Hotel Best Semiramis

We stayed in Puerto de la Cruz for 10 days, from July 9 to July 19, and we really enjoyed our trip! The weather wasn’t great during the first two days, it was cloudy and cool but the rest of the days were warm and even hot. However, even on cloudy days you can easily get a tan or even a sunburn, so be careful with the sun. The hotel is located in a very beautiful area, and if you’re lucky to get a room on the 10th floor or higher, the view from the window is absolutely stunning! The hotel grounds are spacious and lovely, even though the building itself is quite old. One thing that surprised us was that for such a large property with so many guests, there were very few pool tables and ping-pong tables available:( Also, the lobby area where the evening shows took place was too small for the number of people. Many guests had to stand near the bar or by the entrance just to watch the performance. On our last evening, the concert was moved outside by the pool, and it was the best idea ever — we just wish it had been organized this way from the start. The path down to the city is very convenient and quick, but it’s not secured from outsiders, and we saw local teenagers sneak into the hotel grounds a few times while playing around. It would be great if the hotel could install card-access gates for added security. Speaking of key cards, ours got demagnetized 3 or 4 times, and we had to go to the reception to fix it. That was probably the most inconvenient part of our stay. It’s likely due to the old door locks that require inserting the card instead of tapping it. Still, these were just minor inconveniences and didn’t spoil our overall impression of the trip. The nature in this area is breathtaking, and we often visited the local beaches and the natural ocean pools, which are just a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

This hotel is very nice. It seems as though it was an older building that has gone through different refurbishments. There are a few pointers, none of the rooms have tea/coffee making facilities unless you hire a kettle from reception for a fee. All the rooms go down as reception is situated at ground level and you go down the cliff to your floor. Some areas look slightly dated still but staff are extremely pleasant and welcoming. Apparently the lifts can be an issue (not that we experienced any problems), sometimes doors stick and the lifts do not always stop level with the floor so there can be a lip to step up, only an inch or 2. Food was pretty good but seems a bit of a free for all. Looks like only the British queue up to be served, whereas other nationalities just seem to push in. Bar in entertainment room can become very busy and staff are swamped as only 3 working at a time. Amazing views over the sea. Weather can be cloudy due to large hills behind resort.

This hotel is not five star despite the grand entrance. The food was the biggest disappointment. It was very hit or miss, with some good days when fish or chicken was available, but most days it was average at best. Plates were sometimes dirty, which raised concerns about hygiene. The dining experience was also uncomfortable at times, as staff gave awkward looks if you did not order drinks with your meal. Although the building is old, it has been renovated to look nicer. The rooms were actually very good – spacious, clean, and comfortable, with great views. The cleaning staff did a great job and the location is quiet and safe, just ten minutes from the city centre. Overall, this is not a five star hotel. It feels more like a decent four star with major issues in the food and dining area. For the price, it is okay, but there are better hotels with the same rating and cost that offer much better food and service. I would give it three and a half stars.