Merlin Resort, Callao Salvaje, Canary Islands
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Merlin Resort Reviews
" ok for what we were after "
Submitted By: L Dominici
I was really looking forward to going to this hotel after i read the reviews, we had booked it last minute and i thought we were on to a sure thing....hmmmm...myself (30 and husband (34) were looking for somewhere quiet to eat, drink, read and relax. Well we done what we intended but the food wasn't great - it was edible but not great, lunch was often better than dinner. The staff were great and kept the drinks flowing, they didn't seem to take any notice of the 'one drink per person' rule which was ideal for us. Hotel was ok, needs upgrading. It is practically the middle of nowhere but as i said, that's what we were looking for but think i may have got a bit demented if there for a fortnight! The entertainment was really good - 2 out of 3 of the team were great, they got everyone involved and they worked hard all week.
The Indian and first italian restaurant (just down the road) were excellent - value for money! Also, the bar just down from the irish pub (west ham supporters club) did the best chicken burgers! As i said, the food was not great so we did eat the local cuisine on more than one occasion!
Overall, we had a good holiday and came home feeling very relaxed.
The Indian and first italian restaurant (just down the road) were excellent - value for money! Also, the bar just down from the irish pub (west ham supporters club) did the best chicken burgers! As i said, the food was not great so we did eat the local cuisine on more than one occasion!
Overall, we had a good holiday and came home feeling very relaxed.
Advice: Not much in it!
Activities: The pool!
- Date of Holiday:May 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Fab! Fab! Fab! Holiday "
Submitted By: nightnurse56uk
We went to Merlin resort 8th April (Easter break)for a week, myself, my partner and our 3 children (15, 12, 11). Me and my partner came to this hotel in 2005 when it was ocean club. We decided to go back as we knew what to expect, even though it was referbished in 2007.
Where do i start, great value for money, 2 adults and 3 children all inclusive including flights, transfers £1400 (bargain!!)+ our 15 year old was classed as adult price which makes it even better. Everything was smooth from leaving home to getting back home no hiccups at all.
The rooms were clean, and cleaned daily except Friday and Sunday, but everyone deserves a day off. The rooms were quite small, but you only have to sleep in them as out all day. Bathroom spacious, with shower and bath and clean towels every day :-)
Food was good, our 12 year old is fussy, she manged to eat 3 meals a day. Breakfast was good, choices of cereal, fruit, yoghurts, toast, cooked breakfast. just the scrambled egg was sloppy :-( Lunch was the best, nice rolls, fresh salads, meats (varied) Tea was good also, again fresh salad, meats, spag bol, lasagne, roast dinners. Puddings not great, but full from tea, but ample choice of ice cream, every flavour you can think off. There were snacks all day between meal times, burgers, hot dogs, pizza slices, chicken nuggs, chips. Nice, friendly staff in the restaurant, always clearing your plates quickly and efficiently.
Entertainment fab! Daytime activities, aqua gym, water polo, water volleyball, water basket ball, french bowls, archery, killer pool, killer darts, table tennis + more. Always a quiz by the pool in afternoon which was interesting. Also Bingo daily by the pool which was cool, especially when we won :-) Every age group can join in activities, something for everyone, or you can just chill by the pool. Night entertainment was also fab! cartoons for children and mini disco from 8pm till 9pm (ish) Then entertainment for the adults, but children can join in the fun aswell. They always do 2 shows with a break in the middle for more BINGO!! There was snake show, owl show, parrott show, clown show, magic show, different singers, disco, karaoke, quiz shows, deal or no deal, you bet game show. Entertainment was a need and it was good, thanks to Stacey, Sticky and Amy, oh and Felix.
All inclusive started right from breakfast till 23.00 - the bar closes at 23.00, but entertainment is on till 00.45 which is good. You can purchase drinks after this time which i think was 3 euros a pint or 3 euros a vodka. Or better still just line your drinks up before closing. Or if you want later entertainment there are bars outside of complex which are open till 4am. Bar staff always smiling and friendly.
