Tenerife Carnival 2013

Bollywood? Noooooo TENERIFE!!

Tenerife carnival 2013, the most famous carnival in Europe has already started, but the bestest is yet to come. These are the dates you have to keep in mind to enjoy from the very first moment till the last Tenerife carnival 2013!

Carnival Queen Election on February the 6th  is as always one of the most expected shows in the island. At 21.30h , at Recinto Ferial in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, fourteen ladies with fascinating dresses, colourful and complicated, absolute secrets that involve lots of  work during months. At the end, there can be only ONE Carnival Queen.. and  we are dying to see the dresses.

The Carnival  opening parade in on February the 8th is just the prelude of the party in the street , where also carnival groups , DJs and band perform live  in several stages arround Santa Cruz  till February the 16th.

Another important date is on February the 13th, The Burrial of the Sardine, with a parade through the followinig streets:

• Calle Juan Pablo II
• Mendez Núñez,
• Calle del Pilar,
• Calle Villalba Hervás,
• Calle La Marina,
• Alameda Duque Santa Elena

Carnaval de Tenerife 2013 with family – Day time Carnival

Day time Carnival  will be double this year . On February 10th and 16th, there’s no need to wait till late at night to wear a costume, as families and children  can have a day time Carnival .

Enjoy!

At  GF Hoteles   we are very proud and happy of our efforts to support our valuable environment, that’s why we have worked hard with all the members of our staff to get the EMAS , the international Eco management and Audit Scheme that confirms the commitment of GF Hoteles to improve our environmental performance continously .

In order to get the EMAS any organization  must meet the EU legal Requirements that have been formarly verified.

Hotel Fanabe, Costa Adeje Gran Hotel and Hotel Isabel  Quality Management and Environmental Policy:

The following principles are assumed by  our Hotels in Tenerife :

• Management is responsable of implementation  and improvement of quality management  processes and eco management, providing the resources needed for the right development and permanent improvement.
• Quality and eco management requirements eco management aspects and legal information will be completely explained to providers an cooperators.
• Sustainable use of natural resources, working permanently to avoid pollution and save energy.
• Development and implementation good practices in all the activities at our hotels in Costa Adeje   . also work for environmental awareness with employees through specialized training and also the society through our  Hotels  activities.
• Guests’ needs and expectations are the main guideline to set up the  highest quality products and services based on a documentary system  to consider and quantify , as far as possible,  our guests’ satisfaction.
• Final quality in products and services for guests’ as well as the evironmental impact of  GF Hoteles activities are the result  of planned actions  to prevent, identify, correct and improve permanently.
• The implementation  of this policy  demands the assimilation and cooperation of GF Hoteles  team . Our Hotels management considers team quality and eco management   motivation and training as a priority .
• Reaffirm the commitment of obeying the legal requirements related to quality and eco management.

2013 is ending….what a year! It’s been a permanent non stop during 365 days during we have had to learn, to think, to thank….and it’s nearly over.

2012 was welcomed as a challenge the same way we’ll welcome 2013 between bells, grapes, drinks in our hands and wishes in our hearts.

In 2012 we have been supportive at GF Hoteles

Probably we have all found more satisfaction in several actions we cooperated than in our regular duties.

Unfortunatelly due to the fires that happened in Tenerife we helped as much as we could but we wish it wont happen again.

GF Hoteles happily cooperated with asotiations to fight cancer and hunger, also started a collaboration  to instruct young guys in our hotels and so on, trying to be helpful as far as we could with a society that needs all our efforts.

For 2013 we want to do more, help more and inspire others to cooperate, our visitors and collaborators; we prommise 2013 we’ll do our very best.

During 2012 we have been keen on sustainability, getting several certifications as EMA.we care about the environment, it’s also our responsability and we hope to do more in 2013.

Our hotels have been awarded by our guests in the most popular online reputation sites in Europe, which is a matter of happiness for all our team and encourages  us to keep working hard to provide the best holidays posible.

In the digital universe we started at GF Hoteles a race with no end, we launched the mobile web and we were the first in having virtual tours in Costa Adeje.…just starting.There’s plenty to do, try, test, fail..but we’ll try to cope with our “plan”

Is there everything ready for 2013? Of course!! Grapes, good food, drinks, music…How would it be?

From GF Hoteles we want to wish you a wonderful 2013, a generous year with plenty of health, success and HAPPINESS

Christmas day is just arround the corner.Time to meet family and friends, time to spend a little while with our loved ones and time to miss those that will not join us for one reason or another.

Between longing and happiness, Christmas 2012 is getting closer.

Business meetings, parties with workmates or friends from childhood. Christmas is a perfect time to set a date to meet again. More than a special feeling, Christmas is awaking for a long stagnation somewhere inside us.

In the Spanish post I wrote, Navi-dad, Christmas in Spanish is Navidad as most of you know, I divided the word in two, as dad, comes from the verb to give, and Christmas  is also a perfect moment to give.

