LABRANDA Reveron Plaza

Labranda Reveron Plaza is a lovely, low-key hotel that was purpose-built in 1998, but stands on the site of what was once the Hostal Reveron (circa 1949) -- allegedly the first hotel in the south of the island. The hotel has the elegance of an old-fashioned property, coupled with the comforts of a modern place, including central air-conditioning and thick windows that do a great job at soundproofing the hotel from the town below. The lobby has an Art Deco vibe, with black-and-white tile floors and reddish sofas, plus a lovely dark-wood bar surrounded by high-backed stools. While the entire space is elegant and welcoming, the highlight for many guests will likely be the old-fashioned telecom machine, which dates from the hotel's previous incarnation. The rest of the hotel's interiors are equally attractive, with blue-and-cream checkered tiled floors and murals of local oceanic scenery on each landing. Most of the hotel is centered around a large interior courtyard filed with stained-glass windows and topped by a stained-glass pyramidical cupola. Many of the common areas also have views of the harbor, where ships dock regularly. Just note that there's only one small elevator for the whole hotel, including for housekeeping, which means guests -- most of whom are middle-aged and older vacationing couples -- can be kept waiting for some time if they opt not to use the stairs.

Labranda Reveron Plaza is located in the heart of Los Cristianos, right off the promenade and overlooking the sea on one side and the Plaza de la Iglesia on the other. There's no way to drive up to the hotel, but there is a public parking lot nearby. However, most guests won't find they need a car, as the area is easy to navigate on foot and features plenty of restaurants, shops, perfumeries, and supermarkets within a few minutes' walk. Playa las Americas is a six-minute drive or a 15-minute bus ride from the hotel, where guests will find theme parks such as Aqualand and Siam Park, restaurants, night clubs, and entertainment options ranging from casinos to comedy shows. Mount Teide, a beautiful volcano at the center of the island -- complete with a cable car, an astronomical observatory, and high-altitude hiking opportunities -- takes just over an hour to reach by car. Getting to Masca, the base for trekking through the popular Masca Valley, is a 45-minute drive from the hotel. The airport is about 15 minutes away by car or 25 minutes by bus. Tenerife South Airport is a 15-minute drive away without traffic and can be accessed by busses 111 or 343 in just under 40 minutes.

Room decor is on the traditional side, including wood furniture, lovely wood trim, gold patterned tile floors, and linens in a faded red, blue, and gold shade. Most rooms are doubles and feature two beds pushed together, plus vanities, small wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, kettles with tea and instant coffee, minibars, and safes (for a fee). Air-conditioning is central at this hotel and it's controlled by an on/off switch next to the beds, so it can't be adjusted but it's kept at a moderate level. Good-sized bathrooms have shower/tub combos, bathrobes, and basic toiletries. All rooms have furnished balconies with views either of the sea or the adjacent Plaza de la Iglesia (churchyard). Thick glass doors fortunately keep exterior noise at bay. The 44 rooms break down to 40 near-identical Standard Rooms, one Superior (room 302) that's a bit larger and has a big balcony, two Triple Rooms, and one Standard that's slightly smaller but has a huge balcony with lounge chairs (room 301). Note that while Standard Rooms are available to book through most major booking engines, rooms 301 and 302 and the Triple Rooms can only be booked directly through the hotel by phone or email -- at the time of our visit, the hotel did not have its own website. 

Amenities are aimed at leisure travelers and extensive for a property of this size. The rooftop features a small shaded terrace with tables and chairs, and a bar area for soft drinks and beers, though it's not staffed so guests have to ring the front desk for service from a courtesy phone. A short flight of steps leads up to the main rooftop terrace, where there's a pool and a lifeguard, plus lovely views of the surrounding mountains dotted by white buildings with orange roofs. A basement-level fitness center offers a good range of free weights and weight machines, plus a second section with treadmills and exercise bikes; while it's free for hotel guests to use, it's actually a public gym and can get crowded at times. The gym also has a squash court where private dance lessons are held on a regular basis. There's also a free "spa" area attached to the gym, which consists of a whirlpool hot tub, a steam room, and a sauna, as well as a privately run and affordable nail salon/beauty parlor on the same level. Located on the fourth floor, Mirador Plaza Restaurant is open for breakfast only (included in room rates) and offers sparkling wine (cava) for making mimosas and a lovely continental spread of fruits, cereals, fresh pastries, and European cheeses and meats. There's also a menu of free made-to-order items including full English breakfast (think sausages and baked beans) and omelets. It's a smallish and quiet space with great views out onto the harbor. Room service is available during the day, with basic snacks, burgers, and salads on offer. Alcoholic beverages and coffee drinks are also available in the lobby bar during the day and early evening. Wi-Fi is free and fast throughout the hotel and there's a single internet terminal in the lobby that guests can use for a small fee. Other features include a TV room with a theatre-style setup on the second floor with a huge flat-screen TV. On the fourth floor is a reading room with several plush chairs, murals and stained glass on the walls, and an array of books (mostly in English). Newspapers are provided in the lobby, but guests are requested not to bring them into their rooms. Business facilities include a meeting room with a wall of stained glass and a round table, plus a larger basement-level conference room for up to 50 people (theatre-style). Audiovisual equipment is available on request.