This review refers to Hollywood Mirage, Los Cristianos, Tenerife, Spain
This review refers to Hollywood Mirage, Excel Hotels and Resorts, which now seems to be under the management of Ona Hotels and it would seem the change has been for the worse...
Brief background: I and my partner have been returning to the same studio at Hollywood Mirage since 2004. My parent's purchased this as a timeshare almost 20 years before that (1980s). So, the family has been in ownership of an apartment here, for the first week in September, for around 40 years.
The "low-lights" of this year's visit included the following.
1. Check-in: still as slow as it was decades ago with queues in reception, standing in stifling temperatures, with no-one directing new comers on where to stand, limited seating and perceived lack of urgency of staff. Furthermore, despite again requesting an early check-in for our studio and indicating a willingness to pay for this (in the past rooms were always ready for owners early), we were not permitted to check in until after 15:00. It seems that a €30 charge is payable now for early check-in but that there is a rule that ensures owners cannot be charged—an apparent benefit for owners that has been turned on its head so that the management can gain as many early check-in payments as possible by having non-owner guest rooms ready first!
2. Owner room perks: owners receive a free bottle of wine after check-in—this year a cheap red that has appeared in some reviews as being so poor as to be undrinkable.
3. Bus service: Hollywood Mirage commands a high position above the town of Los Cristianos, tucked into the lower slopes of Guaza mountain, a marvellous view point, but punishing walk up the height from the town and beach. The resort has always provided a courtesy minibus service to the beach level and back. This year the bus service has been changed to provide only a lift down the hill and *not* back again. Can anyone appreciate the sense in this, removing the real benefit of the service? Deep suspicions that the resort is obtaining commissions from taxi services that guests will inevitably require to return to the resort complex.
4. Building maintenance: no new work was obvious, no changes to accommodation furnishings in many years. Some of the balconies from which guests can enjoy views of the town and sea had been boarded up, with a notice that repairs were taking place, but no work occurred during the week we were on site. The appearance of large cracks in stonework over room balconies and footpaths was concerning. In other places broken tiles exposing tripping hazards, lay un-repaired. The large clock on the tower overlooking the central pool area has still not been fixed (at least two years now broken). A new bathroom mirror with built in light has still not been connected in our studio after more than a year. And an alarming number of very small cockroaches appeared in the bathroom this year. Cleaning staff seem pushed for time, often not able to properly clean floors or arriving late in the day to empty bins, just as one would return for shower before dinner.
5. Check-out: on arrival I asked for confirmation on where to return pool towels at the end of our stay, as charges may be made for non-returns. I was told that rules were always changing but to return them to reception at check-out. When I did so, a young lady staff member who appeared courteous enough, but obviously has had no hospitality training, told me that the towels had to be returned to the sports centre and that I should do so. This would have meant walking back through the complex with my fully backed rucksack, in the heat. When I tried to reason, she was adamant that I had to do as instructed. She continued calling to me to return the towels in front of other guests as I walked away.
It seems clear that the current management enjoy a degree of persistence of the perception that Hollywood Mirage is a quality resort. However, in practice, the facility appears to be regarded as a "cash cow" from which to reap as much profit as possible, and hurriedly, before the reality of the situation becomes clear to all prospective guests. It seems that necessary investments have been redirected to promote short term income rather than sound maintenance and satisfactory services. There is no longer respect for owners, who have shown loyalty for decades and continued to pay fees even, at times, when not visiting. Owners are now made to feel like "second class citizens" in some regards. There is a brash, loud, "let's just party" pervasive vibe that unsettles and disturbs, in stark contrast to the former mutually respectful protocol observed by all guests and staff.
September 6, 2024
Unprompted review