Aparthotel Udalla Park

Aparthotel Udalla Park inhabits a white four-floor building that stretches along one block of a popular dining and shopping street. The street-level entrance is marked by a plain blue sign, but hotel newcomers may fail to notice the front door at first -- it is tucked between strip-mall-like storefronts containing lottery shops, delis, nail salons, and tour offices. The unobtrusive entrance doesn't present a problem for the bulk of Udalla's visitors: Most guests are returning for their umpteenth stay, and some have even been loyal to Udalla since the hotel opened in 1990. Like many area hotels, Udalla's guests hail primarily from the U.K. in the summer (as well as from Italy and Spain), and from Germany and Nordic countries in the winter. Udalla works with tour operators, but many of its guests book directly -- and will book a year in advance. Such loyalty speaks more to the hotel's killer location a few blocks from the beach and competitive rates than it does to the amenities and overall quality. Its property features are as unassuming as the entrance (there is little besides the pool, limited pool bar, and buffet restaurant), and the rooms, while well-sized and equipped with kitchenettes and balconies, could benefit from a furniture and appliance overhaul.

Aparthotel Udalla Park is right on Avenida Antonio Dominguez, a major east-west thoroughfare running through Playa de las Americas. The strip of Avenida Antonio Dominguez that Udalla sits on is known as El Camison, and it features numerous restaurants (including the universally adored Meson Castellano), souvenir shops, cafes, gelato spots, and wine bars -- even a toy store and a health food shop. Behind Udalla is a major supermarket, and two more blocks in that direction and you're at the northern end of Playa de las Vistas, a half-mile-long crescent-shaped beach with calm water, ample water activities, and easy accessibility for visitors with mobility troubles.

• On a commercial stretch of Avenida Antonio Dominguez known as El Camison
• TITSA bus stop a few feet from hotel's main entrance
• Three-minute walk to Mercadona supermarket
• Eight-minute walk to Playa de las Vistas
• 11-minute walk to Safari Shopping Center
• 23-minute walk to Playa del Troya and Playa del Bobo 
• 13-minute drive to Jungle Park
• 14-minute bus ride to Siam Mall

Udalla has 93 identical studio apartments with two separate twin beds and a sofa bed, allowing them to sleep three adults, or two adults and two children -- though multiple reports emphasize that the beds are hard and lumpy (this reporter's night here was spent going back and forth between the two beds, hoping to find a person-sized strip free of knobby mattress springs). In fact, rooms could benefit from more than new beds: Tables and chairs are often scuffed and kitchenettes are skimpy and dated. At the time of this writing, all kitchenettes have mini-fridges, two-eye stovetops, and sinks, but the hotel plans to revamp kitchens in higher-floor rooms with kettles, toasters, and microwaves. Kettles, coffeemakers, and toasters are available for free at reception.

All rooms have two levels separated by three steps. Beds, bathrooms, and closets are located on the upper level, and lounge and kitchen areas are on the lower level. Small flat-screen TVs are set on the half-wall between the two levels. All apartments open to balconies, with upper-floor rooms featuring private solariums with sea views (though expect them to be largely obstructed, due to the distance from the ocean). Bathrooms are a notch above the rest of the rooms. They have attractively tiled walls, shower/tub combos, a good bit of counter space, and toiletry kits with disposable razors and toothbrushes; hairdryers can be rented. But we must mention that on our one night here, a sewage smell coming from the bathroom was so breath stiflingly bad, we brushed our teeth in the kitchen sink and postponed peeing as long as possible.

Bathrobes, slippers, and pool towels are provided. Street-facing apartments are prone to El Camison noise (though at least they make it easy to monitor how long the dinner wait is at Meson Castellano, and many have nice views of the mountains). Rooms facing the pool or the foot-traffic-only side street are quiet. Safes and in-room Wi-Fi are available for a fee. 

Udalla has fairly limited amenities, with the main player being the outdoor square-shaped pool -- heated in the winter -- with an attached, half-circle shallow section for kids (separated by a fence) and a fairly large deck with loungers. A pool bar has a limited menu of alcoholic drinks and snacks. The adjacent restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets for an inexpensive price. An indoor bar hall is open in the winter, but guests can use the space year-round to watch football matches or hang out as they please. A squash court can be used for a fee, and there are coin-operated laundry facilities, as well as a courtesy shower and bathroom. An internet corner has two computers (for a fee). Wi-Fi is free at reception (which is open 24/7), but there is a fee for in-room access. Street parking is the only option.