had a brilliant two weeks at the bitacora.everything from the rooms,food,pools,bar,staff was fantastic.the sunbed situation is a joke but hey if people want to get up early to get a sunbed let them be.plenty of space to sit at the grassy area by the pool bar.entertainment was pretty good but a bit repetitive.booked again for next year but slightly earlier before it gets to crowded.would recommend it to anyone..

A fabulous hotel. This is my eleventh visit to Las Americas and always fancied the Bitacora and now I know why !! Spotlessly clean and food was excellent. I won't reiterate what other reviewers have said but just give some helpful advice to other travellers.

FOOD : Brilliant. Some queues at times but no real pattern and you are not too long anyway.

ROOMS : Superior rooms overlook pool and have a seaview above 4th floor. Room to be vacated by 12. You can book for additional time but it costs. There is a courtesy room which you book for 1/2 hour day of departure (or was it the day before ??) We didn't get access until we had 15mins left as the group before us never brought back the key !!

SPRING CARD : Ask for one as soon as you get there. You might get one before the end of your stay but I have not received mine by post three weeks after coming home.

POOL AREA:Usual game with the loungers. Unlocked at 8am and then it's all a scamble for position !! Plenty available though and there were at least 100 still stacked up during the day. Dangerous game by some who put a towel or similar on an umbrella and assume they have claimed their spot .

A pair of our European cousins set out their loungers at 8am.. weren't seen all day, returned at 4.15, picked up their towels and went !! Bit selfish but what's the answer ??

Pool restaurant is adequate and cheap.

ENTERTAINMENT: Guitarist/singer before 10pm when main act starts till 11..ish.
We watched 30 mins one night but departed for town afterwards, so no real comment.

GUESTS :Friendliest hotel I've ever been to. Never talked so much on holiday. Mostly British by the way.

STAFF : Very good

Bottom line is the Bitacora is top quality.....don't hesitate to book it.

The Four Star Bitacora myths

Hotel Bitacora stay 15.06.07- 29.06.07

I have just stayed at this allegedly four-star hotel for 14 very Butlin

This is my third stay at this hotel and I have never been dissapointed.

The hotel is cleaned every day to an extremely high standard and is always spotless.

The food in this hotel is always amazing. A range of fantastic starters,main courses and the desserts are to die for.

The staff are always willing to help with any problems that may occur - Not that they'd be any!! All staff are very friendly and helpful at all times.

The location of this hotel is great, with the beach only a short walkaway and shops and restraunts just around the corner. It is set in the centre of all amenities and is near everything you need.

I have already booked to go to this hotel again this summer and can't wait.