Always enough sun loungers for everyone, as was not busy at all except the bank holiday weekend when alot of the spanish came across for the weekend. They were great fun and very friendly, but busy for those few days, so you had to get up early to grab your sun beds. The pool said it was heated, but it was chilly, the children still went in there most of the day.
We went to Los cristinanos market on the Sunday which was a bus journey away, took about 45 mins (trek), but children enjoyed it. Do not pay prices which market traders want, you need to barter lots. Our girls bought a Gucci bag (fake, which we knew) they wanted 20 euros and i got them down to 8 euros (bargain!!) They look the park and girls love them.
Siam water park, which opened Sept 2008, this is just amazing, the best water park ever been to. Me personally do not like water slides, but all the rides except 2 you had a rubber dingy to sit in, which means you dont even have to swim, just hold on and enjoy. If you go to Tenerife, this is a must. There are a few small shops just outside the complex which has all the necessary items if needed, but no big shopping complexes. These are the only 2 times we ventured of the hotel as there was enough entertainment on site.
Lastly we had a fantastic holiday, weather was hot most of the week got up to 26, but felt hotter. We had 2 days of grey cloud, but still managed to get well tanned. Would recommend this holiday to people who do not expect 5* service. And a big thanks to Stacey, Sticky, Amy and Felix, they were great entertainers and made our holiday :-) :-)
Where do i start, great value for money, 2 adults and 3 children all inclusive including flights, transfers £1400 (bargain!!)+ our 15 year old was classed as adult price which makes it even better. Everything was smooth from leaving home to getting back home no hiccups at all.
The rooms were clean, and cleaned daily except Friday and Sunday, but everyone deserves a day off. The rooms were quite small, but you only have to sleep in them as out all day. Bathroom spacious, with shower and bath and clean towels every day :-)
Food was good, our 12 year old is fussy, she manged to eat 3 meals a day. Breakfast was good, choices of cereal, fruit, yoghurts, toast, cooked breakfast. just the scrambled egg was sloppy :-( Lunch was the best, nice rolls, fresh salads, meats (varied) Tea was good also, again fresh salad, meats, spag bol, lasagne, roast dinners. Puddings not great, but full from tea, but ample choice of ice cream, every flavour you can think off. There were snacks all day between meal times, burgers, hot dogs, pizza slices, chicken nuggs, chips. Nice, friendly staff in the restaurant, always clearing your plates quickly and efficiently.
Entertainment fab! Daytime activities, aqua gym, water polo, water volleyball, water basket ball, french bowls, archery, killer pool, killer darts, table tennis + more. Always a quiz by the pool in afternoon which was interesting. Also Bingo daily by the pool which was cool, especially when we won :-) Every age group can join in activities, something for everyone, or you can just chill by the pool. Night entertainment was also fab! cartoons for children and mini disco from 8pm till 9pm (ish) Then entertainment for the adults, but children can join in the fun aswell. They always do 2 shows with a break in the middle for more BINGO!! There was snake show, owl show, parrott show, clown show, magic show, different singers, disco, karaoke, quiz shows, deal or no deal, you bet game show. Entertainment was a need and it was good, thanks to Stacey, Sticky and Amy, oh and Felix.
All inclusive started right from breakfast till 23.00 - the bar closes at 23.00, but entertainment is on till 00.45 which is good. You can purchase drinks after this time which i think was 3 euros a pint or 3 euros a vodka. Or better still just line your drinks up before closing. Or if you want later entertainment there are bars outside of complex which are open till 4am. Bar staff always smiling and friendly.
Always enough sun loungers for everyone, as was not busy at all except the bank holiday weekend when alot of the spanish came across for the weekend. They were great fun and very friendly, but busy for those few days, so you had to get up early to grab your sun beds. The pool said it was heated, but it was chilly, the children still went in there most of the day.
We went to Los cristinanos market on the Sunday which was a bus journey away, took about 45 mins (trek), but children enjoyed it. Do not pay prices which market traders want, you need to barter lots. Our girls bought a Gucci bag (fake, which we knew) they wanted 20 euros and i got them down to 8 euros (bargain!!) They look the park and girls love them.
