Sol Tenerife – Quite Possibly the Longest Week of My Life! Never Again!
I’m writing this on my final day at Sol Tenerife, Playa de las Américas, and I can honestly say I have never been so desperate to get home from a holiday. Quite possibly the longest week of my life, and without question the worst £1,097 I have ever spent!
Let me make one thing clear from the start. I am NOT a party pooper! I enjoy going out, having a drink, listening to music and having a good time with friends. I fully appreciate that this hotel is situated close to the lively Veronicas strip. However, there is a massive difference between expecting some nightlife noise and having horrendously loud, booming music blasting into your bedroom until at least 4am EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!
Seven nights here and I genuinely haven’t had one proper night’s sleep. That is no exaggeration.
I was originally allocated a room in Block 2, where the noise was unbearable. After complaining to reception, I was initially told it would cost me over £200 extra to move rooms! Having already paid over £1,000 for this holiday as a solo traveller, I refused.
I had to endure two nights before eventually being moved without charge. I was assured the new room overlooking the pool would be quieter, despite expressing my concerns that it was actually closer to the strip.
Well, guess what? It was just as bad, if not worse!
And just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, my final morning was rounded off beautifully at 6am by a group of rowdy people returning to the hotel, screaming and shouting through the corridors. Absolutely unbelievable!
I am struggling to remember ANY hotel I have ever stayed in that has been this horrendous.
The staff must have skin as thick as rhinos because the number of complaints I’ve overheard throughout the week has been astonishing. I’ve heard people complaining in the lifts, at reception and around the hotel. I’ve even witnessed elderly guests looking almost in tears with frustration. Clearly, I’m not the only one having a miserable experience.
I’ve also read numerous TripAdvisor reviews highlighting exactly the same noise problem, yet the hotel’s responses seem to revolve around thanking guests for understanding its location near the vibrant Veronicas strip.
I’m sorry, but that simply doesn’t wash with me. Being close to nightlife is one thing. Being unable to sleep in your hotel room is quite another!
Surely some form of effective soundproofing should be a basic requirement?
Now, to be completely fair, there ARE positives.
The hotel enjoys a lovely seafront location, with some nice restaurants nearby and a beautiful promenade for walking. We’ve enjoyed a couple of days on the beach and some lovely excursions. The surrounding area has plenty going for it.
The rooms are very dated, but they’re clean and perfectly acceptable. The housekeeping staff do an excellent job, and I have absolutely no complaints about them. As far as I’m concerned, give me a clean room and a comfortable bed and I’m happy. I don’t expect luxury!
Breakfast, however, has been very hit and miss. Some mornings perfectly acceptable, other mornings dreadful, with food that was stone cold.
The pool area is clean and tidy but desperately needs upgrading. The surface inside the swimming pool is badly worn in places, making it look grubby even though it may well be clean.
One positive is that the pool attendants are very proactive about removing towels from sunbeds left unattended for more than around ten minutes. Some might find that strict, but personally I think it’s a good idea. It stops people reserving beds and disappearing for hours while others can’t find anywhere to sit.
Reception staff can come across as rather defensive when complaints are raised, although quite frankly, having heard the number of complaints during my stay, perhaps that’s hardly surprising. I genuinely feel sorry for staff who must have to deal with this day after day.
I understand a major refurbishment is planned, and I sincerely hope soundproofing is at the very top of the list. No amount of fancy furniture, fresh paint or new facilities will make up for the fact that guests cannot get a decent night’s sleep.
I would also seriously advise anyone considering bringing young children here to think very carefully. I cannot imagine how families are supposed to get any proper rest with this level of disturbance.
To make matters worse, I’m now feeling completely run down and have picked up what feels like a horrible flu bug. I’m not suggesting the hotel caused that, but seven nights of virtually no sleep certainly haven’t helped how I’m feeling.
I booked this holiday fairly last minute to join a group of friends, and I was really looking forward to it. We’ve managed to enjoy ourselves when we’ve been out and about, but returning to this hotel every evening has been something I’ve genuinely dreaded.
And as for On the Beach, who I booked through, the lack of meaningful assistance has been another enormous disappointment. I’ve tried contacting them, including their 24-hour helpline, and have spent far too much time going round in circles through WhatsApp without any satisfactory resolution. That will be the subject of a separate formal complaint.
I have travelled extensively over the years, stayed in lively resorts and enjoyed plenty of holidays involving nightlife. I have NEVER experienced anything quite like this.
I don’t expect silence in the middle of Playa de las Américas. I don’t expect five-star luxury from a four-star hotel. But I DO expect to be able to sleep!
Seven nights. Not one decent night’s sleep. Over £1,000 spent. And quite possibly the longest week of my life.
I cannot begin to describe how disappointed, frustrated and utterly exhausted I feel.
A holiday should leave you feeling refreshed and happy, with wonderful memories. Instead, I’m going home feeling completely drained and desperate for my own bed.
And please, Sol Tenerife, spare me the standard response about appreciating that your hotel is situated near the vibrant Veronicas strip. I understand perfectly well where the hotel is located. What I cannot understand is how such unacceptable levels of noise are allowed to ruin guests’ holidays night after night.
Would I recommend this hotel? Absolutely NOT.
Would I return? NEVER.
I genuinely could not wait to get on that plane home.
What an absolute waste of a much-needed holiday.
