Ocean Palace Apartments

1 reader found this review helpful

Took a week at the Ocean Palace from the 15th to the 22nd August 2008. As a single father, this was my third holiday with my two sons, Lloyd (10) and Elliott (7), and by far the best. Everything was good from the booking in the agents in South Wales, the flight, connections, the food, the room, the resort, pools, the weather and the entertainment. My only complaint was the TV. I awoke on the second morning to find my boys watching hardcore porn on the TV - which they found by going through the small number of pre-set channels. I was disgusted and when I reported it to Babs the rep, I was not overly impressed by the laughter and the general unconcern. At a family resort, I don't know why this is even on the TV system! I have put this issue on my customer survey completed on the plane home - so will wait and see if any official apology comes from First Choice or weather the scores are simply input to come up with the 'league tables' (which was rammed down your throat a bit by Stuart and Nat, the entertainers, when they didn't need to. We were told to make sure we tick 'excellent' time and time again, as they were second to Cyprus but "gaining fast". Nat even told us she enjoyed working the exotic holidays, and didn't fancy being a redcoast in Bognor!!). To close on a positive, the one rep, Jen Talbot (sure that was her second name). I've been on about 25 holidays, and she is by far and away, the most good natured, friendly, patient and extremly multi-talented rep I have ever seen. I hope sincerely she goes on to bigger and better things, she was wonderful totally. My boys wanted to write a letter on departure to her but I told them to put all the reps names - I think they might have been having their first crush - and to be honest, I think their dad might have one too!!!! Good luck in the future Jen (if you ever read this) - I hope my comments on the survey are passed to you somehow and the company realise what a gem they have in their ranks! To other holidaymakers wishing to go to this resort, there will always be good and bad comments about all resorts - holidays are what you make it, and this is as good a place to have a fun-filled time, or a relaxing holiday, the choice is yours!!!

Me and my fiance stayed here last August. We booked the holiday a week before we flew and got quite a good deal. We arrived at the hotel in the middle of the day and when we arrived at the hotel were surprised by the reception area (it was gorgeous)! Checked in and went straight to the room and were completely shocked... the room was absolutely gorgeous! I am a bit of a snob when it comes to hotels but this was lovely. We had a corner room so think it was larger than most, it was very clean and modern and we even had a jacquzzi in the bathroom! Beware though as there was another hotel attached to ours via a bridge and it was nowhere near as nice so just make sure you are in Ocean Palace when you book.
Trying to get a sunbed every morning was an absolute joke! If you got to the pool late morning you had no chance so we started setting our alarm so we could get one. The sunbeds were chained up every night and some guy came and took the chain off them about 8:30am by which time there was a queue. People were actually arguing over them! I've never been to a hotel where you had to practically fight for a sunbed.
The food was disgusting and the drinks weren't up to much either to be honest. We ate there 2 nights and I wouldn't go back. People also kept saying there partner/child, etc had been ill with the food. Although I'm not entirely sure if this was true as I didn't see it first hand. The entertainment was rubbish (although kids may find it better) and if you didn't get there early enough and get a good table, then you could barely see what was going on due to the layout of the room. The hotel is also on the very outskirts of the resort and there isn't much nearby apart from the market. It cost us 10euro to get to the pubs!
Anyway to summarise, the apartment was gorgeous but personally I wouldn't pay the extra to go all inclusive.

