Marquesa Hotel

The peach-colored hotel's lantern-flanked exterior soaks up the Spanish sun, and terraces overlooking the church square here are typically Canarian. For a modestly priced property, interiors here are anything but. An atrium-style lobby has a colorful stained-glass ceiling that illuminates the antique furnishings, rich wood balconies, lush greenery, and distinguished portraits below. Refurbishments in 2015 have modernized some areas (and all Superior Rooms), but standard rooms are quite dated. Wood-beamed ceilings in the contemporary restaurant retain original charm, and panoramic views from the rooftop pool and terrace are gorgeous. There are no wellness or kids' facilities, but guests (young and old) find the limited amenities worth the stellar location.

Puerto de la Cruz is large, and popular with travelers seeking Canarian tradition. The hotel sits in the heart of the Old Town, and beautiful streets here are lined with a mix of churches, museums, shops, and authentic restaurants. The 17th-century Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Pena Francesca is a two-minute walk, and it's two minutes farther to Plaza del Charco, which hosts concerts and events. A bus stop here is useful for farther destinations. Museo de Arte Contemporanero and Playa del Muelle harbor are a three-minute walk. It's a 15-minute walk/bus ride to the nearest full beach, and black sands at Playa Jardin are unusual amid Spain's notorious golden shores. Piramides Mall is an eight-minute walk, and Sitio Litre's tropical gardens are a 12-minute walk. Tenerife North Airport is 35 minutes by car or bus. Tenerife South Airport is an hour's drive, and closer to two hours by public transport.

Options here include dated Double Rooms and 2015-refurbished Superior Rooms that are far more contemporary. Double Rooms have old wooden furnishings, tile floors, red-and-white-striped bedspreads, and red-cushioned armchairs. Sufficient amenities include desks, phones, and bedside charging points, but they lack air-conditioning and TVs are old tube-style. Larger Superior Rooms, on the other hand, have more attractive wood flooring, more streamlined wood furniture, brown leaf-patterned accent walls, and red geometric-patterned bed runners and throw pillows. These rooms also have flat-screen satellite TVs and air-conditioning, making them worth the upgrade for many. Older bathrooms are worn and have shower/tub combos, while Superior bathrooms have wet rooms with fresh fixtures and rainfall showers. All rooms have sliding glass doors that open up onto small balconies with plastic chairs and tables; Those in Superiors add loungers. Rooms can be fitted with cribs, and safes come with a charge.

Breakfast is included in the rate, but gets mixed reviews. It offers scrambled eggs and bacon, alongside continental fare. The buffet restaurant's menu consists of varied Mediterranean dishes, but quality falls short here. A la carte dishes and wines at Terraza Marquesa are more popular, and Spanish guitarists serenade terrace diners here, although music travels to rooms above it. At the hotel's entrance and overlooking the church square, it's a charming spot, and complete with bar service. Terra-cotta tiles around the outdoor rooftop pool are typically Mediterranean, and sunbeds provide spots for lounging. The pool is fairly small, and note, it isn't heated. But the decently sized terrace has panoramic sea and Puerto de la Cruz views that are strunning. A meeting room has a 170-person capacity. The hotel doesn't offer parking, although free public parking is generally plentiful at the port, a three-minute walk away. Wi-Fi is free throughout the premises.