Blue Sea Costa Teguise Gardens

Past a discreet entrance with a blue roof and two white pillars, the hotel’s round lobby is spacious but basic, with bright orange walls, a coupe of red couches, and some cacti. A metal display with brochures of day trips and local attractions, and a coupe of small vending machines take up a small corner next to the long, curved front desk. This modest first impression is an indicator of the low-key nature of the property. The grounds are pleasant, though, with spacious lawns peppered with tropical plants and a few volcanic rocks, and a big central deck with a pool and a few dozen loungers. While the hotel draws plenty of British, Spanish, and French families and couples in the summer, the atmosphere is generally quiet, with just some soft entertainment (mostly geared toward children) during the day, and shows in the evening. It is even quieter in the winter months, when most guests are older couples and groups of friends.

Located on a quiet street on the western edge of Costa Teguise, the hotel is a little isolated from all the main attractions in this small beach community. The main drag, lined with restaurants, bars, and shops, is about a 15- to 20-minute walk from the property, as are the town’s best beaches. Pueblo Marinero, a quaint square home to an array of dining and drinking options, is 20 minutes from the Blue Sea Costa Teguise Gardens. 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 from the hotel. The airport is a also just about 15 minutes away by car.

The hotel has 138 one- and two-bedroom apartments, all featuring furnished patios or terraces overlooking the pool, the gardens, or the street. Decor is basic and dated throughout, with simple wood furniture, thin bedspreads with blue and yellow stripes, and white walls hung with generic prints. All apartments feature spacious living areas with sofa beds and flat-screen TVs, but most channels are only available for a fee. Kitchens are small and lightly equipped with microwaves, mini-fridges, two hot plates, and just the most basic utensils. All other kitchen appliances, including toasters and electric kettles, can be rented for a daily or weekly fee at front desk. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby, but there is a fee for in-room internet access. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos with plastic curtains, and come with basic toiletries such as hand soap and a couple of sachets of shower gel and shampoo. Hairdryers can be rented for a fee. 

The hotel offers a variety of meal plans, from all-inclusive to room-only. All-inclusive rates cover all food -- including an average selection of snacks from the pool bar -- and local drinks. The hotel’s only restaurant serves a limited, basic buffet spread for all three meals in a smallish dining room that can feel overcrowded in the peak season. The medium-sized pool is pleasant and quiet, and features a few dozen loungers and a separate section for kids. There is some entertainment during the day, including archery, darts and ping-pong tournaments, while animal shows and live music are offered a few evenings per week. The spa is simple but pleasant, with a massage room, a hair salon, and a sauna and a whirlpool that guests can use for a fee.