Casa Nene

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about Casa Nene? It’s tucked away on this unassuming stretch of road in La Matanza de Acentejo, and honestly, I almost drove right past it the first time. But once you’re there – I mean, really there – you get why this little 3-star spot has such a devoted following. The location is actually pretty clever if you know Tenerife at all. You’re about fifteen minutes from the coast but up in the hills where it’s cooler and way quieter than the tourist zones. The owner (who I’m guessing is the Nene in question) has this relaxed way about him that immediately makes you feel like you’re staying at a friend’s place rather than just another hotel.

The rooms are clean and comfortable – nothing fancy, but everything works and there’s this attention to detail that you don’t always get at this price point. The beds are actually good (I’m picky about mattresses), and the bathrooms have decent water pressure, which… well, if you’ve traveled around the Canary Islands much, you know that’s not always a given. What really won me over though was the breakfast situation. They serve it on this little terrace that overlooks the valley, and you can see clear down to the ocean on good days. The coffee is proper Spanish coffee, not that watery stuff some places serve tourists, and they source a lot of the fruit locally – the bananas are ridiculous, probably the best I’ve had outside of someone’s backyard. There’s usually a gentle breeze up there in the mornings, and honestly, it’s one of those moments where you remember why you travel in the first place.

The whole area around Casa Nene is perfect if you want to explore the real Tenerife but still have easy access to the main attractions. You’re close enough to the Teide National Park that you can do a proper day trip without feeling rushed, and the drive down to Puerto de la Cruz takes maybe twenty minutes (though parking down there is its own adventure). But here’s the thing – and this is why I keep coming back – La Matanza has this authentic island feel that’s getting harder to find. There’s a little family-run restaurant about a five-minute walk away where the menu changes based on what they caught that day, and the locals still outnumber the tourists. The staff at Casa Nene will point you toward these kinds of places, the ones that don’t show up in guidebooks but should. Sure, it’s not beachfront, and if you’re looking for a resort experience with pools and entertainment, this isn’t your spot. But if you want somewhere genuine with character – and an 8.7 rating that actually feels earned – Casa Nene delivers in ways that surprised me.

Facilities