Bellavista Apartments

“ Very good value for money with all rooms having a fantastic sea view. Pool was smallish with hard paved patio areas at either end but there is no garden area surrounding the pool. Sun beds and tables were available everytime I needed one. Rooms were cleaned every day, are comfortable with a living room area and my room had 2 single beds. Reception staff were helpful and the Hotel has a bar area with great views of the sea. I think the only negative is the standard of the food however there was lots of choice for breakfast so you can pick what you like and can then avoid the bacon which appeared very greasy and perhaps undercooked! I also had an evening meal on one night and again there is lots of choice but not of a high standard. The only other negative is the quality of evening entertainment which was not great and poorly attended by the Hotel residents during the week I stayed.

“ Top Tip: There is an Austrian restaurant in the La Paz area about 10 minutes walk from the Hotel, great quality food, cheap prices and no portion control as they serve hugh amounts of food to the diners!

“ Very limited kitchen equipment. No kettle, microwave, oven - just a few odd sized pans and cutlery. Balcony and room always in shadow (in December anyway).A cold feel to the place. Only CNN in English on TV. Average all round.

“ Studio apartment was simply furnished and kept clean by friendly Spanish staff.

I would have preferred to provide my own breakfast but this was not an option offered. The breakfast was pretty much standard Spanish 3 star hotel fare. Plenty of everything but not very good on quality. The drinks from the machine were not really of good quality. Apart from the breakfast I thought that the aparthotel offered reasonable value for money.

The balconies all faced the Atlantic and it was wonderful to hear the sound of the waves pounding the cliffs below. However, the balconies are north facing so they did not ever attract the sun. (This may be a blessing in the summer but not really one in December!)

In winter, the Bellavista is almost entirely populated by mostly elderly Germans who speak no English or Spanish but I found them very friendly.

“ Top Tip: The nearest Spar supermarket is very interesting in that most of the products on sale are from Germany!! Unfortunately all their merchandise is more expensive than the normal Spanish supermarkets. If you can go to Trebol which is opposite the side of the botanic gardens. It is much cheaper in there. Or shop in Mercadona or Hipperdino in town and catch the bus.

La Laguna is well worth a visit. Get off the bus at the stop after the northern airport. Follow the path under the motorway and walk to the left. Wear warm clother as it is at a higher altitude and can be cold and windy and up to 10 degrees cooler than the coast.

“ Great apartments -- spotlessly clean, daily maid-service, efficient reception. Apartment spacious enough for 2 people, might have been cramped with 3.
No kettle provided so bring your own! Atlantic Ocean thundering away directly under our balcony, large clean quiet hotel swimming pool (with table tennis) directly outside our door.
At the German end of town so many bars/restaurants include German menus. Very civilised, no lager-loutery! Lovely side of Puerto -- quiet, well-maintained, extremely flowery with beautiful villas & a marvellous cliff-top path (try the 2 bars/restaurants there, cheap & good with tremendous views particularly at night).
15 mins'. walk to Botanical Gardens, well worth a visit. V. large Spar supermarket within 5 mins., also bus stops & many shops.
The downside however is that there is no way directly down to the sea, apart from the fortunate guests of the Hotel Semiramis next door who can use a private tunnel under the road to the private rock-pool below. You will have to walk about 20 mins. along the road/down flights of steps into the town centre: takes longer back uphill but taxi is only about 4 Euros.

“ Top Tip: Recommended: the Lido; Loro Parque (expensive entry, but worth it!); Rancho Grande along the sea front for fantastic tea & cakes. Taoro Park -- the lizards will skitter up & share your lunch if you're patient -- including the Aquatic Gardens which are fabulous!
Take a bus for the short journey to the Bananera banana plantation or to La Oratava, an interesting little town in the hills. Buses v. cheap, comfortable (air conned!) & efficient.