Sobre el Mar en Edificio Magallanes

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Sobre el Mar en Edificio Magallanes? The name literally means “above the sea,” and honestly, they’re not exaggerating. This place sits right on Avenida José Miguel Galván Bello – which locals just call “the main drag” – and apartment 38 gives you these sweeping views that make you understand why people fall in love with El Médano. I mean, you’re basically perched above one of the Canary Islands’ best windsurfing spots, watching the Atlantic stretch endlessly while the trade winds keep everything feeling fresh, even in summer.

The building itself is one of those solid Spanish apartment blocks that actually works in your favor here. Thick walls mean you’re not hearing every conversation from the hallway, and the elevator (thank god, because hauling luggage up to the third floor in this heat would be rough) is reliable. What I really appreciated was how the apartment feels like someone’s actual home rather than a sterile hotel room – there’s this lived-in comfort that makes you want to kick off your shoes and settle in for a proper stay. The kitchen’s got everything you need if you want to hit the local market and cook some of that incredible fresh fish they sell down by the harbor, though honestly, the restaurants here are so good you might not bother much with cooking.

El Médano itself is sort of the anti-tourist trap of Tenerife – it’s where windsurfers and kitesurfers come to chase the wind, but it’s also got this laid-back vibe that grows on you. You can walk to the beach in maybe three minutes, and I’m talking about that gorgeous stretch of golden sand that curves around the bay. The water’s usually pretty calm on the town side, perfect for a morning swim, while the windier sections keep the surf crowd happy. Parking can be a bit of a puzzle during peak season (July and August get pretty busy), but there’s usually street parking if you’re willing to walk a block or two. The 8.3 rating makes sense to me – it’s not luxury resort territory, but it delivers exactly what you want from a Canary Islands getaway: proximity to the ocean, genuine local atmosphere, and that satisfying feeling of discovering somewhere that hasn’t been completely overtaken by tour buses. Plus, you’re close enough to the airport that you don’t spend half your vacation day getting there, but far enough away that you’re not dealing with flight noise. If you’re looking for a base to explore Tenerife’s windward coast or just want to fall asleep to the sound of waves, this spot delivers.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $141. Two-Bedroom Apartment with Sea View (4 Adults) with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• We had the perfect, relaxing stay and will definitely be back. – Anne from United Kingdom – 24 June 2024 (10/10)

  The apartment is spotless and spacious with a good sized balcony that looks out to the sea. The location is perfect. It’s a very short, easy walk to El Medano plaza. Manfreds cafe next door was also excellent. Carmen is extremely helpful and friendly pre and on arrival.
  
  What could be improved: We cannot fault this place at all.

• Exceptional – Curlysue from United Kingdom – 23 December 2022 (10/10)

  A quaint and beautiful apartment, in a lovely location, superb restaurants and lovely little shops and places for coffee or ice cream.
  Easy to get in the sea too
  
  What could be improved: Menues not always available in English

• Our stay at this accommodation was a disaster. – Sebastian from Poland – 1 March 2025 (1/10)

  Good location although in the same building there is a club that plays loud music at night.
  
  What could be improved: The building and its surroundings were under renovation, and every morning at sunrise, we were woken up by the sound of hammering and an angle grinder right outside our window. Construction workers were walking across the terrace, completely ruining any sense of privacy (though they were polite). The view from our window was blocked by the terrace, but we avoided spending any time there anyway due to the constant presence of workers. We were only informed about potential inconveniences a few days before our arrival—specifically, we were told only about the scaffolding, with no mention of the extreme noise. By then, it was too late to find alternative accommodation in El Médano. As compensation, we received a 19% discount, but no discount can make up for the fact that the place was simply unlivable. This was not an unexpected situation but a planned, large-scale renovation. The owner knowingly rented out the property despite the unbearable conditions. This place should not be allowed to operate as a rental during the construction period.

• Perfetto – Gianni from Italy – 20 May 2024 (9/10)

  Posizione eccellente, località tranquilla

• tolle Unterkunft mit super Lage und Meerblick – Christoph from Germany – 6 January 2023 (9/10)

  direkt am Wasser, ruhig und gut ausgestattet
  
  What could be improved: –

• So-Fr top, Sa zu laut für uns – K from Germany – 23 April 2024 (8/10)

  Die Ausstattung (es ist praktisch alles da), die Wohnung, die Nähe zum Meer, der Balkon, die Vermieterin, alles toll!
  Unter der Woche bekommt man auch gut einen Parkplatz in der näheren Umgebung.
  
  What could be improved: An 2 Tagen hat es stark aus den Abflüssen gestunken.
  Am Ende der Wohnung, wo das Kinderzimmer ist, ist eine Bar. Für unser Kind wäre es unmöglich dort einzuschlafen. Der Papa hat dort mit Ohropax geschlafen. Samstag haben selbst die nichts genützt und es war in der ganzen Wohnung laut. Wir sind erst nach 2 Uhr nachts eingeschlafen. Zum Glück ging es erst los, als das Kind bereits schlief.

• Very good – Anja from Germany – 11 December 2022 (8/10)

  Küche und Bad neu. Küche super ausgestattet. Großer Balkon. Zentrale Lage. Sehr freundliche Vermieterin.
  
  What could be improved: Betten könnten besser sein. Wohnung hat nur seitlichen Meerblick, d.h. man sieht das Meer nicht aus der Wohnung, nur vom Balkon. Etwas zu viele Möbel in der Wohnung.

• Bardzo miło gospodarze. – Daniel from Poland – 23 April 2025 (10/10)

  Położenie , wygodne mieszkanie

• Magnífica estancia! – Ana from Spain – 22 April 2024 (10/10)

  La terraza, las vistas, la ubicación, la limpieza y la equipación de la cocina. Las camas también eran cómodas
  
  What could be improved: Que estaba la urbanización en obras incluido los sábados y había mucho ruido. Las almohadas no eran cómodas y estaban viejas comparado con los colchones

• Excelente estancia y excelente ubicación. El trato muy bueno – Ordoki from Spain – 7 April 2024 (10/10)

  El alojamiento estaba muy limpio y en buena ubicación

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities