The Parque Tropical is a simple but cute compound set up like a small village. Terra-cotta walkways lined with small gardens wind through whitewashed two-story buildings topped with blue beams and rows of solar panels. In the center, a big, two-tiered deck carpeted with fake grass houses two large pools and a snack bar. Although it won’t win any design awards, the property fits the bill for a no-frills sun-and-relaxation kind of vacation. The lobby is the only indoor common space at Parque Tropical (the restaurant is independently run and technically not part of the hotel), and features somewhat old-fashioned blue wicker furniture painted blue with salmon-colored and flower-printed cushions. The overall feel is generic, but baby blue accent walls and large paintings of cacti are cute touches. 

The lack of an entertainment program and music around the pool makes it a popular pick among couples seeking some peace and quiet, but the property’s spacious apartments, central location, and big pools draw British and Spanish families as well. The atmosphere, though, is generally low-key, especially in the winter, when most guests are older couples. 

The Parque Tropical is located on a quiet one-way street right in the heart of Puerto del Carmen. The town’s main drag is just a block away, and offers a wide array of restaurants, bars, and shops for all budgets. Playa Blanca, one of Puerto del Carmen’s largest beaches, is also just down the street, and Los Pocillos Beach is less than a 20-minute walk away. Timanfaya, a stunning national park home to several volcanoes, is about a 25-minute drive away. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from the airport. There is no on-site parking at Parque Tropical, and finding a spot in the area can be difficult, especially on weekends and peak season.

The hotel’s 80 one-bedroom apartments are simple and spacious, with large windows opening onto furnished patios or balconies. Pale rose accent walls and small prints with white or black frames are cute touches, but decor is basic and dated overall, with decades old pine wood furniture, mustard and orange upholstery and curtains, and gray tiled floors. Bedrooms have two twin-size beds and a closet, while living areas feature a sofa bed, an armchair, a flat-screen TV, and a dining table for four. Each space has a ceiling fan, but air-conditioning is not available. 

Kitchenettes are equipped with all the basic essentials to cook a full meal, including pots and pans, full fridges, two hot plates, microwaves, electric kettles and juicers, toasters, and coffeemakers. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, but there is a fee for use of in-room safes. Most bathrooms have simple shower/tub combos with glass screens, but a few have been renovated and feature spacious walk-in showers. Hairdryers and a small array of basic toiletries are also provided. 

Although the only rate available at Parque Tropical is the self-catering option, there is an independently run and owned restaurant attached to the hotel serving an international menu at reasonable rates for all three main meals. Snacks, hot and cold drinks, an English breakfast, and a short fast food menu are available at the poolside bar, which features a few tables under big white umbrellas on the main deck. The hotel’s two pools are heated and big, but the decks around them are skinny and don't have enough loungers for all guests. There is a small laundry room with coin-operated washers for guest use.