Atalaya Hotel

We spent two nights in this lovely hotel.
Location
We chose the Hotel Atalaya primarily because we knew that it was in its own road in the middle of the Taoro Park, so there would be no traffic noise on any side. This proved to be right. The hotel has a main block and a smaller one, both part of the same building. We asked for a high room to have a view, and were allocated to floor three in the main block, which is high enough to give uninterrupted views whichever side of the hotel you are on. The rooms on one side look directly over the hotel gardens and pool; the pretty Taoro Park; the English Church and up the valley to Los Realejos and Mount Teide. The rooms on the other side look out over La Paz and the sea to the East, and also up the valley to La Orotava. Either way, the views are spectacular. There is no traffic noise because the only road nearby is the one that leads to the hotel and about three houses. It really is a beautiful setting.
To get to town, there is a free hotel bus, or you can walk through the spectacular Taoro Park and then down about 250 steps – about 15 minutes' walk. In my view, whether you can walk or whether you need to get the bus or a taxi, it is well worth it to be in this tranquil setting rather than on the side of a noisy road in the town.
Room
The room (306) looked recently refurbished. The furniture was of good quality and stylish. The floor was laminated wood, and the colours warm. The room was larger than average, as was the bathroom. There was air conditioning with a digital controller. With the air conditioning off, the room was too warm for my taste – but there was a window that could be opened, just next to the balcony door. The shower was of adequate pressure, and the shower screen was partially successful in keeping the floor dry. There were three large beds in the room – each about the size of a small double, and two were placed together. The bed linen was of good quality, although the pillows were a bit flat. There was a good-sized wardrobe, with an optional safe. There was a dressing table and chairs. The balcony was about the standard size with chairs and table, and a small pull-out clothes dryer. The overall impression was of a pleasing four-star hotel room.
Food
We took two breakfasts and two dinners here, being on half-board. The dining room is pleasant and airy, overlooking the gardens. There is also a covered outdoor eating area just off the main dining room, where you can take your food if you wish. The staff bring you drinks as you wish and you sign for them. You help yourself to food. Breakfast: cereals, English breakfast; cold meats; breads; fresh, dried and tinned fruit, DIY toast – everything you would expect. A chef is on hand if you prefer an omelette or other dish. Dinner: there was a reasonable choice and variety between the two nights we stayed. Meats; fish; vegetable dishes; salad dishes; cheeses; fruit; desserts; ice cream – some fresh ingredients, some not. You can dine healthily on fresh fruit and veg dishes, pig out on chips and chicken nuggets, go vegetarian, or do the Atkins diet here – pretty much what I would expect from this class of hotel. Of particular note was the roast pork on Tuesday, sliced to order by the chef, which was as good as any I have tasted – described as “pork from across the back of the neck”!
Bar
This looks fine, but we did not use it.
Communal Areas
The corridors were a little dimly lit in places, and the lifts were small and jolted somewhat alarmingly, and often didn't line up with the floor so our cases would not roll out! There are drinks machines on each floor in case you need some water etc. The area around the bar and reception has plenty of easy chairs dotted about so you can sit and relax in comfort even when it rains.
Pool
The good-sized, rectangular pool is open 9am to 5pm. It is in the gardens surrounded by about 50 sun loungers. You can take the lift directly to the garden floor and avoid walking through reception in your swimwear. There is also tennis coaching available in the hotel tennis courts but we did not use this.
Staff
A warm welcome from reception; cheery greetings from chamber maids; pleasant and efficient service from the waiting staff; and chefs that will do their best to meet any special requests you may have – honestly I could not ask for more from hotel staff, they made a real difference.
Summary
If you want a very pleasing four-star hotel in a pretty, tranquil location within 15 minutes' walking distance or five minutes' ride from the town centre, the Atalaya will be hard to beat.