Annapurna Hotel Tenerife

Alborada Beach Club is a mid-range resort hotel that's showing its age -- it was built in 1980, and it's one of the older properties in the area. This U-shaped hotel consists of three sections of rooms, many with beach views only partially obscured by the occasional towering palm tree. There's a mix of hotel rooms and privately owned residences here, but the vibe is decidedly resort-like. The majority of guests are British families -- not uncommon on the south of the island -- though there are plenty of Spaniards here, too. Most of the activity takes place within the confines of the hotel, particularly around the massive saltwater pool and in the adjacent bar, where a mix of Latin and American pop music is blasted all day long. But there's direct access to a small, golden-sand beach cove for swimming where couples head for more privacy. 

Alborada Beach Club is located right on the main road that runs through Las Galletas on the southern coast of Tenerife. There are shops, bars, and restaurants nearby, plus a pharmacy right across the street, and the area is fairly busy except during afternoon siesta when shops close. Bus number 467 also stops here and offers direct service to Playa las Americas every 20 minutes (or every half hour on Sundays). The journey takes about 35 minutes, or roughly 20 minutes by car. Here, you'll find plenty of theme parks, such as Aqualand and Siam Park, mini-golf at the sprawling 18-hole Vivo Las Americas, the Jungle Park wildlife park, and entertainment options ranging from casinos to comedy shows. Attractions farther afield include Loro Parque, which is about a 60-minute drive from the resort, and has marine life and mammals. Mount Teide, a beautiful volcano at the center of the island, which has a cable car, an astronomical observatory, and plenty of high-altitude hiking opportunities, takes 75 minutes to reach by car. Masca, the base for trekking through the popular Masca Valley, is a 45-minute drive from the hotel. The airport is about 15 minutes away by car or 45 minutes by bus 415.

Alborada Beach Club offers two-bedroom apartment-style guest rooms and a handful of one-bedroom units, all with dated decor and furniture that shows wear, but they're still comfortable and tidy. Living rooms are spacious, with faded pull-out sofas, plus dining tables and chairs. Kitchenettes contain mini-fridges with small freezers, microwaves, two-burner cooktops, electric kettles, and basic cookware and dishes. All have large balconies or terraces with plastic tables and chairs, many with ocean views, but units lack air-conditioning (fans can be rented from the front desk for a small fee), and there's a fee for in-room safes and Wi-Fi. Bedrooms have similarly dated decor, with old-looking bedspreads, large lighted vanities, and ample closet space. Mattresses -- all of which were replaced in 2015 -- are exceptionally comfortable. Couples, however, should note that double beds are two twins pushed together. Windows open, but street-side units can get some noise from traffic.Bathrooms are simple, with shower/tub combos, bidets, pedestal sinks with limited counter space, and large mirrors. Accessible rooms have walk-in showers; all others have shower/tub combos. Bar soap and towels are provided, but guests should otherwise expect to bring their own toiletries. Hairdryers are available free of charge (with a refundable deposit) from reception. 

Alborada Beach Club has plenty of features aimed at family travelers, though the star attraction without argument is its enormous ocean-facing pool. It's filled with seawater and drained out and pressure-cleaned on a weekly basis. Along with plenty of lounge chairs, there's a bar with an outdoor seating area full of tables, plus additional indoor seating. Outside next to the pool deck, there's a pool table and a ping pong table. Guests should be aware that high tides in summer can cause the pool area to flood, and it's open to outside guests for a fee (although it doesn't get a ton of non-residents). There's also a charge for loungers and pool towels, and sunbeds can be rented through reception, with add-ons such as bottles of wine or local sparkling cava. Family-friendly amenities include a kids' pool, a sandy playground with a few colorful play structures and swings, and an adjacent kids' club with colorful interiors and activities galore, including games and arts and crafts. The Pool Bar has a small section with arcade games and foosball off to one side, and offers a children's mini-disco every evening, just before the evening entertainment (a rotating mix of magic shows, drag queen performances, karaoke, snake and bird shows, and even Flamenco). There's also an activity desk and morning presentations (in English) going over all of the possible excursions in the area. Other facilities include a dive shop, a medical center, and a few boutiques on the property, but they aren't operated by the hotel. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property for a fee, though it's free for those who book directly through the hotel website (with a minimum stay of five days). Guests also have the option of renting Samsung tablets that can be used for connecting up to five devices. Tablet rentals are purportedly faster, but during our visit we had connection issues. There are also two computer workstation in the lobby (for a fee), and other "business" facilities include two meeting rooms that are mostly used by tour operators with larger groups. They lack audiovisual equipment (except for a TV in one) and they're a bit stuffy, located in the hotel's lower level, though they do have windows that let in some natural light. There's no on-site parking, but there is a fair bit of parking on the surrounding streets and a rocky parking lot across the street, where guests can leave their cars free of charge. There's also a self-service laundry facility. Late check-out is available for a fee depending on availability, and there are lockers (for a fee) and showers for guest use in a dedicated lounge area. 

While around 90 percent of guests at Alborada opt for the hotel's all-inclusive packages, breakfast-only and half-board (breakfast plus either lunch or dinner) options are also available. All-inclusive packages include soft drinks, coffee, tea, local spirits, wine, and beer. The Pool Bar has automatic coffee-making machine, and soft drinks dispensers. The restaurant serves basic meals three times a day, which usually consist of fries, a meat dish, a couple of vegetable sides, a few salads, breads, and a basic dessert table, plus beer and wine. The offerings are scant and food quality is mediocre at best, and it may be worth considering a breakfast-only package if you decide to stay here.