This is not the best place I've ever stayed but I think it is the one that is the best run given its potential. It is advertised as a 3-star hotel, but should at least have 4 stars. The service was as professional and smooth as in any 5 star luxury hotel, minus the obsequiousness and the prices for extras. An example of small appreciated details - the sale of bottled water for reasonable prices in the bar, and a laundry room with high quality washers and driers - also reasonably priced. The kitchen was remarkably well equipped with high quality utensils.

We booked through LowCostHolidays. The package included flights and a 7 night stay in a 2 bed apartment at Casablanca Apartments. Our first time in Tenerife, and we were pleasantly surprised how tidy and attractive it was. We didn't venture to the more popular south end, but hired a car to drive to and from the airport Peurto de la Cruz.

A note about LowCostHolidays. They booked our flights with Ryanair, and you MUST check-in online (or pay around £60 to check in at the airport). In order to check in online you have to provide your credit card details. Ryanair did not accept MY credit card number. It seems they need the one used to book the flights by LowCostHolidays. After a long phonecall (which Ryanair charge you extortionately for) and after numerous security checks on me, they gave me the credit card last 4 digits - that being the only way i was able to check in. If you book with LCH bear this in mind and allow a few days in case you cannot get checked in in good time.

About Casablanca Apartmnents. Some good points. Well kept, pleasant and efficient staff. Room sizes generous and clean, tidy and all things worked. You get fresh towels, hairdryer, bed linen changed, good kitchen with proper sized appliances, incluiding a microwave and ceramic hob. Full size fridge. Plenty of space, light and airy. TV with all the English channels you need.

Some not-so-good points. The apartments are convenient enough, but over 135 steps lead down (or worse UP) from the town centre. The trek got a bit tiresome. So location = not ideal. The pool is too small for the number of guests. Sunbeds were greedily and selfishly bagged by too many people, who never seemed to use them but reserved them all day. Very annoying and a practice that must be discouraged.

The worst thing for us, and what reduces my rating from "good" to "poor" was our allocated room. Right above the bar/ restaurant - where the loud music eminated from. Room 10102 - avoid this room, and also our neighbour's 10101 and 10103. I specifically asked for a "quiet" room but it seems, as I found out on day 4, when the noise had got too much for us, that my "quiet room" request was not passed on by LowCostHolidays as i'd assumed. The staff were mildly appologetic but unable to offer a solution. I suggested that they should check with new arrivals that they are happy to be above the entertainment and warn them about noise, offering an option to take another room. Places like Casablanca should really take note of this as it will avoid unhappy experiences like ours. We tended to go out to avoid the noise radiating from below, but after a while I thought - why are we doing this, so i had to make the staff know how
displeased I was. As it was over half way through the holiday I did not want to be moved, and in any case, they would not have been able to move us.

The North of Tenerife was, as people have said, cool and often cloudy, but I was quite happy with that - it's better than November in the UK. We ventured out a few times - up the volcanoe. Drove up to the cable-lift car park. Suggest getting there early as parking is limited. Cable - lift is 25 euros each. A cool 4 degrees at the top and there's a nice, not-gruelling walk if you desire. Great views. Pick a clear cloudless day, like we were lucy with. Loro Parque Zoo was excellent - 33 euros each. Take your time and see all the live shows. Plan for 4 or 5 hours at least. Some great places to eat - didn't have a bad meal anywhere. Prices are very pleasant and petrol is cheaper than UK at 1.02 E per litre.

We will holiday again in tenerife - not in the crowded areas, but try and find the real Tenerife, which I feel is there somewhere.

Return trip to Casablanca from 9th to 23rd November 2012. This was our third visit to these apartments and as before we continue to be impressed by both accommodation and service. OH and I are not really "hotel people" , i.e. we prefer to be out and about, and in our opinion the Casablanca offers the perfect base for us. The well appointed apartments and spacious balconies provide a relaxing environment and you have both privacy and home comforts. Casablanca is also well positioned for easy access to both the main town and the La Paz area, both of which are well worth exploring. If you want to go further afield there is a bus stop just up the hill from where you can get to La Oratava, Santa Cruz and Los Cris, or you can take the bus into town and change for other destinations. This year we also went by local bus to Los Gigantes - well worth it for the scenic bus trip alone. Have Bono, will travel!

Apartments are great with every thing you need. Apartments are bright and airy, very clean, great English TV channels and lounge area making them very comfortable. Laundry facilities available on the complex which is handy if you are watching your luggage weight! Service in the bar/restaurant a bit slow but prices very reasonable. Reception staff very friendly and helpful.