Apartamentos Jable Bermudas

From the outside, the Jable Bermudas doesn’t look any different from the many residential buildings in town. The property is divided in two by a narrow one-way street, and the hotel’s 120 apartments are housed in several rows of adjoining buildings with white facades, blue window frames, and balconies. The reception area can easily be mistaken for a small local business with a storefront. In fact, it took us a few minutes to find it, as there is no big sign marking the entrance, and nothing that makes it look like it is part of a hotel. The property feels like someone decided to buy all the houses around them and turned the complex into a vacation rental. There is no full restaurant, no entertainment program, and no one in reception at night, which adds to that first impression. Furthermore, privately owned businesses form small pockets within the property, including a local restaurant not affiliated with the hotel, an internet cafe, and even the poolside snack bar. 

Everything is no-frills here, and services are minimal, but the property offers all the necessities for a cheap and relaxing vacation, including a pool, a small fitness center, and a laundromat for guest use. Most guests here are British and Irish families and groups of friends; the average age increases in the colder months. Travelers are drawn to the Jable Bermudas for its clean and well-kept apartments, competitive rates, and excellent location a five-minute walk from a lovely beach and Puerto del Carmen’s main drag. The property has a couple of kid-friendly features -- including a kiddy pool, a playground, and a miniature golf -- but families looking for more features may also want to consider the THB Flora, complete with a kids’ club, daily entertainment for all ages, and a cute splash park. Morromar Apartamentos is an excellent pick for families seeking an all-inclusive vacation, and Apartamentos Panorama offers more contemporary common spaces, free Wi-Fi throughout, and sometimes slightly lower rates. Larger groups and families may want to compare rates at the HG Lomo Blanco, which has a few two-bedroom apartments and similar amenities. Aparthotel PuertoCarmen has some of the lowest rates in town, but maintenance issues and mediocre food should be expected. 

The hotel is located on a tiny street two blocks from the heart of the action along Puerto del Carmen’s promenade. There are three supermarkets within a two-block radius, and several small cafes and bars can be found just down the street. Avenida de las Playas, lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes on one side, and a lovely sandy beach on the other is less than a five-minute walk away. Loungers and umbrellas can be rented by the day at the beach. The old town area, known for its many restaurants and cute marina, is a pleasant 15-minute walk away. The hotel is about a 25-minute walk down the promenade from Los Pocillos, the best beach in this part of Lanzarote. The Timanfaya National Park, home to several stunning volcanos, takes about 20 minutes by car to reach. The airport is less than a 15-minute drive away.

The hotel has 120 one-bedroom apartments, all clean, spacious, and light. Decor is generic and a tad dated throughout; there are gray tiled floors, white walls, and pine wood furniture, but the overall feel is more basic than old-fashioned. A few more contemporary touches, including colorful art on walls, dark brown and teal sofa beds, and duvets with blue bed runners add some freshness to the style. Although built in the '70s (the property is one of the oldest in Puerto del Carmen), apartments have been renovated in stages for the last few years, and a thorough maintenance team keeps all units in good shape. 

The apartments are also surprisingly well equipped for the price. Kitchens feature all the necessities to cook up a full meal, including cooktops, mini-fridges, toasters, coffeemakers, electric kettles, and pots and pans. Balconies and terraces have plastic furniture, and all rooms have large built-in closets with safes (for a fee), and ceiling fans, but no air-conditioning. Flat-screen TVs are also a standard amenity, and Wi-Fi is available for a daily or weekly fee. Iron and ironing boards, additional fans, and other appliances and utensils can be rented at front desk. 

Bathrooms have either small tubs with plastic curtains or shower cabins, wall-mounted hairdryers, and two bars of soap. They’re all clean and spacious, but some apartments may not get strong water pressure. 

Most apartments overlook the grounds, but 30 of the top-floor units get at least a glimpse of the ocean above the neighboring buildings. There are a few stand-alone apartments, but those in adjoining structures may find thin walls to be an issue. (We could hear our neighbors fighting one night like they were standing in our own room.)

One of the hotel’s main draws is the pool, complete with a kiddy section. While the pool itself isn’t huge, the deck around it offers plenty of space to sunbathe and relax. Some guests have complained that others reserve loungers with towels in the morning, but the property's proximity to the beach means the pool is generally not overcrowded. There are also a few umbrellas available, and palm trees lining the deck offer some shade, too. The atmosphere is lively but relaxing, with some music coming from the bar but no entertainment. The snack bar is the only dining option at Jable Bermudas, and offers basic fast food, a few lunch specials, drinks, and ice cream. Most guests seem to have breakfast in their own apartment and either go into town for lunch or grab a bite at the snack bar, which closes before dinner. 

The fitness center offers little more than three machines and a few dumbbells, but has huge windows overlooking the miniature golf and the paddle court. Clubs, rackets, and balls can be requested for a fee at reception. There is also a laundry room with coin-operated washers and a dryer.