La Palma Princess

This was our 7th visit to the La Palma Princess Hotel, but it was also the first time I've needed assisted travel and use of my mobility scooter. However, we know the hotel well enough to know which routes are 'scootable' and which aren't. I emailed the hotel prior to arrival to inform them that I would be using my mobility scooter for the first time at the resort, but was familiar with the layout and rooms.|Upon arrival we were allocated rooms in Block 6, 1st floor. I pointed out that I was in a scooter, and couldn't use the stairs to the 1st floor, upon which we were moved to the ground floor. I felt that this could have been handled better, given that I'd already notified the hotel that I would be in my scooter. Whilst the room change was being organised there was a large queue building up behind us at reception.|The room itself was down quite a steep slope, which wasn't an issue for the scooter on descent, but when trying to get up the slope the scooter really struggled. I mentioned this to the TUI rep (Jay - great guy), who arranged for us to change rooms to a level access room on the same level as the reception and main buildings. I would hope that should we visit again, this kind of arrangement could be sorted out in advance of arrival. However, I was determined to not let this detract from the rest of our stay.|The hotel changes a bit every time we come, but we just roll with the changes. We particularly enjoy quiet time by the pool and taking part in some of the activities run by the Animation team. The pool was as quiet and relaxed as always - very clean and very cold, and great for cooling off. We missed quite a lot of the 'sports' activities early on in our holiday as we simply didn't hear any announcements and found activities underway when we went to check if anything was happening. We'd got used to the activities being announced just prior to commencement, but this didn't seem to happen this year.|Meals were good, with some outstanding dishes. I'd like to thank the restaurant staff for sorting out an 'accessible' table every mealtime, which helped me to avoid too much walking whilst in the restaurant. Everyone was exceptionally friendly and helpful.|We felt the evening entertainment was a bit underwhelming this year, with a few notable exceptions - the singer with the guitar (sorry can't remember his name) was brilliant, and the 'tribute' vocal band was enjoyable. We also enjoyed the Animation Team's show; energetic and humorous as always.|Our rooms were exceptionally well kept, cleaned every day and of course huge. Thank you to the housekeeping staff for their attention to detail, friendliness, and their willingness to move their trolleys etc when I was scooting along the corridors.|We had another fabulous time at the La Palma Princess, and many of the issues we encountered were 'teething problems' due to my inexperience in travelling with my mobility scooter. I would have to be sure though that the hotel will take appropriate action in relation to room allocation before I book to return. I wouldn't want to have the disruption of changing rooms again.|On a positive note, although the hotel grounds are hilly and extensive, there are gentle, stair-free, low gradient (but longer) routes down to the pools and back up the the restaurants. Being able to use my scooter along these paths, although longer routes, revolutionised my stay on terms of my ability to get about. I particularly enjoyed being able to scoot up for lunch in the main restaurant every day. Perhaps these routes could be highlighted as 'accessible' on the resort map? This would really help anyone who hasn't been to the La Palma Princess before, and needs a bit of help avoiding steps or steep slopes.|Thank you again for a lovely stay, and we do hope to be able to visit again in 2025.

We are here right now, day 5 out of 14. If you want to queue up 20 minutes to get into the main restaurant then this is the place for you and when you do eventually get in, there are dozens and dozens of fully set out tables ready to be sat down to. How the management of this hotel think this is a good idea is beyond me and many many other guests have the exact same complaint. We use the other restaurant near the pools for breakfast but no choice for the evening meal. We are adults and very capable of finding our own table. At first we thought wow it must be really busy in the restaurant (clearing tables etc) how wrong we were. Absolutely terrible decision by management. |The pool area is absolutely fantastic and is the hotels saving grace! |Would we come back here or recommend it….. not a chance, go somewhere else unless your into queuing in a big way, a big big disappointment

We had a lovely couple of weeks on La Palma at this hotel. We have stayed before and since covid and the volcano eruption things have been a little tatty and the bar service could be very slow. However we noticed a distinct improvement on this occasion. The staff could not be more friendly and helpful, the food good and the rooms a bit dated but comparatively huge. Very comfortable beds. There is a very nice gym and classes if you want them. We paid extra for 3 "luxury meals" in the posh side of the hotel which we thoroughly enjoyed and felt were good value for money.||There were a few niggles, We normally went up for lunch around 13.00 when the restaurant opened. On each of the 3 occasions I fancied a beer the keg was empty and sprayed foam everywhere. A lady on my right had the same problem with the red wine which splattered down her blouse. Once informed they sorted the problem but it took a significant length of time. ||The hotel is quite a way from any habitation so we usually hire a car to visit places on what is a beautiful island. There is a reasonable bus service.||I would definitely recommend this hotel for a very relaxing week or two and will book again

We have been guests of this establishment since 2005, quite a few times. I am sad to have to post this review, but it is necessary for fellow travelers to know how the standards have slowly but steadily degraded over the years. Starting with the rooms, which have not been renovated in twenty years and their paper-thin walls, allowing us to enjoy every noise from the neighbors. Then, the new system for the buffet is a queue system, leading to lines of more than 50 people waiting to be seated at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Queues at the buffet inside are another feature. By the time one reaches the section that they want to take food from, the rest of the plate contents are cold. The quality and variety of food has also gone down very much. One evening, the fresh fruit offer was melon slices (fresh) and tinned pineapple. At the bar, similar queues. And the latest invention is the Esencia category, adults only, renovated rooms, reserved seating area in the restaurant (but the same queue to enter) and a walled compound for the swimming pool and a restaurant. Basically, a slap in the face of other guests, which can now consider themselves second class citizens. Avoid and go to other hotels in La Palma, there are plenty!

