Apartamentos Sol

A small pool, a snack bar, a lobby, and a few apartment buildings are all there is at Apartamentos Sol. Few properties in Costa Teguise are as bare bones as this, but the hotel draws a long list of regular customers -- most of whom are older British or German couples and families -- with low rates, homey apartments, friendly staff, and a quiet atmosphere. The hotel has a good share of extended-stay guests in the winter, some of whom hole up here for up to six months a year. Indeed, with its limited features and low whitewashed buildings set around a small pool, the property feels more like a private villa complex than a hotel. The lobby is light and cheerful, with orange and red accent walls, a few dark couches, a cute wooden table, and a few shelves with books left behind by past guests. Although kids can be heard splashing around in the pool, the vibe is generally quiet at Apartamentos Sol. The pool bar is the busiest part of the property, with a decent drinks menu, weekly barbecue parties at lunchtime, and inexpensive daily lunch specials.First opened in 1986, the property is basic throughout, and some areas are definitely in need of an update, but Apartamentos Sol offers good value for those seeking a cheap, no-frills vacation in the sun. Another good option for budget travelers is Celeste Apartments, which has similar rates and an even more central location in town. Blue Sea Costa Teguise Beach Apartments has an on-site restaurant and offers all-inclusive rates, but there are plenty of extra fees, including for Wi-Fi, most TV channels, and virtually all kitchen tools. Families seeking a more bustling, kid-friendly property may want to compare rates at Apartamentos Galeon Playa, which offers a full entertainment program, a kids’ club, and several pools. 

Apartamentos Sol is located on a quiet street a five-minute walk from Avenida de las Islas Canarias, a wide street lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. There is a supermarket right down the street from the hotel, and a couple of others can be found within three blocks of the property. While not in the heart of the action, Apartamentos Sol is conveniently located within a 10-minute walk of Costa Teguise’s main drag and Pueblo Marinero, a charming little square full of dining and drinking options and designed by famous local architect Cesar Manrique. Sandy Las Cucharas beach is also just a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and Charcos Bay is just a little farther away but still within easy walking distance. The only golf course in the area (and one of the few in Lanzarote) is a five-minute drive away. Arrecife, home to a handful of historic and cultural attractions -- including San Gabriel and San Jose castles, La Recova Market, and the 18th-century San Gines Church -- is a 15-minute drive away. The airport is a also just about 15 minutes away by car.

The hotel’s 52 one-bedroom apartments are clean and decorated in a simple, somewhat dated style, with white tile floors, slightly worn pine wood furniture, and darker accents in windows and doors. While decor is nothing to write home about and some areas are showing wear and tear, apartments are well-equipped, with flat-screen TVs (there’s a refundable deposit for TV remotes), sofa beds, and quality mattresses. Likewise, kitchens have all the necessities for cooking a simple meal, which is surprisingly rare in Lanzarote. In many other budget apartment complexes, electric kettles, coffeemakers, toasters, and microwaves are available for a fee, but they’re all standard amenities at Apartamentos Sol. Free Wi-Fi is available in common areas, but due to the small size of the property it is possible to pick up the signal from most rooms. All apartments have at least a small balcony furnished with plastic chairs, but top-floor units have larger terraces with loungers.Bathrooms are equipped with professional hairdryers (also rare in Lanzarote), but most are in need of updates, and no toiletries are provided beyond two bars of soap. All bathrooms have shower/tub combos.

All 52 apartments are built around a central patio complete with a small family pool and a shallower one for children. There are a few dozen loungers and a handful of umbrellas around it, and stylish lounge furniture with thick white cushions line the side of the courtyard closest to reception. There is no grass around the pool, but palm trees and shrubs dot the long, narrow gardens going all around the deck, adding a touch of green to the mostly paved outdoor spaces. A small palapa adjacent to the pool houses the pool bar, which offers an array of snacks and drinks during the day, as well as tasty and inexpensive lunch specials. Barbecue and paella days are particularly popular among guests. The snack bar closes in the mid-afternoon, and most guests either make dinner in their apartment or go out to one of the many restaurants in the area, as there is no full restaurant on-site. The hotel also features a laundry room that guests can use for a fee. Reception is not manned overnight, but guests are given a key to the main entrance, and there is an emergency number available 24/7.