Marinell Collection Palm-Mar

The best service we had was at “No Drama Bananas.” Everyone there was welcoming and polite, breakfast was very good, and they were happy to make what we asked for. The apartment was spacious and well equipped for a longer stay, and both it and the outdoor areas were clean and well cared for. The pool, gym, and surroundings were kept to a high standard. I chose Pal Mar over Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos partly because my nephew lives and works there and recommended Marinel Collection. The quiet setting was lovely. But our nine nights were deeply disappointing. There was no housekeeping, linen change, or fresh towels at all. I asked for a cleaner in writing and nothing happened. It was Calima, with dust and sand everywhere, including all over our terrace. I also told staff, including in writing, that I am disabled, but received no help or consideration. We reported rubbish and safety concerns on the terrace several times. Someone cleaned it once, then nothing more was done. Staff said they would “send letters” to the people upstairs. A lit cigarette was thrown from the balcony above and landed on our terrace, nearly hitting my young grandson. We felt unsafe for the rest of the stay, and no proper response followed. On 6 April, my last day, I went to return pool towels. I was visibly struggling to stand and walk, yet had to wait while other guests were served. Even after explaining that I only needed to hand back towels, I was told to wait again. That showed very little care or respect for a disabled guest. The kitchen had what we needed, and the room itself was nice and spacious, but the lack of cleaning and fresh bedding or towels affected everything. No one apologized or took responsibility, and no goodwill gesture, discount, or partial refund was offered. I've stayed in hotels and apartments in many countries and have never experienced such poor standards, such a weak response to a safety issue, or such disregard for a disabled person.

The room was much bigger than we expected and clean, with a full stove, dishwasher, and separate air conditioning in each room. It seems better suited to a family staying a while than a group of friends. The hot water did run out quickly, though. We'd read the reviews after booking and felt nervous, and a guest in the lobby even told us not to stay. In the end, the hotel was about what I expected. The pool was great, and the restaurant and convenience store had fair prices. It's a little far from the main areas, but driving or taking a taxi makes getting around manageable. The nearby restaurants were excellent too. I'd recommend Noah’s for breakfast and Bahia beach for the live music and good food. I enjoyed the stay and thought it was good value. It's not a luxury hotel, but it works well as a safe place to rest after a long day.

The bed was the hardest part of the stay. The mattress was extremely uncomfortable, and the one small pillow per person didn't help. In the room, we also found noticeable dust balls that looked old. For four people staying a full week, we were given just two toilet rolls, and staff said that was the standard amount when we asked for more. Shared spaces were a different story. The pool area, toilets, and common areas were spotless and seemed to be cleaned regularly. The small shop, bar, and mini gym were handy extras. The pool was advertised as heated, but felt nearly as cold as the ocean, definitely under 20°C. A bottle of water for late arrivals would also have been useful, since nearby shops may already be closed. Good facilities and tidy common areas, but the room's cleanliness and comfort, along with a few small details, need work.

The rooms were spacious, comfortable, and well equipped, and the staff were genuinely helpful. This is a good base if you're planning to explore the island by car. Palm Mar has no beach, so it's not the best fit if you want to walk to the ocean. Parking was generally easy to find on nearby streets in January, though I imagine summer could be more difficult.