Well priced and carefully researched holiday we’ve bought at Independent Holiday Shop

Another well priced and carefully researched holiday we’ve bought at Independent Holiday Shop in Winchester.

Gala Hotel Playa de las Americas Tenerife: we were delighted with how Independent Holiday Shop in Winchester arranged our mid February 1 week holiday in Tenerife. The Gala Hotel is nicely placed close to the beach of Playa de las Americas, (there’s an easy private access on the side of the Hotel through cacti gardens to a small clean and tidy shopping precinct and just over the sea front access road onto the beach). The beach is ‘safe’ in terms of being children friendly with a life guard service and the sea enticing, and especially so with the character of the waves giving everyone a splash without worry of an undertow. Nearby bars offer luxury seating overlooking the beach with, to our ears easygoing ‘muzac’, and in no way too loud. Talk about sun sea and sangria. Hits the spot so to speak.

At the time we were there we had no problems with rowdiness, litter and noise. The sea/ beach front walk in both directions is easy to use for the less mobile and short and longer walks can be attempted. The local bus service is easy to find, use and low cost so outward or return journeys are not an issue.

We liked the 4* Gala: very clean and tidy, staff well trained and attentive. The rooms are well sized and, on the pool/ extensive sundeck side, from the balcony get both a sea view and an inland mountains view, however do not get the sun, which in mid summer might be a better choice.

We enjoyed the lower floor Spa facilities, (worth the extra cost), and the poolside facilities, again nicely laid out, clean and tidy and out of onshore winds to fully enjoy the sun.

The Gala served up an excellent selection of foods at all meal times. Waiters also attentive and helpful. In our view the price of beer and the house wine was very reasonable and the evening entertainments quite attractive.

The one day coach excursion to El Teide the island’s volcanic mountain, (purchased through the really helpful and well trained TUI representative), was worth every Euro and if you feel able to take the cable car to near the summit its an amazing experience.

All in all we are happy to recommend this holiday offering through TUI/ Thomson Air via Sharron and her team at Independent Holiday Shop who we will certainly use again.

February 2019 – Andrew and Fiona