Tenerife: Iberostar Sabila Hotel | 5*

Sometimes we need a relaxing getaway, where we relax and do nothing… no sightseeing, no running around exploring off beaten tracks, just sun, drinks, a good book and a pool. Iberostar Sabila offers the facilities to do just that.

We paid extra for the Star Prestige package, giving us access to the upper floor levels, a sea view room and the private rooftop area; and late checkout.

The rooftop area was nice, it has its own reception where you can book anything you want with the receptionist. There is an area you can use your laptop, charge your phone or just inside. There are plenty of lounge chairs available, although unfortunately, you get a common problem, people waking up early and ‘reserving’ lounge chairs by leaving their towels and other belongings on top. If you ask, the staff can bring out extra lounge chairs, you probably won’t be admiring the best view or getting the best suntan.

Star Prestige includes various snacks and drinks; unlimited soft drinks, beer, water, coffee and tea are available all day, yoghurts, and fruit salads are also available. Later in the afternoon around about 12pm, they bring out sandwiches and various salads and alcohol. The alcohol is the premium stuff, so you have drinks like Bailey's, Sapphire Bombay, Grey Goose and Bacardi to name a few, there is also plenty of Prosecco and a selection of red and white wines. These are all available until the Star Prestige area closes at 10pm.

I don’t eat pork so I requested for special sandwiches to be made for me; this was not a problem, they were made and kept separate from the rest of food, I only had to ask at the reception when I wanted one.

There are things to do throughout the day, the Iberostar Sábila host a variety of activities for guests to take part in, these activities happen in the man area of the hotel, not in the Star Prestige area. I liked this, as it gave an opportunity to meet and mix with other hotel guests in a fun environment, rather than being surrounded by those who just want to sip on Prosecco in peace and quiet, while topping up their tan.

I took part in a face mask making session, with Aloe Vera (the hotel is named after this) and also soap making.

Iberostar Sábila offers a vast selection of food in the main restaurant, at the time of booking we opted for the inclusive Breakfast only; knowing we wanted to experience and sample the local restaurants.

The option to pay as you go for lunch and dinner is there if you choose, or you can go for the all-inclusive packages. Food is fresh and things like fried and poached eggs, some fish and omelettes are cooked at your request, to your liking, in front of you. The food selection is so wide, it is possible to have a different meal pretty much every day for a weeks' stay.

You can order gluten-free bread, they provide a variety of milk including soy and almond and there is a good selection of vegetables and salad, making it easy for vegetarians and vegans to eat. If there is something you require that you can not see in the buffet section, just ask, they are friendly and helpful. I ordered gluten-free bread once and after that; they brought different types to my table each day I sat down to eat without me having to ask.

Prosecco in the morning? Yes please, this is served throughout the day with meals, the waiters/waitresses walk around and serve this if you want it; you can also serve yourself from a table located near the rear doors.

There is a second restaurant at Iberostar Sábila called Gourmet Market, a buffet-style food market, think tapas. We had a look, although the food looked good, we dined in the main restaurant instead.

There are 3 bars, the lobby bar - open till 1am, the snack bar - open till 4pm; and the pool bar opens till 6pm. These 3 bars are separate from the self-service bar area in Star Prestige.

As the hotel was being refurbished, they had no spa facilities available on site (they were building a brand new spa and gym); a little disappointing when a spa is essentially to a relaxing holiday… to our surprise however, they offered a free shuttle service to one of their sister hotels spa, where we had full access to the facility at no extra cost. All treatments, such as facials, massages, body and beauty treatments cost extra.