I have stayed in both - Torviscas Playa was by far the best in every way in my opinion. Both are in a good location, and very close to each other.

thanks Meerkat2505, i will be trying the Torviscas Playa

Other people might have different ideas Lydia, but when we were at the Esmeralda you had to pay for loungers round the pool (perhaps someone who has stayed recently could confirm if that is still the case). The pool area isn't very nice at all.

The food, staff and pools at the Torviscas Playa are all really nice - I found all these aspects to be better here than at the Esmeralda. The rooms may look a bit dated, but they are not any better at the Esmeralda (which had sullen staff on our 2 week stay, huge queues in the dining room and pretty mediocre food).

It will be interesting to hear others' opinions - see if anyone has stayed at both of them.

thanks for that, im popping out for a few days at the beginning of next month to surprise a friend I have not seen for years.