1 reader found this review helpful

Just returned from 2 weeks all inclusive in the Ocean palace. Party was 3 adults and a 3 year old and a 1 year old.
We were roomed in the annexe part of complex, see brochure small print (3* standard) and it is very basic. Brochure says that there is Air con in bedrooms, there isn't. After a sleepless first night we had to hire a fan from reception at 40 euros for the 2 weeks to be able to sleep. The A/C in the living area was pretty useless also. Room fan only works with main light on so take out bulbs in living area!! The room itself was very basic, but ok. Bath clean, shower, hairdryer, fridge, microwave etc all worked. TV is 2 euro's per day if you want it. Had no complaints abouts the maids, they changed sheets and towels as we wanted. Just leave them in the bath. Apart from 3 cockroaches during stay and the A/C, okay.
Entertainment - The rep's are non stop and really keep the kids entertained all day. The kids disco 2015-2100 is a bit repetitive but the kids loved it. Kids Clubs are great and our son really liked them, but as everything they book up early (1800 every night for next day only 24 places per session and some kids are on every list. They either really liked it or their parents didn't want them!!) Evening bingo and quiz are quite competitive (125 euro win for bingo). The main entertainment is reasonable, but has a weekly changeover, so get prepared if on 2 week holiday for a bit of repetitivness. The bar closing at 2330 is a bit of a bummer, but you can take a few drinks back to your balcony and carry on, we did and its a lot cooler. Be prepared to queue to get a decent seat in non A/C entertainment room though, people start at 1900 and opens at 1930. Not much for the teens to do at night, which is a shame because it meant that they get very bored and make their own entertainment around the complex, usually very loudly and sometimes destructive!! I am not a snob, but where are the parents!!
Food - Generally we found the food pretty good. I agree about not enough seating, a bit of recycling of previous meals and drinks machines not always working, but overall ok. Breakfast is definitely the best meal, just a pity it didn't start til 0830. When your kids are up at 0630, that's a long 2 hours!!!! Lunch at the main pool is better than the annexe, more choice and quicker service. Most of the time it was quicker to walk to the main pool from the annexe rather than queue up. (Only one person at annexe side) Carvery and Italian can be booked once a week, but don't be late they book up very quickly. Italian very basic and carvery very nice.
Pools - Main pool, can't put towels out til 0900, so a stampede will occur from all people waiting from 0830 with towels. Very slippy around pool and a danger to all if not careful. All entertainment is at main pool so can get annoying. Annexe pool, lot more laid back, we put towels out at 0800 and there were no problems at all. Very quiet and we spent most of time there.
Trips - Aqualand, very good day, kids loved it. Booked through reps and got free bus just down road, went at 0945 and returned at 1600. Kids under 4 go free. All rides are worked out on height not age, if child is under 1.2 m then must have arm bands on. Sunbeds 3 euros each but get free cap with each bed, food quite expensive but took lunch boxes from hotel (get ham and cheese from dining room day before unles you like salami sandwiches). Unless you are going on big rides don't pay for rubber rings, If you are then get it as soon as it opens at 10 or get prepared for a big queue.
Loro parque - Great day out, booked through rep's, maybe 5 euro's dearer per person but got picked up at hotel at 0830 had 6 and a half hours there and left at 1630. Go straight to Sea lion show (GREAT) then straight to dolphin show (PRETTY GOOD) then straight to Whale show (GREAT, got soaked!!) That will take you to lunch and then leave you 2 hours to walk around. Don't bother with Natural World show, a lot of hype but rubbish!!
Overall, we had a good 2 weeks holiday. Most of the reviews are pretty accurate, but some are petty. I have tried to give a review that i would have liked to have read prior to going.
The thing that really disappointed me was 50% of the people staying there. They pay £2000 for a holiday and want to abuse it and get £6000 worth. No need. They left litter everywhere, abused staff, abused facilities and treated the place like dirt. There is an ownership struggle going on at the minute so the hotel is nowhere near 4*, but it is not helped by some of the slobs that are staying there.
Advice -
Stick to the annexe side, away from the chav's.
Go to breakfast early to avoid queues
Get lunch from main pool side and take to annexe
Book early for Carvery and Italian
Don't bother with beach
Get as many 50 cent coins as you can, kids machines take them and they are like rocking horse *hit.
Don't bother with rep's greeting meeting, go and see Bab's at 1600 and talk 1 to 1.
Will i go again, no, but still had good time, would just like a 4* hotel when i've paid for one!!
Hope this helps

1 reader found this review helpful

I can't believe there are so many bad reports!
I honestly don't think that the people that have gave bad reports went to the same hotel that i'm did.
I went with my grandad, mama, mum, uncle, sister and cousin (i'm only 15.) and i've been on many holidays in my life, and I must say, this was the best one yet!
unfortuanly we only stayed for a week. everyone in our party wanted to stay another week or so. the staff were friendly, the food was lovely and they actually had real pepsi!
the pool was amazing, the entertainment staff kept all of us kids busy day and night.
the rooms are gorgeous and the whole hotel is definatly worth 4*s! also tenerife is a lovely place to visit.
i would recommend this hotel to anyone who is up for a good time and want to make the most of their holiday.
this was the best holiday i've ever had. and i can't believe people are giving it bad reviews.