We stayed at the hotel with our friends who had visited the hotel previously in 2006 and they had enjoyed their holiday so we decided to try the hotel based on their recommendation.This was our third holiday in Las Ammericas, all be it approx 10 years previously on our last visit
Unfortunately we didn't find the hotel to our liking based on the following points. The hotel, although rated 4 star, has seen better days. We had a superior room overlooking the pool, quite spacious but the furniture was dated. We had two single beds together making up a double that moved about during the night, not very comfortable. The TV had poor reception. The bathroom was adequate. There was about enough room in the wardrobes with plenty of shelves.
One tip if using the mini bar then don't place any personal drinks in there as you will be charged for using the fridge, we had a few days where we received a bill for water, you can empty the mini bar and use your own drinks but there will be a charge, other than that they will lock the bar if you tell them you will not be using it. We had cockroaches in our room on three occassions. appearing when we came back in the evening. The problem is that the room can only be sprayed and then outside contractors will come in the next day to do a proper clean. I would suggest that it took three cockroaches for the hotel to bring someone in. Our friends, in the next room, also had the same visitors on two occassions. We also had a bathroom flood one evening resulting from a blocked up bath drain pipe. It took 2 hours to unblock as there was only one maintenance person available and they where on another job. The house maid did mop the bathroom immediately and came back when the drain was fixed to completely reclean the bathroom and issue all clean towels, etc. The pool area is quite small compared to the size of the hotel and the sunbeds are packed very close together. You have to be up early to reserve a sunbed if you want to sunbathe around the pool in your favourate spot. The poolside snack bar is very good and reasonably priced, you can purchase drinks for round the pool during the day time. The main resturant is very spacious and we didn't have any problem finding a seat at any meal time, usually we went to 'Happy Hour' prior to our evening meal so the rush or early diners had settled down. The food was varied and had plenty of options both at breakfast and evening meal times. There is always a chef on hand if you want feshly cooked meat, steaks, fish, etc in the evenings or omelettes at breakfast. I did try this but you had a long wait if you wanted your steaks 'well done'. There is a 'Cavery', one chef cutting off pieces of meat, etc, but I didn't see one every evening. The staff, Resturant, Snack Bar, Terraces, Loung Bar, Maids, Waiters, in fact everybody, is very friendly and they are always willing to take the time speak and hold a conversation with, especially the waiters. The entertainment consists of usually a single artist on a keyboard or guitar from around 8.00pm to 10.00pm in the evening, followed by the main show, dancers or a tribute band or group. Overall the entertainment was typical of many of the bars in and around the resort. There is a piano bar but no piano player appeared during our holiday. We managed to request a 'Spring Club Card' that gives 10% discount when paying for any charges in the hotel, we paid once after one week and at the end of the holiday, you can also use the card in various shops/stores in Los Americas and receive the 10% discount, very handy!
As we went quite early in the season most of the residents where of the older age group so after the main show the concert room was empty and there was no atmosphere, most people went off to bed.
We wouldn't stay at the Hotel again unless the hotel had been refurbished.

What a surprise! As mentioned elsewhere, it doesn't look great on arival and we were disconcerted by the older profile of guests. It's probably not a good hotel for families with youngsters and that makes it ideal for couples wanting a really relaxing time nw that the kids are off their hands.

Food was very good, unless you like salads. Paradoxically, the Bitacora Salad from the poolside bar was superb! Great choice of wines, red and white.

We thought the evening entertainment sounded awful but that didn't bother us as we sat on the balcony in the evenings or strolled around. To be fair, lots of other guests seemed to enjoy it so maybe we're just a bit too young at the moment.

The superior rooms are top class for a holiday hotel, everything worked and the room was kept very clean.

Reception and indeed most other staff were amongst the best we've encountered in Tenerife. We'd definitely go back there.

We arrived in the mid afternoon,and were booked in very quickly and efficiently by very pleasant reception staff.Our cases were taken up the stairs to our room by the security guy in the lobby,who we were to speak to
several times during our stay,he was a really nice man.

Rooms are very big and immaculate.Clean towels every day and the mini bar re stocked if you are using it.There is also a safe in the room which was large and held all our stuff.I think it was only about 2 euro a day.

The restaurant was downstairs from the reception and is easily accessed by a lift if you have any problems with stairs.

The food was absolutely brilliant with plenty of choice from soups right through to deserts.You can order drinks with your meals and pay for them on the way out.The only thing on the downside is at the busiest times in the morning and evening slight queues can form,but its not a major problem.

There is a card you can get from reception that allows you to join the hotel "club" idea,it can be used to get discounts in some shops and most important if you use it round the hotel and bars they also give you a discount on your drinks.They will always ask you if you want it charged to your room or pay cash.Cant say any more about the hotel or the staff or i would be here for weeks. Brilliant.

When you go out of the hotel and up to the road if you go left you will see the sister hotel called the Vulcano,if you go up past it and down to the right you will find loads of nice bars like the corner bar.

They are all great for snacks and beers.Also across from the corner bar there is a row of shops including the place to change your money,we found the guy in there to have the best rates in the area and commission free.

If you are coming down from the Vulcano and you dont stop at the corner bar(i know its very difficult) you will come out into the American shopping area.This place has to be seen to be believed..Armani Versace and rolex shops(and not a fake in sight).

Just across the road is the underground shopping centre.i have never seen so many digital cameras ipods and camcords in my life and the prices are fantastic, they were selling 8mp cameras for thirty and forty quid, I just wish I knew more about that kinda stuff and I would have bought loads.

