We choose this hotel partly because we liked the pictures and partly because of the reviews in trip adviser.
The hotel grounds are very beautiful.
We had an appartment on the ground floor partly looking out over the swimming pool and partly looking at a wall with trees, it was slightly below the pool, I have to say we were disappointed with the view as all the pics are shown from the upper floors, If I went again I would book independantly (we went with Thomsons) and ask for a room with a balcony. As far as we could tell the 1 bedrooms appartments seem to either overlook the pool or the sea but the sea ones also overlooked the street and parking, The two bed app. seem to have a view of the sea and pool. Because of the way the complex is situated round the pool there are some rooms which would not be so good ie. overlooking the road but not the sea, if you book talk to them about what your view would be (if it bothers you!!)
The appartments inside are very nice and decorated in a simple but artistic way. There is almost no English channels on the TV CNN and BCC news (but that did not work for several days) there are many Germany channels as well as Spanish.
There is no entertainment at night (at least when we went) - we did mention these points to the hotel. We if fact went up the road to the large Hotel nearby Tabriente Playa they had very good entertainments and we noticed several people from our app. had also gone there.
We eat our breakfast in the H.S.G. every day,(we were on an app. only basis another time I would have breakfast included in the price as it is probably cheaper) as it was easier than going out and the coffee was good! I would say the breakfasts were ok but not great esp the cooked part. We had 2 evening meals and they were about the same, ok. The pool was very cold and I did not go in.
The hotel is very close to a nice beach, fine black sand.
The resort is small but there are a few resturants and shops. The resort is nicely landscaped. It is close to the airport but the planes are not a problem as most of them are small.
The staff at the hotel in reception are pleasant (they tried to change our room but the ones they offered were not as good as the one we already had).
A reviewer said there were alot of cats they were right!

We were wondering whether to stay at the H>S>J> or the Los Olas, we went to the Los Olas for a meal. There was a large choice on the buffet but the whole feel of the resturant was not as nice as the H.S. J. but it was good value for money 11 Eur. for as much as you wanted (at the hsj it was 17 euros) The place looked nice it was at the other end of the village nearer to the road, but the road was not busy. I think either place would be good to stay at!
We went to the Cafe Vista Playa it has just been taken over by a young couple and the food (home cooked) was great it is open for lunch and breakfast.


La Palma is a wonderful place. BUT not somewhere to go in winter for guaranteed sun! we had rain on about 4 days out of 7, but not all day! we did have alot of sun as well! We hired a car for 5 days and went round most of the Island, one day we went to the top mountain peak where the observatory is situated if you can do this it was magnificent, if fact there was a snow fall and on the road we met a snow plough!
We also climbed one of the mountain peaks Pico de la Nieve the sign said it was 1.9km but it took us hours as it was quite a scramble up and down! If you are going to the natural protected areas It is worth buying food and drink as there are not many places to eat.

We went to the south of the island, The information centre in the National park is very good and there is a cafe there. There are quite a few easy walks as well as difficult one. There is a Princess Hotel near Fuencaliente we drove to it and walked round the outside, it looks very nice but is very isolated and it would take quite awhile to get to other parts of the Island (although I am sure there are tours from the hotel). The west Tazacorte and Punta naos are more tourist orientated with more small shops and resturants. The biggest shopping area is Los Llanos, there is an interesting church there and we had a good look at the shops

Thanks so much to the traveller who suggested Enriciai the resturant in Santa Cruz it is fantastic. The lady who owns it (with her husband) is so nice, she does not speak English and there is no menu but both time we went there were people there who spoke english and spanish so we werre ok. The spaghetti with sea food it wonderful. It is difficult to find and only has 3 tables but do go if you can. It is just off he Avenida del Puente go done the side of the Mercado and it is just up on the right as the one way street starts down. We asked in our hotel and they knew it and drew a map.

The most expensive coffee was in a Hotel called Romantica in the north of the island about twice the price of any other!

There is a festival in La Palma every year from about the 1st Feb t 10th it does not seem to be in the guide books. They celebrate people going to the Americas and making their fortune and coming back. On the 4th everyone wears white and throws talcumn powder over each other! The whole of Santa Cruz was alive and very white! If you do not like this idea it would be good to avoid towns (it goes on all over the island) or do not go at that time, it is also more expensive in the hotels if you book yourself. If you like this idea it would be great fun!

I have written alot here as I did find the comments travellers had made very useful this time and so made alot myself!!

I could recommend the Island as a most beautiful place and
and the H.S.J. but check out where the room will be (if you mind!)