Siam water park, which opened Sept 2008, this is just amazing, the best water park ever been to. Me personally do not like water slides, but all the rides except 2 you had a rubber dingy to sit in, which means you dont even have to swim, just hold on and enjoy. If you go to Tenerife, this is a must. There are a few small shops just outside the complex which has all the necessary items if needed, but no big shopping complexes. These are the only 2 times we ventured of the hotel as there was enough entertainment on site.
Lastly we had a fantastic holiday, weather was hot most of the week got up to 26, but felt hotter. We had 2 days of grey cloud, but still managed to get well tanned. Would recommend this holiday to people who do not expect 5* service. And a big thanks to Stacey, Sticky, Amy and Felix, they were great entertainers and made our holiday :-) :-)
- Date of Holiday:Apr 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Great value for money "
Submitted By: jcw0050
Myself ( 22) and my partner (25) stayed at this hotel for a week all inclusive last week ( March 2009).
I was a bit concerned when I booked the holiday due to the bad reviews ie, the 1/10 score in December 2008, however please ignore these bad reviews.
The hotel is about 25 minutes from the airport - we hired a car so can not comment on how much a taxi would cost.
The hotel is about 5 minutes walk from the beach (black sand), which is not great but easy to walk too.
The hotel has a lovely reception and the staff are very welcoming and understand english which is very helpful!!
The rooms are a good size - good size bathroom and balcony. The rooms are cleaned every day apart from friday and sundays however reception are always happy to provide you with clean towels etc if you require them on these non cleaning days.
The food is to a average standard. I am quite a fussy eater and I still found something to eat at every meal time. At breakfast there is a range of cereal and fried breakfast etc. Lunch was good too - had a range of pasta and meats etc.
At dinner there was something different each evening.
The drinks were free apart from cocktails. The bar staff were very friendly and very generous on the measures!!
There are 2 swimming pools at the hotel. One is for children and one is for adults only. Every day there was entertainment at the childrens pool. The two reps Stacey and 'Sticky' were fantastic. Very motivated and a great laugh. So if you didnt fancy joining in or wanted to escape the entertainment, you could sit at the adult pool which was the other side of the hotel. There is a pool bar by the childrens pool which serves drinks and snacks throughout the day.
In the evening, there was entertainment for adults and children. From 8pm there was cartoons for the children and a mini disco until 9pm. Then from 9pm until pm there was entertainment for the adults ( as well as children)This included bingo, quizes, 'deal or no deal', snake shows, clown show, and live music. The free bar closes at 11pm.
As we had hired a car we were able to travel to a few attractions. These included the zoo in the North which was fantastic ( although about 1hour 30 mins drive away and bit expensive). We visited Mount Taide which I would also recommend. There is water park approx 15 mins away from the hotel which is good.
I would recommend this hotel to anyone who is happy to get what they pay for. I paid £600 for the 2 of us so was not going to complain. Plus the weather was lovely and hot. As the hotel is in the south its alot warmer than the north part of the island.
Although my next comment is not about the hotel - we flew with Rynair and you are only allowed 15kg per person. We were over by 10kg and was charged £150. So just make sure that you are within your allowance for your baggage as the airport is not hesitant in charging you excessive baggage.
I was a bit concerned when I booked the holiday due to the bad reviews ie, the 1/10 score in December 2008, however please ignore these bad reviews.
The hotel is about 25 minutes from the airport - we hired a car so can not comment on how much a taxi would cost.
The hotel is about 5 minutes walk from the beach (black sand), which is not great but easy to walk too.
The hotel has a lovely reception and the staff are very welcoming and understand english which is very helpful!!
The rooms are a good size - good size bathroom and balcony. The rooms are cleaned every day apart from friday and sundays however reception are always happy to provide you with clean towels etc if you require them on these non cleaning days.
The food is to a average standard. I am quite a fussy eater and I still found something to eat at every meal time. At breakfast there is a range of cereal and fried breakfast etc. Lunch was good too - had a range of pasta and meats etc.
