El Marques, Los Gigantes, Tenerife -
Visited May 19th - June 2nd 2000
Report by Alan D Winter
(270 pts = £1)
LOCATION MAP SHOWING LOS GIGANTES 25 MILES FROM REINA SOFIA AIRPORT
OUR VISIT
The spectacular views of Los Gigantes cliffs attract tourists from all over the island. El Marques is at the apex of steep well made roads down to Los Gigantes marina to the North, and Puerto de Santiago to the South.
We tried the nearest two black sandy beaches (Los Gigantes and Playa de la Arena). Unfortunately we found oil on our clothing and feet after one visit to each, even though they are supposed to be clean. Walking uphill back to El Marques is probably not for weak hearts due to the hills, but climbing hills in Tenerife is not nearly so tough as the same inclines in the UK. (something to do with gravity, I suppose). A taxi ride back from either seafront should cost no more than 300 pts.
The area boasts a wide range of restaurants, with a dinner for 2 costing around 5,000 pts including drinks and 10 per cent tip. A roast dinner is about 1200 pts. For something a bit cheaper and edible, a cafe across the street from El Marques serves up cheeseburger and chips for around 500 pts. The majority of places we ate in were able to provide a high chair for our youngster.
There are some pictures of our visit to Tenerife. JUST CLICK HERE!
GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT EL MARQUES
Lots of steps on site so it is not that friendly towards wheelchairs. We had a 2 bed 2 bathroom apartment with sea-view on the same level for week 1. The second week we had to go upstairs to bed and bathroom in a 2 bed apartment with no seaview. The second week was harder to dry clothes as we were in the shade. Grounds beautifully kept. Soft mattress replaced immediately by a harder one upon reporting it. Hairdryers provided. Full kitchens included microwave and washing machines, ample glasses, plates and utensils. Any deficiencies we found , such as the non-working shower or the evil smelling drain in our bathroom, were quickly attended to after reporting them.Towels provided for use in the heated swimming pool area. We were given baby high chair, child cot, and child gate, all for FREE. Good size paddling pool to complement the swimmers pool, although our 19 month old son kept wandering off to watch the caged budgerigars and parakeet! No shortage of sunbeds.
MORE PRAISE
My parents own at El Marques and I would just like to say what a wonderful resort it is. I have been going there for many years and visit as often as possible. the staff are wonderful as is the management. It is one of the most friendly resorts in Tenerife and I would highly recommend it to anyone. As the years have gone the resort has just got better and better any complaints r dealt with immediately. - nicol,,,,,39@hotmail
On site entertainment most nights, but our 2 children kept us indoors in the evening so we could not sample it. Instead we felt pleased to have Sky Premier, Eurosport, and CNN supplied to our rooms. This is a first class resort very deserving of RCI Gold Crown status. There are several free publications for the area (news, what-to-do, tv guide) and these are available from the reception. Look out for Out and About free guide which contains a well drawn local map. We actually met the man who drew the map and he says he was in partnership with Out and About in the past, but I digress.
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
This consisted of 2 roundabouts in need of painting, wooden slide with loose bolts and sticking out screws, 3 swings one with very frayed rope, a broken plastic childs picnic table and a split plastic see-saw. I reported the condition there and if they care about this failure, as much as they really do care about everything else I am sure that it will be put right very soon.SHOPPING
There is a small shopping precinct within 5 minutes walk of El Marques offering gifts, cafes, property, cameras, childrens toys, towels, clothing, souvenirs, and luggage.Neighbouring streets offer four supermarkets, the largest being Transito. Opening times are generally 8am-1pm and 4pm to 8 or 9pm. Our general observation was that the duty frees were cheaper here than in the airport duty-free shop or airplane.
