BLUESEA Interpalace

The entertainment we caught on both nights was surprisingly good for an all-inclusive hotel, and the rooftop private bar is worth checking out for its lovely space and incredible view. We only found it after a day of looking for the all-inclusive bar and entertainment, though, because there wasn't much guidance about where things were. The rooms were well equipped and cleaned every day, and the hotel was very clean and nice. Food was good too. Just bear in mind Puerto De La Cruz often gets cloudy because of the mountains above it, so it's not the place for wall-to-wall sunshine.

The lifts were a constant problem in this seven-floor building. Most of the buttons didn't work, or only worked now and then, so waits dragged on and sometimes you couldn't even call the lift. The room also felt thrown together, with a broken window between balconies replaced by an old wooden door. The fan ran for about two minutes, overheated, then needed five minutes to cool before I could dry my hair. Food was awful, and the all-inclusive setup made little sense: no cola drinks at breakfast, just coffee, then no coffee at lunch when cola was available. To get a drink at the bar, you had to carry a plastic cup around the hotel. Forget it in your room and you couldn't get a drink. Towels required a 25-euro deposit, while the safe key cost 10 euros plus 3 euros per day. Reception staff were rude and incompetent. This place was a joke, with nothing working as it should. If you expect a four-star stay, find somewhere else. Basic hotel. Stay away.

We won't be coming back. Our impression was that customer care wasn't much of a priority, especially at reception, where staff were dismissive and unhelpful. The bar staff, by contrast, were pleasant and helpful. We missed dinner one Thursday because the dining room had closed at 8:30 for a party. Nobody told us, and there were no notices in the lifts or public areas. The hotel's information was on a TV channel we couldn't receive, even after we mentioned it to reception and the TV technician who came by. Hot food wasn't kept at a proper temperature in the bar, despite a heated tray that didn't seem to be used correctly. The gardens and grounds were attractive, and the entertainment was okay. The evening venue itself was disappointing: cold, no cushions on the cane seats, pillars blocking the stage, and a strange bar layout.

I'm staying here now, and the lack of directions and communication from staff has been shocking. I wouldn't choose all-inclusive since extra charges keep coming up anyway. The advertised pool bar doesn't open, so getting a drink means making laps around the hotel. Water is only available from the tap, with no easy access to bottles. They ask for a £50 towel deposit and deposits for bar cups too, which all feels messy. The bar staff have been really rude. On the better side, the night receptionist I met was lovely, as were the pool staff and waiters. I wouldn't book here again or recommend it.