At dinner there was something different each evening.
The drinks were free apart from cocktails. The bar staff were very friendly and very generous on the measures!!
There are 2 swimming pools at the hotel. One is for children and one is for adults only. Every day there was entertainment at the childrens pool. The two reps Stacey and 'Sticky' were fantastic. Very motivated and a great laugh. So if you didnt fancy joining in or wanted to escape the entertainment, you could sit at the adult pool which was the other side of the hotel. There is a pool bar by the childrens pool which serves drinks and snacks throughout the day.
In the evening, there was entertainment for adults and children. From 8pm there was cartoons for the children and a mini disco until 9pm. Then from 9pm until pm there was entertainment for the adults ( as well as children)This included bingo, quizes, 'deal or no deal', snake shows, clown show, and live music. The free bar closes at 11pm.
As we had hired a car we were able to travel to a few attractions. These included the zoo in the North which was fantastic ( although about 1hour 30 mins drive away and bit expensive). We visited Mount Taide which I would also recommend. There is water park approx 15 mins away from the hotel which is good.
I would recommend this hotel to anyone who is happy to get what they pay for. I paid £600 for the 2 of us so was not going to complain. Plus the weather was lovely and hot. As the hotel is in the south its alot warmer than the north part of the island.
Although my next comment is not about the hotel - we flew with Rynair and you are only allowed 15kg per person. We were over by 10kg and was charged £150. So just make sure that you are within your allowance for your baggage as the airport is not hesitant in charging you excessive baggage.
Advice: lovely resort. has the shops you require etc.
Activities: dragon tree, mount tadie, water park and zoo
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Mar 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Boring, Whingeing Saddo's "
Submitted By: cdnbillymurphy@yahoo.co.uk
If you are a boring, whingeing saddo who wants to be, "in the middle of it" and wants a ten star resort for one star prices; well this is not the place for you! Candidly, do the "fun people" a favour and don't go!
The Merlin have exceptionally clean rooms with a fridge and welcome fruit,champagne & water. The staff is excellent, especially "Siddy". The food was well presented and pallable. The drink was also plentiful and pleasant. The two impresario's "Sticky & Stacey" are sublime and are not getting paid enough!
I had a wonderful two weeks at this resort and would reccomend it to anybody except for the the person's I defined in the title of my review.
The only enhancement to this resort, would be the installation of Sky/Setanta for the "football"; then again I am a footie fan & support the greatest football team in the world......Pompey!
The Merlin have exceptionally clean rooms with a fridge and welcome fruit,champagne & water. The staff is excellent, especially "Siddy". The food was well presented and pallable. The drink was also plentiful and pleasant. The two impresario's "Sticky & Stacey" are sublime and are not getting paid enough!
I had a wonderful two weeks at this resort and would reccomend it to anybody except for the the person's I defined in the title of my review.
The only enhancement to this resort, would be the installation of Sky/Setanta for the "football"; then again I am a footie fan & support the greatest football team in the world......Pompey!
Advice: The hottest place on the island
Activities: Top three, Siam Park, Siam Park & Siam Park
- Date of Holiday:Feb 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" it was so so bad it was kinda fun "
Submitted By: smigg3011
If i was gonna rate this hotel for the rooms it would be an 8. if i was rating it for the staff it would be a 7, but the food and drink service was so so bad if there was a -10 i would give that score. Now i dont expect al a carte food for this price but it has to be edible . the food was that bad this is the first holiday i have been on and come back fitter and leaner, breakfast consisted of cheap sausages and the greasiest bacon i have ever seen and that was the highlight of the culinery day. lunch consisted of very cheap chicken nuggets (jamie oliver would be swingin fronm a noose if he could see them) very cheap beefburgers with a sprinkling of parsley (yep that will fool em )lots of perch and carp (yep you read that right) and sprouts :( . for evening meal they upped there game and served what was on the menu as chicken legs al a carte which is spanish for oily chicken wings, you could also have piss poor fish again and spagetti with no pasta sauce whatsoever . for desert we had what surely the chefs signature dish of tinned peach with squirty cream on. oh and just a bowl of cream. it was that bad it was hilarious but then again we were only there for a few days as a break, for all you guys that booked 7 days or god forbid 2 weeks i feel your pain. oh and only one person serving so 10 minute wait for a drink and the area itself is an absolute hole.
