Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey is a city hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island's capital and its busiest working port, and it offers something that the beach resorts of the south cannot: a stay in a real Canarian city. Santa Cruz is easy to underestimate. It has a lively seafront, a tradition of music and theatre, a famous carnival that rivals those of much larger cities, markets, plazas and a food scene shaped by local people rather than by tourists. The Grand Mencey is a long-established hotel with a traditional, elegant style, set a short distance from the green space of the city park and the central streets of shops and cafes. It suits visitors who care more about atmosphere and convenience than about a beach on the doorstep. Staying in the capital also puts you at the centre of the island's road network, so La Laguna, the Anaga mountains, the north coast and Teide are all within reach without the long drives of a south-coast base. Prices in the city are often lower than in the big resorts, and the weather is a little more varied, which is a good thing for walkers and sightseers. If you want a hotel with some history and a feeling of place, and you are happy to take the tram or a short taxi ride for a beach day, this is a smart and characterful choice.
Location and getting around
The hotel is in the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, within walking distance of the city park, the main shopping streets and the seafront promenade. The tram links the city with La Laguna, the university town and World Heritage old town, in under half an hour, and buses and taxis serve the rest of the island. Tenerife North airport is the nearer of the two airports, and Tenerife South is a longer drive of about an hour, so check which airport your flight uses before you book your transfer.
The rooms
Expect a traditional hotel with a range of rooms and suites, and check the room types, views and board options when you book. A city hotel often has quieter evenings than a resort, but street-facing rooms can hear traffic and carnival season is loud, so ask for a quieter room if you prefer calm. Reviews can tell you how recently rooms were refreshed.
What to do nearby
Wander the plazas and the covered market, visit the museums and the seafront auditorium, and eat tapas and fresh fish at the local places away from the main streets. The beach of Las Teresitas, a golden-sand beach with calm water, is a short bus or taxi ride to the north-east, and the Anaga Rural Park, with its laurel forest and hiking trails, begins just beyond. La Laguna is an easy half-day trip, and Teide National Park can be reached by car in about ninety minutes.
Who it suits
Culture-minded couples, business travellers, walkers heading for Anaga, and anyone who wants to see the island beyond the resorts. It is less suited to travellers who want a swimming-pool holiday with a beach at the door.
Good to know
If you visit during the carnival, which usually falls in February or March, expect crowds, noise and higher prices, and book far ahead. Check when you book for current facilities, parking arrangements and anything that may be under renovation.
Why stay here
- ✓Traditional grand hotel in the capital
- ✓Central Santa Cruz location
- ✓Walkable to shops, plazas and the market
- ✓Near the city park
- ✓Tram link to La Laguna
- ✓Base for Anaga and the north coast
- ✓Restaurants and cafes nearby
- ✓Check room types and board when you book
Good questions
Where is Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey?+
It is in the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island capital, within walking distance of the city park, shops and the seafront.
Is it near a beach?+
Not on the beach. Las Teresitas, a golden-sand beach, is a short bus or taxi ride to the north-east of the city.
Which airport is closest?+
Tenerife North airport is the nearer one. Tenerife South airport is roughly an hour away by road.
