Third visit and just as good, if not better.

This is the third year we have stayed at the Botanico and the experience was just as good as the two previous years, if not better. Prior to our visit I e-mailed to ask if we could have a view overlooking the garden, instead of the drive and the distant sea, just for a change and we were given the perfect room, directly over the pool, but not overlooked in any way. The bathroom was great, as we had a rain forest shower, which squirted you powerfully from every angle and on our arrival, we were given a bottle of wine, a bowl of fruit and a big bottle of water, as well as two small bottles of water, which were replaced every day. We had a safe and a fridge, which was handy for keeping chocolate and biscuits in the cool and there was masses of wardrobe space and drawers and plenty of hangers.The TV had BBC1 and 2 and ITV as well as various other English speaking channels and the free Wi-Fi in the room was much better than on our two previous visits. We had a late lunch in the restaurant by the pool, most days and these were unfailingly delicious, with huge portions. Last year there wasn't a Manager's cocktail party,during our visit, but this year it was back again and it was lovely to mingle with other guests and have drinks and delicious nibbles and a chat with Sr. Gustavo, the Manager. We also did a guided tour with the lovely Susana (whose sole purpose in life is to fulfil your every request!) of one of the private suites on the top floor, which was huge and very luxurious. There was entertainment every evening, mostly singers, but one night we had some excellent flamenco dancers. The gardens are wonderful, with beautiful flowers and shrubs and a small lake, with lots of large and friendly Koi carp, black swans and turtles and there is an aviary with glass walls right in the breakfast room, so you can watch the birds while having your bacon and eggs! The included breakfast was one of the best breakfasts we have had anywhere in the world and you could literally have anything you liked and it was all delicious. I've never eaten so much smoked salmon in my life! There was soya milk and soya yoghurt as well, for those who can't tolerate dairy. The breakfast is so huge and tempting we couldn't face lunch until about 3pm! I must mention the staff as they were all, without exception, charming and helpful and really made you feel at home. Nothing was too much trouble and you only had to ask! There is a turn-down service every evening which comes with a delicious chocolate each. I must mention the spa - more huge Koi carp swimming around alongside the pretty garden with a pool, a large Jacuzzi and a small Jacuzzi in a cave. I had a massage there and it was one of the best I have had anywhere. It is such a peaceful spot and child-free. The hotel is quite a walk from the centre of Puerto de la Cruz down a very steep hill, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you are extremely fit, but the hotel has a free mini-bus every hour which will also bring you back. If you miss the mini-bus, it only costs about 5 euros for a taxi. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and supermarkets near the hotel. I would also recommend a visit to La Oratava, which is a very interesting and historic town about a 10 minute drive up the hill from the hotel and also has a mini-version of the main Botanic Garden which is opposite the hotel and from which it gets its name. We had a lovely week and hope to return again soon.