An affordable gently family friendly sea front hotel in Tenerife? For around £125 a night? I got you with Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club in Golf del Sur. Here’s my honest review.
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Why Tenerife?
Now, loving to explore the world with mostly an off the beaten track adventure you might think why Tenerife? A popular well known and loved tourist spot from the UK?
Well firstly, and mainly, this is the place that my Dad decided to call home when he left the UK in 2007. Naturally when I had my eldest daugher a few years later we set about visiting, stumbling upon Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club which was not far from where he lived. The location was perfect, the aesthetics, sea front, family room, staff and importantly; a great price point. We had a wonderful time.
Fast forward 10 years, and after a few more visits to Tenerife with family in apartments and villas, when revisiting to lay my Dad to rest with my sisters, Santa Barbara seemed like the natural choice. Unsurprisingly there had been changes at the hotel in that time, namely the pool. And no surprise it was just as great for the second time around and the staff were lovely about the reason we were there with our ocean view room feeling like perfection to see the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.
Having been to this hotel now as a parent to a young child and child free (with the lens of having older children always firmly in my mind) I can confidently say I think it is a great place for both that, in my exepreince, isn’t too steered towards one or the other.
Tenerife is such a family friendly destination for many reasons not least the short flight and almost guaranteed year round sunshine. Golf del Sur being the relaxing quieter area away from the party towns. It’s a very short 10 minute taxi ride from Tenerife South airport and a good base for further exploration of the Island, it’s outdoor pursuits or indeed the theme parks too.
The Hotel
Sitting on the south coast with it’s stunning white exterior and blue domes you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s giving more Santorini than Tenerife. Facing the ocean and sea views there is no doubt Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club is beautiful. The bright modern entrance with tall celings welcomes you and the staff are friendly and helpful from the moment you step foot through those large glass doors.
Rooms
The self catering rooms, of which there are 279 over 8 floors. Range from studio to 3 bedroom apartments all with kitchen facilities. We have experienced a 1 bedroom apartment and a 1 bedroom family apartment with ocean view balcony. The rooms are spacious and well equipped. Worth noting not all rooms have balconies or an ocean view so do check when booking. You can also send a request, subject to availability.
The room decor is clean, simple & neutral. Personally I feel it is lacking in a little style and soul, being a little tired in places which is a shame because it could easily be levelled up to really stand out and make a statement in design. Style aside it all works well for what they are and the view, should you have it, is lovely over the ocean and the pool area.
Rooms are equipped with air conditioning or ceiling fans, toiletries, towels, coffee machine, iron, tv & hairdryer
Facilities
Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club has two pools. The main outdoor heated pool and a childrens pool. With a jacuzzi hot tub under cover. There are areas on different levels with sun loungers, chairs, gardens and a pool bar whether you want to be in on the action or quietly removed.
There’s gym fitness centre with classes (fees apply) and spa facilites including a Sauna. *Worth noting the Sauna is temporarily closed March 2026 – December 2026*. A games room, children’s club, restaurant, playground, free wifi and a small mini market within the hotel.
Entertainment
I am not really an entertainment in hotel kind of a person so the thing that I love here is that although there is an evening entertainment program, it is discreet and listening to the live musicians at the bar from the balcony was never not a treat.
If it is your thing there is bingo, live music, evening entertainment, sports and plenty to opt into!
Food
With it being a complex of self catering apartments this is mainly what we focused on cooking in the aprtment with a convenience store just a 5 minute walk or bigger supermarkets within a 10 minute drive.
In the hotel there is one restaurant on site ‘Barbara’s Restaurant’ and the ‘Ocean Breeze’ the pool bar in the day for snacks. The food we experienced was ok with mid range pricing. Throughout the hotel is also a mini market and vending machines. Plenty of options to suit everyones needs.
Plenty of restaurants can be found locally with the seafront and the marina accessible on the coastal path. The Pancake Cafe in particular is a must with not only the obvious, and delicious, pancakes on offer but also the most nutritious, colourful and tasty lunch and brunch options. The avocado on toast, salmon bagels and poke bowls. Pure delight.
Children
Children are very welcomed in the hotel in, I would say, an understated way. If you want child centric full entertainment, this may not be the place for you. If you desire a place both children and adults can enjoy. This ticks the boxes for me. There is a children’s club, games room and the pool is surrounded by a guard for safety. High chairs and cots are available, a playground, board games and plenty of spaces for shelter.
Cleanliness
This might not be for everyone but personally for me one of the things that makes a stay stand out for me – especially with small children who are far more likely to lick the floor than I ever imagined would be the case pre children – is cleanliness.
Both in the rooms and also in the communal areas. So when it is clear of a morning (parents of early risers unite) the staff are out cleaning and setting up for the day, it is a really good sign! The communal areas I always found to be clean and well maintained which I appreciate.
Local Area
Golf del Sur is a peaceful, relaxed resort away from the busy noise and bustle of the bigger resorts and towns. Built around, you guessed it, a 27 hole golf course! The hotel is seafront with the rugged, rocky coastline and volcanic dark sand being just 100 metres away. Though not a beach centric destination the sea views are to be admired. Get up for sunrise over the ocean and you won’t regret it.
In the immediate vicinity you are a 5 minute walk from Amarilla Golf Course, marina, watersports, boat trips, coastal walks and cafes and restaurants lining the coast. Aswell as access from the front of the hotel the rear gated exit and entrance connects directly onto the seafront promenade (don’t forget your roomkey).
San Blas is a 15 minute walk away with shops, bars and restaurants for a more lively feel especially in the evening.
Los Abrigos, a traditional fishing village, is within a 10 minute drive (or coastal walk) brimming with amazing seafood restruants.
San Miguel Marina with boat trips and watersports or scuba diving.
If beaches are what you are after try Playa San Blas (pebbly and rocky), Playa de La Tejita (sandy), Playa Amarilla (wild rocky) or Playa El Médano.
Whether hiring a car, taking taxis or a bus for exploring further afield you can enjoy the epic highest rated waterpark Siam Park a 20 minutes drive away. Alternatively for the more outdoor adventurer an hour away is either Mount Teide an active stratovolcano. Drive, hike or experience it’s cable car. Or visit Masca, hike or drive the steep narrow and incredibly winding hair pin turn roads before being rewarded with a charming village and incredible mountain views.
Price & Details
Prices obviously vary depending on time of year and room type. We paid £100 per night in 1 bed family apartment in March off season and also in June.
So, if it wasn’t clear already, if you are looking for an affordable seafront hotel for some all year round sunshine and relaxed child friendly vibe. Look no futher than Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club Tenerife. I can’t stress enough that I rarely visit somewhere twice so you can take even that fact as a real life recommendation.
