Buena Vista

Hotel Description

I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to the Buena Vista on Calle Noruega, I wasn’t expecting much from the outside. It’s tucked into this quiet residential street that most tourists probably walk right past on their way to the beach chaos. But you know what? That’s actually the best part about this place.

The location is sort of perfect if you think about it. You’re literally a three-minute walk from Los Cristianos beach (I timed it because I’m weird like that), but you’re far enough from the main drag that you won’t hear drunk British holidaymakers singing football chants at 2 AM. The street itself is lined with these typical Canarian buildings – nothing fancy, but it feels authentic in a way that the beachfront hotels just don’t. There’s a little local bakery about fifty meters down that does incredible cortaditos in the morning, and honestly, starting your day there instead of the hotel breakfast feels like you’re actually experiencing Tenerife.

The hotel itself punches above its weight for a four-star place. The lobby has this clean, modern vibe without being sterile – lots of white and blue (very Canarian), and the staff actually seem to remember your name after the first day. My room faced the street, which I was initially worried about, but Calle Noruega is surprisingly quiet, especially compared to staying near the port where those massive ferries come and go. The air conditioning works properly (crucial in summer), and the bathroom has one of those rainfall showers that actually has decent pressure. Small thing, but when you’ve been walking around volcanic landscapes all day, it matters.

What really sold me on this place was how it sits right in that sweet spot between the tourist madness and the real Los Cristianos. Walk five minutes toward the water and you’re in full holiday mode – fish and chips, karaoke bars, the works. But walk five minutes the other way and you’re in neighborhoods where actual locals live, with proper Spanish grocery stores and little plazas where old men play dominoes in the evening. The hotel staff – especially Maria at the front desk – seem to get this balance. She’ll happily book you a banana boat ride, but she’ll also tell you which guachinche up in the hills serves the best local wine.

The pool area is decent sized for the location, though it gets pretty busy around midday when people take a break from the beach. I actually preferred using it in the early evening when most guests were out at dinner. Pro tip: the sun disappears behind the building around 6 PM, so if you’re a sun worshipper, plan accordingly.

Is it perfect? Well, the WiFi can be spotty on the upper floors, and the breakfast, while perfectly fine, isn’t going to blow your mind. But honestly, for the price point and the location, you’re getting something that feels more like a local experience than a tourist trap. Plus, you’re close enough to everything that matters – the beach, the ferry to La Gomera, those excellent seafood places down by the harbor – without being in the thick of the chaos. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $140. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities