Barceló Tenerife

Overall a positive experience but was it 5 star, no I don’t think it was. Food and drink was good, fresh and plenty of choice but no al a carte option throughout the stay which I’ve had previously in 4 star hotels and would have expected this a minimum at the Barcelo Tenerife. Service and team were great although housekeeping could have been better and very little evidence of cleaning during our 10 day stay other than beds being made and towels folded. Air con was really poor and room always felt damp. Paid extra for a view in mine and my husband’s room but not in the room we booked for our son and he had a much better room and view ! How does that happen ! Room towels were awful, off white and poor quality and no ‘luxury’ feel. Using them was not a great experience. Generally the rooms were okay, beds very soft but that’s a personal choice. Shower room tired and in need of attention to bring it back up to a 5 star. Although many signs saying sun-bed reservation not allowed these were generally ignored and for our whole stay we never managed to get a bed by the main pool area as many held with towels and no one from the hotel removed these. The hotel was quiet and always plenty of tables at dinner and never felt rushed or crowed. More tables needed around the Breeze and Go area in the evening as not everyone wants to watch the entertainment and this was a nice area to sit in and chat and play cards. Toilets in the pool and outside bar areas need a more regular clean and check over and by the evening paper towels everywhere and bins over flowing. Would I stay again … possibly if the price was reduced but it’s a 4 star hotel pretending to be a 5 star and some things need improvement to get to the 5 star experience. Over inflated price for the whole experience and don’t feel for our 6.5k we got value for money.

Overall we had a great trip and lovely holiday at the Barcelo. The resort itself is stunning, there was plenty sun loungers and good beach towels provided, we didn’t feel the morning rush to get the sun loungers which made it more relaxed. The bars and drinks were really nice and the hotel is in a lovely quieter area with lovely coastal walks. There is a really good range of activities during the day supplied by the hotel. If this was a 4 star hotel it’d be everything you expect. However, they market themselves as 5 star and they charge 5 star all inclusive prices. Sadly for us this doesn’t match the 5 star price tag. Just some minor changes can really elevate this hotel which you see time and time again reading the reviews here in which I can say they are not acting upon. We would note the following; The food at the buffet is good for all inclusive buffet but for the 5 star price tag I would expect some Al a carte restaurants included in this. The cocktails and drinks are really nice here but it’s disappointing that the all inclusive package does not include drinks like espresso martinis, pornstar martinis etc included. Instead they cost extra unless you’ve paid the over inflamed price tag of royal level (it’s a rip off price tag) it’s again disappointing to see when you’ve already paid the 5 star hotel price tag. No mini bar drinks provided in the rooms as part of the all inclusive package - again this was an over inflated price tag. Again not something you expect with 5 star Even small things like a welcome drink on arrival is not supplied. The biggest disappointment though which leaves a real sour note on checking out is they will cut your wrist band at 12:00 and ask you to pay extra if you want any hotel drink or food even if you ask in advance that your flight is later. This for us is one of the biggest dissapointment and not something we have ever experienced before in other 5 star all inclusive hotels. We had a great holiday and would love to return for next year but we will be reading reviews to see if there has been any changes as this is not the first of these issues being raised by many others.

When you think of 5 stars, you expect immaculate service, especially from reception which has not been my case. Being the client, I was first to say hello, to smile and I felt I was being more polite, saying thank you etc than the receptionist who didn't even smile once. In a "quality hotel" the first impression is so important and it dimmed the light on our stay. I left a special request because it was a romantic escape for our 10 year anniversary and there was no mention whatsoever about it. None of my petitions where met and for sure, just because of this I doubt I'll return. I felt really let down by what was ment to be a fantastic stay. We weren't asked if wanted anything to drink or that there was a water service there and when we left we weren't asked how our stay was in any way other then what was our room number, how much we had to pay and once again, guess who said thank you. This hotel doesn't meet a 5 star rating. The positive notes are the butler, Héctor, a long with the night chef in charge of meat section, and the breeze bar waitress who did a good job and helped improve our stay. Also to mention the evening entertainment was quite good a long with the waiters serving. In addition, the facilities are good, nice pools, a variety of them and overall good quality dinner. The morning breakfast was ok. Ah, the 10 minute kayak service was fun and the girl managing it was great. It isn't a highlight of our stay though, I mean I wouldn't book the hotel just for that having been on it.

Its just too big for our liking. It was taking us 15 minutes to get from our room to the restaurant. Sun lounger situation was not ideal, there arent a lot by the adult only areas, and I dont find it relaxing by the family pool its just noisy. The food was excellent, the drinks too. Theres not a lot around the hotel to be honest, so options were limited. Its pretty much under the flight path for the airport so there are planes coming in to land all the time. Rooms were okay, air con kept breaking down. Its close to the airport so transfers are quick.

Lovely hotel with helpful and friendly staff. Lorraine the chef who did the ‘origins’ breakfasts was great and explained all the authentic dishes well. It was lovely to have an option different to the eggs and bacon etc. the hotel is in a quiet area which I enjoyed. There are lots of walks nearby and a bus that stops right outside the hotel. There are a lot of families but also an adults only pool which is quieter. I was out most days but many people seemed to enjoy the hotel enough to stay every day. The room was wonderful with a wraparound balcony. Would stay again!