Tenerife/Cyprus/Lanzarote

[MessyNDepressy]

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I am looking at booking a holiday for DS (13) and I for next June. It’s our first holiday abroad together and my first since I was very small. I am looking at Costa Adeje and Callao Salvaje in Tenerife - I like the look of Siam park, Lori Parque, Mount Teide etc. I don’t have the largest budget, probably around £2.3k max for one week, preferably half board. I have shortlisted Iberostar Dalias and Bouganville, GF Isobel and Gran, Hard Rock Hotel and Tropical Park for Tenerife - does anyone have any experience of these hotels with a teenager?

I also really like the look of the H10 Rubicon Horizons in Lanzarote and the Mare Paphos in Cyprus but I know less about these areas. There looks to be a good water park in Cyprus and some really cool ruins/archaeological sites there which we would love.

Any advice would be most welcome!

Not with a teen but loved Iberostar Bouganville, nice pools (though sunbeds a little crowded together) great location, great food and drinks, excellent service. Would definitely stay again on our next visit to Costa Adeje.
Loved Teide, some great walks, it is cold at the top if you take the cable car and the air is thin so can result in a headache, if clear can see the other islands.

We didn’t like Lanzarote. The hotel was lovely but it was always windy and that made using the pool tricky as DD would be cold afterwards.

Would 100% say Cyprus. Did Tenerife twice was ok, but Cyprus was lovely and we are going back again this summer as it had so much to offer.

Hated Lanzarote. Such weird landscape, very little green and lots of wind. Would not go back. I hear Tenerife is much nicer.

We went to Tenerife at Easter and loved it. Heard negative things about Lanzarote and that's it gets quite windy. We stayed in Puerto de Santiago which was quieter and a bit further out. We did a day trip to Costa Adeje and it certainly has more life so probably preferable with a teenager and closer to Siam Mall and water park. Also closer to the airport. Kids loved Loro Parque. They still talk about it now.

Absolutely love Cyprus. Like Tenerife as well, but not been for years. Never been to lanzarote.

I love Costa Adeje we have been every year for the past 6 years bar COVID. We stayed at Gran Tacande most times but I hear good things about the GF Gran. Gran Tacande will be out of your budget, but this year we are staying at Royal Sunset Beach Club to save a bit of money. What we love about it is the range of restaurants, bars, entertainment and walks along the sea front. It has everything! We also love hikes so we book on planned ones where we get taken up North Tenerife for hiking, it's beautiful.

I've just booked Rubicon for a few night next months. Can let you know how it goes but worried now after hearing people say its so windy there

I really like Cyprus but find Tenerife a bit soulless. I've never been to Lanzarote so can't comment on there but I imagine it to be like Tenerife. I'd definitely pick Cyprus and the waterpark is good in Paphos.

Totally agree. Lanzarote left me cold. Tenerife ok, but Cyprus hands down the best of the three.

I regularly go to tenerife.

I've stayed at the gf isabel. Much more suited to under 10s . I'd cross that off your list.

The gf gran is better for teens. It's a huge hotel but great pools and they policecreservations of sunbeds which is fabulous. Just had a renovation too. Location probably not the best good 10 mins to beach.

I've not stayed at the iberostar Las dalias but it gets good reviews as a family all inclusive. Costa adeje is great but huge

I would post on the tenerife trip advisor forum where you will get great advice and help.

Cyprus, uses Euro, 4 hours flight, many English speakers, history and geographical significance cannot be underestimated, there's a reason the UK still has a base there.

We were in Tenerife last year and Lanzarote the year before and liked both, but there is definitely more to do in Tenerife.
My only issue with Tenerife was everything felt busy and crowded because it was bigger.
We stayed at GF Gran which was lovely but never 5* in a million years but little shopping centre next door was fantastic, and location was pretty good although the kids moaned a bit walking up the hill from the beach.
We were there in August, so June might be better.
We loved Loro Parque and Siam and Mount Teide - although we only went up and down cable car - you have to apply for a licence for hikes.

Going rogue here but we loved Gran Canaria and went there a year or so after going to Cyprus
puerto Mogan was lovely and felt more relaxed than Cyprus

I'm going to go against the grain and recommend Lanzarote. I think it's a wonderful place, just fascinating. I love the volcanic landscapes and how creative people are in what they've done with them - even making a concert venue in an old lava stream. Everywhere is low rise, it has a nice chilled vibe and a proper island-folk feel to it. There's a couple of fun theme parks too, all very clean and organised.

I'm with a PP, lanzarote is stunning and I'm just back, beautiful beaches, amazing landscape, no ugly high rise hotels (PDC), plenty green, and it's no windier than the other islands imo.

But, I wouldn't say there was much to do for teens

We have stayed at Las Dalias and Bougainville with our teen. Las Dalias is a bit more friendly and better for teenagers I think.

Really didn’t like Cyprus. Just so…. British.

Lanzarote has some amazing scenery, good surfing, great resorts.

Tenerife good fun but bigger and more touristy.

I’d go Lanzarote every time….

How about Fuerteventura? We go regularly to Caleta de fuste (also known as costa caleta) its only 15 mins from airport so no long transfer. Gorgeous beaches, can get around island on bus to explore sand dunes, also a lovely zoo around 40 mins away. Nice safe little town, small play parks, shops, a good market. Safe and quiet. We stay at Barcelo, all inclusive. Right on the beach front

I’m not a fan of Lanzarote. Fairly windy which can get annoying. So I would give it a miss.

You can also go to lanzarote on a day trip from Fuerteventura. Around 50 mins to other end of island (corralejo) and can get boat to lanazarote. Takes 30 mins. Also at Coralejo there is a water park. Very family friendly

Exactly this!

Siam Park is brilliant , we went out of school holidays no queues and all . My ds11 said it was the best day of his life ! S based on that I would go for Costa Adeje

I agree. Lanzarote is really special, absolutely beautiful

I’m another Lanzarote fan. It’s a volcanic landscape (like being on the moon), and there is plenty of stuff to do like the Cesar Manrique houses, volcano tour, and visit to the black beach at El Golfo. If you have a car there are some great beaches in the north which are a bit wilder than the town beaches. I’m also a fan of the strong breeze!
I’ve stayed at Rubicon Horizons and liked it - the food is good, and the hotel is decent. The only thing I’d say is that it’s located quite a walk from town so isn’t the best if you don’t drive, and wouldn’t be an exciting place for a teenager if that’s what they’re after.