Bitacora Club

Bitacora Club is similar to most other budget-friendly apartment complexes built in the late ‘80s in Puerto del Carmen: it is made up of several long, two-story white buildings with green doors and window frames, all set around a spacious terra-cotta deck with a pool, loungers, and umbrellas. Common spaces and apartments are basic, with generic furniture, simple floor tiles in brown hues, and no-frills finishes throughout, but the 2011-12 and 2015 renovations have kept the property looking in good shape. The Bitacora Club also has competitive rates and comfortable, well-equipped apartments with free air-conditioning, which is not always the case in value apartment complexes in the area. Most guests here are British couples wanting a quiet vacation in the sun, and though there is a kiddy pool and apartments can sleep up to four guests, families seem to be a minority here. Guests spend the day around the pool quietly reading on a lounger or chatting among them, and the bar is busy for breakfast and lunch. There is some live music a couple of nights per week and weekly barbecue parties (for a fee), but with no other entertainment options and no on-site bar open past sunset, most guests seem to go into town for dinner and drinks, making nights quiet as well. Families seeking a more bustling vibe may want to check out the THB Flora, which is in the same price range as the Bitacora Club and has more kid-friendly amenities. Located closer to the beach and the main drag, the Jable Bermudas Apartments is a better pick for travelers with mobility issues and those who don’t want to have to walk up a hill every time they go into town. Hipotels La Geria is a good alternative for travelers wanting something with more on-site amenities without breaking the bank. 

Bitacora Club is located on a quiet residential street in central Puerto del Carmen. There are a few other apartment complexes and a couple of supermarkets within easy walking distance of the property (including one on-site), but little else of general interest can be found within a few blocks. The town’s promenade -- lined on one side by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops, and by a pleasant sandy beach on the other -- is just a 10-minute walk down a steep hill. The way back from the center, though, can be challenging for some. The Timanfaya National Park, home to several stunning volcanos, takes about 20 minutes to reach by car, and the airport is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel. There is free street parking right outside the hotel. 

Bitacora Club has 85 one-bedroom apartments, all housed in whitewashed two-story buildings with small, furnished balconies. Decor is simple and generic, consisting of beige tile floors, granite kitchen counters, and basic wooden furniture throughout, but everything is kept clean and in good shape, and all units are well-equipped. Spacious living rooms come with leather-style sofa beds and flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes feature cooktops, microwaves, mini-fridges, toasters, electric kettles, sinks, and pots and pans. Air-conditioning was added to all apartments in 2015 and is free, but Wi-Fi and safes are only available for a daily or weekly fee. Extras such as DVD and CD players, accessories for babies, and fans can be rented at the front desk. Bathrooms are clean and have shower/tub combos with plastic curtains, two small bars of soap, hairdryers, and some shower gel in a wall-mounted container. Our towels were clean but older. Housekeeping service is available twice per week, complete with a change of towels. Sheets are changed once per week for stays longer than seven nights, but fresh towels and sheets can be requested for a fee. 

The entire central part of the property is occupied by the pool deck, which is home to a deep pool and a small, shallow kiddy pool, neither of which is heated (common in Lanzarote). There seems to be a shortage of loungers during the busiest months, and one of the main complaints we heard during our visit was that some guests wake up at the crack of dawn to reserve them with towels, which can be frustrating. While the only rate available at Bitacora Club is the self-catering one, the poolside bar serves a la carte breakfast and lunch for a fee, as well as snacks and drinks until sunset. There is live music a couple of nights per week, and the property organizes popular barbecue nights from time to time, but there is no other entertainment on-site.The front desk is not manned overnight, but guests can access the property via a small code-operated door adjacent to the supermarket. Late arrivals and early departures can be arranged.