Apartamentos el Motor Tejeda

El motor is apartment accommodation in Tejeda, built for travellers who prefer their own space and a little control over the evening. You get a private apartment with a terrace or balcony, a seating area and a kitchenette, so you can make coffee, sort out a simple meal and put your feet up without having to follow a hotel timetable.

The website is available in Spanish, English and French, which makes planning easier for those languages. Inside, the useful comforts are straightforward: air conditioning, heating, free WiFi, a private bathroom and views that can take in the town, mountains, garden, lake or a local landmark.

You are in Tejeda, in the mountainous interior of Gran Canaria rather than on the coast. The parish church of Nuestra Señora del Socorro is a two-minute walk away, placing you close to the village's central sights and everyday amenities.

For food and a drink, several places are within easy reach on foot. Bar Restaurante La Cueva de Tea, Hemingway and Bar Restaurante Sombras del Nublo are all roughly 50 metres away, while La Tienda de Paco is about 200 metres from the apartments. Gran Canaria Airport is 25 miles away by road, with a drive of around 52 minutes.

These are apartments rather than hotel rooms, which changes the rhythm of a stay. You have a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, stovetop, toaster, kettle, coffee machine and kitchenware, plus a dining table and a separate seating area with a sofa. That gives you somewhere to sit properly, not merely the edge of the bed with a takeaway balanced on your knee.

The smaller apartment suits a couple wanting a manageable base with outdoor space; the larger option makes more sense for a family or two people who would rather not negotiate every bag and jacket in the same corner. Both have a private bathroom, wardrobe, linen, towels, hairdryer and free toiletries. A private entrance and soundproofing add a useful degree of separation, while the terrace or balcony gives you somewhere to take the first coffee of the day.

Air conditioning, heating and a fan cover different conditions through the year. The apartments also have clothes racks and a drying rack for clothing. Upper floors are reached by stairs only, and there are no extra beds; a cot can be requested for a baby between 0 and 1 year, depending on the accommodation option.

The self-catering setup puts the evening meal in your hands. The kitchenette is equipped for simple cooking, with a stovetop, microwave, toaster, refrigerator, kettle, coffee machine and dining table. After a long day out, that can mean a quick plate and an early night rather than turning dinner into another expedition.

You can also walk out for food. Bar Restaurante La Cueva de Tea is about 50 metres away, as are Hemingway and Bar Restaurante Sombras del Nublo. La Tienda de Paco, a nearby bar, is around 200 metres from the apartments. Tea and coffee facilities are available in the apartment, and wine or champagne can be arranged as part of the food and drink service.

Tejeda lends itself to time on foot, and hiking is available away from the property. A tour desk gives you a place to organise outings when you want more structure than simply following the next road uphill.

Back at the apartment, the slower options are deliberately simple: sit outside with the view, read, watch the flat-screen TV with satellite channels or reach for the board games and puzzles. Families also have books, DVDs or music for children. It is the sort of downtime that asks very little of you, which is often precisely the point.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 00:00, and you need to tell the property when you expect to arrive. You will need photo identification and a credit card at check-in, while the minimum age for checking in is 18. Check-out is between 11:00 and 11:30, so the morning is not designed for a particularly leisurely departure.

An airport shuttle and a local shuttle service are available as chargeable services. Free public parking is available nearby, with no reservation required, and electric vehicle charging is available. WiFi is free in the apartments. Laundry is available as a chargeable service, and private check-in and check-out keep the arrival process separate from a conventional hotel reception.

Cash is accepted. Smoking, pets and parties are not permitted, and children of any age are welcome. The property is non-smoking throughout, with a designated smoking area, and the upper floors are accessible by stairs only.