"I have just returned from a 5 day stay at the Radisson Resort and Residence Hotel in Puerto De La Cruz. It was a lovely stay and I would highly recommend it for it's peace and quaint vibe and being located in a quite but authentic area in Puerto De La Cruz, located towards North Tenerife. The trip was booked pretty last min through Jet2.com, which provides a good service throughout.
Prior to my travels, I was a little concerned about the weather after having read one of the reviews stating the area had little sun for this time of the year. On the whole, I was very pleased with the weather and definitely caught the sun without it feeling uncomfortably hot.
My room was a lovely Junior Suite, which was a very good size, with a separate seating area. It was airy and modern throughout. I asked to be placed on a higher floor and was given a room on the first floor with a balcony. The room had little sun, as there was a large tree, taking over the sunlight, but it felt nice as if I was in the middle of nature. My room had two thick additional blankets located in the cupboard, which were just perfect and snuggly and warm, for the more cooler evenings. I really thought this was a good touch.
I booked a half board package, which worked out well, as aside from a local Mexican and Thai restaurant, I did not see any other restaurants within walking distance. Breakfast and Dinner were both served in the Tremor Restaurant with tables located inside and outside, both covered and uncovered. The breakfast was of very good quality and a good selection of choice. There was a lovely chef who cooked eggs of your choice and a very good fresh orange juice machine which you can help yourself too. There are plenty of coffee machines located in the restaurant serving a range of coffee options which you can have at breakfast.
Dinner I found more limited and less varied. Although the hotel advertises different dinner themed nights, I found most evenings there was little variation. However, there was still enough to eat but I think the hotel would improve if they offered different dinner variations. Drinks (both alcohol and soft) were reasonably priced, which was great. The hotel bar also offered a number of dishes throughout the day, although I did not try any, the selection looked good. I would suggest you book the half board option at the point of booking, as it works out much better value than booking at directly at the hotel when you arrive. The times for both breakfast and dinner were very good, breakfast served until 10.30am-11am and dinner until 9.30pm-10pm.
I used the hotel spa one afternoon and booked a massage, which was good and also of decent value.
The pool area is relaxing and calm. The hotel is within walking distance to a popular park, great for walking, and a small Church, which was being used for filming when I visited it.
There is a free shuttle bus going into the centre, although I did not use it and a few classes they advertise in the hotel, such as weekly yoga, stretching and aqua held on 3 specific days a week.
All the staff were nice, welcoming and friendly. There is a bus stop located opposite the hotel which took me to the town Laguna, although arriving in Laguna felt a bit dodgy at first, once you get to the main area it is nice, colourful and lively, it is about a 35-40 minute bus journey away, but hotel reception printed me out the bus timings which was helpful.
A couple of suggestions, which I feel would improve the hotel even more, would be if the hotel provided some more amenities in the room, such as slippers, robes and a simple box of tissues. These items would not make or break the stay, but would provide more comfort to the guests and help it move more towards a comfortable 5 star category.
The Junior Suite have Nespresso machines, which was a very welcome touch. The first 4 capsules are provided but any additional capsules are charged at 1 euro each; whilst this is reasonable, I was told that when I ordered additional capsules the small milk portions were not included and are charged at an extra cost. I found this very strange for a hotel of this category, only to later read in my room that the milk portions are included with the coffee capsules. Whilst this does not take away the overall good service and information provided by the hotel, it is important that guests are provided with the correct information.
I also feel at times there could be a little more flexibility. I asked for an additional towel in the pool area, and the pool guy was very clear he could not provide me with an additional towel unless I got another towel card from the reception, despite there being ample of clean towels on display. It felt a little school like. I would suggest the hotel provides some flexibility with small requests such as these, when not in peak months. All these small gestures would overall improve the service and comfort experienced by guests and give it a more 5 star feel throughout.
Dinner options, as stated could be further enhanced with more choice and variation. Breakfast was perfect.
All in all, this is a good adults only resort which is comfortable and unpretentious in a lovely hill side setting allowing one to feel relaxed whether there in a group, as a couple or on a solo trip. The hotel is well maintained throughout, very clean and tranquil. You won't be disappointed if you stay here."
