Catalonia Las Vegas - Adults Only

The shower has serious pressure, almost like a power washer, and the beds and room were really good. The hotel isn't especially high-end, but it had everything we needed for a short break. We don't pay much attention to wallpaper or finishes anyway. The food was very good, the staff were nice, and there's a good hairdresser downstairs. The location worked well too. Parking can be a hassle, but the hotel can point you to free parking near the lighthouse, about a 10-minute walk away.

Everything's easy to reach on foot from this central location, and the food was decent with plenty of choices and desserts. But on full board, drinks still cost extra, and finding parking was a struggle. Every street seemed full, so I ended up paying €1.50 an hour at Be Live Orotava hotel and the nearby supermarket. The room, corridor and lifts all feel dated and badly need updating. There were no sockets by the bed, the soundproofing was poor, and the room had only the basics. I booked a balcony with a sea view, but a big tree blocked much of the average view from the fourth floor. They said they were full when I asked to move higher, and the wind could be heard all night. The weather on the north side is completely different from the south. I wouldn't recommend staying in the north, and I wouldn't recommend this hotel.

I enjoyed the north's calm and views more than I expected, though I'm still torn between that and the south's white sandy beaches. The hotel sits right in the middle of everything without feeling overwhelming, with a Maccie Ds downstairs. I went there the first night because there was no kettle and I needed lemsip. The next day I asked for one, and they brought it to my room. There's plenty of walking, and lots of hills once you leave the promenade. Our room, 1005, had a stunning view and a balcony in the sun all day. Even at 21°, it felt like 28° out there. The staff were so accommodating. I arrived with flu and, once I felt better after three days, asked to have the sheets changed. They used Google translate to understand and did it without any fuss. A big shout out to Carmen in the beauty salon for a fantastic massage. I was a bit unsure at first, since it's not a plush hotel, but they do what they offer well. Breakfast omelettes were so good that I managed to eat one every morning without feeling sick, even though eggs sometimes bother me. I'm not a big meat eater, so the fish and vegetables at dinner suited me. On NYE there was a huge spread, including lobster tail starters that were divine. We got a complimentary champagne cocktail when we arrived and drinks with the meal. Everyone dressed up in sequins, then there was a New Year party. We went into the centre for a free live concert put on by the municipal, followed by fireworks on the beach, then joined the party back at the hotel. I had a much better time than I thought I would.

We ended up eating out every night, and other holidaymakers told us they did the same. There are fabulous restaurants nearby for all sorts of food. The hotel's meals were cheap, often undercooked or burnt. I even broke a tooth on a greasy piece of burnt bacon. There was no menu outside the restaurant showing what lunch or dinner would be, and I felt they turned leftovers from the previous meal into another dish. One night what looked like veal turned out to be mince balls in greasy tomato sauce. Stews, sausages that looked like leftover breakfast, fish sitting in greasy sauce, pork and turkey seemed to be around every night. On our last evening, there were burnt chicken wings and overcooked nuggets instead of joints of meat. The hotel looks fabulous in its advertising, but it's very old and shabby. Floors, stairs, lifts and windows were filthy, and the old, dark reception toilet smelled awful, like urine. I paid over £100 for a balcony room upgrade for a week. I heard the other rooms were terrible, old, in need of refurbishment and had only a small window. This place is three stars at best. The food, entertainment and cleanliness were all very poor, and I wouldn't recommend this hotel chain to anyone. I've never written a holiday review before, but this wasn't what I expected.