Blue San Esteban

These apartments have a good location, very close to San Lorenzo beach and close to shops in main street of Corrida. We had a two bedroom apartment (stayed here also in 2013 in a one bed apartment). There were two bedrooms, one quite large with a window to the street behind, a separate kitchen (combined kitchen/living in one bed apartment), a dining/living area and two bathrooms. One had a shower over a bath, and the other a small shower, semi-circular on the door side, with plastic doors that were difficult to close. Kitchen chairs were a little tatty, and sofa sloped back so that our backs hurt to sit on it for long. There was a TV and also there were 2 chairs in living area, and another TV in the big bedroom (not sure about 2nd bedroom). The sofa can sleep two more people. The place was spacious, with a good size entry hallway leading to all rooms. Beds were OK, not especially plush, and pillow hard, but I didn't ask if they had softer ones. Noise carried from the flat next door, so we had to wake up with the neighbour's children who fortunately kept Spanish hours for the evening they were next door. The kids made a racket during the day, and their dad helpfully tried to keep them in line by yelling at them regularly. Main issue was the need to collect keys and communicate problems with the hotel, quite a walk away. You need to get there at the correct checkin time. We arrived an hour early and were unable to go to the apartments as they were being cleaned and the only place to leave the bags was at the hotel. The staff I spoke to didn't speak English, and my Spanish is only intermediate. I was told to call them on the free phone in the apartments' lobby if I had any problems. I tried, but couldn't get through (didn't realise I needed to wait for a dial tone until told about that a few days later by the friendly room attendant - in Spanish), so always rang from my mobile. Our hot water hadn't been turned on, and I didn't understand the Spanish instructions over the phone about la caldera, which two neighbours we dragged in found and turned on for us in the kitchen - gas hot water. Why had it been turned off when people were arriving? Next issue was trying to work out the Spanish instructions for the wifi. Don't try initially to get on with an Ipad - use your mobile. Wifi had to be reset with three entries every 12 hours or whenever it dropped out, whichever came first. Safe instructions were in Spanish and English, helpfully, but were incomplete. Add an asterisk to open/close after final step. My key stopped working, so we had to make our way back to the hotel for a replacement. Flat comes with iron, ironing board, drying rack and rack from window into courtyard that gets no sun. There is a washing machine and maybe it has a dryer, but the manuals which the notice on the front door talked about were nowhere to be found, so I don't know. Kitchen has 2 hotplates. It was reasonably equipped for a holiday apartment, but no electric jug. There is a supermarket in the little centre in the street behind the apartments, which was very handy. TV channels are Spanish. On the whole, spacious apartment in need of some upgrading. The room attendant was very friendly and tried to help with minor issues (like the safe not opening because none of us knew about the wretched missing asterisk), but honestly, a bit difficult if you need any support and don't speak any Spanish.

We spent 4 nights in a 2-bedrooms apartment and we enjoyed everything! The apartment itself was modern, clean and well-equiped. The location was excellent. Value for money was very good, too. Close to the city centre, beaches, Cimavilla, etc. However, it was difficult to stop the car in the street and hardly impossible to park it. There are two (paying) parkings close by, though, with discounted prices depending on the length of the stay. Overall, we loved it!! 100% recommendable!!

Pros: Very central (and close to the beach). Generally clean. Reasonably kitted out kitchen. Quiet location. Friendly staff. Free WiFi. Close to shops. Cons: You have to check in at a hotel about a 10 minute walk away. No oven, toaster or kettle. Room smelled slightly of smoke. No English language channels on TV. No cleaning products provided. Cleaner did not empty bin! Would definitely recommend if you would like to go on a budget holiday.