We, have just returned from 1 week at the 'Ocean Palace Resort' 4 Star; and would offer the following points, to help future customers make their choice.
BOOK this Holiday if You:
Like:
Sunshine
Getting Drunk
Late Night Clubbing
Are:
Single
Aged 18-23
Living in a messy tip at home, and don't mind cracked tiles or the sink hanging off the wall.
Uninterested in basic electrical safety, and don't know the effect of bare electrical wires and damp environments.
DO NOT BOOK this holiday if You:
Like Good simple but Varied Food.
Have any concept of safety, particularly with regard to children.
Know what a 'real' 3 star hotel looks like on the inside.
Like a glass of reasonable (but cheap) red wine.
Don't like confrontation and excuses from poorly motivated hotel staff.
Like Varied and professionally performed entertainment.
Live in a reasonably clean and adequately maintained home.
Don't like Cockroaches.
Don't like the faint smell of sewerage.
Would expect all members in you family to have their 'own' pillow provided!
Expect clean towels every day.
Like a cup of coffee, in your room, in the morning (or anytime really).
Overall: The 'Entertainment' staff work very hard, but are fighting a uphill battle against the poor infrastructure and ambivolent attitude of the hotel.
Weather was Lovely Tho!

watch out for the head rep Babs she promises you the earth but will not deliver!!!!!!!
dont book the trips through first choice as you have to walk 25 minutes to get the shuttle bus and its all up hill on the way back. ( they dont tell yout his in the welcome meeting when there taking your money ). we had to pay for taxis to our trips as we had disabled people in our party children under 6 go for free in most parks the reps charged us!!
fantastic weather thank god for somthing good to come out of ths holiday a nice tan !pools ok but grootty tiles and black bits floating very slippery around the pool tiles where kids are jumping in and out of pool lots of broken sunbeds be careful you have been warned!.
there is no lifeguard but a first aid spanish guy who sleeps under an umbrella all day, 2 kids fell and smashed there heads and were screaming around the pool and the rep had to take the first aid boxs to the mothers because he was still sleeping.
the drinks on offer you have to wait ages to be served in the end we were getting two drinks per person as the cups are very small.
the drinks on offer warm water ,lemon fanta ,orange fanta half cup every time ,coke waterted down,one choice of larger white wine red wine vodka barcardi (anything else to drink u pay 6 euros)(coffee tea friut squash when the machine was working they only have 4 machines on the whole complex at breakfast 3 mornings in a row there was nothing to drink with your meal so i went to the shop and bought drinks for us. there was 8 of us in our party including 2 children.
the food chips ,cheese and tomatoe pizza, hot dogs, and cheese and ham toasties chesse burgers served from 11.00 till 6.00 (all of this food was ok )
breakfast pancakes, full english cereals fruit bread toast butter jams honey we found this to be the best meal of the day!!!
lunch time food there are 25 tables for the whole hotel!!
salad fish, chicken in some sort of saurce , rice with a tang ,sqid
evening meal cooked dinner 2 a week ok
salad squid rings kids thought were onion rings
rice chips chicken pork beef and other strange dishes that u coudnt tell what they were so avoided them
lots of recyleing of food going on the previous evenings meals left overs were turned in to somyhing new a lot of the time for thre lunch tim menu .
as a family who have done all inclusive loads of times ocean palace with the restrictions on drinks and limited very bland menu ocean palace was not worth the money.
I would not recomend this hotel to friends however the young reps worked there butts off day and night to try and make it for the children well done on u girlies!!!!!!!
there will be a leeter in the post to first chice shortly we dont want to go on holiday to complain but when you have disabled people in your party and you are told there needs will be catered for only to get there to find out they no nothing about it makes my blood boil then get promised the earth by the head rep and she charges for special wheelchair access on the plane and when we get there they know nothing of it.
and we have to organise it ourselves with anouther company and there is no charge
first and last time for first choice never ever ever again.
also the bus left us at the airport the rep wouldnt let us board our bus we had to walk up and down looking for spare seats to get on 2 hours had passed by this time
when we evenually got on a bus there were 25 peolple who had to get off as well because the bus was over crowded.
the end

