"I have just returned from my second trip to Timanfaya Palace and can't recommend it highly enough.
There are so many positive things I want to say and so many staff members to praise, that I don't know where to begin. The hotel is perfectly situated, right on the coast, and also perfectly designed to make the most of the location. From the main restaurant and bar there are really lovely views both out to the sea and to the mountains. In my opinion, the crowning glory though is the terrace, which the main bar leads out to and where you can sit, enjoy a drink and watch the amazing sunsets. The pool area is also really well designed with great views out to the sea and also lots of sun loungers, so we never found it difficult to find one, even on mornings when we arrived late.
The rooms are quite spacious (or at least ours was both this year and last year too), the bed was massive (seriously!) and really comfy to sleep in and we also had a lovely sea view from our balcony.
I genuinely struggle not to keep using the word 'amazing' again and again because seriously, everything was. The food was delicious, with an impressive selection always available and everything was fresh, tasty and prepared to a really high standard. There were dedicated themes most nights in the main restaurant but we actually found that there was so much to choose from anyway, it was almost redundant to name them as such.
What really does make this hotel special though are the staff. We thought it was a really good sign that there were lots of faces that we recognised from last year, so clearly staff retention isn't an issue. Without exception, every single member of staff we interacted with was warm and friendly and not in a pretentious way, everyone genuinely seemed to really want guests to have a good time. In fact, it was clear that this is something the hotel really do go out of their way to make happen. What we really liked too was seeing staff interacting with each other really positively - everyone really does seem to just love coming to work at this hotel, and it shows.
I don't want to turn this review into an essay and I can't mention everyone, so a few staff members who really stood out (bearing in mind that, in our opinion, overall staff were excellent to begin with)......
Sergio - seriously do you ever not have a smile on your face? A genuinely cheerful, friendly person with great customer service skills who just brightens up your day.
Isa - so warm and also funny and really entertaining. The cocktail demonstrations and your enthusiasm at the nighttime shows was infectious!
I'm leaving the very, very best until last. Matea - You were amazing and whatever you are being paid, it's not enough. You were really friendly, had a great, sharp sense of humour and your quizzes and cocktail making skills are fantastic. You definitely put the 'animation' into the animation team :)
If I had one really tiny suggestion it would be to have a self-service water station or two. It would save staff having to fill water bottles for people too. But seriously, if that's the only thing I can find to complain about, that says a lot.
Brilliant hotel, brilliant holiday, brilliant staff - honestly!
We will definitely be back again."
