Gran Canaria is the second most populous Canary Island and is also the second most popular for visitors. That means there’s no shortage of places to stay in Gran Canaria, encompassing everything from hip boutique hotels to vast resort complexes.
During my time experiencing some of the best things to do in Gran Canaria, I stayed in various hotels around the island. For ideas on where to Stay in Gran Canaria, I’ve cherry-picked my favourite which I recommend without hesitation. Here are four of the finest hotels dotted around Gran Canaria that offer idyllic retreats to make your stay on the island unforgettable.
1. Veintiuno – Emblematic Hotels (4-Star Hotel)
This chic, modern hotel in the ancient, cobbled streets of Vegueta is close to perfect. Understated and stylish décor accentuates the character of an 18th-century colonial home. The hotel may be small, but it squeezes in all the comforts you need for a magical getaway.
The headline feature is a petite yet pretty rooftop pool overlooked by the soaring towers of the landmark Santa Ana Cathedral. The inviting terrace affords exceptional views over the rooftops of historic Vegueta. When the neighbourhood lights up after sunset, it is an extraordinary sight.
Filled with tropical plants and designer seating, the rooftop offers a soothing refuge after a hectic day of island exploration. You may not want to leave the seductive terrace, which has a bar and ambience that entices you to kick back and spend some time nourishing your wellbeing.
There are only 17 rooms in this boutique hotel, so you won’t need to compete for space on the terrace. Enhancing the sense of escape is an adults-only rule, an assurance of tranquillity. The bright rooms are understated and fully equipped for comfort-seeking guests. Air-conditioning (essential in the summer), a smart TV, and free WiFi give you every reason to enjoy lazy mornings.
Renovated in 2018, the subtle hues and crisp, clean furnishings demonstrate exacting attention to detail. Clearly, the hotel proprietors care about the guest experience. This is evidenced by the judicious use of soundproofing in this venerable yet creaking building.
The rooms are small in this old colonial building. Consequently, the ensuite bathrooms are not hidden behind doors. Yet the renovations have managed to discreetly insert a shower room without reducing the on-point aesthetics. The mix of accommodation includes double interior-facing rooms and more expensive rooms with views over the quiet street outside.
The premium 27 m² double room is the largest and has a separate bathroom and delightful city views. The deluxe interior doubles are the same size, but a reduced price reflects the absence of views.
The shared spaces are snug compared to some hotels. The roof terrace is the place to spend time, including at breakfast. À la carte or continental, el desayuno is a gourmet delight that guests rave about. Bagels, freshly made pancakes, egg and salmon benedict, or freshly cooked bacon and eggs are just a selection of the enticing options.
Filling up in the morning will gird you for the absorbing streets of Las Palmas. The hotel is in the heart of the most compelling district, so you don’t have to go far to find cultural attractions. The iconic Santa Ana cathedral and plaza are just behind the hotel, while the intriguing Casa de Colón is just a one-minute walk.
Bustling Triana is five minutes away, teeming with bars and restaurants. Check out the divine Que Leche! just 10 minutes away, for Michelin recommended fusion food served in a convivial setting (C. Torres, 22, 35002 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Veintiuno is a jewel amid the crowded hotel scape of Las Palmas. Above all, this hotel is highly rated for the exceptional service from the small but attentive team, the incredible rooftop terrace, and an enviable location in the compelling Vegueta quarter.
Check availability and book your stay here
2. Occidental Roca Negra (4-Star Hotel)
The Occidental Roca Negra is in picturesque Agaete, home to the famous natural pools and some of the most compelling island festivals. It is an entirely different prospect from our first entry, yet no less stylish and comfortable.
Part of the refined Barceló Hotels & Resorts chain, this hotel boasts 140 well-appointed rooms with sea views. Most of the rooms benefit from a balcony and terrace, ideal for kicking back to enjoy a glass of the local Los Berrazales vino and a refreshing sea breeze.
The immaculate whitewashed complex is built into black volcanic rock (Roca Negra means black rock) and seamlessly blends with the charming character of Agaete. Yet it’s not the building that lures guests, but the excellent facilities and elegant rooms.
Guests can choose from two outdoor heated swimming pools. For a personal treat, there is a well-equipped spa and wellness center that features a Turkish bath, Vichy and biothermal showers, and a range of therapeutic treatments.
A bright, airy restaurant is on hand for breakfasts and buffet lunches. On offer is a smorgasbord of continental and hot choices. The variety and quality are a cut above and fully justify adding breakfast to your booking. In the evening, an à la carte menu caters to all tastes.
Agaete has several inviting bars and restaurants. But there are good reasons to hang around the hotel for lazy cocktail days. There’s a poolside bar, but the Rock Top Skybar truly shines.
The rooftop bar is an idyllic spot to kick off your shoes and drink in the ocean views. Spacious soft seating helps create an idyllic escape to enjoy dinner or just a well-earned nightcap. During weekends, the tempo lifts with live music on the terrace. Easily one of the best bars in Agaete, just moments from your room.
A nightcap in your room is an attractive alternative to the bar. Staggered so everyone benefits from the healing sun, the balconies and terraces enjoy panoramic sea views.
Inside the elegantly finished rooms are all the mod-cons you’d expect from a decent four-star hotel: 43 m² of space, a sofa and separate dining area, a refrigerator, large TV, WiFi, and the all-important air-con.
