A real tonic for body and soul

Having not been here for some years following other travel commitments and then covid I was excited to return though was unsure what to expect from the renovations. These are an improvement and they have given the hotel a cleaner, fresher and more modern look. The new sunbeds by the main pool are (if too few) the single biggest improvement and before families arrived with children it was very relaxing. The pool boys were also very attentive and nothing was too much trouble. When children were there it was less enjoyable so next time I will make sure I book for a time when no children are there at all. The breakfast is generally good and despite the omelette chef being very busy all the time he still managed to boil my eggs to perfection each day and the whole time the staff were under pressure but they were always very friendly and attentive. The fresh fruit, bread and pastries were as good as ever. I did miss the newspaper at breakfast and while I see the amount of paper used for that a waste it would have been no bad thing if an alternative via QR code were provided. The bar is well stocked and the cocktails are very good with reasonable prices and the service (esepcially Carmen) is attentive. Some of the bands are also good and the new look is a vast improvement. The spa is as it ever was with the only complaints being the temperature of the pool which doesn´t really have a cooling effect and the lack of sunbeds especially when people are almost encouraged by some rude girl working there to reserve them. Generally I think the staff in the spa have a dismissive, rude attitude not found in the rest of the hotel. I also don´t really see why towels in the spa need to be wrapped in plastic while by the pool theyre handed out normally. This hotel does take covid seriously and in many ways far too seriously! Expecting their staff to work all day in that heat and even outside in an FFP2 masks seems unnecessary and could even be dangerous. Mask wearing outside with those levels of UV light is completely unnecessary and people should not do it. There is also little less inviting than to arrive with the phone and hairdryer covered in shower caps. I do hope that by the time I return much of this security theatre will disappear. The staff here are (apart from in the spa) worth a mention in their own right. They are so very kind and always show a strong interest in improving the guests´stay in any way they can. Antonio and Suso are both very good porters and are always over the years have been extremely helpful, Tina at reception has a constant smile on her face and is really very motivated to help her guests and Carmen in the bar also does a great job. I was delighted that while there have been many changes at the Botanico that the kind staff with their professional yet personable manner as good as ever. There are one or two areas where I get the feeling the hotel needs to get back into its stride after being closed for so long and I will definitely book outside the school holidays to avoid children completely. Other than that I am already looking forward to my next relaxing break.