- Date of Holiday:Dec 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" worst holiday weve ever had "
Submitted By: h4mmond
got back on boxing day.hotel was not very clean.not much to do around the hotel.pools are not heated.they w freezing.always waiting for cups for tea or coffee..big queues at the bar.only one person serving...food wasnt too bad.but always smelt the same..its o k if u r a fish lover..the hotel rooms werent too bad.but the bathrooms had a strong drainage smell..no beach near by.we spent most of our money getin taxis into costa adeje town which cost 15 pound each way...........myself+my partner and my 3 lads aged 15..10..+6...will not be returning to the merlin resort again..
Advice: middle of nowhere.nothing around it
Activities: aqualand..dolphin show..
- Date of Holiday:Dec 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Booked last minute getaway due to... "
Submitted By: Mr P Morris
Booked last minute getaway due to wonderful British weather so we where going with what we could get at 24 hours notice.
Arrived at Merlin in the early hours and the night security guard was most welcoming providing bottles of water for worn out travellers. The reception once open later again where most helpful and provided as much detail as we required. The resort is very very quiet so not one for people wanting lots of shopping and wild nights.
Spent a sunny and relaxing two weeks at the Merlin resort which all the local shop owners had nothing but tales of concern about the food etc under it's previous owners but we had no complaints about the food for the two weeks if you want A La Carte food in a all inclusive hotel then you need to pay a lot more than you will to stay at the merlin. The food was plentiful and a range of fish, chicken, meat, pasta or salads always available and if you did not fancy any snacks where always there to fill the gaps at the pool bar. There probably have been more choice for young kids but our six year old never missed a meal and always found something to eat.
The staff where always friendly and helpful and could not complain about anyone of them you usually find one old grump but none here. The entertainment team for the adults worked hard Ben and Hayley never give up trying to get you all involved.
There are always some negatives and those would be the lack of entertainment for the children, however the guy in charge of that was leaving on our last day and a new rep was being brought in so that could well improve. Also the evening entertainment was predominantly around a game of bingo which lasted for ever due to being announced in 7 different languages. Also the shows where a lot of advertising for tours so it was a case of here are the eagles and you can have a photo but it is 20 euros, same with the parrots and the snake shows.
Would we go here again Yes we would as it was a totally value for money holiday.
Arrived at Merlin in the early hours and the night security guard was most welcoming providing bottles of water for worn out travellers. The reception once open later again where most helpful and provided as much detail as we required. The resort is very very quiet so not one for people wanting lots of shopping and wild nights.
Spent a sunny and relaxing two weeks at the Merlin resort which all the local shop owners had nothing but tales of concern about the food etc under it's previous owners but we had no complaints about the food for the two weeks if you want A La Carte food in a all inclusive hotel then you need to pay a lot more than you will to stay at the merlin. The food was plentiful and a range of fish, chicken, meat, pasta or salads always available and if you did not fancy any snacks where always there to fill the gaps at the pool bar. There probably have been more choice for young kids but our six year old never missed a meal and always found something to eat.
The staff where always friendly and helpful and could not complain about anyone of them you usually find one old grump but none here. The entertainment team for the adults worked hard Ben and Hayley never give up trying to get you all involved.
There are always some negatives and those would be the lack of entertainment for the children, however the guy in charge of that was leaving on our last day and a new rep was being brought in so that could well improve. Also the evening entertainment was predominantly around a game of bingo which lasted for ever due to being announced in 7 different languages. Also the shows where a lot of advertising for tours so it was a case of here are the eagles and you can have a photo but it is 20 euros, same with the parrots and the snake shows.
Would we go here again Yes we would as it was a totally value for money holiday.
