Europe's winter sun paradise has gorgeous beaches less than 5 hours from the UK
Seventies-style chic, the serenest of swimming pools and sand dunes sculpted by the breeze… I think I have found my winter sun paradise.
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria’s south coast resort town, has the looks, the flair, and there’s one beachfront hotel which really stands out from the crowd.
We arrived at the Seaside Palm Beach hotel just as the sun was setting, the sky a warm coral pink, framing the island’s jagged peaks. Flags of the world standing to attention, fairy lights twirled around towering palms and sparkling granite steps gave a grand sense of occasion from the outside. Stepping through the revolving glass doors, however, was like being whisked into a 1970s time machine.
Maspalomas Beach and dunes in Gran Canaria (Getty Images)A riot of retro cool with mind bending monochrome flooring, curved red leather seating and glowing lamps, I half expected to see Charlie’s Angels slink out of the lift in their platforms and flares. There was a friendly efficiency in reception as we checked in, then someone appeared with flutes of chilled sparkling wine. If it had come with a stuffed olive garnish I would’ve been in full-on Abigail’s Party mode.
Up on the fifth floor we met our bags, which had been brought up by the concierge on one of those fab birdcage luggage trolleys. We are a family of four, so the adjoining rooms were ideal. And the 70s theme continued with Ercol-style chairs, abstract prints and a soft chocolate and cream carpet.
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Retro-style room at the Seaside Palm Beach Hotel, Maspalomas (DAILY MIRROR)Our rooms sat on the outside curve of the C-shaped, 328-room hotel, where sun-trap balconies offered the perfect sanctuary to soak up views of the sea, lagoon and famous dunes landscape.
We headed for a pre-dinner drink at the hotel’s basement Bar Salon. James Bond meets Boogie Wonderland here, with a mix of mirrors, booths, fuchsia carpet and wood panelling. We perched on spinny egg-shaped bar stools, sipping vodka martinis.
Like the rest of the hotel decor, it is the creation of celebrated designer Alberto Pinto. The building itself dates back to the 1970s and it was re-designed in the 2000s to reflect its roots in the coolest of decades. Outside in the sunken tropical gardens is the main restaurant, which alternates daily between four-course menus and lavish themed barbecue buffets.
Over the week, dainty portions of squid ink risotto and king prawns, beef carpaccio, and pancetta and mango were among the fancy starters and middle courses. For mains there was beautifully cooked beef, the local sama fish and Iberico pork, as well as an excellent wine choice.
Paella at the Spanish-themed grand buffet at the Seaside Palm Beach hotel, Maspalomas (DAILY MIRROR)We loved Gran Canaria’s velvety red Mondalon, as well as Yaiza, a fruity white from Lanzarote, which comes in funky blue glass bottles.
The buffets were outstanding, with spicy tacos and rice dishes on Mexican night, and sizzling steaks, grilled fish with garlic, pizza and pasta dishes on Italian night.
But our favourite was Spanish night, with a tapas selection, paella and a mountain of lobster tails. There’s also a dedicated tapas restaurant, La Bodega, if you want to dine out local-style every night. Good old-fashioned service made everything run smoothly, with uniformed greeters who took the trouble to learn our names.
After dinner there was live music at candlelit tables around the illuminated main pool, the warm lights of the wraparound hotel giving the balmy nights a really glam feel.
Maspalomas beach is a massive draw with sun worshippers, surfers and walkers getting in their steps with a hike round the corner to neighbouring Playa Del Ingles.
Maspalomas Natural Dune Reserve, Gran Canaria (Getty Images/AWL Images RM)Do be aware that the central section between the dunes by the beach bar is a nudist area, so strip off, or stroll on, depending on your preference.
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Behind it is the Maspalomas Natural Dune Reserve, made up of three eco-systems: palmeral, charca and dunas (palms, pond and dunes), and it’s a haven for birdlife.
In town there are shops selling designer clothes and souvenirs. We loved Ale Hop, which has branches all over Spain and Portugal, for its gadgets, beauty products, toys and stationery.
There are plenty of friendly all-day bars and restaurants selling snacks, tapas, pizzas and fast-food.
El Senador, which occupies a generous section of the beachfront, has thatched cabanas and high stools, perfect for sipping mojitos with plates of peppers de padron and prawns pil pil.
Venture up the boardwalk and you’ll come face to face with the landmark lighthouse, which shone for the first time in 1890, and its museum showcasing local crafts and traditions.
Back at the Palm Beach, we spent days lounging in the sunshine with the odd game of giant chess, shuffleboard, table tennis, darts and boules in the shade of the palm trees.
Main pool at Seaside Palm Beach Hotel, Maspalomas (DAILY MIRROR)Another real highlight of this hotel are the pools. Mainly because I sometimes had the large central pool all to myself – and this was during October half-term.
Children get their own, with a slide, next to the well-run kids’ club and park. There’s also a wellness spa pool, heated to 30 degrees – lovely for a relaxing float.
When the kids wanted a bit more action, we took a day trip to Aqualand waterpark, catching the bus from the stop just behind the hotel. There are flumes, racing slides, raft rides, a lazy river and wave pool – and it’s great value with tickets from £28.35 for over-11s, kids from £20.60.
But we couldn’t come all the way to this desert-like landscape without seeing the famous camels. Often depicted in the artwork of Gran Canaria or taking starring roles in sultry photographs on postcards, you can ride these proud-looking beasts across the Maspalomas dunes on a camel safari.
We booked online a few days in advance to beat the queues, selecting a slot at 10am to avoid the heat of the day. On arrival, when our number was called, we climbed aboard the resting camels in pairs for even weight distribution. The animals’ lurching clean-and-jerk style of standing up almost had me deposited back in the dust, so do hang on to your hump. Then, we were off, slowly pacing across the desert sands, the swaying palms and distant peaks stunning us into silent wonder.
Book the holiday
- Ryanair offers return flights to Gran Canaria from Stansted from £19.99, one-way, during January. Flights also depart from Luton, Bournemouth, Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham. ryanair.com
- A week’s half board at the five-star Seaside Palm Beach hotel, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, is from £1,416pp, hotel-palm-beach.com
- Adult ticket to Aqualand, Maspalomas, from £28.35, child £20.60,aqualand.es
- Camel Safari Maspalomas Dunes, adult ticket £13, child £6.90, okgrancanaria.com
- Airport Parking & Hotels offers parking and overnight stays at all major UK airports. One week’s APH Park & Ride at Stansted Airport with Airport Parking & Hotels is from £66. aph.com
- More info at hellocanaryislands.com
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