Casa Grøn

The shower is cramped and sits right above the toilet, and we found cockroaches. It also wasn’t clean when we arrived, and the equipment is very basic, with no microwave and very old stoves. The accommodation is dark and dated and needs a full renovation. There was a constant fuel oil smell, so we ended up leaving during the day. It may have come from the power plant chimneys below, as seen on Google Maps, but that’s only a guess.

The setting is beautiful, with a lovely plant-filled garden, a large porch with tables, chairs and sun loungers, and a nice pool. The porch furniture was mostly dirty, though. From the house there are wonderful sea views, and on a clear day you can see the sunrise. The location is handy for Santa Cruz, the airport, and Los Cancajos beach. It’s a shame because, if it weren’t for the cleanliness and comfort problems, this could be one of the island’s best places to stay. We stayed three nights, but the beds and other issues kept us from sleeping comfortably, so we’re giving it two stars. The floors inside were very dirty, with dust and stains, and the furniture and lamps were dusty too. The sofa bed and armchairs had pillows that looked like they hadn’t been washed in a long time. The bedroom bedding and mattresses were old, deformed, and uncomfortable. My companion got bites overnight, and we think they might have been bed bugs. We saw several insects in the bed, including one that looked similar, but we can’t be sure. The kitchen and utensils, including the coffee maker and toaster, were dirty as well. We understand that insects, spiders, and lizards are normal and unavoidable in a country house. I hope the owners take note, because cleaner rooms and more comfortable beds would make a big difference.