Where We Stayed
Alexandre Hotel La Siesta in Playa de las Americas, Tenerife. We went for eight nights in June with the family, including our children who have ASD and ADHD.
The rooms were great. Clean, well kept and a decent size. Everything worked and we had no complaints about the accommodation itself.
How La Siesta Worked For Our Family
Travelling with children who are neurodivergent means you think about things differently when choosing a hotel. You are not just looking at star ratings and pool photos. You are thinking about whether the environment is manageable, whether the food will work, whether there is space for your child to regulate when they need to.
La Siesta is in a good location. Everything is walking distance or a short taxi ride, which made life easier because we were not relying on long bus transfers or complicated logistics to get anywhere.
The pool area was our main base during the day. It is a good size with plenty of space and we never had any issue getting sunbeds. Our son, who is 13, would come to the pool for a while and then head back to the room when he needed some time to regulate, which is a normal part of how we manage holidays.
One thing worth flagging is that the wi-fi was not great. For our son, screen time is part of how he regulates, so patchy wi-fi was frustrating. If your child relies on devices for downtime or calming, it is worth knowing that the connection can be unreliable.
The hotel food was also a challenge for us. Buffet dining can be tricky with neurodivergent children, whether that is the noise, the crowds, the smells or just the unpredictability of what is available. We found it easier to eat out most of the time. There is a McDonald's nearby which was a lifesaver for the kids, and a takeaway directly across the road from the hotel. Having those reliable options close by made a big difference.
A quick practical tip: bring swimming sandals. The floor around the pool area is very slippery and gets hot in the sun.
What We Did
We packed a lot in despite the challenges. The highlight for the kids was Siam Park, the big water park in Costa Adeje. It is about a 15 minute taxi ride from La Siesta and it is worth every penny. There are slides and rides for every age and thrill level, plus a wave pool, a lazy river and calmer beach areas if anyone needs a break from the action.
We also did the Medieval Night at Castillo San Miguel. It is a full evening with a jousting tournament, a banquet and entertainment. The kids loved it. Worth knowing that it is loud and runs until about 10:15pm, so if your children are sensitive to noise or need an early bedtime, factor that in.
The other thing we did was the Fiat 500 boat trip from Puerto Colon. It is an hour long and they are fast. Basically a self-drive boat shaped like a Fiat 500 that you take out on the sea yourself. It was a lot of fun and something different.
Food and Drink
As mentioned, the hotel food did not really work for our family. But the restaurants nearby more than made up for it. Ohana on Avenida Rafael Puig Lluvina (the same street as the hotel) was amazing. There is also a good pizza place nearby. Between the restaurants, the takeaway across the road and McDonald's, we were never stuck for something the kids would eat.
Eating out in Playa de las Americas is well priced. We never felt like we were spending a fortune and there is a good range of options within walking distance.
Would We Go Back
I do not normally go back to the same place twice. But this was the best holiday we have had, full stop. The hotel was clean and comfortable, the location was perfect, and we found a routine that worked for our family despite the challenges.
If you are travelling with neurodivergent children, La Siesta is not perfect. The wi-fi needs improving and the buffet dining might not suit every family. But the location makes up for a lot. Having restaurants, takeaways and familiar food options right on the doorstep means you can work around whatever the hotel does not get right. And the excursions available in the area, Siam Park, the medieval night, the Fiat 500 boats, gave us some of the best family memories we have made.
Would I recommend it to another family in the same situation? Yes, I would. Just bring swimming sandals and download some content before you go in case the wi-fi lets you down.