Botanico Puerto de la Cruz

We stayed at the Botanico for 10 nights before Christmas. Puerto de la Cruz was magical decorated profusely with poinsettias and tasteful lighting. Hotel breakfast was the best we ever expect to see anywhere. The gardens were immaculate, featuring ornamental bridges across a small lake. Two black swans and huge koi carp. Collared doves and small parrots fly in the palm tree canopy. Less happy about the caged parrots at the back of the garden. Do not miss the flamenco show in the hotel. Tho it starts out a little predictably, the finale was something to behold. All in all very genteel and we will return. but not for children. and the restaurants though impressive to dine in were overpriced. For a really good value meal try a garlic steak at Bar Paco. just turn left on the main road and walk about 100yards.

We have just returned from this hotel and were really disappointed with it. The staff were dour and non-smiling, the reception staff overworked and lacking the time (or will) to be courteous and welcoming. We travelled with two children (aged 10 and 8) and found that there are no provisions for children in any of the restaurants and as they are excluded from the three swimming pools in the Spa (which, by the way is excellent) there is very little for them to do. The breakfast too is excellent, but it takes more than a good breakfast to make a great hotel. People are the key to a hotel's success and this hotel needs a serious re-training programme. There were barely any children in the hotel, but plenty of over seventies! Families, You Have Been Warned!

A superb hotel with great charm and style. The staff were wonderful and nothing was too much trouble for them. All the services were excellent and we stayed there for two weeks over Christmas and New Year. The Oriental Spa was so relaxing and pampering after a stressful lifestyle in England.

I would recommend this hotel to anybody and they would not be disappointed.

Adrian Winbow

6th january 2006.

Whilst this is the most luxurious hotel and spa don't book full board. The evening meals are over priced and not five star.

The spa is excellent and the rooms are superb - bring your own kettle as tea for two is v. expensive.

Yes we would visit again and eat out in town or at the restaurant almost opposite the hotel drive.

We are happy to pay for quality - that is why we chose the best hotel on the island - but we expect better menus and food.

When we mentioned the food to the rep she stated that these comments are made time and time again.

Why don't the owners take note?

I would recommend this hotel to anyone. It's perfect for couples. The hotel is so luxurious, the room was amazing (Ambassador Suite), the staff so friendly, the restaurants and breakfast were excellent, the Spa - wow, unlike any other that I have been to, the gardens were stunning. I was very impressed and will definitely be going back again. It's expensive but worth it.

Having read a review of yours from Nov 22nd we were apprehensive as we like good quality hotels and good service. However we need not have worried the hotel was very good and the service satisfactory. The gardens were excellent, and you could always find a private place to sunbath. The restaurants were a bit expensive but you could get better and cheaper food in town if you wished. Overall a very pleasant stay.

David Uwins December 2004

Just back from the Botanico, and wanted to share our thoughts on the hotel. Whilst this is no doubt the best hotel in the area, it does have a very late 80's look and feel about the place. Not many younger people or families either. The restaurants were very disapointing. However, the Spa was very good, if only they could move on to spending that level of money in the hotel it would be excellent. Some of the staff were surly and unfriendly especially in the restaurants. Dress code is alittle cheeky for a hotel that needs dressing up itself!.

Stayed here for a week. Not a bad location, about 20 mins walk into centre of town and 5 minutes to nearest set of restaurants. A couple of supermarkets closeby for necessities. The Botanico has excellent facilities especially the recently opened Spa which is as good as anything in Europe. The only downside was the main pool temperature which was freezing. However the two smaller pools by the Spa area were OK.

The hotel has 3 restaurants, the Oriental being the best one. Not a great choice for vegetarians though.

The rooms were very clean and maintained a good standard whilst we were there, the bathroom was also very clean and the shower more than adequate. The hotel does seem to attract an older crowd post 60 years and was not very lively after dark !. We overheard a lot of moans about different things but I put this down to age and nothing better to do.

I've stayed here on three occasions, over a months time spent at this hotel in total.

The lobby is sparkling, always with beautiful fresh flower displays. The staff at both reception and concierge are always exceptionally polite, courteous and helpful.

The standard rooms are not that large, but provide a good sized wardrobe, and comfortable beds. The bathrooms are somewhat larger, and are all done in marble. If you can afford, upgrade to a penthouse room, these have a larger bathroom with twin vanities and separate shower, keycard access to the floor, and a huge private terrace with two sunloungers, table, and lots of plants.

The restaurants serve very classic cuisine. The Italian is akin to those found in Mayfair in the last decade before "trendy" food came along, very rich sauces, classical dishes all wonderfully presented and served with a flourish! The Oriental serves a wide selection of dishes from the Orient, again slightly old fashioned, but delicious none the less. The Bar Hall is one of the few places that still serves a champagne cocktail properly - in a champagne saucer NOT a flute! The other drinks are all superbly made, even the house ones. The room itself is very dramatic, with some plants lit to give the impression of an impressionist painting when viewed from the floor to ceiling windows.

There are a few swimming pools, and the spa is top quality! The landscaped gardens are wonderfully relaxing and are enchanced by a large colection of koi carp and parrots.

Most remarkable of all is the price, for the quality you're paying very little indeed. Stay here, you won't be disapppointed.

This is a lovely hotel with great views of the sea and Mount Teide. The pool area and gardens are superb. We went in the last week of March and the weather in the north of the island can be a bit changeable but the hotel has a new indoor spa area with all manner of steam rooms etc if it is cloudy outside. There are 3 restuarants, all good although I would not say outstanding. The staff and management were very helpful and friendly, in particular the concierge. One minor criticism is that the rooms are not big but they do have a nice, private patio with great views. If you book ask if there are any Spanish weddings there during your stay - you may not get much sleep that night if there are wedding guests in the next room! Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our week's stay in the Botanico and would have no hesitation in recommending it to those considering a holiday there.