This was the worst holiday i have encountered in my life, and there have been a few, in lots of different countries. We had five rooms on the first day due to run dow state of the hotel. Problems such as a 10" crack in the first rooms bath, door handle in bath room hanging off and balcony door not locking. Room 2- again cracked bath, hairdryer cut off the wall leaving bare wires in bathroom, lamp hanging off wall. Room 3- no bath walk in shower with a hand full of tiles loose on floor and black tape or tar on floor to try to cover. Room 4- no kithcen, fridge in living room, micowave and toaster stacked on top, telly on dressing table in same room, no balcony furniture and as basic as a 1star. Last room supposed to be superior but you would be very disapointed if you had actually paid the extra they were asking for. All staff (bar one) were rude, you had to resort to taking toilet rolls yourself from the maids trolley as she contantley said they had none (several families siad this as they had had bad stomaches and used a few rolls). There was a horrid smell from the drains which wafted across the pool area. The food was repetitive and bland and was often reworked into the next days meals, the self-service drinks machines were constantly broken (often giving a choice of one fruit juice only), and you had to queue at lunch out doors as there was not enough tables (approx 25 for over 100 rooms). The pool is a disgrace tiles are missing on both sets of steps and there is a slimey black ring around it. The seats in the dinning area indoors are stained and grubby. Book if you dare but this is no way a 4 star hotel as stated in the first choice brochure, we lost count of the families who will be complaning when they returned. On the plus side the only thing which made it bareable was the good weather and more importantly the kids reps (my five year old would have been lost without them)....no wonder First Choice are pulling out from it!

Myself and two female friends, all in our mid-20's have just returned from a week's All Inclusive stay at this hotel. And there is no other word to describe it other than FABULOUS!
From the moment we walked into the hotel reception the staff were on hand, very helpful, pleasant, chatty and approachable.
The food was tremendous! It is pretty much available from morning til night, and something for everyone.....my friend is a very fussy eater and ever she was never left hungry....the bar serves til late into the evening, after midnight when we went to the centre of Playa de las Americas was the only time we paid for anything!!!!
The entertainment on an evening is very good, even for us young'uns!!! :-)
We were that impressed with this hotel, we have book to go back for another week in September this year!!!!

Second time at this hotel and it was better than the first time. I just went with my 5 year old son, and he had a whale of a time. The Kids Club reps, Emma and Mitzy were just brilliant, much better than the year before and my son took a real shine to them and got excited everytime he saw them! Thank you ladies for doing such a wonderful job. The evening entertainment good as ever, Jen and Nat were just great. There was plenty of good food and drink. The only thing I would say is that the milk is dreadful, I missed having a decent cup of tea. The hotel does offer a free pack lunch if ordered the night before, but it is all Salami and not very nice! I just took a few rolls and cheese from the restaurant and made my own lunch. All the staff, including the maids were very friendly and made a big fuss of my son and he enjoyed every single minute of it.
We went to Aqualand, Loro Parque and the Freebird One Catamaran. It cost me just under 50 Euros for Aqualand and I am sure if you go yourself it would be much cheaper, there is a free bus service from the hotel Isla Bonita (which is about 5 mins walk away). The food in Aqualand is very expensive and horrible! There is also a free bus service to Jungle Park which picks you up from the same place.
The Catamaran trip was lovely, on a Monday morning, its especially for families, you are out for 3 hours, we saw Pilot Whales and Dolphins, drinks and a buffet included and a clown was on board for entertaining the children.

After reading a few bad reports before our holiday, and having such a fantastic two weeks at resort here we go!
The tiles around the pool worried me, however once the kids got the hang of it - no problem at all.
The only thing i could complain about and did! - was the time it took for the bar staff to clean up childrens spilages. This was it
The hotel was clean, rooms cleaned, towels changed daily.
Facilities excellent, and entertainment staff fab..
I have two children 3 and 5 and this was our most relaxing holiday by far.
The all inclusive food - something for everyone, and drinks served from 830am -1145pm. And pretty much food non stop from 0830am-2100, this could also be seen as a let down compared to other all inclusive resorts. (if you need something to soak up evening booze!!!!)
I would not PAY First Choice for excursions again, they charge for children when most parks and boat trips do not! - We got caught out, and it's a rip off - but this is not a fault of the hotel complex.
First Choice Entertainment - were A Star!
Kids Club looked very good too - but to be honest with the entertainment team doing daily activities from 1030am-1600pm and then 2015-2345 - you dont need to rely on kids club.
Places to go!
Loro Parque, (beware children under 6 get in free)
Jungle Park (check website - 1 child free with 2 paying adults)
Aqua Land & Dolphin Shows ENCOUNTER (also check website for childrens offers - and we paid 60 euro's for a dolphin encounter aged 7plus, - but we have a very tall 5yr old!) - but great water park for taller children/ adults
Boat Trips (Dolphin and Whale?) - not really impressed with the 4.5 hr one we did!