El Medano Hotel

Stayed at El Medano Hotel for one week half board £260 in late January. Hotel better than expected and really enjoyed all the food. Lovely little seaside town with plenty of restaurants and bars. Could have got bored if stayed longer than a week but probably because we didn't have great weather, but still a lot warmer than Surrey considering it was snowing really heavy when we left home, We only needed to wear shorts and T, Shirts all day. Bit chilly when the sun went in. Good mixture of spanish, german and english bars. Had a lovely time and would recommend.

Excellent value for £250, (HB, 7 days, twin room, Jan 2007). Taxi from airport 10 euros - 15 mins. Staff very helpful. Able to swim from terrace straight into sea. Good small resort. Only problem ( now fairly common in Spain) is that smokers use the sun terrace as their personal smoking area. Problem needs adressing at Medano.

We stayed at the Medano Hotel for a week. The hotel itself is unique: every day you can wake up and look at the sea directly under your balcony (if you book a sea view). The bar and restaurant likewise have breathtaking views. You can even descend directly from the bar to the sea! The rooms are basic it's true. Small, no fridge or kettle. But I'd rather have the view. The staff are very helpful. The half pension option is good value but a little dull. However there are plenty of good restuarants around. I particularly recommend El Meson de Don Armando in Los Cristianos. Things not to miss include scuba diving from Los Galletas (try Agua Tenerife Divers), and renting a car to tour La Masca, the north coast, Garanchico and the Teide national park. Do not rely on local bus services. When they turn up at all they are slow and wander around all the local OAP kennels. Bad points. The town of Medano is currently nice, with the feel of a real village instead of a resort. But they are building new apartments at a reckless pace without regard for environmental impact. This means that, even now, whenever it rains, all the water rushes down the new concrete and carries away half the beach. So I predict that in five years there will be no beach left. Even now the beach is becoming very dirty and I dont see why it deserves a Blue Flag. Also, the government want to knock down this unique hotel for some insane reason. So, go to Medano, but go now.

