AC Hotel by Marriott Tenerife

AC Hotel by Marriott Tenerife Overview

Look, I’ve stayed at plenty of business hotels that try to be sleek and modern, but the AC Hotel by Marriott in Santa Cruz actually pulls it off without feeling sterile. You know what I mean? It’s right on Calle Candelaria, which honestly took me a minute to find the first time – it’s tucked between some local shops and cafes, but once you spot that clean Marriott signage, you’re golden.

The lobby hits you with this nice minimalist vibe that feels very AC Hotel brand, but here’s the thing that surprised me: it doesn’t feel cookie-cutter like some chain hotels do. Maybe it’s because you can hear the authentic bustle of Santa Cruz right outside, or the way the Spanish light filters through those big windows, but it actually feels like you’re in Tenerife, not just any random city. The staff at check-in were genuinely helpful too – not just going through the motions, but actually gave me solid recommendations for dinner spots within walking distance (there’s this little tapas place two blocks down that I never would’ve found otherwise).

What really works about this place is how it balances being polished with being practical. The rooms are clean-lined and comfortable – I mean, the bed was actually good, not just hotel-acceptable – and the AC works properly, which, let’s be honest, matters a lot in the Canary Islands. The shower has decent pressure, and there’s enough space to spread out your stuff without feeling cramped. I appreciated the blackout curtains because Santa Cruz can get pretty lively in the evenings, especially on weekends when locals are out and about in the nearby plazas. The WiFi was solid throughout my stay, which I definitely needed for work calls back home.

What I really liked was the rooftop area – it’s not huge or fancy, but you get these glimpses of the harbor and the mountains beyond the city. Perfect spot for a morning coffee before heading out to explore, and honestly, it’s nice to have a quiet space to retreat to after walking around the busy streets of Santa Cruz all day.

The location is actually pretty smart if you think about it – you’re close enough to the port area and the main shopping streets, but far enough from the real tourist crush that you feel like you’re experiencing the actual city. Plus, if you’re planning day trips around the island (which, come on, you probably are), it’s easy to get to the bus stations or grab a taxi without fighting through crowds.

The breakfast was better than I expected for a chain hotel in Tenerife – decent variety and they actually had some local touches mixed in with the usual international stuff. Price-wise, it felt fair for what you get, especially considering the location and the fact that everything worked the way it should. I’d definitely stay here again if I’m back in Santa Cruz, particularly if I want something reliable and comfortable without paying resort prices.

AC Hotel by Marriott Tenerife Accommodations

Reviews of AC Hotel by Marriott Tenerife

• Kirill from Germany (9/10)

  It’s right in the city center close to the downtown – a great place to stay if you want to explore Northern Tenerife.
  Personal is very kind and caring!

• Monica from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Perfect carnival location. Forgot my birthday.

• Michael from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Perfect location smart and modern rooms nice rooftop bar

• Grzegorz from Poland (8/10)

  Great location, clean rooms, friendly staff, tasty breakfast and there's Chromecast in the room, so we could watch a movie after a day of sightseeing.

• Michael from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Stylish place, Roomy, comfortable and a nice breakfast.

• Jessfreun10 from United States (9/10)

  This hotel had a great location, near the harbor and a busy street with lots of shops and restaurants — right in the middle of the action. The rooms were updated and modern and very comfortable. You can hear some street noise, but not much. We had no trouble sleeping. I liked that we were able to get adjoining rooms giving us lots of space to spread out. The rooftop deck was amazing, there's a small pool area (it was January, so the pool was freezing) and a bar area that hosts DJs. It's a great place to be day or night. We didn't get the breakfast, but it looked good.

• Patricia from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Very nice, non-competitive breakfast buffet. Helpful and friendly reception staff. Comfortable room. Hotel was quiet, despite being full and being in a busy central area. Convenient location for shops and public transport. The roof terrace had a great view of the city.

• Rein from Estonia (9/10)

  The hotel has a beautiful design, very clean, good breakfast and helpful staff.

• Frances from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Comfortable rooms with good decor. Good beds, clean, hot shower. Polite staff.

• David from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Overall efficient and pleasant

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Facilities