Accommodation - a few recommendations and useful tips

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.

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For my part, I'll just try and give you some idea of the more prestigious ones.

Hotel Botanico

Situated in Puerto de la Cruz, this five-star hotel is one of the best, if not the best in Tenerife.

Bahia del Duque

Built rising from the beachfront at Adeje, this resort village is the jewel in the crown of the south coast.

Europe Villa Cortes

Situated at the north end of Las Americas, this luxury hotel is modelled on Mexican and Mayan architecture.

Sir Anthony Hotel

Luxury 5-star accommodation right on the seafront, between Los Cristianos and Las Americas.

Jardines de Nivaria

Five-star luxury, situated in Costa Adeje, with direct access to Playa Fañabe.

Gran Melia Palacio de Isora

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.

Arona Gran Hotel

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.

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).

It did once have a British-run bar/restaurant, serving meals, drinks and snacks throughout the day, but, for the past few years, it has been closed, with, unfortunately, no sign of it reopening. There's a British-run office that can help you with any information you require and a handyman standing by in case the apartment needs any routine maintainance. All apartments have wifi.

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.

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.

I've a seperate page for villas here.

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