Searching for February sunshine after a very harsh Irish winter, and with only five days to play with, the Canary Islands were the obvious choice with mainland Europe still a touch chilly and other sunny spots, like the Caribbean, too far to fly for such a short break.
So after a four hour flight and less than an hour in the hire car from Las Palmas airport I had checked in to the Palm Beach resort in Maspalomas and was sipping a complimentary cava, watching the evening sun set from the ground floor balcony of this very stylish five-star hotel.
There was a slight chill in the late evening air – it was February after all – but back inside, the bright orange striped lobby loungers inspired confidence that the sun would be playing a major factor for the duration of my stay.
The Palm Beach hotel is situated in the middle of a thousand year old palm grove on the southern tip of Gran Canaria and is the Canary Islands’ only Design Hotel, gaining the prestigious title after undergoing a complete renovation in 2002. Parisian architect and designer Alberto Pinto created the 1970s-inspired concept with strong vivid colours and retro design.
The hotel boasts 328 bedrooms, all Pinto inspired and the strong use of colour in each room is designed to match the bright sunlight of the island. The balconies give excellent panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean or the sprawling dunes of Maspalomas, depending on which side of the hotel you are located.
And while the rooms are more in the ‘compact and bijoux’ category compared to many other five-star establishments, with very small bathrooms, they are both comfortable and stylish, with flat screen televisions, free wifi and bathroom toiletries from L’Occitane. The carpeted floor is also a nice touch as cold tiling is usually to be found in these parts.
While the free glass of bubbly was appreciated on arrival, the buffet breakfast the following morning was a clear indication that I was going to enjoy my stay at Palm Beach. Dining al fresco on the poolside terrace, the endless buffet options were causing a few selection headaches, while a host of cheery chefs were cooking to order everything from traditional fry-ups to stacks of pancakes and waffles.
My trip coincided with the Irish mid-term and the European spring break and while the hotel was close to full, the sprawling gardens and abundance of sunloungers around the two sizeable swimming pools managed to make the place appear a lot less busy.
And while children are welcomed and well catered for, a silent stillness seemed to linger about the place, making for a very leisurely day replenishing my vitamin D levels and dipping in and out of the pool and my holiday reading in equal – if not too regular – measures.
The first couple of days were all about recharging the batteries and thanks to non-stop sunshine, I felt rejuvenated in next to no time. In fact, the trip was in danger of becoming a wellness break as I got pretty active and started to make the most of the many sports and activities available at the hotel.
As well as swimming, I found myself reacquainting myself with the always enjoyable game of boules, indulging in a several sessions of table tennis and seeing out the last hours of daylight on the astroturf tennis court.
There is also outdoor yoga and Tai Chi available, not forgetting the water aerobics classes that have a duel purpose of getting you fit and making you look ridiculous for half an hour.
Wellness is actually one of the hotel’s main selling points, with a whole range of treatments available in the spa, which is located in a separate building of the resort, and the use of rocks and natural wood allows the wellness centre and spa area to blend seamlessly into the palm garden. The centre also includes a Thalassotherapy pool, a Finnish sauna, bio sauna and stone steam bath, which are all free for guests.
Even before the sun sets, the early diners fill the hotel’s several restaurants as first sitting is at 6pm, with the amazing aromas traversing the tennis courts and calling time on fitness as feasting takes centre stage.
The half-board option includes the aforementioned breakfast and an evening dinner, which varies between a la carte and buffet barbeque. The food didn’t disappoint, with the two barbeque nights stealing the show, including my first encounter with lobster, which was surprisingly tasty considering I normally steer clear of the clawed crustacean clan.
Additional charges are added to dine in the Italian Trattoria restaurant or the fine dining Orangerie option but are worth the extra few quid to keep things interesting for the week. The hotel also offers the choice of taking lunch instead of the evening meal if you want to spread your wings and dine outside the resort.
The hotel bar is another aesthetic success with its deep purple and red retro design making for a very fine setting to wind down with some quality Bavarian pilsner draft beer – one of the advantages of visiting a hotel popular with Germans.
But then the evening entertainment kicks in and it would take an awful lot of the amber nectar to get me to enjoy a two-hour Tina Turner tribute. Another night it was Abba, with local acts making up the rest of the week. Certainly not my cup of tea but quite popular with most of the guests. And to be honest, it was probably the incentive I needed to get out and about and enjoy the excellent nightlife to be found around Maspalomas and nearby Playa Del Ingles.
Exploring Gran Canaria
It would be quite easy to remain within the walls of the Palm Beach resort for the entire duration of your stay but with so much to do and see, it would be a shame if you did not get out and explore a few of the main attractions on the island.
One of the best things to do, and most accessible considering the proximity to Palm Beach, is to take a walk into the amazing dunes of Maspalomas beach. The natural dune reserve is made up of three eco-systems and you would think you were deep in the Sahara desert if not for the roar of the surf that pounds the coast parallel to this exceptional natural space. Be aware as you walk, however, as you are likely to experience a serious culture shock if you stumble upon the very popular nudist beach, which is located about 800 metres from the hotel.
Watersports are freely available along the Gran Canaria coast whether diving, surfing, snorkelling or just getting thrown about on a banana boat, while for a less hectic, water-based activity, take a trip down to the nearby resort of Puerto Rico and spend the afternoon spotting dolphins or whales, while sipping on a cold brew and enjoying the blue skies and spring sunshine.
Sticking with the water theme, a great family day out will be had at the Maspalomas water park, which will both frighten and entertain, while go-karting is also available close to the resort.
On a more cultural note, the Cueva Pintada (painted caves) give a great insight into the aboriginal culture of Gran Canaria, while the varying architectural styles in every town and city reveal the huge European influence on the island over the last five centuries.
And no matter what time of the year you visit Gran Canaria, you are likely to stumble across a festival occurring on the island with the Fiesta Nuestra Señora del Pino one of the most important dates in the calendar for the locals, which is celebrated on 8 September.
Golfers are also spoilt for choice with several championship courses within close proximity of each other on this small island. Maspalomas Golf, Salobre Golf & Resort and Meloneras Golf are all very close to Palm Beach and the Canary Island tourist board have great deals that allow you to play several different courses for a one-off fee.
For more information on visiting Gran Canaria, go to: http://www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo/283.0.html
For more information on Palm Beach Resort, go to: http://www.hotel-palm-beach.com
Ed Leahy
