Hotel Monopol

Overlooking a 17th-century church, the hotel welcomes guests with its own piece of history. Three stories of carved wooden balconies wrap its internal lobby atrium, where indoor palms and tropical plants are lush amid cozy seating areas. Patterned tile floors, pale-blue wicker furniture topped with floral and striped cushions, and colorful flower artwork aren't the most contemporary, but they're charming in a traditional way. Run by the same German family since 1928, there's a steady feel to the place, and amenities follow suit. Having a bond with the owners, Germans join Brits and Spaniards here. The hotel draws an older crowd, although small groups and families can be seen using the outdoor foosball and table tennis. Live guitar trios and dancers honor the property's dancing house heritage, and cheerful vibes  extend outdoors to the sunny pool and terraces.

Leisure travelers choose Puerto de la Cruz for a taste of Canarian culture, and though not a party hotspot, the city is large. Hotel Monopol occupies a prime spot in the Old Town, and is opposite the 17th-century Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Pena. Beautiful churches and restaurant-packed streets are great to wander, and concerts at Plaza del Charco are a four-minute walk (as is its bus stop). The city's harbor and Museo de Arte Contemporanero are even closer. Piramides Mall is eight minutes on foot, and for an unusual take on Spain's beaches, Playa Jardin's black sands are a 15-minute walk. Fountain-flanked tropical gardens at Sitio Litre are three minutes closer. Allow an hour's drive from Tenerife South Airport, or twice that by public transport.

Although dated, rooms are homey and cozy, featuring striped or rose-patterned bedspreads and curtains, terra-cotta tile floors, wood furniture, and peach walls. Amenities include satellite flat-screen TVs, phones, mini-fridges, and large, mirror-fronted wardrobes. Ceiling fans combat the lack of AC. Note, rooms don't have tea- or coffee-making facilities. Original wooden balconies in some offer a feel of the property's history, though they're furnished with less-impressive white plastic furniture. Bathrooms are a mix of old and new. Lucky ones have walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads, but the alternatives have a somewhat clinical feel and shower/tub combos. Towels, hairdryers, and basic toiletries are provided. Sea, square, or mountain views are mostly lovely, but note, a few rooms face an alley, and some are in the basement. Rooms can be fitted with cribs for free, but charges apply for safes and Wi-Fi.

Three sun terraces stagger spaces around the outdoor pool, which is small but heated, and surrouded by loungers and patio dining furniture. It gets the sun, and a pool bar serves reasonably priced drinks here. Table tennis, foosball, and a life-size chess board offer hands-on alternatives to a covered whirlpool and sauna, plus kids can use a colorful play area here. An indoor space has board games, but like most areas, decor is solidly in days gone by. Dining-wise, the free buffet breakfast offers pastries, cheeses, and hams, plus cereals and fruits, but hot dishes aren't regularly replenished. Tea, coffee, and juice are provided. The restaurant's blue-and-yellow palette is typically Canarian, and flowered trellises on the ceiling are charming. Soups, salads, pastas, and grill dishes make up the menu, but food receives mediocre reviews. Though there's no dedicated indoor bar, drinks in the lobby's plant-filled lounge turn lively in evenings thanks to guitar and flamenco shows. A weighing scale, guest computer, and tobacco vending machine are available here. Parking at the nearby port is free, although immediate streets are pedestrian-only. Wi-Fi throughout incurs a fee.