I travelled to Puerto de la Cruz for pre-Christmas sunshine and exercise. RF Astoria is perfectly situated if you don't have a car. 3 minutes walk to shopping, hypermarket, beaches and restaurants. Tourist info bureaux are nearby, selling all sorts of hiking, biking and sightseeing trips. RF Astoria is a simple, no frills, hotel, with basic facilities in the room. It is fastidiously clean. The reception staff are welcoming and informative. If you're not looking for luxury, just good, clean simple accommodation, in a location close to all amenities, RF Astoria is a sound choice.
Puerto de la Cruz is a large resort, with hundreds of restaurants and bars. It has a slightly older client base, predominantly German. It is full of pleasant surprises, from the views, to the gardens, to the wonderful exhibition of Christmas Cribs and the dramatic, volcanic countryside around. It is also very, very hilly, so might not suit those with a bad back or mobility problems. It is also not an ideal road-cycling base due to the traffic and very cycle-unfriendly roads within the town. It is though, a great base for hiking and for access to El Teide. It also has a comprehensive public transport (bus) system giving access to towns and villages all around. I loved it and would go again.