First opened in 1989 and partially renovated in 2008, Aparthotel PuertoCarmen is a laid-back, no-frills property popular among families, couples, and groups of friends, mostly from the U.K., Ireland, and Scandinavia. Everything is basic and somewhat dated here -- from the lobby, to the apartments, to the restaurant -- but the grounds are well-maintained and appealing. Stone paths wind through cute traditional Canarian gardens with black sand, palm trees, cactuses, and volcanic rocks, while the pool deck offers plenty of seating and a few umbrellas. Apartments are housed in dozens of adjoining two-floor white buildings with rounded roofs and blue doors, window frames, and balcony railings, giving the property some local charm. 

The property is cute from the outside, but interiors are in need of an update. The lobby is spacious and airy, with large windows on all four sides, and many plants around the front desk. Signs of upkeep efforts can be seen in the contemporary artwork displayed on walls, the fresh coats of paint throughout, and the light gray couches. However, the reception area’s blue walls, pillars clad in blue mosaic tiles, and vaulted ceilings lend it a slightly old-fashioned style. The hotel’s only restaurant is located in the basement and has a similar basic, dated feel.

The atmosphere is generally quiet at PuertoCarmen. The limited on-site amenities and mediocre food mean most guests spend the day either at the beach or out in town. We could hear kids playing in and around the pool during the day, but noise at night is generally not an issue. Although the property has some of the lowest rates in town, guests on a budget may also want to consider Costa Volcan Apartments, which is closer to the beach, and has simple apartments with hairdryers, and unlimited free Wi-Fi in the lobby. THB Flora has more family-friendly amenities, such as a splash park and a kids’ club, but is farther away from the beach. For a little more money, Morana Apartments has an excellent location right on the beach and the main drag, as well as simple but clean apartments, some with sea views.

The hotel is located on a busy avenue near the northern edge of Puerto del Carmen. There are three supermarkets and a small array of local businesses within a couple of blocks of the hotel, and a popular shopping mall can be found about a five-minute walk away. The town’s main drag, home to dozens of restaurants, bars, shops, and cafes, is about a 15-minute walk away, as is a large, sandy beach with rental loungers and umbrellas. The old town, its small marina, and another smaller beach are also about a 15-minute walk away. While location atop a steep hill allows for quiet nights away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, the walk back from the main drag and the beach can be challenging for some. Timanfaya National Park, home to several stunning volcanos, is about a 20-minute drive from PuertoCarmen. The hotel is less than 10 minutes from the airport. Free but limited outdoor parking is available on-site. 

The hotel has 148 one- and two-bedroom apartments spread over dozens of adjoining two-story buildings set around a central garden with a pool. Top-floor units have spacious furnished terraces overlooking either the street of the gardens, while apartments on the ground floor have open patios with four chairs and a table. Decor is no-frills and old-fashioned throughout, with simple pine wood furniture painted blue, generic artwork on walls, and '80s-style thin bedspreads with green, blue, and orange geometric designs. 

All apartments have kitchenettes equipped with toasters, electric kettles, microwaves, cooktops, and mini-fridges, but all other cooking utensils are only available for a fee. Living rooms are spacious and light, with large windows, dining tables, sofa beds, and small flat-screen TVs with five free channels (four of which are in Spanish). Several other channels are provided for a daily or weekly charge, as are fans (apartments lack air-conditioning), safes, and irons. All guests get one hour of free Wi-Fi in the lobby per day, but in-room internet access is paid. Besides the many extra fees, one of the most common complaints is about the beds, which many guests find too firm. While we found everything to be in decent shape when we visited, loose power sockets and door knobs, cracked tiles, and malfunctioning showerheads are some of the maintenance issues reported by past guests. 

Bathrooms are simple and old, with shower/tub combos (no walk-in showers available), worn taps, and plastic shower curtains. Apartments lack hairdryers, and toiletries are not replenished after the first day. Every apartment is equipped with a small individual boiler, which means long, hot showers are not an option.

Housekeeping service is available five days per week, and sheets and towels are changed twice every seven days. The property has a number of ground-floor apartments, but wheelchair-accessible units are not available. 

Aparthotel PuertoCarmen offers several meal plans, including self-catering, bed-and-breakfast, and half-board. Food quality and variety are mediocre, but some guests find it to offer decent value for money, as adding meals to the stay is just a little bit more expensive than the room-only rate. 

The main restaurant is located in the basement and offers a small buffet for breakfast and dinner. The breakfast spread generally includes basic full English and continental options, including pre-packaged pastries, bread for toast, beans, eggs, fresh tomatoes, and some sandwich cheese and ham. Dinner is also limited, with just a few hot and cold items, including vegetables for salads, beef in sauce, and grilled fish with fries. Small bites are available for lunch at the pool bar, which also offers a small range of snacks, and hot and cold drinks. 

The hotel has one medium-sized pool, complete with a kiddy section separated by a safety railing, and a big whirlpool with several massage jets. There are plenty of loungers and a few umbrellas around it, and additional ones can be found on smaller terraces lined with cypresses a little away from the pool. Pop music is played through loudspeakers during the day, but the volume is generally not too loud. The water in both pools is heated in the winter. 

There is a cute, spacious playground with slides, swings, and monkey bars with rings, but the hotel closed its kids’ club in 2016. Teens can play video games for a fee in the lobby, and a tennis court with panoramic views can be rented for an extra charge. There is also a laundry room with a coin-operated washer. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby, but guests only get one hour per day.