Latest Reviews for El Medano

It is a quick transfer from the airport and a car would be a must to explore the rest of the island.

A very modern, luxurious environment with bright, spacious, clean rooms. I went all inclusive and found the service prompt, staff always helpful and food simply excellent. The hotel lends itself to a quiet, relaxing, pool based holiday.

Most boring place ever. Great if you are into sea sports. Still alot of building to be done and alot of cleaning up to do. The people of El Medano are lovely very friendly. Los Chritianos is worthile.

This was supposed to be our last holiday on our own without our child, who is 4 years old.But I am so glad that he was not with us.The Hotel was in the back end of nowhere. Not even a bus went passed the Hotel. All there was for you to do was sunbathe. Even if you wanted a snack by the pool usually there was none left, if you didnt go about 12.00 oclock, they did not replenish. To get a drink at the bar was a complete stand off. We would have all been crowded around like a group of beggars to get a drink of any description. They also ran out of Vodka,Bacardi,Brandy and bottled water which was not replaced until 24hours later. We were A.I. and to be honest we could not really complain about the food. But again it could have been better. The bedding was not changed for 5 days.The entertainment left a lot to be desired. A mini disco for kids and a magician for the adults which both lasted an hour. Then if you were really lucky you got "BINGO" .Supposed to be 4/5 star Hotel "NO WAY." We were there for 6 days, booked for 10. We came home early on a stand-by flight. I have a better social life and nicer surrondings back home in Belfast.

This was supposed to be our last holiday on our own without our child, who is 4 years old.But I am so glad that he was not with us.The Hotel was in the back end of nowhere. Not even a bus went passed the Hotel. All there was for you to do was sunbathe. Even if you wanted a snack by the pool usually there was none left, if you didnt go about 12.00 oclock, they did not replenish. To get a drink at the bar was a complete stand off. We would have all been crowded around like a group of beggars to get a drink of any description. They also ran out of Vodka,Bacardi,Brandy and bottled water which was not replaced until 24hours later. We were A.I. and to be honest we could not really complain about the food. But again it could have been better. The bedding was not changed for 5 days.The entertainment left a lot to be desired. A mini disco for kids and a magician for the adults which both lasted an hour. Then if you were really lucky you got "BINGO" .Supposed to be 4/5 star Hotel "NO WAY." We were there for 6 days, booked for 10. We came home early on a stand-by flight. I have a better social life and nicer surrondings back home in Belfast.

Most boring place ever. Great if you are into sea sports. Still alot of building to be done and alot of cleaning up to do. The people of El Medano are lovely very friendly. Los Chritianos is worthile.

the hotel was very noisy inside and out with banging doors all night long, the food was good if you only eat the salad the rooms are very very basic with no tea making facilities the resort is not clean the locals take no pride in it whatsoever and let there dogs mess everywhere, if you have a sea view opposite the main square you will get so much noise you will have to keep your windows shut at all time as the square hosts all sorts of spanish ding dongs all day long like a drum class for kids so go to christianos instead its beautiful there and so peaceful

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I've been going to El Medano on and off for 20 years, on rather than off. If you want McDonalds, Sky Football, all nightclubs and five star hotels you are in the wrong place. If you want the best natural beach on the island, the best windsurfing in the Canaries, excellent tapas bars, friendly locals at cheaper than home prices read on!

I have never up until now stayed in the Medano Hotel, it's in the heart of the village, jutting out into the sea, next to the village square. It claims to be 3* rated but having worked in the industry for over 10 years really it's a 2. Its position however is five star! The hotel is a little dated inside and under utilised, but its spotlessly clean and the staff are helpful and friendly.

We booked our hotel through Travel Counsellors / Med Hotels Twin for 2 adults and a toddler, half board, 7 nights £255! (Excluding the flights) We upgraded over the telephone with our credit card to sea view and balcony for just 6 Euros per room per night.

THE HOTEL

As Medano Hotel is next to the village square, there is no direct road to it. The taxi rank is at the top of the square, so you have to walk for less than 1 minute over it to the hotels reception. We arrived a little earlier than anticipated the maid was still attending to our room. We left our luggage in the reception and had a drink in the bar for half an hour. The reception is located on the pedestrian walkway and square. You can purchase postcards and newspapers. We hired a safe in the room. They are happy to call taxis or airport for you. There was plenty of excursion information and a lift serving all 5 floors.

Next to the lounge area is the beach, the bar is raised on stilts in to the sea. There are steps into the sea for those who wish not to get sand on their feet! The bar serves meals as well as ice creams. There are loungers on the sun deck (one of three which look out over Medano bay) as well as table and chairs. To the other side an enclosed walkway takes you to the showers, WC' and a small plunge pool. Surprisingly it's a fresh water pool and is heated by the sun. This side is in the shade by mid afternoon - a blessing from the blistering heat elsewhere!
Our room was 205 2nd floor over Medano beach, undisturbed views over the village square, Medano beach, the seafront and Montana Roja. If you stepped out on to the balcony and looked right you can see the awesome Mount Teide peeping through the Las Canadas Mountains.