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:On The Beach
" went in march with my wife and... "
Submitted By: Mr Ian Ferguson
went in march with my wife and daughter,good food ,good entartainment,clean,
good weather.
it is half an hours bus ride to playa americas cost eur 1.5 every half hour we came back by tax at night eur 14
the town has about ten bars and restaraunts if you wish to venture out of the all enclusive.No Nightclubs but bars are open late
It does have a beach with black sand although no body goes on it(very small)
we enjoyed the hotel so much we have booked to go back in August
If you have a lap top it might be worth taking it with you as they have free wirless internet
and there is no english tv apart from news(cnn)
good weather.
it is half an hours bus ride to playa americas cost eur 1.5 every half hour we came back by tax at night eur 14
the town has about ten bars and restaraunts if you wish to venture out of the all enclusive.No Nightclubs but bars are open late
It does have a beach with black sand although no body goes on it(very small)
we enjoyed the hotel so much we have booked to go back in August
If you have a lap top it might be worth taking it with you as they have free wirless internet
and there is no english tv apart from news(cnn)
- Date of Holiday:Mar 2008
- Board Basis:Select
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" just returned from a brilliant... "
Submitted By: Mrs Ma Dyson
just returned from a brilliant holiday at this hotel. weather hot, good views over the town and sea. hotel very clean, rooms done every day apart weekends, clean towels daily etc. food excellent, suits all tastes, staff cannot speak highly enough of them, they cannot do enough for you. Everywhere was clean and tidy, rooms very comfortable (take a kettle if AI)
The best feature of this hotel is the activities for the children of all ages which went on all day and all night, excellent entertaiment staff and a good variety of shows, every night something different
AI. excellent plenty of drinks, 10 am to 11 pm and snacks and ice creams for the kids during the day.
off site plenty of bars open till the early hours, restaurants take aways etc, good bus service and quite central for and outings.
will definately be going again, good family hotel.
The best feature of this hotel is the activities for the children of all ages which went on all day and all night, excellent entertaiment staff and a good variety of shows, every night something different
AI. excellent plenty of drinks, 10 am to 11 pm and snacks and ice creams for the kids during the day.
off site plenty of bars open till the early hours, restaurants take aways etc, good bus service and quite central for and outings.
will definately be going again, good family hotel.
- Date of Holiday:Mar 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" well i have just returnd back from... "
Submitted By: Mr Jp James Parker
well i have just returnd back from tenerife merlin resortand i wanna go back already missing every body, was a fab holiday with 3 greate entertainers hayley sticky and ben, there class!! and the entertainment here is like mint! i went with my little brother mum and dad and my self and we al enjoyed it so its for all ages they get everybody involved!! the place is nice the weather is mint for march there a few nice pubs round corner open til like 5am wich are sutable for couples on your own or even with ya family the whale watching was a good day out although i was sick everywhere !! and the jungle park is decent with some mint animals! i met some greate people out there and would love to be back there i had a greate time and would advise any one to this hotel ben hayley and sticky make your time worth while alone! sorry about the spelling its very late and im very tired but if you come to this hotel you will have a great time and i wud advise it too familys and the kids will love it my little brother harry keeps going on about sticky the bold man haha hes a cool dude like !! anyways im off to bed because its daft o clock, miss every one miss sticky ben hayley katie zoe jason and his girl chris amiee ryan fabien helen gemma nigel and the lost in endless good night every one !!
- Date of Holiday:Mar 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Airtours
" I have just returned from a weeks... "
Submitted By: Mrs J Horsham
I have just returned from a weeks holiday at this resort with my friend and we both enjoyed the holiday very much.The room was clean so was the bathroom we had clean towels every day plus the beds were changed half way through the week.There was a wide selection of food both hot and cold,drink was unlimited and generous.The staff all very pleasant,Sticky the entertains man very great fun also Van a very good alround entertainer,we didn't like the snakes so we stay out of the room until it was over,the birds of prey evening was very interesting.
- Date of Holiday:Jan 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
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Advice: Beautiful part of this island,lovely people
Activities: veiws of the mountains and over te sea