"🌞 Honest Review of Bahia Principe Tenerife 🌞
12th Jan - 19th Jan 2026
2 adults and 1 child (10 years)
Long review.....so be prepared to read. A lot.
Upon arriving at the hotel around 2pm we were greeted by really friendly and welcoming staff who interacted so much with our son and made him feel really special. Due to my health issues the hotel made sure my needs were met with an appropriate room near an elevator which was brilliant. We were swiftly given our room along with lots of information to help us with our stay. There is security on the door at all times who monitor to make sure only guests of the hotel are the ones entering. There is also bell boy service who will happily help you with your luggage to your room or any other requests you have. Reception area was immaculate, very bright and inviting with plenty of staff on hand to help.
● Rooms - we stayed in a Master Family Suite. The room was beautiful. Really spacious and extremely clean. Lots of room in the main bedroom with a sliding door in-between the living area. The sofa was made into a double bed for our son. Lots of storage for our clothes and belongings with lit wardrobes and a safety deposit box inside that was free to use. Shower was really good in the main bathroom, it was great having the two sink areas and the extra toilet near the front door on top of the toilet in the main bathroom. Balcony had a drying hanger which was great for towels and swimming gear to dry off.
● Cleaning - Cleaners were great. The times we didn't want or need them we placed a door hanger up and they respected our wishes and moved to the next room. When they did come and clean they did a brilliant job. Couldn't complain at all about the cleanliness of our rooms. Every day our mini bar was replenished with some vans of fizzy drinks, beer and fruit juice cartons. I have seen people talking about things being stolen from their rooms in the past. Nothing from our room went missing. We had designer items sitting out on occasions and other valuables and not one thing got lifted. I found the cleaners to be really friendly and trustworthy.
● Pools - all the pools were in brilliant condition. Yes of course it was a bit nippy when first entering the pool, most outdoor pools are, but within 20 seconds or so the temperature wasn't any issue at all. My son one day spent 6hrs in the drago pool area and it was a struggle to get him out 😂 he was loving it so much. The upper pools (especially the one to the right of the castle) are quite cold. The right hand side one is in the shade for a fair amount of time during the day and I didn't see many people using it because of how cold it was. But the children's areas were all fine and the infinity pool was super cosy. Lots of life guards around and they work really hard at making sure everyone is safe. Even witnessed one saving a wee lass when her floaty vest came undone and fell off her. The pool areas are really clean and kept well maintained. Lots and lots of sun loungers to choose from and we were never in a position of not being able to find any (baring in mind it's off season) lots of activities in the pools for people including weight exercise, water cycle classes, water basketball, water carpet and inflatables to name a few. You are allowed to use arm bands and small individual swim rings but you aren't able to take in big large tyre rings or lilos due to it affecting visibility of swimmers. Toilets are nearby the pools so not far to go. There is a pool bar down near the infinity pool that serves alcohol and then a couple of areas that have non alcoholic drinks on tap alongside wine/beer/sangria on tap too.
● Dreams Factory (pool restaurant) - Great for poolside snacks and drinks. Lots of seating inside and out or take food to your sun longer. Screen for ordering your hot food (bit like McDonald's) like hotdogs, chicken nuggets, burgers, chicken wings etc. They cook your order and within a few mins its called out and ready to eat. Ice cream tubs available alongside a light lunch buffet bar including pastas, salads, fruit and cakes. There are ice lollies in fridges that are locked but be aware these are not included in your all inclusive stay. They cost money eg €4.50 for a bounty ice cream which gets put into your room bill.
● Food - I have seen lots of negative reviews on the food and I promise my feedback is totally honest (personal opinion so of course everyone will have their own views and I respect that 100%)
▪︎ Main Buffet Larimar - spacious area, clean, tidy and well laid out. Staff are extremely prompt at seating and serving you.
Breakfast - lots of pastries on offer alongside toast, bagels with toppings and rolls. Hot food galore to have a 'fry up' of some sorts. Your usual sausages, scrambled/poached eggs, very crispy bacon, beans etc. You then had Churritos and waffles so really whether you are savory or sweet you were covered. I seen some of the chefs were making fresh omelettes too. There was lots of fresh fruit to choose from, various yogurts and cereals. Milkshakes, coffee, tea and fresh juices all widely available to help yourself too. Never went hungry and son always left with a full belly.
▪︎ Lunch and Dinner - every day had its repeats of food. Always a super full salad bar with fresh food, lots of oils and seasonings. The main food area always had something new and I never ever had a moment where there was nothing for me to eat. Lots of hot pasta dishes to choose from, a large area for pizza with lots of different flavours, meats, potatoes, chips, steak that the chef would cook for you while you waited. There was a hot dog station where you could create your own one each night with different toppings too. One night there was a large sushi station. Then another seen a taco and burrito night. One area was dedicated to fish each night. Lots to choose from but can't comment on it as I'm not a fish person and either is my husband but it certainly looked good. Hoenstly the food I thought was fantastic. Yeah sometimes I seen a dish and thought mmm that looks odd thats not for me but thats just my preference. But everything I did eat was delicious. When it came to pudding I mean the amount of options that we had was unreal. Cakes, ice cream, biscuits....I mean it was endless. There was something for everyone.
▪︎ Kids bit in the main buffet - there was plenty to choose from but I do think they could improve on this area. In the morning there was chicken nuggets available but very rarely in the afternoon or dinner was there nuggets available which to me is a bit backwards. I would have liked to see more kids oriented foods there like mozzarella sticks, potato waffles, garlic bread, chciken skewers, mini burgers maybe, things like that. There was a lot of grilled plain chicken on offer along side pasta and veg but I think the kids area in the buffet lacked substance when it came to the main meal food. The pudding area, perfect.
