Paloma Beach Apartments

Paloma Beach Apartments is an upper-middle-range apartment hotel set in a series of whitewashed stucco buildings with traditional Mission-style terra-cotta roofs. The buildings are arranged in a U shape around a central courtyard dominated by a large turquoise lagoon pool. Guests enter the hotel through an automatic gate and walk up a longish slope flanked by a lawn on one side and planters filled with lovely tropical plants, including flowering hibiscus, on the other. At the top of the property is the main pool area, the only real common area to speak of, and the outdoor reception desk which is attached to the bar and restaurant. Most guests are from the U.K. who stay for around 10 days, although the property does get a few Italian and Irish guests. While the majority of people who stay here are couples, the property does attract a lot of families during British school holidays. Overall, the vibe is relaxed and despite its reasonable price tag, it seems to attract a tad more upscale clientele than some of the larger all-inclusive resorts in the area. 

Paloma Beach Apartments is located in Los Cristianos, on a quiet road across the street from a rocky beach and about a 10-minute walk to the town's main beach and within walking distance of plenty of shops and restaurants. Playa las Americas is a 10-minute drive or a 15-minute bus ride from the hotel, and it offers plenty of theme parks such as Aqualand and Siam Park, mini-golf at the sprawling 18-hole Vivo Las Americas, the Jungle Park wildlife park, and entertainment options ranging from casinos to comedy shows. Attractions farther afield include Loro Parque, with dolphins and other marine life as well as a smattering of mammals (including red pandas) -- reaching it takes just over an hour. Mount Teide, a beautiful volcano at the center of the island -- complete with a cable car, an astronomical observatory, and plenty of 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.

Paloma Beach Apartments offers 230 apartments, all privately owned. All apartments have safes (for a fee) and 32-inch or larger flat-screen TVs with DVD players (though there's no DVD library) and 10-plus English language channels. Kitchens are also standard, and all have microwaves, full-sized fridges, ovens, kettles, fridges, and four-burner stoves along with crockery. However, there is some lack of consistency across units: for example, some bathrooms have shower/tub combos while others have walk-in showers. On the same token, some have Panasonic CD players, while others don't (though CDs can be played in the DVD players found in all rooms). Towels are changed every few days, but housekeeping is not provided (except upon special request, for a fee).  

There are five categories in total. Entry-level One-Bedroom Apartments measure 700 square feet (65 square meters) and feature classic decor including wooden tables and countertops and plenty of earth tones in living and dining areas, while their Superior counterparts offer more updated decor, including sleek chrome countertops and appliances in the kitchens and modern furniture in hues of gray, red, and/or black. Some have bars with countertops while others offer tables and chairs. All come with furnished balconies, though One-Bedrooms only offer plastic tables and chairs as opposed to the rattan varieties provided in Superior Units. One-Bedroom Penthouses are the same size and have the same configurations and facilities as their one-bedroom counterparts, but are located on the top floors of the buildings and add sun beds to their balconies. Two-Bedroom Apartments are also available and measure around 970 square feet (90 square meters), while Two-Bedroom Penthouses have two balconies and two bathrooms and measure in at around 1,400 square feet (130 square meters).

Paloma Beach Apartments doesn't have a ton of features, though there is an on-site indoor/outdoor bar and restaurant with a pool table that's open for all three meals. There are also a few more places to eat just out front of the hotel, beyond the main gate, but there aren't any meal plans or room service available. The most attractive feature is the large lagoon pool at the center of the property with a walk-in beach-style entry that adds both aesthetic appeal and practical entry for guests with mobility concerns. There's also a hydromassage fountain feature in the pool and a separate whirlpool hot tub for cooler days. The pool area is flanked with plenty of lounge chairs, and there's a lifeguard on duty, a feature not often found in area apartment hotels of this size. There's no fitness center, but the hotel does have three pieces of non-electric cardio equipment (the kind often found in city parks) off to one side of the pool. Family-friendly facilities are limited, and though there's no kids' club, there is a playground toward the base of the property with a slide and a swing set. Wi-Fi is fast and free throughout the grounds. Laundry service is also available for a small fee and there's a free parking lot at the base of the property.