If you wonder why, it’s just because this year we all should be more generous than usual and make this Christmas 2012 as special as always, despite of hard moments, with small presents. So, let’s try to make a little effort to make someone happier these days:

Christmas gift’s that won’t be forgotten:

• A wink
• A phone call
• A Hug
• A walk holding hands
• Your smile
• A caress
• Your friendship
• Your support
• A kiss ( but, as diamonds , too many are never enough)
• And please, show, because there’s no need in saying it but showing You LOVE them. And if you make an extra effort and say I LOVE YOU, someone is going to be extremely happy. You know, it’s Christmas, just try.

I’m sure you are all generous people, so if you could cooperate a bit with the ones that are going thought hard time now, please do. I’mm sure there is something in your wardrobe you do not wear any more, maybe  those toys your kids don’t play with or maybe you have some time to offer to those Town Halls or associations in sociall actions during Christmas. Every little counts.

Let’s be generous, it’s Christmas time

You thought we had forgotten? Nooooooo

Everybody at GF Hoteles wishes you the happiest CHRISTMAS time

Visiting Mount Teide National Park is more than a “must” if you come to Tenerife. There are plenty of reasons but the best is just to get there and you’ll find out why the place it’s a “must”. You won’t regret it, trust me.

Mount Teide National Park

Many people do not want to drive or get a guided excursion, so if you are one of those, no problem you can get to El Teide by bus.

How to get to Mount Teide by bus from Costa Adeje?:

Get on bus line 342 that stops in the following places in Costa Adeje:

• LA CALETA (7160)
• H JARDÍN (7161)
• COSTA ADEJ (7162)
• RIU ARECAS (7163)
• H B DUQUE (7164)
• COST ADEJE (7165)
• FR ABINQUE (8021)
• BRUSELAS (7722)

What time does bus to Mount Teide leave Costa Adeje?

The main bus  schedule from Tenerife South  is as follows:

• From La Caleta:  09.00 h
• From Costa Adeje bus Station:  09.15 h
• From Los Cristianos:  09.30 h

What time do I have to get the bus from El Teide to Costa Adeje?

• From El Portillo: 15.15 h
• From Cable car: 15.4o h
• From Parador: 16. 00 h

How much does it cost to get to El Teide by bus from Costa Adeje?

• From Costa Adeje to El Portillo : 5, 80 Euros
• From Costa Adeje to Parador: 7, 65 Euros

As prices vary depending on the bus stop you get on the bus and they are also updated, download the official rates to get to Mount Teide by bus .

Please don’t forget to check Titsa.com for any update about buses, schedule or prices

And after your great day at El Teide, we’ll be happy to see you back in any of our Costa Adeje Hotels, all of them close to the bus stops to get to Mount Teide National Park .

Costa Adeje Gran Hotel

So no weddings due to credit crunch? Wrong! People still getting married, and even more than that. Your wedding in Adeje will be more than wow.

Let me tell you a secret. We are  special moments specialists.

Maybe crowded weddings are not as usual as in the past, but fogetting about getting married… No way! How are you going to refuse sharing such an important moment with your loved ones?  We’ll sort it out because ….you are getting married no matter what.

No Worries at all, we will take care of everything and you’ll see how smooth organicing a wedding can be.

At GF Hoteles in Tenerife, we are flexible to adapt to your budget without sacrificing quality. We love cellebrations!

We can organice awesome weddings in a choice of venues in our Tenerife Hotels, perfectly tailored made taking into account your preferences. Our team  knows good taste doesn’t mean expensive, you’ll see how Ester, wow effect weddings expert  in Tenerife , and María, in charge of decoration will make your dreamt day  unique.

Wedding banquet decoration at Costa Adeje Gran Hotel

Wedding decoration  Will be memorable for sure.

We’ll combine a great dose of imagination With simplicity. If you are looking forward an intimate cellebration , a chill out one, informal and fresh, or a fairy tale  wedding, your wishes we’ll become true in one of the most special dates in your life.

Your wedding in Adeje could be al fresco one to enjoy fascinating sunsets and great weather, or maybe indoors if you have a themed wedding in mind and do not forget about our pool view restaurant. You decide! It’ll be your day!!

Just contact Ester, our specialist in special moments by e mail : ester@gfhoteles.com and she’ll simply make your wedding as you want, perfect

Solar eclipse 2013

Today, November 13th 2012 a Total solar eclipse will take place. In Spain it could be observed partially.

According to NASA: ” A total solar eclipse is very rare because all parts of this puzzle must line up correctly in order for it to occur. The moon must be in its new phase for a solar eclipse to take place. The moon’s shadow has two parts—a central region called the umbra and an outer region called the penumbra. The part of the moon’s shadow which passes over you determines what kind of eclipse you will see. In a total eclipse like this one, the entire central portion of the Sun is blocked out. The sky darkens as though it is nighttime and — for the only time — you can see the Sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere. Total solar eclipses are of special interest to astronomers because it’s the only time they can study the corona. Scientists still don’t understand why the corona is so hot. Its temperature is 1 to 2 million degrees Fahrenheit while the Sun’s bright surface is only 10,000° F. Careful measurements and experiments made during a total eclipse can help to unravel this enigma.”

