Abora Interclub Atlantic

This hotel is at the top of a hill and has amazing views. We stayed in a family suite which was very spacious, cleaned everyday and very modern, they included a kettle and hairdryer. The hotel and the grounds are very clean and well maintained. With 2 large pools one with 3 slides, a children’s pool and splash park there is plenty to keep the children happy, there is also an adults only pool. We opted for the all inclusive premium and wasn’t disappointed with the freshly made cocktails especially the frozen strawberry daiquiri which was a great choice when needing a cold refreshing drink in the heat. The food selection is fantastic, the choice available is probably one of the best we have been to at an all inclusive, always fresh and tasty. There is a kids counter and they have pasta, chips, pizza etc every meal time for the fussy eaters which is great. All of the staff were very friendly, welcoming and happy to help including the cleaners and maintenance staff who would always greet you when you encountered them. There is a few little shops onsite including a pharmacy, excursion pop in shop, tattoo shop, a clothes boutique, hairdressers and 2 small shops for snacks, drinks, souvenirs and pool essentials. We had a fantastic holiday!

Good overall hotel. We travelled as a group of 13 (3 families with teenagers)

Rooms - We booked family suites one room with twin beds in and the lounge side which had sofa bed which made up into 2 twin beds easily. Rooms were clean and well decorated. Beds ok for sleeping - Air con was minimal but worked to keep room slightly cool at night but it was very hot while we were there. Balcony which over looked the pool or the street (street ones if you were high up seaview if you looked over the neighbouring hotel roof)
Rooms cleaned daily and new towels as needed.
These rooms had a separate walk in wardrobe/ dressing room - with fridge and safe (pay 2 euro per day)

Pool areas- Small splash pool for little ones with plenty of sunloungers and shade around it alongside a splash zone - spraying water, tipping buckets etc) Was not busy on our stay - but we didn't see many toddlers under 5's Larger pool areas with a bridge - this was were entertainment team based around for water polo., aqua fit etc Slide pool - Slides manned by lifeguards 11-6pm 3 slides open all very fast. plenty of space around it for swimming.

Warning the tiles around the whole pool areas are uneven, slippery and very very hot -so take flip flops from your lounger and leave them at the pool edge.

No inflatables allowed in any pool - only kid rubber rings, baby floats and noodles allowed in the pools and the lifeguards are super hot on it. No balls of any type either allowed in the pools - again lifeguards super hot on it Save those ball games for on the beach or in the pool after the lifeguards have gone home. However did make the pools a nicer environment only getting splashed etc by kids jumping in rather than having to navigate floats and balls throwing everywhere - water polo and water volley games daily to get your ball fix.

Sunloungers - to get your ideal spot by the pool you did need to join the queue at the entranced closest to your chosen location, but people didnt start queing til about 8.30 pool areas open at 9. However loads of stacks of sunloungers in the garden area all day that were not that far from the pool and didn't require a morning dash for.

Restaurants/ snack bar - The main restaurant had buffet breakfast 8-11, lunch 1-3 dinner 7-11. Food was a good choice, salad bar, fruit bar, breads, kids buffet, pasta station, pizza and chips most nights. plus a range of fresh cooked meats & fish. Labelling not great so ask the chefs if you have allergies as some labels not directly with the dish. A plentiful range of food different theme every day.

Snack bar snacks 11-11 (fruit, sandwiches, burgers, chicken burgers, chips, pizza slices, churros, pancakes) In reception again small snack bar (11-11) pasteries and sandwiches.

Drinks - in the restaurant and snack bar self service soft drinks, wine, beer and then up at the snack bar & reception bar service for cocktails, spirits etc -when busy only 2 drinks per person.

Entertainment team - your daily wake up song and the team worked non stop 11-11 everyday putting on shows and keeping everyone happy. MJ tribute show was brilliant and in their breaks during the afternoon they would be out practicing dance moves - so sneak peaks of what might be to come!

Location - Up quite a big long hill from the beaches but if you went out the hotel entrance and left you could access small cove beach down steps and a walk way - perfect for watching the sunrise - we didn't even need to go down many steps before we got to a watching platform with seating. to the main bigger beach out the reception turn right and then down another set of steps. Lovely for those that want to step outside the hotel.

Spar shop to the right down the bottom of the hill towards the beach - better value than the crisps and water in the small shop on site (but then again not massively expensive if you didn't want to walk down to the spar)

Trips out - taxi to play de ingles 8-12Euros hotel have shuttle bus that drops at the nearest beach in playa de ingles or at the sand dunnes. - we took the shuttle down and got off for the market weds & saturdays 8-2 ad lovely range of clothing. wallets, belts etc and even a 1euro stall (which kids loved) not overly priced and a nice walk around. Lighthouse - was took some taxis out to watch the eclipse again about 15 Euros to here where all the 5* hotels and branded shops walk along the beach and some nice restaurants if you want a more sit down meal out.

Your kids will enjoy this hotel and I guess that is what makes us parents happy… but….! I would not go back. There are several areas where this hotel needs to improve and you should be aware of before you book this hotel.

Pros

• The entertainment team work incredibly hard and are fantastic with children. • Good family facilities, including a play area, football pitch, arcade and (average) evening entertainment, although the Michael Jackson show was quite good! • Food is acceptable once you work out what to avoid, but don’t expect anything special although on a few occasions I was taken by surprise with a few tasty dishes but it’s not premium all inclusive by any stretch. • The massage (Thai lady can’t remember her name - sorry) was amazing • Cleaners try really hard and generally public areas are clean (but there’s only so much they can do…)

Cons

• Crockroaches in the room • On one occasion spotted a crockroach in the buffet area • Flies on food in buffet area • Money stolen from room (reception not really interested or helpful) • No help with luggage on arrival, and rooms may require climbing several flights of stairs due to unreliable lifts (the ones that were working I didn’t feel safe in..). • Only one towel and one bottle of water provided for the entire stay • Air conditioning barely works • Shower has very low water pressure • Occasional smells of sewage flood the room . If you go on the balcony to get away from it then you get the smell of cigarette smoke instead (not the hotels fault but that’s the type of clientele the hotel attracts) • Foul smelling hallway outside room with old red carpet • Awful dated decor – nowhere is astecically pleasing, all accommodation in need of refurbishment • White plastic boxes left at the entrance of each block where people can leave unwanted food and drinks - just gross to walk past • Long queues for drinks throughout the day and evening • Power cuts during our stay left already hot rooms unbearably hot • Security was a major concern. Aside from cash going missing and the hotels response being poor there were some questionable characters staying at the hotel - never once saw any security, didn’t feel safe given it’s all inclusive and lots of guests staying there that like a drink.. • Health & Safety – I don’t know about regulations in the Canary Islands but I don’t think this hotel would not meet UK regulations. Aside from crockroaches, the lifts are old and reickety and unreliable and the fire doors and equipment look ancient.

Overall, if you value cleanliness, comfort, good customer service and security and feeling safe, I would avoid this hotel. I feel at some point something bad will happen at this hotel. I’m genuinely surprised that TUI continues to recommend it. But if you can happily look past all that for your kids and want a cheap holiday then it might work for you.