Supermarket Transito - prices May 2000 (£1 = 270pts)
Milk 2 litre packs at 175 pts (TIP: buy as you need, and beware that it may already be off in the heat before
you buy it, so open it and check the condition at the check-out)
1 litre Baileys 2195 pts
frozen pizza 905 pts
6 petit suisse yoghurt 254 pts
Chicken Tonight "85%" pts
Robinsons Lemonade 2 ltre 318 pts
Pampers 1949 pts
Golden Grahams cereals 389 pts
5 ltr drinking water 112 pts
San Miguel 71 pts (100-150-or even 300 in a bar or restaurant - TIP: ask price before you buy to avoid nasty
surprises)
250grm Flora 117 pts
Bread - a wide range of English brands available at various prices up to about a £1 a loaf.
UK newspapers about 225- 275 pts each printed for the Spanish market on the same day as in UK.
TAXIS
May 2000 - the taxi transfer to/from the airport was 5,500 pts for the 25 mile journey. The resort is able to offer a mini-bus service, run independently, back to the airport for 1,000 pts per person. Contact the resort if you require transfer from the airport.CAR HIRE
Several car hire companies operate in the area. El Marques hospitality staff arranged for a car to be at the airport for us. All it took was a faxed message from the UK to them. An Opel Astra cost about £75 for 3 days, including insurance and tax. Petrol is about half the cost of the UK.ADVICE TO BUYERS
Resales are done from the site. In June 1998 George Wimpey plc announced that it had divested itself of all its leisure interests in the UK, Spain and the Canary Islands. El Marques is now run by WimPen Leisure Management S.A. The owners own the freehold and the maintenance fees are fairly low. I was told a 2 bed is £118 UK pounds a week maintenance, and a one bed £75. The site is sold out and a new complex has just been added next door. Resales of 2 bed room units at £4000, but try asking much lower! At the newer complex 2 bed units are apparently being offered at £7995.ADVICE TO EXCHANGERS
You should get a front door key and a back gate key. The back gate allows you a quicker route down to Los Gigantes village centre. Recommend you visit El Teide for out of this world volcanic scenery. Recommend you visit Loro Parque for unusual but very worthwhile tropical park with animals on show including gorillas, sea-lions, dolphins, and penguins - The best penguin show on the planet! - as well as the actual Loro (Parrot) show. All year round good weather. Never expect rain at El Marques. By the way, if you want to exchange books, pop down to the end of the cul-de-sac to the supermarket at Las Rosas, El Marques sister resort. Book exchange was 100 pts presumably plus a book.JUST CLICK HERE!
LINKS
For telephone numbers add 00 34 to the number shown when dialling from UK.EL MARQUES
Tel 922 86 09 18 Fax 922 86 19 57WimPen Leisure Tel: 922 75 16 32 Fax 922 79 62 70
Places to visit
There are a number of animal and theme parks on the Island as well as other places for tourists.Parque Ecologico
The ecology park is more theme than zoo but brilliant entertainment for adults and children. There was a bird show, penguins, magic and lots more. Enough for an all-day outing.Tenerife Zoo
Small but fun, with friendly staff. Nearby Camel Park, where you can have a camel ride that is fun but again they take photos of you on the Camels. No pressure to buy but you need to beware the cost and usefulness.Loro Parque
Easily the busiest and the most commercial entertainment. It is in the north, near the main city. Loro Parque is Spanish for 'Parrot Park' but also see dolphin show, sea-lions, and penguins on an icy island.
Octopus
NO animals here! This is a large water park with salted swimming pools and slides.It is out in the full sun so remember that high factor sun cream and use plenty of it. Food expensive so it is best to take food and plenty of drink too.SERVICES
- Tenerife - Los Gigantes, Puerto Santiago, Playa de la Arena - Islas Online
The tourist guide entry for the resorts of Los Gigantes and Puerto Santiago.
More Praise
We stay at El Marques each February and cannot praise it enough for its hospitality and the kindness of its staff. Los Gigantes has everything that anyone who seeks a quiet peaceful holiday could ask for - JMcD
Tenerife Pearl Exhibition Centre, open 9am till late 7 days a week. Centre is near Playa de las Americas. They distribute decent complementary maps of the island. We got ours from the car hire company.
More information on another web site