Perla Hotel

7 readers found this review helpful

I am 52, and amazed that it has taken all this time to find what has to be the most perfect winter holiday destination and resort you can find within sensible flying distance of GB. Yes there were clouds, and yes there was rain, but they did come as pleasant relief to what is a glorious winter sun destination.
I feel I have to say this though as the NW facing coast does come in for some stick on rainfall; if you are after a genuinely authentic place to stay avoiding the misplaced Lego resorts like Las Americas, it is really worth braving the odd shower to stay in the beautiful resort and town of Puerto de la Cruz.
Anyway, that said, this is all about the hotel. We did search the internet extensively for reviews before we left, and we did have mild reservations when we found a few bad ones. But we need not have worried as these must have been old reviews, or as with anywhere the odd dissatisfied customer having a go.
Our opinion was (family of 4 adults - 2 double rooms) it was absolutely brilliant, and as a keenly priced 3 star was well worth the money. The reception, halls, pool, jacuzzi, sauna, bars and terraces (communal areas) were all meticulously clean and were perfectly adequate for the hotels size.
The rooms were a good size with full bath suite, good but small TV and well chosen ambient music. The bathrobe and kettle were missing and the fridge as usual was not that efficient, but these were all very minor issues and had no effect on our holiday enjoyment whatsoever. The balcony (we were 3rd floor possibly the best level), offered a good outlook over a small ravine complete with noisy cockerel, shepherd and his goats all adding authenticity (and all in the middle of town).
The hotel is well off the beaten track (15 mins from the front by foot) in a residential location (our one complaint would be that the hotel web page does not have a detailed map - as believe me, it is almost impossible to find if you do your own transfers), but we like it that way. And I am sure there are many others out there that appreciate this also.
The food, it would be easy to criticise if compared to restaurant 'a la carte' as I feel most people have done when criticising in this area before. But this is not, it is a buffet and an extremely well run one at that. There was always a good combination of hot and cold food (we were half board so I can only comment on breakfast and evening meals), and all well stocked right up to closing (as we were always late). Having said this, we did notice a significant improvement in this area during our stay, so it is pleasing to see that the hotel is always looking for improvements in all areas - keep it up.
Again, I have to say this as it happened, but how do you keep fish as if just cooked on a hot buffet? (Smaller portions regularly changed I would suggest?) This is a general issue and not specific to this hotel, but the fish was overcooked unless you 'caught' a fresh tray and this is a shame as this is one of the reasons a lot of people visit these islands. But overall the food was always well cooked, salads well presented and very fresh, and combinations well thought through. Something for everyone, unless you like Blackpool food which is clearly what a couple of reviewers before me do. So with respect to them, why don't they just stay in England?
It is up a good climb from the centre (and I do mean climb), but we enjoyed the exercise, and the hotel as promised operated a very good free bus service to the centre of town.
And finally but not the least by any stretch, the staff. They were excellent, if not a little strict. But you do not mind being 'ordered' to wait at the restaurant entrance, so you can be led to a fully prepared table setting and have a waiter ready to take your wine order. This perceived and necessary control leads to an exceptionally well run family hotel.
And to cap it all the car hire is the cheapest I have seen. So if going independently, before booking transfers check the Airport car hire companies. 2 weeks hire with insurance and accident waiver (but excluding petrol - which is extremely cheap anyway), was less that the transfer to this resort.