I’ve been going to El Medano on and off for 20 years, on rather than off. If you want McDonalds, Sky Football, all nightclubs and five star hotels you are in the wrong place. If you want the best natural beach on the island, the best windsurfing in the Canaries, excellent tapas bars, friendly locals at cheaper than home prices read on! I have never up until now stayed in the Medano Hotel, it’s in the heart of the village, jutting out into the sea, next to the village square. It claims to be 3* rated but having worked in the industry for over 10 years really it’s a 2. Its position however is five star! The hotel is a little dated inside and under utilised, but its spotlessly clean and the staff are helpful and friendly. We booked our hotel through Travel Counsellors / Med Hotels Twin for 2 adults and a toddler, half board, 7 nights £255! (Excluding the flights) We upgraded over the telephone with our credit card to sea view and balcony for just 6 Euros per room per night. THE HOTEL As Medano Hotel is next to the village square, there is no direct road to it. The taxi rank is at the top of the square, so you have to walk for less than 1 minute over it to the hotels reception. We arrived a little earlier than anticipated the maid was still attending to our room. We left our luggage in the reception and had a drink in the bar for half an hour. The reception is located on the pedestrian walkway and square. You can purchase postcards and newspapers. We hired a safe in the room. They are happy to call taxis or airport for you. There was plenty of excursion information and a lift serving all 5 floors. Next to the lounge area is the beach, the bar is raised on stilts in to the sea. There are steps into the sea for those who wish not to get sand on their feet! The bar serves meals as well as ice creams. There are loungers on the sun deck (one of three which look out over Medano bay) as well as table and chairs. To the other side an enclosed walkway takes you to the showers, WC’ and a small plunge pool. Surprisingly it’s a fresh water pool and is heated by the sun. This side is in the shade by mid afternoon – a blessing from the blistering heat elsewhere! Our room was 205 2nd floor over Medano beach, undisturbed views over the village square, Medano beach, the seafront and Montana Roja. If you stepped out on to the balcony and looked right you can see the awesome Mount Teide peeping through the Las Canadas Mountains. The room itself had large built in wardrobes with sliding doors, plenty of shelving, a chest of drawers, chair, bedside tables with a drawer in, TV (you had to hire the remote) we didn’t watch TV but the only English speaking channels were Euro sport and CNN. There was also a luggage wrack and telephone. On the balcony were 2 chairs and a table. The bathroom was over spacious compared to the room itself! A bath with shower over (high powered) bidet, WC and basin. The towels and bed sheets were bright white and spotless. The maid visited and cleaned every day. Our only complaint was there was no kettle. You couldn’t hire one – so bring your own if like my husband your first breathe is for caffeine! There also isn’t any room service or hire of fridges. The room had a door to the balcony and an opening window, so going to sleep and waking up to the sound of sea was great! The Breakfast’s were served between 8am and 1030am. The hotel caters for a wide range of clientele. English, Spanish / Canarians, Germans and Dutch etc. A selection of fresh juices, water, hot chocolate, tea and coffee. (PG Tips and Nescafe!) Selection of ham, salami, cheese, tomatoes, pastries, croissants, bread rolls, toast, cereal, yoghurts, jams, marmalades etc, the hot food was limited to two choices. Two of the following at any one time scrambled, fried, boiled egg, beans, bacon, sausage, bacon and Spam. The Evening meals were served between 630pm and 930pm. The salads were excellent along with your bog standard contents there were then 4 larger bowls of different salads – pasta, coleslaw etc. A good choice of bread rolls, aioli, sour cream etc. Hot food always consisted of a fish dish and meat dish. A choice of vegetables, some form of potatoes. There was always a soup of the day. The deserts were a little disappointing a lack of fresh fruit. Bananas being the main, sometimes cake, yoghurt and some tinned fruit. There was however a good selection of ice creams and sorbets. Drinks wise you ordered what you wanted and paid for it on departure. Our only disappointment was that no one seemed to make an effort for dinner! I have stayed in many 4 and 5 star hotels worldwide and would recommend the hotel to others making clear in summary its basic, but looked after, great staff, not bad food, the views and location are second to none! THE VILLAGE Medano has trebled in size over the last 20 years. But it’s the Tenerfians who occupy it with the odd British expatriots and German Surf dude! Yet its heart the village square and beach remains full of character, with tapas bars and restaurants. The seafront is now smart almost posh! Lined with more local tapas bars and restaurants. The beach now has sun beds for hire, free WC’s, showers and even lifeguards. There are a few shops gift shops, predominantly designer windsurf clothing shops. Away from the sea front you will find scattered around endless hairdressers, estate agents and mini markets. There are a few clothing shops, a chemist, dentists etc. Opposite the taxi rank is a organic local food shop. The best place to change you money is the village’s oldest travel agents on the main Avenue market “cambio” There is a post office, laundrette, vets and a couple of banks and cash machines. There are indeed 100’s of restaurants all over the village if you tire of tapas, meat and fish there are other options including sushi, pizza, Italian, Chinese, Creparie, Ice Cream Parlours. There are now 2 English owned bars on the sea front – one blends in with the rest and attracts the locals the other is blatant with sky TV and cod n mushy peas! At least there is no sign of a McDonalds or Burger King! Medano’s entertainment relies upon its windsurfing, bars, restaurants, the beach, read a book, sit and watch the world go by or the fishermen bringing their daily catch in the harbour. There are a few children’s play parks scattered throughout the plaza. There now is a purpose built skate park and football pitch to the rear of town. A huge petrol station as you enter town. On Saturday mornings a market is held in the square – clothing, souvenirs etc. Out of town on the main road to the motorway is a local produce market – again Saturday mornings. There are a few late bars – one being opposite the harbour – its doors open late till late! In the harbour there are local fishing boats and a couple of expensive looking yachts! Medano is close to the airport but the planes pass by it and not over it! Most people come self-catering to Medano but there are three hotels Medano, del Sur and Windsurf. With this village you love it or you hate it – there is no in between! For more info on El Medano or Tenerife email me on lindsaybs@fsmail.net

We used the El Medano for an airport stop-over - it is less than 10 minutes from the airport carhire, so very well-placed for this purpose. The location is stunning, half in the sea; our room was adequate, clean and comfortable. Reception staff were efficient. It was a real pleasure to unwind from our flight by sitting at a cafe in the town square (which goes down to the water's edge) just outside the hotel door. When we should have left El Medano next morning to go north, we couldn't just drive off - strolling along the front, drinking coffee in a bar up an alley way, doing some shopping ...it seems to be a friendly and 'real' Spanish seaside resort. We think families or younger travellers could have a very reasonable stay here while staying in a hotel that is like no other we have seen.

