Blue Sea Costa Teguise Beach

The fake grass carpet and basic lobby with older tiled floors, generic furniture, and vending machines do not make for a great first impression. Beyond the reception area, though, the Blue Sea Costa Teguise Beach gets cuter, with traditional Canarian architecture throughout and panoramic ocean views from the main pool deck. The property was designed like a traditional Canarian village, with several low blocks with white facades and green balcony railings, and small black-sand gardens dotted with palm trees, cactuses, and colorful flowers. The main pool is the heart of the property, with panoramic ocean views, a snack bar, and direct access to the restaurant. There is a stylish oceanfront lounge with Asian-inspired decor and Bali beds, but it is only open for guests who book through a European tour operator. Darts, boules, and a couple of other low-key activities are available daily on-site, but the vibe is mostly quiet and relaxing. In the summer, the Blue Sea is popular with British and German families on a budget, but it doesn’t generally get too loud, as there is no full entertainment program. In the winter, the hotel draws older couples and groups of friends, and the atmosphere is even quieter, with most guests lounging by the pool or at the beach during the day, and retreating early to their rooms at night. The property is average for a two-pearl apartment complex, and chipped paint, basic amenities, and some maintenance issues are to be expected. There aren’t many features on-site, and the snack bar closes early, but those on a tight budget may find this to be a decent option, especially if self-catering. All-inclusive guests, however, have shown disappointment, especially due to the limited offer and short hours at the bar, and the mediocre food at the hotel’s only restaurant. Blue Sea Costa Teguise Beach Apartments is a decent option, but self-catering travelers may also want to consider Apartamentos Sol, which is located a little farther away from the beach. For slightly more money, adult-only Pueblo Marinero is a better option, but it is farther from the airport and a 15-minute walk from the nearest sandy beach. Jable Bermudas Apartments has similar rates and is a five-minute walk from a lovely beach. 

The oceanfront Blue Sea is centrally located in Costa Teguise, a small beach community a little north of the airport. While not directly on the beach, the hotel is within a five-minute walk of three beaches, including black-sand Bastian, family-friendly Jablillo Bay, and Las Cucharas, which is lined with shops and restaurants. The closest, Playa del Jablillo, is about one minute from the hotel's rear entrance. The hotel is located right off the city’s main drag, which offers a wide variety of bars, restaurants, shops, and grocery stores. A five-minute walk away is Pueblo Marinero, known for having been designed by famous local architect Cesar Manrique and featuring an array of dining and drinking options. The only golf course in the area (and one of the few in Lanzarote) is a 10-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.

Blue Sea Costa Teguise Beach has 99 basic one- and two-bedroom apartments, all with furnished balconies, and some with panoramic sea views. About 40 units have been renovated and feature simple contemporary decor with clean lines, small color photos on walls, metal accents, and a cheerful white and fuchsia color scheme. Most, though, are in need of an update, with basic pine wood furniture, old-fashioned upholstery, and maintenance issues such as loose power sockets, tired couches, and worn cabinets. Kitchens are equipped with hot plates or cooktops, fridges, and sinks, but all other extras -- including electric kettles, coffeemakers, and toasters -- are only available for a fee. All apartments feature flat-screen TVs, but there is an extra fee for most channels, as well as for fans, safes, and in-room Wi-Fi. Free internet access is available in the lobby. Despite its good cleanliness standards, reports of bugs are common here -- but the same is true in most other apartment complexes in Lanzarote due to the island's year-round tropical weather. Bathrooms are spacious but basic, with shower/tub combos (only a couple feature walk-in showers), older granite countertops, and just a couple of sachets of shower gel, shampoo and hand soap. Hairdryers can be rented for a fee. Apartments facing the main drag may get some noise from nearby bars in the evening. The hotel lacks elevators, but ground-floor wheelchair-accessible apartments are available. Housekeeping is available every other day, and sheets are changed once every week.

The hotel has two pools, both quiet and relaxing, and lined with loungers. The larger, zero-entry pool has a separate area for children, and is located right adjacent to the promenade and the ocean. The smaller one is quieter but a little less appealing, as it is located in the back of the property and surrounded by buildings. Cushions for the loungers are available for a fee. All-inclusive guests get free access to a tennis court, but there is a fee for all other guests, and equipment is available for a refundable deposit. Apartments lack washer/dryers, but there is a small room with two coin-operated washing machines. The hotel also features free outdoor parking, a few vending machines in the lobby, and an internet corner (for a fee). Wi-Fi is available free of charge in the reception area.

Food is definitely not one of the Blue Sea’s strongest points. The hotel’s only restaurant serves a basic buffet spread for all three main meals, which most guests find lacking in variety. There is generally one pasta dish, a couple of salad items, beef, pork, and some veggies both for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is mostly geared toward British and German guests, with beans, eggs, and sausages. The dining room is small, and there can be be a wait during peak times; we had to stand in line outside the restaurant during our visit. The snack bar by the pool offers local drinks and a few small bites such as chips, ice cream, and sandwiches. There is a stylish oceanfront lounge with cabanas, panoramic views, and waiter service, but it is only open to guests booking through one of the European tour operators. In the winter, drinks are offered in the evening at Manhattan Bar, located off the lobby and complete with a pool table and some entertainment. The all-inclusive rate does not cover any imported liquors and ends shortly after dinner.