Adrian Hoteles Roca Nivaria GH

So often there are so-called "5-star" hotels that focus too much on marketing, decor and front-desk experience...but don't get the fundamentals right such as cleanliness, great service and high standard rooms. Not so here - the RN was true 5-star from check-in to check-out in my experience. I travelled with my wife and 1-year old for a 5 night stay. Check-in was quick, and processes like booking restaurants and what's included in all-inclusive was explained well. We were allocated what we were told is the best room in the hotel - 702 - and it really seemed like it: large living area, large en-suite bedroom and a "wrap-around" balcony that could easily hold 10 people standing comfortably - most stunning feature was the endless sea-view. It seemed newly refurbished and was cleaned well by the team. Service really stood-out - I've only ever experienced this level of attentiveness in Dubai's true 5-star resorts. They were very accommodating for children as well. Almost the best service and staff I've ever experienced in a hotel. Breakfast and lunch were buffet - and usually had something different each day for lunch. It was always well-staffed and couldn't see anyone waiting around for drinks or attention. Dinner could be buffet or at a pre-bookable restaurant - Spanish or Italian. Some key things worth mentioning: - The children's club "Mini Club" is excellent - has a small soft-play area for toddlers / babies, and a large outdoor bit. Staff were brilliant, and it's included at no extra cost to leave your child / children there if you book the day before. Operates in the morning, I think 9am to midday, then 3pm to 6pm. - Verona Italian restaurant is great, but gets booked up quickly (though see below) - All Inclusive includes lots of good cocktails, drinks and nearly all-food you see. Major brands are not included like bigger brand alcoholic drinks (Hendricks Gin etc.). It also includes mini-bar and coffee capsule use in the room...albeit only soft drinks and cans of beer. It doesn't include room service. - There is a free-to-use water park opened in the last 2 months with a good sized kids slide, zip-line and climbing walls - brilliant addition to the resort. - The Piano Bar is great. Live entertainment and a calming atmosphere. - The hotel can arrange babysitting services, with the sitter allocated based on your language as well. It was 18EUR per hour. - The hotel provided a nicely bedded cot for our baby, and an empty champagne bucket which we used Milton tablets to sterilise baby bottles etc. Some minor negatives: - Laundry is pricey (2.65EUR for a pair of socks, 10EUR for an evening dress). However service is very quick - picked up and often dropped off in the same day. - Booking restaurants via a screen in reception is OK, but if guests need to cancel...they can't via the screen because they receive a print-out booking confirmation. This means we managed to eat at the Italian restaurant twice without a booking by just turning up and taking an empty table. - My biggest issue: none of the pools are heated. The main pool is fed from the sea, so the water is salty but filtered / cleaned, and thus is warmer (28c we were told)..but still not warm enough to relax in. The large jacuzzi next to the main pool is 30 to 35c which feels amazing but can't take kids in there of course. - Buffet for lunch next to the pool was the only option to eat other than room service - and was getting wearisome towards the end of our stay. Another option under All-Inclusive would've been welcome. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to try the spa, the two tennis courts, the gym or the Spanish restaurant - maybe next time! Also worth noting there are many shops a 2 minute walk from the hotel entrance - most useful of which is a "supermarket" (for us Brits - it's basically a large Tesco Express). It stocked most toiletry brands, food, water, drinks etc. as well as most things you'd need for a baby - we could've travelled lighter if we knew about it in advance. There is also a pharmacy a 5 minute walk from the entrance. Overall - thanks for a great stay.

My husband and I stayed for 8 nights to see in the new year. The good points are: Great location with hotel set in beautifully maintained ground All areas of hotel kept spotlessly clean - even the outdoor areas with all the trees/flowers Entertainment was mixed, the good acts were disco night and acrobatics (excellent) Room well appointed and really comfortable including tea making facilities New Years Eve group Mahoney and firework display were first class Plenty of sun beds and pool towels available at all times Swimming pools - best I have used (swam every day) and good temperature All inclusive worked well for us although there were some constraints on international brands Large bathroom towels and fluffy bath robes (really great) Security system for entering and leaving the hotel via the garden / beach lift areas Attention points Staff seem stretched and lacking in product awareness at times Quality of food was below expectations for a 5 star hotel Stayed all inclusive but no one really explained the system especially the lunch buffet around the pool Unlike competitor hotels in Tenerife did not see presence of senior management. If they were there they were not recognisable New Years Eve program lacked something for example no opening management drinks or greetings (have previously enjoyed this at other Tenerife hotels in Adeje) Whilst we enjoyed the daily entertainment which was usually different acts, a lot of the singers sung the same songs which was a shame. This was our first stay in Playa Paraiso - would we return? We very much enjoyed the resort and our stay at Gran Roca Nivaria, especially the romance of dancing under the stars on New Years Eve. This is an already good hotel but with some small adjustments the hotel offering could be even better (see attention points). Yes we will return.