This is a good hotel in general. The food is ok, location good and the rooms on the top floor are very comfortable. The renovation work was a little loud at times, but not for sustained periods. The staff are helpful, courteous and hard-working. Sunbeds were sometimes hard to come by, but this is to be expected in an all-inclusive establishment.

We travelled in late July for two weeks. We are: TWO adults; ONE boy aged 13 years; ONE girl aged 10 years. We went on budget, self catering.

On reading some of the reviews on this forum, I was beginning to dread what was waiting for us.

After all said and done, we were pleasantly surprised. Also, pleasantly disappointed with some aspects of the hotel.

On check-in, the man receptionist was efficient. Not particularly friendly, but certainly not rude. Our room was on 5th floor, facing outwards towards road rather than overlooking pool. We hired a safe and remembered to keep the receipt.

There is NO aircon (although I believe there is some on top floor) so in the middle of summer you have to open windows or it's sweltering. There are fans to rent, we chose not to. Therein, because of the proximity of the hotel, we were subject to outside noise as well as internal sounds.

The room was spacious and very tidy. All appliances worked. The floor was dirty and it's black foot soles for the duration of the holiday. Our laundry and bed linen was replaced by clean EVERY day of our stay - we thought that was more important than clean floor.

As we were self catering, all our breakfasts and about a third of our evening meals were cooked "at home". Three supermarkets (including a Spar!) were very close and took banana card discount. Why would ANYONE go all inclusive in Tenerife???? There are so many food outlets to cater for wide variety of tastes/appetite. Snacks to restaurants, some real bargains to be had foodwise including all you can eat Chinese for 6.5EU!!! That's better that UK.

On the second weekend of our stay, some friends we had made complained to their rep about the previous nights loudness within hotel and the quality of food options. We were out at Jungle and came back to find about a dozen people with their bags packed awaiting hotel transfer. It says something for the quitness of the resort that there was plenty of room to move if you wanted to.

There were groups of Brit/Irish youths. As well as couples. As well as families, particularly with small children (10 and under). I have to be honest, apart from one Saturday night, the noise level past 11:30pm was bearable where we were. I never heard anyone complain about drunken youths spoiling their holidays.

WHAT WE LIKED:
As I said before, our towels were replaced every day.
The hotel pretty much left us alone to enjoy our stay. There was one lady receptionist whom was Welsh (!) we found very helpful.
Big balconies that enabled us all room to eat.
The location - it is in the middle of everything if you need supplies quickly.
The pools were warm and clean. The pool area was looked after and sun beds comfortable. Access to pool was never restricted and always supervised by lifeguard.
The quality of evening guest entertainment was stunning. I know that isn't hotel run, because there's a circuit, but they must pay for it.
Lifts worked for vast majority of the holiday stay.
Felt safe to let the kids stay up as there is security guards and the bar closes around 11:30pm.
There is a great Spanish entertainment lady with a great sense of humour. She helps brings the kids out of their shells a little. The other guy looks a little different, but he's good at balloon making for the young ones.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE:
Ongoing structural work meant the workmen started early waking us up. It appears one of the wings of the hotel is still under refurbishment as of mid August 2010. A noisy poolside too with drills and hammers being employed.
We didn't try the food but not one person whom did, said they liked it. Common complaints were: no change in menu and poor quality.
Table tennis required 10EU deposit and 1.5EU for every half hour. It stops for some reason at 10pm.
The pool tables are 1EU (around 85p) to play. One morning, the table let everyone play for free. There was 'out of order' sign in afternoon. They couldn't let anyone play for a bit while they arranged for it to be repaired. You could still get some enjoyment but no. Skinflints.
There not enough sunbeds for amount of guests. If you plan to spend day by pool you have to get there by 09:30 or you will have to lie/sit somewhere else.
We thought there could be more activities for kids. Every day there was table tennis, darts, pool, water polo. On Tuesday and Thursday's there is football arranged at training pitch opposite hotel. We know it's difficult to cater for every age group, but we thought there could be more swimming pool based activities ie: water aerobics, swimming competitions, water volleyball, etc.
In my opinion, there isn't enough staff to cater for all-inclusive and self catering guests. Be prepared to queue.
If all the guests choose to watch entertainment, there is'nt enough space or chairs and tables for everyone. Also, the air con in the entertainment area is inadequate for summer nights.
On walking around the unused wing side of the hotel there is tagged graffitti and unkept foliage. The whole feel is of a seventies hotel that hasn't been brought up to date.


To conclude: it really does depend on what you want out of this place. Our agenda was to only use our room for sleep, shower and s***in, with the odd home cooking thrown in. It's gonna be noisy and some of that isn't the hotel's fault.

It may sound obvious but you basically get a 3* service for a 3* hotel.

I don't normally write reviews, however I think with the previous fussy reviews that I would write one. I was absolutely dreadding staying at this hotel after reading the bad reviews on here.

The hotel has some renovation work going on at the moment, this did not spoil the holiday one bit. We heard people complaining at reception & thought it was a bit "soft" of people to do this. After a day or so, you just get used to the noise, which in my opinion wasn't too loud at all. The sound was blocked out by kids playing in the pool anyway. Or simply take an MP3 player or something. When the work is all done, I think this hotel is going to be great!!!

We stayed all inclusive & thought it was brill for the price we paid!!!

I read in previous reviews that the bar staff were rude.... Not true at all!! I thought they were really nice and friendly!! All the soft drinks are well known branded drinks, beer was ok and the spirits were just local brands for all inclusive, but if you are S/C they they give you the good brands. We definitely got our moneys worth on the all inclusive drinks!!!!!!! The bar area has just been renovated, which looks really nice.

Food was ok, just your typical Spanish all inclusive. Brakfast was ok with cereals, toast, eggs, bacon, baguette, etc. Lunch time in the restaurant was ok too, they had different meats on (sometimes steak), stews, paella, salads, chips, gravy, soup (delicious soups), you could always find something you like. We never ate evening dinner at the hotel, as we like to eat out in the evenings, so couldn't really comment. The pool area served chips, toasties, hotdogs, baguettes, ice cream, etc, which was fine.

We stayed in a room facing the pool. We did hear quite a bit of noise from other guests.... But has anyone ever stayed in a sound proof hotel before?!?!?! The towels were changed every day, bath & sink cleaned every day. We had the floors mopped 2 times in our week stay. The cleanliness of the hotel isn't as bad as some people have made it out to be. Never saw one cockroach at the hotel, which is a good thing as when we went out and about around Las Americas we saw absolutely loads!!!!

The location of the hotel is superb. There a few restaurants opposite the hotel and plenty more surrounding the hotel. It's only a 10 minute walk to Veronicas/ Starcos area. Vistas beach is only a 15 minute walk away too.

Oh yes ..... TOWELS & SUNBEDS .... If you think it's a good idea to get up early to reserve a sunbed with your towel and don't actually plan on staying there (eg, going back to bed for a while or to the beach then expect to still have your sunbed), then don't bother!!! Your towel will be taken off, folded & put to one side if you aren't at the sunbed when the security guard comes round!!! I actually agree with this, as people were saving sunbeds & not bothering to come back until later in the day!!!! The pool area has just been refurbished, which looks very nice, although I think that the floor around the sunbed area could do with a good scrub once in a while.

If you want 5* experience, then pay for 5* somewhere else. This hotel is obviously is not 5* (you get what you pay for), but once the renovation is complete, then I think this hotel will be fantastic!!!!!

If you are all inclusive and get someone on S/C a drink and get caught, then you will have you A/I wristband taken off you!!!! If you require another card for the room, you can purchase one for 2 euro. If you need to keep your room on before you depart, then it's 30 euro for a normal room, or 50 euro for a one bedroom apartment.

Hope this helps if you are thinking of staying at the Columbus. I really wouldn't be too worried!!!

We were worried when booking after reading reviews, but I have to say that in our 2 weeks at the Columbus, I think some are borne out of either choosing a hotel aimed at families so not suitable for their party or being a family and suffering at the behaviour of some of the more younger traveller. We were self catering so can't comment on the food.

First impressions - we arrived at night to a brand new reception and pool area which were both spotless, well lit, clean and modern in look/ feel. Quick and efficient check in despite the queue, no complaints about rude receptionists or staff as suggested because we didn't get that impression in any way.

Room and maid service - yes the room is a bit dated style-wise but everything was there and working. All rooms are being refurbed following the communal areas and if they match these new areas in quality then this will get the Columbus its 4th star easily. The room was spotless despite aged furniture and we also got upgraded to an apartment from studio without asking. Maid service was daily - towels were changed daily, beds were made daily, the room was cleaned properly daily. As smokers, we had an ashtray on the balcony (no smoking in the room), and the ashtray was even cleaned waiting for us daily as were any dishes we left - as self catering I don't expect my dishes to be washed up and my clothes folded up after us placed neatly for the next use. Maids were pleasant, chatty, and quickly efficient.

Facilities and entertainment - we didn't eat at the hotel so can't comment on food though I judge that variety was a bit of an issue though quality wasn't. Certainly enough food types to keep fussy kids happy though. Entertainment was daily but repeated on a weekly basis - if you're not spending every night in the hotel (ie not all-inclusive) then you can catch anything missed over the 2 weeks so shouldn't be a big problem - quality of entertainment was good though if a little short in the best parts. Kids are kept entertained through the day. No reserving sunbeds overnight - everything around the pool is cleaned and re-arranged but you still have to be fairly quick in the morning to grab a bed - that said there are plenty to cover most residents. Because of the refurb only one restaurant open and the main reception bar but hairdresser and other essential bits such as pool tables etc up and running. You also have supermarkets (2 of) right below hotel along with other restaurants, bar and shops.

Located on edge of Las Americas next to Los Christianos and only 750m to beach with loads of shops/restaurants/bars within minutes and much better overall than suggested by some. The only loudness we heard was from those who had had a few too many and banging on doors, being loud at 4am and they were swiflty pulled up by the hotel security which is only fair to other guests. One party calling the hotel '**$# robbers" because they were getting charged for damaging furniture at 5am - well have some respect next time? Even the building works refurbing the rooms on one side of the hotel was very unobtrusive and relatively quiet. Would love to see the rest of the hotel when complete.

Deserving of a lot more praise than its been giving, and a lot less criticism than its been receiving.