Iberostar Selection Anthelia

This review is based on 2 sharing an all-inclusive, superior side sea view room in priority location. LOCATION 10/10. Located in upmarket Costa Adeje, the Anthelia is a large hotel resort that is next to a ritzy shopping centre with designer outlets, golf courses a short journey away, and the main airport, tenerife South, around 20 minutes in a taxi. To the rear, easily accessed by a private entrance, is an esplanade that is lined with restaurants, bars & shops stretching a good kilometre or so toward Playa Americas There is a cash machine outside the main entrance, as well as a doctor and chemist. The nearest supermarket is less than a 5 minute walk. HOTEL STYLE AND PERSONALITY 8/10 The reception area is lost in the vast marble floor area, adorned with columns and comfy furniture. Check-in was easy enough with an offering of a drink a welcome relief. Luggage was effortlessly transported to our room by a porter that seemed to mogically appear upon our arrival. Warm pastel colours, more columns dotted throughout the complex, cobbled brick walkways, and well tendered garden areas add to the sense of calm & tranquillity. The resort is big enough not to feel crowded with ample spaces to be left alone in total isolation if required. However, the hotel does show its age in certain areas, particularly around the communal areas such as the lifts to the rooms, with dull lighting, plain walls & a feeling of being in an apartment block rather than a hotel. That said, the maintenance team always seemed busy, whether painting a wall, fixing a door, or tending to a broken water feature. It's also worth mentioning the green credentials are excellent, with no plastic, recycling, and water fountains on all floors to easily replenish the glass carafe provided in the room. Even the straws are edible! ROOM 6/10 Our room had a comfortable extra large king-size bed, super soft pillows, wall mounted flat screen TV with all main UK channels, mini bar, iron, safe, hair dryer and an expresso type coffee machine. The balcony afforded good views across the complex to the sea. The room was serviced at least once a day to a high standard, with minibar restocked daily. A couple of chocolates and fresh towling were offered in the early evening, should the earlier room service replenish be inadequate. Unfortunately, the size of the room was on the small side for 5 stars with the decor & finish uninspiring. In fact, the rooms are standard 4 star fare without a wow factor. Some may not like the open plan of the shower area with separate toilet either. Although heavily frosted doors prevent any real embarrassment, the outline of your partner, lover, or friend can still be seen while sitting on the throne. The shower cubicle was just that, while it had a large rain head shower built into the ceiling together with a powerful conventional shower, it would not have felt out of place in a camp site shower block. FOOD AND DRINK 7/10 All inclusive usually consists of quality over quantity or quantity over quality. The Anthelia offers the former to a reasonable standard. Salmon, lobster and steak were readily available most days in the main Zeuss buffet style restaurant. Show cooking consisted of the chef by a hotplate cooking the steak or fish to your liking. However, the offerings were perhaps a tad light and repetition became a problem after 5 days. There were occasions, particularly toward the end of a sitting, when availability became short, with either warm or barely warm food on offer. Breakfast was disappointing, with no grilled full pork sausage, limp bacon & ceral that was like cardboard. Drink was, by comparison, very good. The all-inclusive regime covered most offerings. Ordering a gin, for example, led to the bar staff reeling off over half a dozen options. There are certain products, quite understandably, that are not included, such as champagne and high-end premium alcohol for which an extra charge can be added to the room. STAFF AND OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDING ENTERTAINMENT 9/10 Without exception, the staff are fantastic and can not do enough for you. From the cleaners to the reception to the bar staff, all seemed to have a smile & cheery 'hola'. In particular, the terrace bar staff remembered drinks ordered and made an effort to interact. A fist pump was not out of the question every now and again from certain staff members once aquantance was accepted. The main pool waiters constantly patrolled and readily accepted orders to deliver the drinks no more than 5 minutes later. Entertainment was to a good standard, although during the day there was sadly a lack of activity for adults apart from petanque or the odd quiz. In the evening, the main theatre, the Anthelia Hall, provided a programme every evening, including an Elton John tribute, rock night, and a Chinese show. Outside, in the pleasant terrace bar area, entertainment was provided nightly by singers of mixed or eclectic genres accompanied by various instruments, including a sax player. It was rather pleasant sitting on a comfy seat with a cold beer listening to an Ed Sheeran or Chubby Checker hit sung softly enough to be heard without being too loud. Other facilities include a shop selling everything from clothes to sunscreen, fitness centre, kids club, spa, tennis courts and reliable WiFi in most areas. The pools included fresh water, sea water, and heated. An all-inclusive stay of a week or more also offers a complimentary meal at one of the on-site restaurants. There appeared to be plenty of activities for the children with quite a menu of activities through the day. VALUE FOR MONEY AND CONCLUSION 7.5/10 Is it worth it? The Iberostar selection Anthelia is a high-quality resort with shortcomings that prevent the 5 star monikor, and it will depend on individual choice. If a resort with all facilities to hand in relaxing surroundings with attentive staff is desired, the lack of any magnificence to the bedroom is not a concern and the tasty but repetative food choice is not a problem, then the Anthelia, while probably a smidge overpriced, is probably the best on offer considering its location in a desirable area. If true 5 star is required, without the resort aspect, then your money may well stretch further elsewhere.

We had a wonderful holiday at this lovely hotel. Like so many others, before booking we trawl through the reviews and are never sure what to believe. We can reassure anyone considering making a booking that this is a beautiful hotel. The rooms are lovely, the food is delicious and the communal areas are so immaculately kept that as you walk around you are immediately reassured that you have made the right choice. We very much hope to return. Thank you to all the staff who work so hard to make our holidays special.

First time staying at the hotel and was fantastic from the start. Reception staff welcoming and helpful, food excellent and the room in a great location and clean. We was traveling with a small baby and we were made to feel very welcome. Would definitely return