Day 1 A quick check in and smooth 4hr 20min flight from Birmingham had me landing into Gran Canaria in the early evening where I took a short transfer to arrive at the SEASIDE PALM BEACH in Maspalomas. A beautiful 24 degrees of sunshine at 8:30pm meant the BBQ dinner outside was just perfect, especially when followed by a short stroll along the seafront into Maspalomas to find somewhere to sit by the sea, have a drink and listen to the waves.
Day 2
Up early for a beautiful breakfast, ready for the first hotel of the day - The RADISSON BLU RESORT - Arguineguin, situated between Maspalomas & Puerto Rico.
This hotel is situated in a quieter, marina style setting. There is a glass bottomed boat departing from Arguineguin which takes you to Puerto Rico or nearby Puerto Mogan and also a bus service to all the towns. You need not even leave the resort if you didn't want to as there are some great restaurants nearby to eat out, and the hotel offers Self catering, Bed & breakfast & Half board. I loved the fact there were so many places you could go to sunbath & swim here with bathing platforms, 2 pools and 2 beach areas you are spoilt for choice!
* All rooms are Sea View * Water sports are available on the beach * The hotel is beachfront with bathing platforms and two beach areas * Adapted suites are available on the ground floor, plus the pool has a ramp into it. * Supermarket on site * Beautiful Spa * 3 Bed & 2 bed suites available plus interconnecting rooms too * An amazing panoramic lift at the front of the hotel which gives great views.
There was an excellent kids club with soft play, large secure out door play area for ages 4 and up which is free for the hotel guests to use.
I think this one is my favourite!
The next hotel was the RIU PALACE HOTEL in Maspalomas, just around the corner from the Palm beach hotel with direct beach access from one end of the hotel.
This hotel has recently re opened after a refurbishment and has 3 restaurants, 2 pools and the rooms are set out in 3 different blocks with all different room categories including plunge pool rooms. I would definitely recommend a sea view or garden view as some rooms give a view over the car park! However if your budget only allows this view then they do make up for it with an amazing Turkish style bathroom in these rooms.
This hotel offers a half board basis with a main buffet restaurant, and an a la carte restaurant available to book on the half board. There was building work going on at the hotel, creating more rooms however they are due to finish in June 2019.
The next hotel was the RESIDENCIA HOTEL
This hotel, decorated in the typical Canarian yellow & blue colours and with under 100 rooms it has a Spanish Finca feel to it. Just 200m from the beach there is a gate from the property exclusively for guests which leads you to the beach & the dunes.
Rooms range from a superior garden view room to a suite, there are steps up to many rooms (where you get a dunes view) but accessible rooms are available on the ground floor and ground floor classic rooms can also be requested. All rooms have a classic style with lots of wood and greenery giving it a really peaceful and relaxing feel.
We stopped for lunch here and the food was spectacular! we ate in the poolside restaurant but there is also another restaurant overlooking the grounds where you can eat outside or inside.
The Residencia offers a BBQ twice a week or a 4 course meal on the other days with a 3* Michelin chef! When breakfast consists of eggs Benedict & champagne you know your on to a winner! Its the little touches here that make this hotel so special, the daily newspapers, Nespresso coffee machine, free wifi and background piano music in the evenings, I really did not want to leave!
The last hotel of day 2 was the GRAN HOTEL VILLA EL CONDE LOPESAN RESORT
With a spectacular entrance, the complex is set out as a replica of a small Canarian village, with a village square used for eating and entertainment central to the hotel.
With 6 pools and private entrance/exit onto the promenade to walk to restaurants etc this hotel is much larger then the rest.
300m from a stone beach and 800m to the sandy beach, a free shuttle bus is provided to take you to the local golf course, the hotel offers b&b and half board here.
Day 2 was finished off with a swim in the pool at the Palm beach and drinks in Maspalomas at the Cafe del Mar - Perfect!
Day 3 The morning of day 3 we had to ourselves to explore, some of us went to Puerto Mogan, some explored Maspalomas, myself and a few others took a walk along the beach to Playa Del Ingles. it was a beautiful 1 hour walk paddling in the sea & passing the famous dunes and the nudest beach!
Playa Del Ingles has a very different feel to Maspalomas, it is bustling with bars, restaurants and souvenir shops lining the beachfront. Beach & nightlife is probably the best way I could describe it!
After a quick swim at the pool, we all met in reception for the mysterious Earth/Sky/Food/Drink tour! Hosted by the local tourist board it was soon revealed that we were to be heading into the mountains to learn about the history of the island (soon to be an Enesco world heritage site!) We saw burial mounds then enjoyed spectacular views with a gentle 1hr hike taking us high above the clouds to see archaeological evidence of the earliest settlers to the island.
Our reward for the little hike was to head to a nearby wine cellar to sample some high altitude award wining wine tasting! We stayed until sunset and enjoyed the absolutely breathtaking views at the AGALA WINE CELLAR At 10 Euros for a gold award wining red and 14 Euros for a silver award winning white, it would be rude not to buy a bottle!
As if this was not reward enough we then headed off to the 5* mountain hotel for dinner where I saw an infinity pool and a view to die for!
After an amazing dinner we headed out and drove even higher above the clouds to participate in a bit of star gazing and learn about the moon & stars before heading back to Maspalomas for a well earned sleep!
Day 4 My last day in Gran Canaria saw me head to San Agustin to visit the DON GREGORY a seafront adults only property, just up the coast from Play Del Ingles - Again, you can walk along the beach from here all the way to Maspalomas!
The thing I loved about this hotel is that ALL rooms have sea views and are all the same size, the only differences between premium rooms and standard rooms are the amenities such as: * 1 x replenished mini bar per stay * Tea/coffee in the room * Bathrobe & Slippers * Docking station * Pillow Menu
There are adapted rooms and a ramp into the pool for wheelchair users and flat level access to the beach and a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the sea. In regards to board basis you can stay here on b&b, Half board, or All inclusive.
There are duplex suites here with steps from the sitting area (with sofa bed) to the upstairs bedroom giving you separate sleeping areas.
The next hotel sent us back up to the North of the island to explore the city of Las Palmas - A few degrees cooler then the south there were still sunbathers on the beach and a beautiful old town to explore. The first hotel we visited was the absolutely stunning VEINTIUNO HOTEL
Opened in June 2018 this converted town house is number 1 on trip advisor for the old town!
Having just 11 bedrooms ranging from classic to premier rooms, the hotel has a really traditional feel to it boasting features from its 18th Century history.
The rooftop terrace & pool is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the views. The beach is just a short taxi or bus ride away or a longer walk and there are plenty of places to eat out nearby.
Just outside the hotel are some beautiful streets and squares, and a local market was being held whilst we were there, luckily we had some time to take a look around.
The last hotel of the day was also in Las Palmas but a beachfront hotel away from the old town - THE REINA ISABELLE
Direct access onto the beachfront promenade there are masses of places to eat nearby.
Rooms vary room standard to Jnr suites with city views and sea views all with free wifi and tea/coffee.
You can grab a drink at the bar and enjoy the rooftop pool & chill out spot or visit the spa.
After a fantastic 4 days it was time to head home. I have learnt so much about Gran Canaria and would love to help you plan your next holiday there so please pop in and see me. As a year round destination you can make your trip a city break, beach holiday, or a mountain get away, who knew this island offered so much! It really does have it all!
Gran Canaria, I miss you already!