We stayed at the Carmen Apartments for a week over xmas 07. We had a ground floor studio which didn't get any direct sunlight (but i recon that'd be a good thing in summer!).

Basic? yes
Clean? I think 'worn' would be a better description, but yes it was clean enough.

Now this isn't exactly the Ritz... more your cheap and cheerful accommodation. For somewhere to sleep, freshen up and make lunch it'll do quite nicely.

One thing though : if you plan to party late and in turn sleep late, take earplugs! If the cleaners do a deep clean of either apartment next to / above / below you and you don't get to bed til 7am you'll need those ear plugs to be able to sleep (unless you can sleep though heavy furniture being dragged across floors).

Location is fab! The Cita centre is a 10 min walk away, the beach is a 5 min walk away as is the Yumbo... nice and easy staggering distance back to the hotel. If you and a friend are going away and plan on going to the yumbo of an evening to meet new friends... get a 1 or 2 bed apartment!! Unless you're VERY good friends, a studio isn't right for you!

Oh, and hire a car to get out of Playa Del Ingles to see the mountains... they really are beautiful.

Adiós!

Like some of the reviewers have pointed out already, the Carmen Apartments are in need of a little updating however, I have stayed at this family-run hotel twice and both experiences have been wonderful. The apartments (studios and 1-beds) are quite large with generous balconies (many with a partial sea or full sea-view) and whilst they are aging they are immaculate. Each room comes with a television, large safe, 2-hob kitchenette with full 1/2-size fridge freezer and all of the crockery you will need. There is a small shop on floor 0 and a larger supermarket 2 minutes walk away called 'Custom'. The staff are all very efficient/friendly and the building is secured with cameras, pass entry and locked doors at night (access via reception and a buzzer after 12am). The pool area and small garden is lovely and there are shower facilities and a luggage room for check out, plus internet terminals in the lobby. The location is perhaps the biggest pro of this hotel as it is 5 minutes to the Yumbo Center [the commercial centers in Spanish resorts are mostly awful and desperately need updating but this one is a little bit better] and 5 minutes to the beach. For the price I paid for 1 week I was VERY impressed and intend to return again early next year. When the apartments are refurbished, which I'm sure they will be, this place could go through the roof as all of the basics are there for a great beach holiday.

Just returned from a week at the Carmen apartments at Playa Del Ingles. Great location being just minutes walk from both the Cita and Yumbo centres and close to the beach too. Great supermarket next to apartments too..

Rooms serviced regularly and a decent sized pool / garden sunbathing area. If you are not expecting the Ritz then you won't be disappointed. Good value, clean and convenient apartments....

The Carmen Apartments were well situated approximately 5 minutes walk from the Yumbo centre and Tourist information, 10 minutes walk from the beach and right next to a fairly large supermarket and (mainly German) bar complex called the Sandia Centre. Bus stops for various buses are close by ( including the (no 66) hourly bus from the airport (3.5 euros per person) takes 45 minutes and drops you off at the Yumbo centre).

We stayed in a studio room which was a good size and well-presented. The beds were the 2 sofas (already made up when you took the top counterpane off) and these could be pushed together and were quite comfortable. Then kitchenette and bathroom facilities (surprisingly good showers!) were fine. The room had a tv (numerous channels but only SkyNews in English) and a room safe was available for a small charge. Our room was clean and looked like it had been recently painted.

Maid service was 5 times a week and towels and bedlinen (although often not looking new) were clean and changed frequently.

The reception area was manned 24 hours a day and also had a bar, pool table and internet access available.

The swimming pool and pleasant surrounding grounds were well kept with a number of free sunbeds with mattresses available. A poolside snack bar offered a small range of drinks and snacks though we did not use it and so cannot comment on it further. There was also a good-sized sun terrace on the third floor although it only had a few sunbeds on it.

Recommendations:

Food – Chez Luigi’s (Sandia Centre) – good food and friendly service at very reasonable prices and unlimited free afterdinner liquers (brandy/rum/schnapps)! Also check out Las Camelias (about 5-10 minutes walk from Carmen apts) – unlimited buffet including steak, kebabs etc grilled to order for 9.75 euros.
Beer – Big Ben and Mackeys – 1euro a pint
Entertainment - Yumbo Centre - check out the hilarious (free) drag show at Ricky’s.
Internet access – 20mins for 50cents at the games arcade on the ground floor of the Yumbo Centre (much cheaper than in the Carmen reception area)
No-no’s:

Wembleys (beer = 3.5 euros a pint!)
Irish Centre (ladies loos had no paper, soap, towels or even light in the loos!)

We found the Carmen Apartments to be very good value for money. All staff were very friendly and helpful and we would have no hesitation in staying there again.