Balcón del Mar

Hotel Description

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to Balcón del Mar – I mean, it’s tucked into this residential building on Paseo las Americas, and honestly, from the street it just looks like another apartment block. But here’s the thing about Icod de los Vinos that most people don’t realize: the real gems are hidden in plain sight, and this place is exactly that.

The moment you step into apartment 606B, it hits you – that name “Balcón del Mar” isn’t just marketing fluff. The views are actually stunning, especially if you time it right during those golden hour moments when the Atlantic catches the light just so. And unlike those massive resort hotels further south in Playa de las Americas, you’re getting something way more intimate here. The owners clearly know their stuff when it comes to what travelers actually need (decent WiFi, a kitchen that works, shower pressure that doesn’t make you want to cry). I was particularly impressed by how quiet it stays at night – you’re close enough to the town center to walk to those little family-run restaurants near the famous Dragon Tree, but far enough from the main tourist chaos that you can actually sleep.

What really sold me on this place, though, was the local knowledge you get just by staying here. The hosts pointed me toward this tiny guachinche up in the hills that I never would’ve found otherwise – the kind of place where locals go for proper Canarian food and wine that costs about a third of what you’d pay in the tourist zones. Plus, parking here is straightforward (trust me, that’s worth its weight in gold in the Canary Islands), and you’re positioned perfectly for day trips. Twenty minutes to Garachico’s natural pools, half an hour to Teide if you want to catch sunrise, and you can walk to Icod’s center in maybe ten minutes. I mean, sure, it’s not going to have a fancy lobby or room service, but that 9.1 rating makes total sense when you factor in the value and the genuine local experience you get. Sometimes the best travel experiences come from places that feel more like staying at a friend’s place than checking into a hotel – and honestly, that’s exactly what Balcón del Mar delivers.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $57. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 3

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities