I've never been to Tenerife before and was really unsure about it especially after i saw all the bad reviews about it and heard what Tenerife was like, but a few of my friends have been there and stayed at Columbus before and said it was ideal. I went with a group of 6 girls met 3 out there and i was expecting like everyone said really bad stuff to happen. But it was a complete opposite the hotel must of just been renovated and it looks soo lush now its all marble floor, leather sofas in the lobby, clean and a lovely bar! Although i have to say being my first time to Tenerife i wouldn't say it was ideal for families and older people or couples as when we went the age group in the hotel was from 17- late 20's? Which the rep's also said was a first but for a girly holiday or lads hols it would be perfect the food was lush the staff were soo welcoming everything was just great!! The only downer i guess you could really say was that they were in the middle of refurbishing the other side of the hotel so by the pool area you got a bit of building noise but for young people just stick your ipod in and your fine!! And about the floors you always get dirty feet wherever you go same as most place like that its only 3* !!

Ok, So lets get one thing straight, this place is CHEAP. My friends and I were looking for somewhere central for a long lads weekend in the sun, and we were offered The Columbus for little over £40 pppn for All Inclusive! And to be fair it does exactly what it says on the tin. Yes its dated, its in need of a renovation, the food wouldnt win any Michelin Stars and the building isnt exactly pleasing on the eye, but for the price I really had no complaints. the rooms were fairly clean, the food at the all inclusive was hot and edible and the all inclusive booze (while not exactly free flowing - one drink per person, etc) was cold and easily available.

I think the question of wether I would recommend this hotel to a friend totally depends on what that freind was looking for - If you want a romantic break with a partner in luxorious surroundings, spend a little more and go to one of the many 5* places - La Siesta, Hotel Gala or the Mare Nostrum etc. If you're looking for hen/stag party accomodation, 18-30's style holiday or a cheap getaway then the Columbus is perfect.

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.