Accommodation - a few recommendations and useful tips
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Tenerife relies on the tourist trade for its economy, so the island is absolutely chock-a-block with all manner of hotels, self-catering apartments, villas (both standard and luxury) and basic hostels (or "pensions").
On this page, I'll try to deal with each in turn.
Do you think Las Americas has enough holiday accommodation? Photo: Eaglestein
HOTELS
For those of you just visiting Tenerife on holiday, not wanting self-catering, there is the option of hotel accommodation. There are, of course, hundreds of these all over the island, ranging from economy to full five-star.
Quite a mouthful for a name, but this luxury hotel complex is tucked away from the main tourist areas on the coast in the small village of Alcala, on the south-west coast.
Found right at the eastern end of Los Cristianos, this luxury hotel is a short taxi ride or a brisk walk from the centre of Las Americas.
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SELF-CATERING APARTMENTS
These apartment complexes probably outnumber the hotels in the main tourist areas! They usually come equipped with a fully-fitted kitchen and you'll probably find a supermarket not too far away (some make free deliveries). So, if you cook all your own meals, this is definitely a more economical option.
There are so many, I'll just give you a few examples as a sampler. They are ones I've stayed in, so I can vouch for them.
  
Paloma Beach
Situated at the far end of Los Cristianos, this complex is typical of the many that can be found liberally scattered about the island. Many of the apartments available for rent are privately owned and are, as a result, very well maintained. The poolside bar is a family owned business, the family in question being English and friends of mine.
The complex boasts a laundry and an office, dealing with rentals, such services as sending/receiving faxes and emails and selling small holiday items such as postcards and second-hand books. As complexes go, I'd say it was well above average.
Victoria Court I
Another, similar complex in the same area of Los Cristianos, but situated a bit further back from the main road.
It, too, has a British-run bar/restaurant. The apartments are nice, with all the facilities and there is a British-run office on the premises that can help you with such things as excursions.
Victoria Court II
This is not far from Victoria Court I (as you'd expect) and is where the apartment of my other half, Alison, is found.
It has a British-run bar/restaurant, serving meals, drinks and snacks throughout the day. There's a British-run office that can help you with any information you require, plus Internet access and a handyman standing by in case the apartment needs any routine maintainance.
If you want an idea of what these apartments look like inside, then check out Alison's website. If you like what you see, why not make a booking!
Apartment Complexes Elsewhere on the Island
I've had stints staying in apartments both on Amarilla Golf (Fairways) and Golf del Sur (Green Park), both fine examples of accommodation. The only drawback with these two urbanisations is that they're a bit isolated. To get out to any of the major resorts or to visit attractions, you need a hire car or taxi.
Within their areas, though, there are plenty of bars, restaurants and entertainment.
Speaking of the island as a whole, there are, of course, too many self-catering complexes to list here. I've therefore teamed up with "Holiday Lettings", who have many beautiful apartments for rent throughout Tenerife. Just click on the logo below and take a look. If anything takes your fancy, you can book with them, too!
PENSIONS (HOSTELS)
If you're a backpacker or when money's a bit of an issue, you could do worse than book into a hostel, or pension. These are very basic accommodation blocks, containing small rooms with, sometimes, just a bed and a sink. The beauty of them is that you get a roof over your head for very little money.
One I stayed in a few times was La Estrella (the star), situated on the road into Las Galletas. Back then, the place was run by a teutonic gentleman who wondered around in his braces (plus the rest of his clothes, of course). For all I know, he's still there now.
La Estrella, like most pensions, has shower rooms situated on each floor, so you grab your towel, shampoo and soap and off you go!
Down on the ground floor, there was a typical Canarian tapas bar/restaurant, serving, as usual, excellent food quite cheaply.
Subsequently, the restaurant was taken over by a Chinese family, so La Estrella became a place of cheap accommodation, with a Chinese restaurant for good measure.
These economy accommodations are scattered liberally throughout the island. As pensions go, La Estrella is one of the better ones.
VILLAS
Tenerife has its fair share of villas and they can range from reasonably basic, through to the ultimate in luxury. On average sleeping six people, they are ideal for large families or groups of friends.
Have you stayed in any of the hotels featured on this page? Are these top hotels are as good as they make out? Do you have any good experiences with accommodation in Tenerife - or any really bad ones? Then tell us all about it!
travel site links:
Cheap holiday in the Costa Adeje - find low cost holidays, budget flights and discounted hotels in the Costa Adeje and other popular locations, all bookable online with no hidden extras at sunshine.co.uk.
Melbourne Tourist Guide - Travel & Tourism - Melbourne Tourist Guide provides all the service information for the Tourist. Use our Guide to research and plan your Melbourne vacation.