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Tenerife, Spain - Trip Report

 Posted by JH on 18 January 2000, at 9:25 a.m.
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I saw this on the Gambling Times page at

 
http://www.gamblingtimes.com/E-Zine/e-zine.php3
 

THE CASINOS OF TENERIFE

 
by John Hill
 

Tenerife, the largest of the the Spanish held Canary Islands, lies off the west coast of North Africa. Stepping off

 
the plane at Norte Los Rodeos airport one immediately senses the relaxed ambience that pervades the island as a
 
whole. Perhaps moreso than in any other Spanish province, the Canaries exemplify an old world charm which is
 
all too rare in this age of rapid development. This is especially true of Tenerife, where the cities of Santa Cruz de
 
Tenerife and Puerto De La Cruz literally take you back in time. Temperatures range from 64 degrees in January to
 
76 degrees in August.. This, coupled with the fact that the island is one of the least expensive destinations in
 
greater Europe, make it an ideal vacation spot any time of the year. The lower elevations are semi-tropical and the
 
western shore is dotted with bananna plantations. Ancient terraces wind upward along the slopes of the massive
 
volcano which dominates the island; snow capped for nine months of the year.
 

For the gaming aficionado I can think of no more pleasant a place to spend a holiday than Tenerife. There are

 
three major casinos on the island, managed by the Cabildo de Tenerife, the local governmental body. These are
 
located in the principal population centers of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto De La Cruz, and Playa De Las
 
Americas.
 

* * * * * * * * * * *.

 

CASINO SANTA CRUZ

 

Rambla General Franco, 105

 

38003 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Espana

 

Tel. 922 29 07 40

 

Fax. 922 29 12 85

 

Casino Santa Cruz is located at the heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the elegant European style hostelery, Hotel

 
Mencey. The hotel has 263 rooms, 27 suites, 3 bars, open air restaurant, dining room, swimming pool, gym,
 
sauna, and tennis.
 

The small European style casino is located on the lower floor and provides the following games for players: 3

 
American Roulette tables, 4 Blackjack tables, 2 poker tables, 1 Tri Joker table, 25 video poker machines, and 38
 
slot machines.
 

Parking at the Hotel Mencey is difficult if not impossible. The tiny lot holds perhaps a dozen cars. For those who

 
wish to partake of the hotel and casino amenities the best course is to leave your vehicle at one of the public
 
parking areas in town, and taxi from there to the hotel. The ride is inexpensive and well worth saving the agony of
 
attempting to park anywhere on the streets of Santa Cruz.
 

Hours are from 6PM to 3AM weekdays and 9PM to 5AM weekends.

 

* * * * * * * * * * *

 

CASINO PLAYA DE LAS AMERICAS

 

Avenida Del Mar, 9

 

38570 ADEJE, Tenerife, Espana

 

Tel. 922 79 37 58/12

 

Faz. 922 79 59 26

 

The Casino is located in the Gran Tenerife Hotel at Playa De Las Americas, a new and growing resort area at the

 
southernmost part of the island. It is served by Sur Reina Sofia Airport and has been called the "Las Vegas" of
 
Tenerife; a name which implies not so much the gaming aspect of the town, but the continued sprawling growth
 
of high rise condominiums which seem to spring up daily.
 

The hotel and casino are located on the beach nine miles from the airport, The Hotel has 359 rooms, 2 suites,

 
restaurants, bars, gym, sauna, and tennis. The European style casino provides the following games for locals and
 
tourists: 4 American Roulette tables, 6 Blackjack tables, 3 Poker tables, 1 Tri Joker, 35 video poker machines, and
 
90 slot machines.
 

If your thing is pseudo Miami Beach, construction cranes, and scantily clad ladies of every possible nationality

 
then Playa De Las Americas is for you.
 

Hours are from 3PM to 2AM on weekdays and from 8PM to 4AM on weekends.

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * *

 

CASINO DE TAORO

 

Parque Taoro, 22

 

38400 Puerto De La Cruz, Tenerife, Espana

 

Tel. 922 38 05 50

 

Fax. 922 38 37 44

 

Of all the casinos on Tenerife this one is my favorite. Located on the top floor of the soon to be re-opened, grand

 
and graceful Tauro Hotel, the casino is surrounded by lush gardens. It is situated on the grounds of a lovely
 
park high above Puerto De La Cruz and offers a breathtaking view of the city below.
 

In addition to gaming the establishment has a first class restaurant and bar, together with a "Vegas style" lounge

 
which features dancing and popular music. Interestingly, the casino has developed into what might best be
 
termed a "club" for the elite of Puerto De La Cruz; a social gathering place where business and gaming meld
 
together. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, and the service superb. For those more interested in gambling
 
than eating, the following games are offered: 1 French Roulette table, 6 American Roulette tables, 3 Blackjack
 
tables (six decks in the shoe), 2 poker tables, 1 Tri Joker, 29 video poker machines, and 33 slot machines.
 
Additionally, various tournaments are held throughout the year, including backgammon and bridge.
 

My visit to Casino Taoro was exceptionally pleasant, made doubly so by the courtesy extended by Mr. Roberto

 
Diaz Molina, Subdirector of the casino, and Vanessa Mendez in charge of public relations. They may be
 
contacted at the casino for any current information you might require.
 

Hours on weekdays are 8Pm to 3 AM weekdays and 4PM to 4AM on weekends. Hours are subject to seasonal

 
change.
 

* * * * * * * * * * *

 

Minimum and maximum bets at the casinos are as follows: (figures are in pesetas which exchange at

 
approximately 155 pesetas to the dollar) French Roulette - 250 min./6000 max.; American Roulette - 250 min./5000
 
max.; Blackjack - 1000 min./50,000max.; Poker and Tri Joker minimums are 1000 pesetas. Slot Machines range from
 
50 to 250 pesetas and video poker from 50 to 500.
 

Entry into the casinos requires identification and passports for foreign nationals. A entry fee of 500 pesetas is

 
also required for each visit.
 

As privacy is of major concern, patrons of the casinos cannot be reached once inside the doors. No information

 
of any nature is disseminated to.any person or organization, public or private!.
 

Attire is casual, recently relaxed to a point that jeans and open necked shirts are allowed. T shirts and sandals,

 
however, will leave you standing on the steps!
 

As a matter of information, card-counters are not particularly welcomed on the 21 tables. Significant play

 
indicating counting may result in an invitation to try other games of chance, especially since the practice is to
 
play down the entire six decks in the shoe with no cut! One American team several years ago, equipped with
 
transmitters and computers, attempted to "take" the Blackjack tables at Casino Tauro. They were spotted
 
shortly after play began and ejected somewhat unceremoniously with unpleasant consequences!
 

Unless you are a diehard "Las Vegas" or "Atlantic City" gambler, used to huge crowds, flashing lights, and

 
disinterested service, you will definitely appreciate the ambience and professional atmosphere of the Casinos of
 
Tenerife.
 

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