennis and there is also a multi-purpose court for other sports. While there is no wellness centre, the hotel does have a small gym with some good quality machines as well as a hairdresser and a space with jacuzzi and sauna.
The hotel's grounds and public spaces are extremely well maintained and not at all claustrophobic like at many other properties. Wifi can be picked up throughout (almost) the entire hotel and is free of charge. Note that there is a 10? deposit for beach towels.
It is perhaps surprising that a hotel of this size has just one restaurant, but that is the reality at the Jacaranda. The huge dining room is one of the biggest we saw and has plenty of space for everyone. The decoration is nothing special however the choice of food is large, with, at breakfast, lots of fruit, bread and pastries in particular and treats such as churros! Despite the high number of people at any one time, there is never a tray left empty and the food remains warm.
There are two pool bars at the Jacaranda, one at each pool area. The one on the ground floor, under the huge water feature is brand new and serves both beverages and snacks such as sandwiches, burgers and ice cream all day. Sitting behind the waterfall, looking out toward the pool area generates a strangely calming sensation. The second pool bar is located up on the terrace and is a round structure with a thatched roof, offering similar fare as the other bar.
The piano bar, on the same level as the hotel's lobby, is a pleasant place to enjoy a drink despite its size, with black and white photos of stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Groucho Marx on the wall and quaint alcove seating along the edges. As well as, of course, a grand piano, it has a flatscreen television and a small dance floor. It is open from the early morning until midnight. Finally, the Salon Jacaranda, the enormous room where the evenings' entertainment is held, is a low-ceilinged space decorated in blue with a stage and two bars. It is a fine venue for the spectacles, the only down side being the columns that restrict viewing.
Playa Fañabe is a well maintained black sand beach (careful, it gets very hot under the sun!) which has (chargeable) loungers and parasols as well as public toilets and showers. You'll find a water sports centre and games area for kids. There is a public walkway along the beach lined with shops, bars, restaurants and arcade rooms.
One very pleasant thing about the Jacaranda is that, unlike many other hotels in Tenerife, and despite the large number of rooms, there is plenty of space for everyone. You never have to search for a seat in the restaurant, there is always a free loungers round the pool and there is always a corner to seat or relax in. Even though the standard rooms are spacious, there are also a number of even bigger suites which would suit larger families or those looking for even more space.
massage, beauty salon, sauna, spa, Turkish bath, wellness
tennis, gym, aqua gym, aerobics, football, volleyball, beach volley, basketball, mountain bike, badminton, water-polo, fitness, sports
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