This might be over a couple of posts depending on how my laptop works or doesn't work.
We are family of 3 including DS who is nearly 4.
First package holiday in about 20 years as we've lived abroad and pre DS travelled long haul independently etc.
Arrival through airport once you have your bags is quick. I'd suggest double checking to see how much more expensive it is for a private taxi transfer too and from the airport. In our case it was an additional £2 so we booked it. Transfer is a good 45 minutes.
On arrival no one else waiting at check in so that was smooth - once DS got over being sick as the taxi driver was driving fast. We were taken by golf buggy to our suite. This hotel is all suites so pefect if your children are early to bed.
This hotel is massive. Lots of blocks of accommidation. No block is over 3 stories high.
Rooms large and clean. Only 2 complaints. Balcony door did not have a lock (big gripe here) and shower pressure wasn't great. 2 TVs both showing a fair selection of UK chanels including cbeebies. Mini bar stocked daily with 2 cans of fat cola, 2 litre bottle of water and 2 cans of local beer. Bathroom had a small supply of soap, shower gel and shampoo. Plenty of store space and hangers. Beds not comfy. Good air-con.
Large swimming pools. Quiet one (which is only quiet by lack of entertainment/music at other) is near the snack bar. Large pool and small baby pool. Be early to get beds by baby pool. Water clean but cold.
Snack bar here is pretty poor. Fine if all you want to eat is chicken nuggets and chips or a burger or boiled hot dog. Open from 10 until 6. I wouldn't feed my dog the chicken available but may be that was me as plenty did. Drinks on offer are beer, wine (only one white, one red and one rose), slushie drinks in an array of colours, water. Ocassional yoghurts and fruit were there too but not often.
Main entertainment pool where you can collect your beach towels (15euro deposit required and you can change for clean ones every 2 days), drinks bar serving same as snack bar drinks. Inflatables are up in this pool during the day along with fitness classes and lots of loud music. Again another baby pool and also a children's pool which is part of the pool from the flume slide split into 2. Busy area here as you can imagine. Flume ran a couple of times a day.
Toilets available and good baby change facilities too. All kept very clean.
Kids Club - brilliant facilities. Good UK staff running lots of stuff for children. Day time clubs are generally 10 -12 and 2-4. Some days have extras on from 5 until 6.30. They also do movie nights and run a mini disco every night from 8.30 until 9.30. Closed on a Thursday. You need to sign your kids in and out. Was fairly quiet when we were there so plenty of spaces available. Happy to leave DS. There is also a large soft play area which DS loved. Football grounds, a huge climbing frame area for kids over 6, pony rides. Masses of stuff. The children really are well looked after.
Location of hotel is on top of a very steep hill which makes going out quite a big task. Particularly hard if you have a buggy. Not a huge amount going on in the area but nice enough to visit. Nice beach in Playa Arena. Nice to wander around Los Gigantes but this isn't anything like Las Americas or Los Christianos so if you want to get out and about be prepared that the area is very quiet although the hotel does run a bus to Los Christianos for 3 euro return per person if you want to get to somewhere a bit busier.
The First Choice/Thomson holiday desk (one you can get past them trying to sell you stuff) has some buggies you can borrow. They also have a left overs box with shampoo, sun cream etc left by previous guests. There are also left behind books if you like to read.
to be continued.