El Duque

Hotel El Duque is a nicely located hotel in Costa Adeje if you want to spend a lot of time on the beaches of Southwest Tenerife - Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americanas and Los Christianos. Beaches of Fanabe and Duque are only 10 minutes by foot (although down a steep road), Playa and Los Christianos are a 10 minute drive away. Positives of the hotel were the nice staff, a extended but at the same time average breakfast buffet, and the clean rooms.

But even considering all the above, I will not be going back to this hotel, nor would I recommend it to anyone. We had terrible beds and no AC, which meant that sleeping was a challenge every night. The biggest downside though was the location next to a shopping mall, which is nowhere mentioned in the hotel's description. At this mall, there is (live and sometimes very badly played/sung) music from early in the morning untill midnight, meaning there is not one moment during the day in which you can enjoy the silence or the sound of the sea. When we mentioned this to the staff, they were very nice but unwilling to move us to another room further away from the maill without charging us more money for every night. Also, the pools are big and get sunshine during the middle of the day, but are so much closed of of the surroundings of the island that you can't help but get the feeling that this could be anywhere in the world.

It seems as though El Duque is a hotel with an ok price/quality-ratio, but has not more then average facilities and is therefore even a little expensive when you compare it to the many hotels in its vicinity. It seems to have lost its grandeur and attractiveness over the years, which we uncovered, unfortunately, too late.

Siam Park (new water park)...best for older kids / adults Aqualand (waterpark)...good for all ages, superb dolphin show...although charge 4 euros for the sunbeds and if you don't hire one, you sit on the floor! Monkey Park (outside Los Cristianos)...you can feed the monkeys and lemurs by hand and they come sit on you Jungle Park (Arona)...little tricky for those with pushchairs to negotiate hills and slim paths, but fun shows Loro Parque (coach trip or hire a car)...lovely 'zoo'...very clean, animals well looked after. Killer whale, dolphin, parrot and sea lion shows. Lovely beach at Los Cristianos...and Fanabe not too bad. Nightlife best at Las Americas. Market on across the road on a Thursday and Saturday.We had ants all over the kitchen, no matter how often we cleaned...in all the cupboards, over the walls, on the counters. Mini disco didn't run as the ents staff said there weren't enough kids to be worth the effort. Reception staff chatted anongst themselves about a womans bathing costume while we were trying to check in. Bathroom door would not open from inside. Hairdryer didn't work. No toaster / kettle / bowls in self-catering appt. Whole complex was on a slant so uphill to get back to appts. Is also an uphill walk back from the beach. Not many reasonable priced places to eat nearby. Had an appt up 3 steps despite asking not to be as had a pushchair.Apartments a good size, superb terrace...kids able to run around for ages as was so big. Bathroom had a shower AND bath. Two lovely pools, although the heated one was no different to the other. One receptionist was superb, and put in a huge amount of effort to sort our problems out and arrange a day out for us. Whole complex was on a slant so uphill to get back to appts. Is also an uphill walk back from the beach. Nice little soft play area in the hotel in the kids club with a ball pit if you want out of the sun. Soft play and other stuff in the upstairs shopping centre at the front of the hotel, suitable for ages 2+. .

Excellent restaurants, shops and walking.A little expensive, pool very cold unlike last year.Clean, well positioned, quiet location, helpful courteous staff.

You need to book a superior room, otherwise rooms are not air conditioned. The alternative (& somewhat cheaper option) is to hire an air con unit from reception. Food is poor. There is a lack of choice. Found myself eating chips all the time because of the lack of options. Drink quality is good.................when the staff get your order right. Keep an eye on what they are pouring for you. Reception staff can be a bit ignorant. Stood at Reception a few times & it tended to be a case that whatever they were doing was more important than dealing with guests. Overall disappointing, considering some of the good reviews we read before booking the hotel. We won't be going back.One bedroom apartments are spacious. Hotel is generally quite clean & well maintained.

Rooms are slightly dated and need air conditioning. Dinner is average , maybe less options and better quality .Very clean, safe and good location. Breakfast had everything you would want. Staff amazing very helpful and cleaning was superb .