Royal Albatross Park Reviews

We were very apprehensive about what the accommodation and resort would be like after reading previous comments. However, we all agreed that the accommodation is 3*, just as it says on the front door, and the resort is quiet, but definitely not dead.

The appartments are primarily timeshare, owned by Regency, and when you agree to go there, it is on the understanding that you will attend one of their tours. If you don't go, you will be charged for your accommodation. We went on the tour, and were so pleased we did, they showed us heaven on earth, a fantastic 6* complex with apartments for sale (timeshare). We were so pleased with what we saw, we bought! The reps are lovely, can't do enough for you and there is definately no hard sell. We would have run a mile if they had tried with us.
The Albatros is absolutely fine, in fact, it is really nice. There is constant maintenance of the rooms, they close a small number each year for updating, the gardens and pool are maintained daily and it is a lovely place to stay. They told us that they check the web sites daily for comments so if there is anything bad said then they can act immediately to put it right. The place was very clean, no evidence of litter or dirt lying around.

They have inflatables in the afternoon for the kids to clamber over in the pool and aqua voleyball and gym for the adults. The pool does get busy, but it is never noisey as no music is allowed. Also, it doesn't open till 10am so there is no 7.30 dash with your towels. But do be there for 10 or the beds might go!!
The surrounding pubs and restaurants are absolutely fine, we never had a bad meal there, but did at the Queen Mary II down by the harbour so didn't go back. The Hole in One is gorgeous food, highly recommended.
All in all, we had a great holiday so please don't take too much heed of other peoples comments. You really need to try things for yourself.

We are going back next April, so it can't be that bad!!!!

Golf del Sur is ten mins from the airport so you do get some aircraft noise, but not too bad, apart from the 7.00am flight serves as a wake up call!.

Area is RCI timeshare and hotels, don't expect native tenerife (does that now exist?). Some buidling work going on, but not too much noise.

Area for food is poor. Horrible mexican restuarant, but good but small place with a golf theme - called Hole in One I think. Couple of Irish bars, if you like Sky Sports in bars then they will suffice. Only good resturants in Los Abrigos about ten mins away. Two good fish resturants by the harbour (at the very end near the sea wall). Don't go to the others on the way down, they are not as good.

Played golf on Golf Del Sur. It was excellent. Greens good, challenging course. Three loops of nine holes. Good clubhouse and tennis courts.

Accommodation was ok. Shower didn't work, and a bot tatty but ok for us three men on a golf break. We did keep it tidy - honest! Facilities good, large pool and easy access to resort.

I wish there was a category of less than poor. This place has to be the PITS of the entire hotel industry - I have stayed in better BandB's in the UK, my cats have better accommodatin when they go away and the government put reugees in superior accomodatin to this appalling place.

I have never been so dismayed as when we entered this hotel - to say there are a lot of steps is an understatement - there were hundreds, we were not warned and it COULD have caused severe problems.

There were 4 of us and we were promised a two bedroomed apartment with air con, tv radio etc etc - just what you would expect - we were shown to a dirty one bedroomed hovel! there was dirty linen and cat dishes outside no air con not enough chairs for all for of us to sit not enough linen or towels for all 4 of us a wardrobe less than 1 metre across and 1 drawer. we asked to be moved to what had been booked and we were told to see the rep in the morning - we did and we told we could not as the Germans and French were coming in over the weekend and we would have to wait 3 or 4 days to see if they could move us but even then there was no guarantee!

The Manager was away fishing for the weekend and no one else could make a decision - we moved across the road to a great place called Los Adelfas which was superb - we are fighting to get our money back - if you are offered this place do not touch it with a barge pole - believe us you will be severely disappointed.

We took this holiday for a week away in the sun and basically that is what you get.

The accomodation is sound. Clean and well presented. The general surroundings are well maintained and the pool is well looked after. The only drawback is the number of steps to the blocks closest to the sea and the amount of sunloungers by the pool.

The resort is a hash of what locals think tourists require. The result is a range of bars, shops and places to eat that are forgetable. Foolishly we decided to have an Indian one night - the saag aloo is worth ordering for its comedy value alone. Try the places at the the marina for food.

However all in all for a week in the sun its OK.

The down side - on check in we were shown a poor appt (location only) and asked our ";rep"; if we could move. Our rep was in fact a timeshare salesman who did all he could to get us to his freak show. The list goes on but included threatened eviction from our appt (new one), random visits at all hours, gifts outside our door and notes left for our return. We did not pay to get stalked (I assume it was extra on the package). He was in fact a nice guy but we did not and never will buy a timeshare, however they would not take no for an anwser. Our week was spoilt by this and does nothing to enhance the industy reputation.

All in all if you want a week in the sun, pleasent surroundings and your very own stalker then this is the place for you.

We stayed at Park Albatros as a Bonus Week with RCI. Our week here followed a bonus week at Santa Barbara nearby. We arrived at 9:50am and our room was ready. It cost 14 Euro rental for a safety box, with a 10 Euro returnable deposit. Our room (271) on the first floor was near to reception, but away from the pool, with lift access from reception. It would be difficult to get to the pool from our apartment if you have difficulty walking up and down stairs.

Good Points:
Check-in was quick and efficient. We had a soft approach from the sales rep, but absolutely no pressure. They seemed to be concentrating on the freebies (those on a free week who had agreed to the sales presentation).
Staff are all very friendly, and speak good English, although they are more than happy to assist if you wish to try a little Spanish.
Well maintained mature gardens all around resort with active gardeners around every day. Maintenance men were also in evidence, touching up scuffed whitewash around the resort. A security guard was present 24/7.
Large pool, lifeguard on duty all day, although the waterfall was not working whilst we were there.
Reception Bar - Tapas (different every day) Lovely and cheap. Also sandwiches and toasties.
The poolside Bar was good for Pizzas, salads, main meals.

Bad:
The walk/stairways up to the rooms looked like they hadn't been washed down in some time and certainly weren't washed whilst we were there, although the main area around the pool was cleaned every morning without fail.
The cushion covers for the balcony chairs were in a bad state of repair, faded and torn.
The sun beds around the pool were packed together like sardines. The pool area did get very busy most afternoons.

Nearby Bars and Restaurants:
Wild Geese Irish Bar. Good food daily 12.00-5.00pm and entertainment every night 10pm-midnight.
La Marina restaurant. Fantastic seafood (grilled sea bass, 12 Euro). However, if you order the Chateau Briand, tell them you want it well done, unless you want it to bleed on the plate! Better still, just stick to the seafood!
Hole in One Bar. Small bar lovely Tapas and a la carte menu which we did not try.
Golden Bay Chinese. Good, inexpensive Chinese nosh. (Try their Tie Pan sizzling dishes)
Winter Gardens. Complex including 8 lanes for bowling (not ten pin) costing 6 Euro/hour +1 Euro shoe hire. You can book in for sessions when club bowlers are not playing. Club days seem to be Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday mornings. Drinks can be ordered, whilst bowling, from the poolside bar. Also have theme evenings most nights such as BBQs, Mexican Night etc., although we didn't attend any.

San Blas Commercial Centre (20 mins. walk along the seafront or 3 Euro by taxi)
Gulliver's Grillhouse. Not cheap, but very good.
Rendezvous. Small restaurant. Good quality food. Massive pork chops when featured on specials board.
Great Wall Chinese. Advised by ex-pats that this was the best of four Chinese in San Blas and weren't disappointed. Try the deep fried battered king prawn starter.
La Opera - We were advised to give it a miss and we did!