Totay’s solar eclipse will last between 4  -15  minutes starting at 20.30 if you are in the Canaries or UK.

You can follow the event real time from your computer  at http://live.gloria-project.eu/ and following #solareclipse on twitter

Credits: Picture courtesy of NASA.gov.

Technology surprises and offers the chance to add value in the most unexpected ways.

Geolocalization is becoming an area to pay special atention. Who knew for a hotel being in a map could be that useful? It is more important and relevant that what you might think.

The evolution of digital maps thanks to technology brings a world of  oportunities for both business and users, our guests. It’s not only a useful tool to get directions if you have placed your hotel information in the right way, it’s a collaborative tool where users can add photos, opinions, you can get business deals and promos and much more.

Maps are not longer a piece of paper with interesting points marked, now they can also take for a virtual tour.We are used to GOOGLE street view, but now, virtual tours are available for hotels as well, and we didn’t want to miss the chance of being in a leading position.

Francis Ortiz was Google trusted photographer to do Costa Adeje Gran Hotel Virtual Tour , making lots of 360º photographs

Costa-Adeje-Gran-hotel-Virtual-tour

The photo is a screen shot of what you can see during Costa Adeje Gran virtual Tour.

If you click on the link , just start playing with the direction cursors at the top left in your screen, you can check several points inside Costa Adeje Gran:

• Room
• Pools,
• entrance,
• lobby bar,
• restaurant,
• corridors, etc…

Just go where you want.

We are very happy having this tour for Costa Adeje Gran Hotel, but what is even better is the fact photos used for the tour can’t be edited as Google doesn’t allow that, so what you see is what it is. Fair, right?

Enjoy your tour and let us know what you think

No doubt, TENERIFE.

Tenerife is the destination. The one and only. YOUR destination….and it’s waiting for you.

So, you don’t know why? No worries, we’ll explain it.

You have no much time you said. It’s all right , this won’t take long, we promise.

You know what, you’ve just given yourself a reason to come. Spending your holidays in Tenerife you’ll finally value time is priceless, as you could have fun, chill out, relax , read that book you got at Christmas and hasn’t left the booksheves yet, and much more.

What? We know nothing about your likes, preferences or needs? That’s not a problem. Tenerife is adaptable, trust us.

Whether you like golf or extreme sports, if you travel solo, with family, friends or with your loved one. If you are looking for fiesta or escaping from it, if you are looking for contrasts between traditions and modernity, between sophistication and simple things, but with sea views….. no doubt, Tenerife is Your destination

Please, make yourself comfortable for this 64 seconds holiday in Tenerife, you’ll love it.

Looking forward welcoming you soon…

The magic of social network gives us wonderful moments that can start with an unexpected tweet, as it was on this occasion.

On twitter three members of Craig’s family contacted with  Hotel Isabel who were in their countdown to stay with us for a week. Megan and Stuart mainly, were talking to the hotel during the previous weeks, sharing with us their happiness for coming on holidays , telling us about their tastes, interests and preferences.

They kept following the information we posted   and were interested in the leisure options that the area could offer, encouragin each other to try different and new activities, trying to reach agreements. The communication was very nice and friendly, so once they checked in  at the Hotel Isabel we decided to meet personally, and we did.

One Saturday morning, just before the planned shopping morning, made a space in their busy agenda and met t with the six members of this wonderful family for a great time.

It was awesome to meet personally our guests as it’s something the social media team loves and this is the first time that happens, hopefully this is just an starting point. I enjoyed it so so much!

Back to our chat, girls tried to see if going to a concert could be posible, next time maybe….Fanabe chill out area seemed something Stuart could consider instead this time. Not bad idea!

Stuart asked some fish restaurants, I suggested some local dishes as lapas, and viejas,  delicious local seafood dishes.

We talked about Tenerife in general and things to be done also some geeks ideas and how to make the hotel more ” social”, we’ll see if we can make it happen!

During their stay they kept us updated about the places they where visiting, Siam Park, Dolphins at Aqqualand in Costa Adeje, dinners with friens, beaches and shopping. They did not stop a minute!.

Hotel Isabel Guests with dolphins in Tenerife

At the time  time to say goodbye and all were excited, especially since Megan says she would like to come this summer at Hotel Isabel to work. Who knows, one day a guest could be part of our team. For now,  study hard so her parents will take her back  in April to Hotel Isabel again and this time with guests special privileges as they will be part of our VIP loyalty programme , GF GOLD, as a reward for their loyalty and above all, friendliness.

It’s been a pleasure meeting you, see you in April!