The Medano hotel is situated at the waters edge in El Medano, providing enviable views of the sea and beach from most of its rooms. The front of the hotel faces the main Square, which has various restaurants and bars. When we arrived, we specifically asked for a room facing the sea, for which a surcharge was payable of 12 euros a day. (Other part-sea views were available at a premium of 6 euros a day). After parting with 84 euros for the week, we went to our room. The Medano was built in the 1950's if I recall correctly, and the design and construction of the time are very much in evidence. By this, I mean that little indication in the way of major refurbishment existed in my eyes. Rooms were basic, but large and comfortable. But what of the view that we had paid 12 euros a night for? Fantastic. No other words could describe our joy at having such a beautiful view, across the sun terrace and towards the sea. To our right was the beach, to the front, the sea, with the sound of the surf very much in evidence. It was a joy each morning to sit on the balcony and watch the early morning swimmers. So, apart from the essentially basic rooms, with enviable views, what else was on offer? The hotel had a very small swimming pool, and 4 sun terraces. There was no shortage of sunbeds, although the lower sun terrace, literally built over the sea, was the busiest area. From this sun terrace, one could gain direct access to the sea. That, we felt, was a good feature. Although the hotel did appear to have an area for evening entertainment, none was provided during our visit. We spent most of the evenings in the main Square, and the winding alleyways with their collection of bars and various shops. Sadly, the hotel restaurant was the weakest part of the hotel. Each self-service evening meal consisted of a soup option, 4 different varieties of mixed salads plus 5 additional salad items, and 2 hot dishes. We found the meals unimaginitive. One evenings hot delights were a mix of frankfurter sausages and hamburgers, or some local battered fish. As I do not eat sausages or hamburgers, least of all on holiday, I opted for the fish, which was acceptable. Vegetables on offer amounted to boiled potatoes and rice with sweetcorn. To be fair, the daily menu was available to outside parties too, at a cost of 10 euros. I guess 10 euros for a soup, salad, a hot dish and sweet was pretty good value. I, however, found the whole offering bland to say the very least, when compared to the offerings of larger hotels. It has to be remembered that the Medano Hotel has only 91 rooms, so the catering is on a much smaller scale. Generally, one could find something to eat, but it may not have been something one would normally have chosen. Taking all into consideration, the Medano is a clean, inexpensive hotel. It is reasonably comfortable, and its position is its strongest point with those beautiful ocean and beach views. It is ideally suited for couples. Yes, I would revisit the hotel, but on a bed and breakfast basis only.

we hired a car at the airport before heading for this hotel. we drove 'round the town 3 times trying to reach the hotel, which we could see, until we asked a taxi driver how to do this. the hotel stands in a pedestrianised area with no parking. we had to park on the town square and carry our luggage to the hotel. those arriving by taxi etc faced the same problem. distances are not great and therefore this is no big problem. we also found that parking in most urban areas is difficult to find. patience is needed and is rewarded. we enjoyed our weeks stay. breakfasts were good but evening meals could be improved. however there was always good salads, delicious bread and ice cream. el medano is in many areas a building site like so many other areas in tenerife . this did not, however, affect our holiday. the weather did affect our enjoyment. we had 4 hot, sunny days and 3 overcast days. sunshine is not guarranteed every day at this time of year.

Stayed half board at the El Medano in early January. Hotel is located in the small resort called El Medano - hotel was mixture of English, German and French, some young couples with kids and some more mature holidaymakers. Best points: - friendly staff - regularly cleaned rooms - no complaints - resort is ideal for those who don't want the larger resorts like Los Cristianos. other points: - beach is OK, but is slightly breezy, hence the windsurfers and kitesurfers in the bay. Having said that was fine for sunbathing. - most rooms look out over the sea. However, some of the cheaper rooms look out over a small square, so there's a little bit of noise. Apparently there's a music festival in early summer that takes place in the square, so may be worth checking about this if you're worried about noise. - only a small pool in the hotel - but the beach is very nearby anyway...

We stayed at this hotel for 3 nights. The location is great right on the beach and built into the sea. The hotel was built in the 1950's and would benefit from some upgrading,but was clean the food was good but basic, we had no complaints and would revisit.

This hotel is right on a nice sand beach in the fairly quiet town of El Medano. We booked 11 days there and really enjoyed the location as we could hear the surf from our room and we literally stepped out on the beach in the morning. Unfortunately, the food (we paid for breakfast and dinner with our room) was so disappointing that we changed hotels after 6 days. The rooms were clean and basic - up to three people per room. Our room had no balcony but a nice view of the ocean. Not sure if the balcony costs more but would seem to be worth asking for. As I mentioned, the food was disappointing. There were two or three main courses offered at dinner and some decent salads and desserts, but the mains were generally mediocre and I rarely wanted to go back for seconds. You pay extra for drinks (even water) which was also a bit annoying, but perhaps it is the local practice since they did the same at our other hotel. My daughter (4) barely ate anything they had at the hotel except bread, cheese, butter, and ice cream - this from a kid who eats a pretty wide variety of foods at home. There were a few activities available at the hotel - table tennis, pool, games, etc., but the main attraction was the beach - fine sand and almost no rocks - very clean. The crowd at the hotel appeared to be mainly in their 60s to 90s. A few families with kids were there and very few younger couples or singles. The staff was very nice and usually quite helpful. I don't speak much Spanish and I struggled a couple times communicating with the staff but most understood English well. The town is pretty quiet - restaurants were open until midnight or so and must be better than the hotel food - unfortunately, getting through a sit down meal with a 4 year old and 9 month old at 10 at night did not work for us and thus the hotel change. Come for the location, go out to eat.