The room itself had large built in wardrobes with sliding doors, plenty of shelving, a chest of drawers, chair, bedside tables with a drawer in, TV (you had to hire the remote) we didn't watch TV but the only English speaking channels were Euro sport and CNN. There was also a luggage wrack and telephone. On the balcony were 2 chairs and a table. The bathroom was over spacious compared to the room itself! A bath with shower over (high powered) bidet, WC and basin. The towels and bed sheets were bright white and spotless. The maid visited and cleaned every day. Our only complaint was there was no kettle. You couldn't hire one - so bring your own if like my husband your first breathe is for caffeine! There also isn't any room service or hire of fridges. The room had a door to the balcony and an opening window, so going to sleep and waking up to the sound of sea was great!

The Breakfast's were served between 8am and 1030am. The hotel caters for a wide range of clientele. English, Spanish / Canarians, Germans and Dutch etc. A selection of fresh juices, water, hot chocolate, tea and coffee. (PG Tips and Nescafe!) Selection of ham, salami, cheese, tomatoes, pastries, croissants, bread rolls, toast, cereal, yoghurts, jams, marmalades etc, the hot food was limited to two choices. Two of the following at any one time scrambled, fried, boiled egg, beans, bacon, sausage, bacon and Spam.

The Evening meals were served between 630pm and 930pm. The salads were excellent along with your bog standard contents there were then 4 larger bowls of different salads - pasta, coleslaw etc. A good choice of bread rolls, aioli, sour cream etc. Hot food always consisted of a fish dish and meat dish. A choice of vegetables, some form of potatoes. There was always a soup of the day. The deserts were a little disappointing a lack of fresh fruit. Bananas being the main, sometimes cake, yoghurt and some tinned fruit. There was however a good selection of ice creams and sorbets. Drinks wise you ordered what you wanted and paid for it on departure.
Our only disappointment was that no one seemed to make an effort for dinner! I have stayed in many 4 and 5 star hotels worldwide and would recommend the hotel to others making clear in summary its basic, but looked after, great staff, not bad food, the views and location are second to none!

THE VILLAGE

Medano has trebled in size over the last 20 years. But it's the Tenerfians who occupy it with the odd British expatriots and German Surf dude! Yet its heart the village square and beach remains full of character, with tapas bars and restaurants. The seafront is now smart almost posh! Lined with more local tapas bars and restaurants. The beach now has sun beds for hire, free WC's, showers and even lifeguards. There are a few shops gift shops, predominantly designer windsurf clothing shops.

Away from the sea front you will find scattered around endless hairdressers, estate agents and mini markets. There are a few clothing shops, a chemist, dentists etc. Opposite the taxi rank is a organic local food shop. The best place to change you money is the village's oldest travel agents on the main Avenue market ";cambio"; There is a post office, laundrette, vets and a couple of banks and cash machines. There are indeed 100's of restaurants all over the village if you tire of tapas, meat and fish there are other options including sushi, pizza, Italian, Chinese, Creparie, Ice Cream Parlours. There are now 2 English owned bars on the sea front - one blends in with the rest and attracts the locals the other is blatant with sky TV and cod n mushy peas! At least there is no sign of a McDonalds or Burger King! Medano's entertainment relies upon its windsurfing, bars, restaurants, the beach, read a book, sit and watch the world go by or the fishermen bringing their daily catch in the harbour. There are a few children's play parks scattered throughout the plaza. There now is a purpose built skate park and football pitch to the rear of town. A huge petrol station as you enter town. On Saturday mornings a market is held in the square - clothing, souvenirs etc. Out of town on the main road to the motorway is a local produce market - again Saturday mornings. There are a few late bars - one being opposite the harbour - its doors open late till late! In the harbour there are local fishing boats and a couple of expensive looking yachts! Medano is close to the airport but the planes pass by it and not over it! Most people come self-catering to Medano but there are three hotels Medano, del Sur and Windsurf. With this village you love it or you hate it - there is no in between!

Top places to eat /drink
For Tapas - El Timon - on pedestrian old town Paseo Marcial Garcia. Tamboril and Atlantic Tasca both on sea front board walk.
For a more upmarket / romantic meal - Avencios on Calle Avenida Chasna.
For something different - Guarajara Creparie on the side of the main square.
For just a drink and a great view - Bar Avenida (known as Fefos) on the sea front in front of the beach. Playa Chica next to the old harbour.
For a great ice-cream or cake - Neptune on Paseo Pichacho
For a late late night - Goiter opposite the old harbour under apartments Magallanes - Avenida Jose Miguel Galvan Bello
For a street map visit the tourist office on the corner of the square near the taxi rank.