Tenerife in Feb half term

[wonderstuff]

Really want some winter sun this year, thinking about Tenerife. Never been before. Have DS12 and DD15. Thinking AI might be fun, but again never done that before, not ever enjoyed a package holiday, but last time we tried were super cheap deals before we had the kids.

Anyone with experience and advice?

Tenerife or grand canaria in Feb will be lovely, not 30+ degrees but nice enough to be in the pools/beach etc with maybe a cardi at night if you feel cool.
lots to do there too if you fancy a day out.

AI is the same where ever you go unless you can go really top end. Read reviews, set your expectations realistically (great for kids who are picky but not a food lovers paradise).

Haven’t done AI but Tenerife is great, although I actually preferred Lanzarote.

Interesting, what made Lanzarote better?

Good to know, what is considered ‘top end’ really debating budget and whether to do AI or B&B plus eating out. I’m thinking the kids will like being able to get drinks and snacks whenever, but we aren’t particularly big eaters and kids are fairly adventurous in what they’ll try.

We did Tenerife one Christmas and were able to swim in the sea. Cardigan at night. February will be fine.

I’ve not a package holiday type of person either. But we tried Tenerife for the first time in 2019. We went to Costa Adeje. Our hotel was the Gran Costa Adeje, it was really nice. Our kids were similar ages and loved the choice of nice quality food and a bit of cheesy entertainment at night. Therr were organised activities if you like that kind of thing, during the day, but we like to do our own thing .There was a nice mini golf course which we had at least one game of every day (we got competitive amongst ourselves ha ha). And table tennis and tennis courts etc.

We visited Mt Teide and also walked to a nice little fishing village nearby. It’s at the posher end of Costa Adeje. And Best Bit- they are strict on selfish people putting towels on sunloungers then buggering off for 4 hrs!

Depends what you call top end. I am never doing a budget package hotel again. They’re just not worth it. But 5* Tenerife AI food should be pretty good. Food was excellent (hopefully not gone downhill post COVID). We ended up having lunch AND dinner at the main restaurant though cos it was so nice, and having starter, mains and dessert. None of piled our plates high, we just liked the different courses. And cava on tap. Needless to say we all gained weight! My kids really liked AI as it meant they could try just a bit of something new and didn’t feel guilty if they didn’t like it. My son was getting into smoked eel and all sorts of stuff he would never have ordered off an a la carte menu for fear that he had chosen badly.

Really useful, thank you. Seems that hotel is fully booked for Feb half term, so must be good!

There are some lovely 5 star hotels in Costa Adeje.
The Iberostar Anthelia is gorgeous- although super pricey these days, and really anything up to and including the Sheraton La Caleta are in good locations.

Did you look on Jet2 Holidays? I’d be surprised if it was booked up.

Thank you. Iberostar does look lovely. Debate at the moment is do we pay that sort of price and hope it lives up to high expectations, or do we pay for a more moderate hotel knowing we’ve got budget to eat out if it’s not great….

Yes, and Tripadviser and the hotel website direct..!

Our friends stayed at Hotel Best Jacanda, which I think is 4 star. She said food and rooms were good.

Also rereading what you have put, I'm not sure you'd enjoy AI - particularly if you've not been on a package holiday before.

There are loads of restaurants at all price ranges at Costa Adeje and things to do such as Siam Park water park.

I'd go B&B and save budget for excursions and meals out.

Fuerteventura was warm and sunny in February this year. A couple of showers, but only an hour or so over the week. I spent the week on the balcony overlooking a beach, had a jacket for the evenings but only ever needed a cardigan.

I like Iberostar as a chain. We have booked the one in Marrakesh for the second time. We rarely go back to hotels as there usually another one I want to try.

We're in Tenerife right now and it's lovely. If doing a hotel I'd go B&B so you can still enjoy all the restaurants outside the hotel - there are loads of great restaurants in Costa Adeje and Las Americas. Not expensive.

The hotel Bahia del Duque is great as is the Gran Costa Adeje.

@1Wanda1 - I've always wanted to stay in the Bahia Del Duque but I don't think our budget will stretch that far.

Sorry OP one more thing about the Anthelia- we were B&B only and the breakfast was the best ever, however I was glad we weren't HB as it appeared to be buffet style and for the price of it I prefer to make an event of the evening meal and go somewhere nice, as I find buffets mean the meal is over quickly and is not as enjoyable.

It also means you could turn right and walk the half hour or so to La Caleta which has amazing sea food in a more traditional village.

I prefer Fuerteventura, beautiful beaches, but Tenerife is probably better for teens.

Thanks so much for these recommendations. A week ago we were thinking we’d do Florida (again) but it’s so far and although flight prices are pretty similar, Tenerife would be so much easier.

I am thinking b&b might be the thing, have ruled out Iberostar Anthelia for AI as it’s just too expensive, could do b&b there though. Also thinking about doing Sun-Friday because flights are quite a bit cheaper. Always takes me an age to book holidays as I have to check all the options.

DH is keen to do a day at Siam park and would be nice to visit one of the nature reserves and take a boat out to look for dolphins.

That sounds fantastic!

We were in La Caleta last night and there were indeed many seafood restaurants, which looked great, along the seafront. Also an amazing looking steakhouse called Char which I'm keen to return to.

Kids love seafood!
Okay I’m going to book b&b somewhere in Adeje, possibly the Iberostar.. exciting!!

Then it’ll be west Wales Haven this summer.

Im so sad the summer is ending, but this will cheer me right up.

I'd recommend finding a hotel with a heated swimming pool if possible (and if you/you're kids are into swimming). As the weather won't be too hot, unheated pools can be a bit nippy in Feb!

We did Lanzarote in April. Pleasantly warm during the day. Needed cardigan in the evening. Pools were freezing.

Yes I think that’s essential, dh likes to swim but not if it’s cold. I’ve noticed a couple of places where the pools are closed at 6pm as well and we also like an evening swim, although maybe it will be too cold? I read that wetsuits made Siam Park more comfortable in winter.