Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife

Louise Adams

We spent a week here in December 25 as an extended family with 4 kids between 1 and 5. Overall this hotel is okay, but not great. I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t return again, but the price point is comparable to other 5 star resorts in Tenerife and the quality just doesn’t match. The good: - Lots of kids club entertainment with variety (slime making, magic show etc.) - The evening shows are really fantastic, potentially some of the best we’ve seen in a hotel. Very professional with great costumes. - The snack bar is open all afternoon and it’s very easy to order and the food comes quickly. - The fitness classes and the gym are good. - Housekeeping was organised and always came when we were out of the room with the sign on the door - The Asian restaurant was very good. - The rooms themselves are nice and spacious and well-equipped for a family of 4. The not-so-good - The reception desks can’t deal with the size of the hotel. This is a combination of the sheer number of guests (it’s a big resort), there only being 3 desks, of which often only 1 or 2 were open, and the unbelievably slow check-in processes. Despite having done all the pre-check-in forms, it just took forever. The amount we had to pay on check in was scribbled down by hand on a piece of paper. I don’t know how their computer systems are, but it just felt wildly inefficient. - The pools were too cold for small kids. They say they are heated (which I think they are, just not much!) but they were generally around 24 degrees, which with December air temperatures and the wind this spot gets, is not nearly warm enough for young kids. I’d suggest they should crank up the heating much more on just one of the pools… this is meant to be a family resort after-all. - There were often queues at the buffet to be seated. This is just frustrating. At peak times the buffet was really picked-over and wasn’t getting restocked even nearly fast enough. - The food at the steakhouse (a-la carte) was really really bad. The starters were okay but of the 5 mains we ordered, most were almost inedible. The steaks were super tough (and the knives super blunt), the burger very average, and the chicken super dry with the same wedges as you get at the snack bar. This was incredibly disappointing as you look forward to the restaurant nights as the “special” ones. - There’s no outdoor playground or climbing frame. It’s unclear how they forgot this in a family resort. There’s an okay park about 10 minutes walk away. - The kids club is only from age-4 with no parents and has nowhere for younger kids to play (with their parents). Given the pools are too cold, this meant we often struggled with what to do with our 1 and 3 year old. - The laundry prices are absurd (like 2.50 for a pair of kids underpants). Again, this is a family resort, a more family-friendly laundry arrangement would make sense. Frustratingly the QR code in the room links to the prices for the carribean resorts which are much more reasonable. - The arcade games room is an absolute scam. For 2 euros your child can get between 5 and 45 seconds of entertainment. I’ve been to many arcades and never had one that had such poor value for money. It’s embarrassing for the hotel to have a games room that rips customers off so much. The games need to be set up so that kids get some more time actually playing for their 2 euros.

Lulu Young

We stayed in this resort for 7days with our 2yo in November and the experience was utterly disappointing. Firstly I need to address the gastro virus going on which resulted in my toddler’s diarrhée and vomit for 2 days and nights. Me and my husband started the symptoms one day after. I was 6months pregnant and we were really worried about the food quality. So for 3 or 4 days we only dared to eat nothing from the buffet but bananas. After we recovered we ate at the a la carte restaurants and they were much better. The hotel doctor was late for our appointment almost one hour and didn’t provide info that we didn’t know. €70 charged for consultation that’s not covered by European Health Insurance Card. In the waiting room we met several other families who were having the same issue. When we complained, every staff provided standard trained answers and no one contact us back. When we request bedding change on the app, no one came for the whole day. We had to catch a maid standing in the corridor. Claiming to be kids-friendly, yet they had only one or two lift between each zone , but like 30steps of stairs. With strollers we had to queue for a tiny lift to get to the kids pool zone (no ramps between the castle floor and snack bar floor) . Not to mention we were there during off peak times of the year. Rooms were spacious with standard decor. Without the castle view I’d have expected it was a 4stars hotel max. Expect a lot of noise on the nights when there are Karaoke parties. Pros include various activities and events. Decent cocktails and drinks at the lobby bar. Shows at the theatre were great for kids. The zumba teacher was the best I ever had! Also they provide Birthday banner with champagne and chocolate. Well that didn’t change my opinion on the overall service . In a word: avoid if your children are young.

Daniel Mellor

Fantastic all round! We spent 5 days here and absolutely loved every minute of it. The food was incredible and a really good variety with some great seafood options! Breakfasts and Lunches were again brilliant. The live shows were a highlight of the holiday! A really professional and well run performance. We had 1 show included with our stay but enjoyed it so much we paid the extra €20 each for a different show the next night. The rooms big, bright and immaculate. Plenty for kids to do and keep them entertained. All the staff were friendly and professional. The adults only area with infinity pool and bar was excellent and well placed. Can't wait to come back!

Roxy Appleton

Amazing hotel, can't fault it really. Great location from the airport and the hotel is beautiful. I definitely wouldn't come here without kids (ours is 2) but for families it's perfect - the entertainment programme is non stop and the staff are so dedicated. Great food selection, lovely pools (if a bit cold) and just overall a great place to come. We would return for sure.

Chelsea Lane

Hotel is fantastic for children of all ages. The staff are all friendly especially those who work tirelessly in the kids club - although we have not used it you see them around the hotel all the time constantly entertaining. The kids splash park and pools are brilliant with plenty to do, situated next to the snack bar and serve yourself drinks station. Stopping in a family master suite, this room is perfect for us with the split wall to separate the rooms. Mini bar is restocked daily for free and cleaners in daily too. Cannot fault this hotel for a child friendly holiday other than the location, there isn’t much to walk to after dinner which is something we enjoy in an evening however that’s just personal preference - you don’t need to leave, everything is here.