All in all the main buffet was great. We actually looked forward to it every day because we knew we would get a good feed. There is a microwave there too for doing baby bottles as well. The staff we so on it when it came to cleaning our finished plates away and getting us more drinks.
A la carte - during your stay you are only allowed to book two visits to the other restaurants on site. *book ahead on the Bahia hotels app, i think you can book 10days in advance of your stay* We didn't book ahead so only managed to get into the Italian restaurant last minute and I'm SO glad we did. The food was sublime! Freshly cooked in house garlic bread was constantly replaced on our tables with fresh dips. I had the brushetta to start followed by a build your own pasta dish which I opted for and then white chocolate panna cotta to finish. Every bite was magic. The staff were super attentive and to my delight kept topping up my wine without me even asking. For the kids there was a decent menu and even a pizza making area where kids get to dress up in an apron and chefs hat, create their own pizza and even watch it get cooked too. Would highly recommend you get booked into this restaurant it was well worth it.
● Entertainment - I can only comment on the theatre shows because that was the only entertainment we chose to go to. During your stay you are allowed to book into two shows. However, we were asked if we wanted to take part in the happiness programme where we scanned a QR code and by leaving an honest review we would be rewarded with an extra show ticket for our family so ended up seeing 3. The shows were so professional filled with extremely talented artists who gave it their all every night. Their interaction with the audiences and especially the kids were on point. I would absolutely recommend you to go and see the shows you can, you will not be disappointed. Shows can be booked on the app.
▪︎ We did see singers in the bar who sounded amazing and created a lovely atmosphere and also heard the karaoke in the sports bar and sounded like everyone was having the best time. The kids mini disco infront if the castle looked great too.
● Drinks - so many options and like with many all inclusives we expected the basics to be free hut cocktails to be more....nope! Pretty much everything is included apart from premium drinks etc. The cocktails were so delicious and widely available either at the bar or as a slushi version round the pool area. They also have a decent non alcohol cocktail menu too for both adults and kids alike. Lots of stations round the hotel where you can just help yourself to fizzy drinks on tap.
● Kids entertainment - There is a lot on offer for younger kids and a dedicated kids club too. I mean just to mention a few of the activities there was cake decorating, clay workshop, painting and slime workshop. Lots on offer and again just look on the app and add to your plans to keep track.
● Older kids - Apart from the pool games my 10 year old felt way too old to take part in the kids entertainment programme which I understood why as it was really pretty much aimed at the younger ones. There is a well equipped teen room called the loft. Filled with ps5's, vrs, pool table, interactive board and even its own bar. They offer things like a ps5 tournament and other games during the day. Not many but a few. The only downside on the loft is it closes at 7pm. During the day we were out and about enjoying ourselves and at night thats really when my son wanted to go and spend time in the loft but ot was closed. I hardly seen any kids in it during the day as I guess they were also on days out or at the pool. Older kids then didn't have anything to do at night time apart from play pool in the hotel. There are two rooms filled with arcade games and you can win tickets but most games cost €2 each and you have to win thousands of tickets to even get a half decent prize.
● Shops on site and nearby - in the complex you have a big sweet and toy shop within the castle. In reception you will find a well stocked souvenir shop filled with lots of goodies. You then have a jewellery shop which is filled with really reasonably priced items to buy. Right outside the front of the hotel there is a few shops, souvenir and a wee supermarket. A restaurant or two and then a pharmacy as well.
● Staff - I don't have one negative comment about the staff members of this hotel. Each and every single one of them were fantastic. They work hard day in and day out and I can't thank them enough for the care they gave to me and my family while we stayed at the resort. Nothing was too much trouble for them. The restaurant staff especially were so kind and caring. Brilliant with the kids and seemed genuinely interested in us.
● Photography - There are photographers within the complex who go around offering to take pictures around the pool during the day and then at the bottom of the long stairs at night time. We were asked a few times about us getting photos and we politely declined which they totally respected. Sometimes photographers can be pushy but these were not. Any interactions I seen with them and families/kids were always positive. You van buy photo packages from the hotel if you wish.
● Other things to mention - there is a stand for both car hire and excursions within the lobby area if you want to book on site. If you need a taxi you best bet is to ask at reception. They will print a ticket off and a taxi will come and get you. We used an app and got scammed on one of the bookings 😞 so the cheapest and safest way is to request a taxi from reception. It was my 40th birthday while on holiday and the staff left a banner on my door and a bottle of rum with chocolates in my room as a gift. They hotel goes above and beyond for its guests. Oh at the bottom of the resort you can get out a gate and it takes you into a coastal path. You just scan your wristband to get in and out. However.....be warned as this gate is padlocked after tea time which meant I had to walk in the pitch black alone around the hotel to get to the front. A bit scary (this was at 8pm so not even that late) as the path round has no lighting and is an uneven rocky surface. I have a walking stick and wouldn't have gone out the gate to take pictures if I had known I wouldn't get back in that way an hour later. The hotel is only around a 15min journey from the airport which is perfect. Planes fly over the hotel all day which we loved too. I have mobility issues and found the hotel to be disability friendly. There was a lot of walking to do but its a massive resort so couldn't really escape that. Lifts were always in working order too which made things a lot easier. If you want a message to be projected onto the castle it will cost you €40 euros and can be booked up at reception. It usually gets shown at night time...around 9pm/10pm and only stays up for maybe 5mins at most.
All in all we had an absolutely amazing time at the Bahia principe fantasia and wouldn't hesitate to come back for another holiday again! ✈️🍹💖"