We are here now day 5 out of 14. We were over an hour in the queue to check in, more staff and more computers are desperately needed. |If you want to queue up for twenty minutes just to get into the restaurant for every meal then this is the place for you (even if you have paid the extra for adults only!). At first we thought wow, it must be really busy in there (clearing tables etc) oh no, when you get in there are dozens and dozens of set out tables ready to be sat down to, we are adults and are very capable of finding a table for ourselves, how the management think this is a good idea is beyond me and many many other guests feel the same that we have spoke to. 60+ guests stood outside waiting to get in is really not a good PR exercise from the management (good job it’s not been raining, or we would be soaked). We now use the other restaurant near the pools for breakfast as there is no queuing. |The pool area is fantastic and is the hotels saving grace. |Anybody with any mobility issues STAY AWAY as it’s very hilly and lots of steps everywhere. |Would we return or recommend this hotel…… definitely not unless they sort the restaurants out and start treating people like adults

Just read through some other reviews, and I have no idea what the negativity is all about, the hotel was spotless, great choice of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. ||We went all inclusive and have no complaints at all. Staff were really friendly, no communication issues at all. ||The hotel is huge, pools were good, enough activities for the kids during the day around the pool etc. ||It was quiet, on a peaceful part of the island on the cliffs over looking the Atlantic on onw side and mountains on the other.. We have had a brilliant week getting some winter sun.

Had the best birthday, celebrate with a day at the spa and pools. The service was not great, I have to be honest. I took a lot of effort to book a day pass but it was definitely worth it. It was quiet, the included lunch, snacks and drinks were amazing. Will come back!

For the first few days we were seduced by the fabulous location and design of this resort. Sandwiched between banana plantations and built on volcanic cliffs above the waves, the resort – especially the Esencia adults only section – was a perfect vista with its carefully planted palms and gardens between a ribbon of pools.||But then we noticed the service – or to be more precise the lack of service. This is a no-service hotel and that came as quite a shock. We expected serve-yourself buffet meals. But we had not expected self-serve machines for all drinks. And that includes the ‘poolside bar’, all wine, soft drinks and coffee, and the main bar. Plates are left uncollected on your table; staff will remove them if asked –if you can find anyone. Because it’s all self-service there are few staff so you get none of that ‘experience’ most hotel chains claim makes theirs special. So, this resort does not feel special. And although the all-inclusive claims to include snacks, there are none.||Breakfast and dinner for Esencia dwellers is taken at the Origen restaurant with a pleasant terrace overlooking the cliffs. But there is a battle every visit with beverages. At dinner you get a glass on the table for water – but you need to ask for another glass for beer. And ask again, if you can find staff, for a wine glass. Then it’s a queue for the dispensers because only one seems to work. But after a couple of days, you realise the wine and beer are quite tasteless, so you don’t bother. And you cannot get coffee after dinner in the evenings. Food is variable. If you opt for the fresh fish or grilled meat cooked for you (while you stand around) it is at least hot and well cooked. We enjoyed the variety of fish – different most days. Good breakfast.||Don’t bother taking lunch at El Mirador – a poolside eatery shared with the main resort. Disappointedly for such a lovely location (elevated and looking out over the sea) it just serves fried fast food.||We opted for lunch at the main restaurant ‘Food Market’ near reception. Plenty of steep steps helps walk off some of the over-eating but note this is suitable if you don’t mind a daily hike. It’s big, noisy, and everything I suspect ‘Adults Only’ guests wanted to avoid. But there is a separate eating area for Esencia with a nice balcony if you can take the full sun. The big problem here is finding clean glassware and cutlery. And I was suspicious of the vats of food kept luke-warm for hours with never a temperature probe check seen. Good variety of salads. ||Apparently the Esencia rooms had been refurbished, but I would not come here for the room design. Good size with large beds and air conditioning if you need it cooler at night. Pleasant balcony and outside table and chairs.||One big problem for those wanting to relax is the incessant noise. The main resort has pop music blaring out and the Coral Bar at Esencia plays pop ballads on continuous loop, quite loud. Four days after leaving I still have the ear-worm. And when the pianist practises at Origen morning and afternoon the clash is noticeable.||The Esencia pools were a good size for a serious swim and kept clean.||Our incoming flight arrived around dusk and so it was dark as we descended the vertiginous switchbacks to the hotel, accompanied by the unpleasant sounds of travel sickness from some fellow travellers – be warned! Unfortunately, our stay got off to a bad start as the there was no welcome at reception – just a long line of very tired parents and children. There was no attempt to separate those of us who were Esencia, or who had checked in online.||I found the hotel responsive – for example a problem with the safe was fixed very quickly and after I filled in an online questionnaire they replied that day. But without any visible management engaging with guests and any service culture this hotel delivers, at best, a 3 star experience.