Kn Columbus Aparthotel

At first glance, Kn Columbus Aparthotel reads more like the characterless headquarters of a major corporation than a resort on a tropical island. The hotel's main building went up in 1966, and in the late '80s, a second nearly identical building was added behind the first. The two buildings are connected by one-story arcaded colonnades on either side; these structures house the hotel's accessible guest rooms, and enclose the football-field-sized pool courtyard. The side colonnades and the towering arches at the top of the two main buildings vaguely resemble Islamic architecture, adding a tiny bit of style to the monotonous office-park feel. 

The hotel doesn't try to distract guests from its institutional-looking surroundings with lush landscaping beyond a few poolside palms and vining plants in the exterior hallways. But the impersonal feel doesn't seem to present a problem for the many English, French, and Italian families, couples, and students who seem perfectly content with creating their own atmosphere, mainly in the vast pool area. A party atmosphere can be present, and the hotel does get its fair share of stag and hen parties; drinks are served in small plastic cups, which feels a little low-rent. Families are also certainly present and there are plenty of kid-friendly features, but some of them may not appreciate the late-night party noise that can occur.   

Kn Columbus Aparthotel is well-situated: It is a 10-minute walk from the beach and the main strip, and is around the corner from a shopping center with restaurants, bars, and a supermarket -- ideal for the hotel's self-catering guests. The hotel's street, Avenida Santiago Puig, runs west toward the beach, and is lined with restaurants, chip shops, pubs, excursions companies, and markets. Kn Columbus sits kitty-corner from the western edge of Golf Las Americas.

• 10-minute walk west to the beach
• 16-minute walk south to Playa de las Vistas
• Five-minute drive to Siam Mall and Siam Park
• Nine-minute drive southeast to Los Cristianos
• 11-minute drive north to Playa del Duque
• 15-minute drive to Jungle Park
• 15-minute drive to Tenerife South Airport

Kn Columbus' 580 rooms are split between the rather mediocre rooms (Double Room and Double Room with Lounge) and the sleeker Studios and Apartments, which were renovated in 2014. All have LG flat-screen TVs and balconies with plastic furniture, though. Note that the TVs have few English-language channels and cost an hourly fee to use, but they come with USB ports, so guests can bring and watch their own media. Non-renovated Double Rooms feature white tile floors, basic dark-wood furniture, and beige walls, though lime-green-and-white artwork behind the beds liven things up a bit. Renovated studios and apartments are considerably cuter, with crisp color palettes of white, slate, chartreuse, and turquoise, and light wood-finish floors. All studios and apartments were renovated to include kitchenettes, which feature mini-fridges, microwaves, toasters, two-burner cooktops, and utensils. 

There are walk-in showers and bidets in all units -- non-renovated rooms and renovated studios and apartments -- but the shower stalls in renovated bathrooms feature attractive tiling. Kn Columbus offers several accessible rooms on ground floor right off of pool; these have wider doors. Housekeeping is provided daily, and Wi-Fi access and use of the safe incur extra fees.

Most of Kn Columbus' features are arranged around the massive pool quadrangle, which features two main freshwater pools (one heated), a central whirlpool, and a kids' pool. The hotel does little to draw one's attention away from the large concrete slab that the lifeguarded pool area occupies. There are three or four palm trees, but the area could benefit from about 20 more. Notable among the features is the hotel's spa, which has a steam room, a sauna, and a dim relaxation room with white loungers. The spa also has its own skylit indoor pool, with cascading water and a stainless-steel massage roller on one end. The spa uses Vinoterapia and Vivita Aloe products for many of its treatments, which include massages, facials, body rituals, mani/pedis, and waxing. Guests can access the water circuit for a fee without booking a treatment, but most guests find all the relaxation they need by the pools or on the sun terraces; there are two raised solariums on either side of the pool complex, plus a third one on the back side of the rear building. 

The kids' club with its own enclosed outdoor playground is also right by the pool, as is a large arcade, which has billiards, foosball, air hockey, and prize games. A pizzeria and pool bar (which opens early in the morning and closes late at night) provide poolside food and drinks, and the main indoor buffet restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has hot and cold salad bars, as well as show-cooking stations with pasta, meats, and paella. Entertainment is geared mostly towards kids during the day, and at night there is a mini disco for kids and entertainment, like an Elvis impersonator and Charlie Chaplin comedy act, in the event hall.

There is a business center with four computers attached to the hotel's meeting room, as well as a small hair salon and a gift shop with essentials (guests can rent irons and kettles here). Kn Columbus offers all-inclusive (includes alcohol) and half-board rates, and guests can opt to self-cater. Laundry facilities are on-site. Wi-Fi is free is some of the common areas, but the connection is reportedly quite weak.