Without doubt this is a top quality holiday hotel with a quiet and reserved atmosphere.

The bedrooms are spacious and provide every facility - mini bar, safe, hairdryer,etc.- and are maintained in pristine condition. The bathroom literally sparkles and this standard is reflected in the bars, lounges, swimming pool area and the dining room.

The quality and varity of the food is exceptional perhaps the only slight downsides being the hot breakfasts (Why are HOT plates not provided?)and the dining room staff who appear a little 'reserved'. On the other hand reception staff were exremly friendly and helpful.

As with most Tenerife hotels, entertainment is poor overall. Much better to seek out the live entertainment in the many bars within a short walking diatance. Close by are a huge variety of different establishments - restaurants and bars catering for all tastes and pockets.

The centrality of the hotel means that the beach is only a short stroll away and it is pleasant to walk one way to Los Cristianos or the other way towards Costa Adeje. If required for trips further afield, there is an excellent bus service and taxis are easily available.

I was aware that this hotel was in a good location from previous visits but trusted reports from this site when I decided to book it.

We were not disappointed either. The hotel does'nt look overly impressive when you first see it, not compaired to the likes of the neighbouring Vulcano. This should not deter you, the place is great.

It was the first time we have ever been on a half board basis, usually favouring our own eating choices. THE FOOD WAS AMAZING. The only thing to watch out for is your waistline. Every morning you can have freshly made omlette, cooked in front of you and all other types of english and continental breakfasts. The evening meal was the same with steaks and fish grilled in front of you and buffet dishes for every taste. The other bonus being that you could eat as much as you like. Unfortunately I took this as eat as much as you can and ballooned.

The pools were great and clean but no real shallow end. The depth is 1.4m all over and although my 7 year old can swim he was out of his depth and had to swim constantly. Thats the only thing to watch out for. He was too old for the kiddy splash pool but out of his depth in the other.

That said, we are going back again even if some of the evening acts were a bit pants. If you have any concerns about booking this hotel, dont. Its extremely good.

A thoroughky enjoyable stay at the Hotel Bitacora. This hotel is kept to a very high standard thoroughout. We stayed in a Superior Room as we felt getting the safe free of charge and a pool view would be worthwhile. Also on arrival there were two beautiful fluffy bath robes and little slippers left for us as a welcome gift. Also an arrangement of dried fruit - dates etc and two mini bottles of red wine. A lovely touch. The room was lovely, air conditioning keeping it comfortable even in hot weather. The TV had good variety of stations including BBC World, a movie channel, Eurosport and Sky sports, which was much appreciated to keep up with the Ryder cup. So it was a nice surprise for himself, who had debated the merits of taking the trip at all during the cup!! So thanks to the Bitacora there was one v happy sports enthusiast!

The swimming pool are kept clean and tidy and there was no major hassle getting a sunbed. Having to get up for breakfast also helps here.

Now for the food.. WOW. I never saw such a wonderful selection of beautiful food, every night a carvery, a grill sometimes of tender steaks, also a kiddies selection, so much more.. Also most night 4 types of potato!!
The desserts were fantastic. The breakfasts too were a delight. Was so impressed with the standard of the food. This in itself was enough to make me return. If you make dinners every day at home you will have such a good time with half board, particularly at this hotel. We never looked back, would be reluctant to go s/c again.

Breakfast was served till 10 and dinner between 630 and 930. I think another half hour longer would make a big difference however as it is a push sometimes to make the breakfast .. but then I am lazy!

The only let down for this hotel is the entertainment. When we stayed here there were mostly older people staying here of retirement age. Every night there was a guy with a keyboard playing tunes that you can imagine would suit a tea dance. The shows I didnt stick around for, and all in all the entertainment I felt was a huge disappointment as was focussed only on the older generation. Its a real shame and I would have been very disappointed if I had kids. It s pity they wouldnt get their act together regarding this as it really means going out every night down to town as there is not much around the direct area. Its not much of a walk though.

All in all would highly recommend this hotel food was second to none, standards are excellent. Enjoy!