There are several local highlights on your doorstep if you can drag yourself away. The magnificent natural rock pools of Agaete Piscina Natural are just minutes away. Less than half a mile (700 m) away is the pretty fishing district of Puerto de las Nieves, where the seafood in the restaurants could not be fresher.
Check out Restaurante Dedo De Dios for superb, inexpensive seafood dishes in an unpretentious and welcoming setting (Ctra. al Puerto de las Nieves, 0, 35489 Puerto de las Nieves.)
There are plenty of other activities around Agaete for hikers, bikers, and adventurers. It is an area replete with natural wonders, scenic volcanic valley trails, and the occasional site of archaeological interest.
If you’re planning to spend time in this enchanting corner of Gran Canaria, few local hotels beat Occidental Roca Negra. A hotel with all the charm and qualities to make an extended stay in the small fishing town of Agaete an enticing alternative to Las Palmas.
Check availability and book your stay here
3. Bohemia Suites & Spa (5-Star Hotel)
On the southern tip of Gran Canaria is one of the island’s most popular beaches, Playa del Inglés. It’s an in-demand resort brimming with package hotels, yet amongst them is a designer jewel, the Bohemia Suites & Spa hotel. With just 67 rooms, this member of the Design Hotels group is styled like a boutique hotel yet packs in numerous 5-star extravagances.
Top billing goes to the 360° Restaurant prominently perched on the hotel roof. The restaurant commands views over the extraordinary Maspalomas Dunes, the mountainous interior, and uninterrupted ocean vistas. A delectable breakfast is served in this unique space, but the restaurant reaches new heights in the evening.
À la carte gastronomy from chef Juan Bertolín is on offer. The balanced menu includes crowd-pleasing favorites and more inventive dishes with an international twist, like octopus with Nanami Togarashi mayonnaise or poke bowl entrées. The excellent food and stunning views go hand in hand with a deep wine cellar and underline why this hotel is so highly rated. The quality doesn’t end there.
The hotel has two outdoor heated pools: freshwater and seawater. The 66 ft (20 m) freshwater pool has a jacuzzi and piped underwater music. Nearby is the super-chilled Sapphire Pool Bar, with a menu of bar snacks and a love for Cuban rum.
Discreetly tucked away is a wellness garden with a floatarium and jacuzzi. Indoors is a sublimely styled spa complete with saunas, ice-cold plunge pools, and a vitality pool. It’s the ideal place to recharge after using the 24hr gym, equipped with top-tier gym gear.
The facilities are fantastic. But it’s the rooms that elevate the Bohemia Suites far above the ordinary. The creatively styled rooms are an aesthetic marvel. Even the cheapest deluxe double is finished with colorful hues, a bouncy soft bed, and singular design touches. Most have balconies with garden or ocean views.
No opportunity to make guests feel pampered has been overlooked in any room. But the ultimate experience is found in the stunning suites. The suites vary, but all have expansive terraces and sumptuously appointed furnishings: from freestanding bathtubs overlooking the ocean to daybeds for simply lazing in the sun.
Every suite includes a coffee machine, a 4K television with a Bang and Olufsen sound system, XL rainfall showers, and the pièce de résistance, a choice of pillows to match your needs. Guests are greeted with a welcome drink, Molton Brown toiletries, and daily water deliveries to keep you hydrated before hitting the beaches.
The local attractions are all within easy reach of the hotel. Playa del Inglés, one of the best beaches on the island, sits in front of the hotel. The fabled Maspalomas dunes, one of the essential things to do in Gran Canaria, are within walking distance.
As a resort town, there are many bars and restaurants. I recommend trying McDonald’s. Only kidding. Try the Restaurante Parque Romántico for an out-of-this-world dining experience. You can find this fine-dining venue just a 15-minutes walk from the hotel.
No doubt there are a few things I’ve overlooked at this hotel full of delightful surprises. For example, the unique La Boh creative laboratory in the lobby invites guests and staff to interact in gastronomic experimentation. You won’t find that anywhere else. Or the clever way the hotel is structured to create pockets of calm, shielded by plants and design features. If you crave tranquillity, you’ll be pleased to learn the hotel is open to adults only.
You’ve probably got a sense of what this hotel is by now. It is an intoxicating oasis of calm, decorated with élan and an uncompromising understanding of what guests want on a dream vacation.
Check availability and book your stay here
4. Seaside Palm Beach (5-Star Hotel)
You don’t have to go far to find another fine establishment from the Design Hotels group in southern Gran Canaria. This time, the emphasis is on retro-cool designs and enviable proximity to the magnificent Maspalomas dunes. With 328 rooms, this complex is far less discrete than our other recommendations. Yet overlooking a beach and bounded by palm trees and dunes, it could pass for an oasis.
Constructed in the 1970s, this revamped hotel leans into its heritage with an audacious renovation from the accomplished French designer Alberto Pinto. The bold colors and crisp patterns manage to feel utterly contemporary and reminiscent of the disco era.
Every room has a balcony and one of four distinct designs, defined by their color schemes: coral & blue, violet & green, yellow & turquoise, and brown & beige. The latter is far more appealing than it sounds, but all the rooms are elegantly designed and spacious. Many offer sea or pool views.
All the comforting touches are present. Satellite tv, minibar, air-con, balcony furnishings, WiFi, and more. The deluxe rooms and suites take things to the next level, with more space, more inclusive goodies, and the option to link rooms for a family get-together.
The hotel curves around its centrepiece freshwater swimming pool. Yet the complex also has room for four other pools, including a saltwater plunge pool, a wellness pool, and one for kids.
A discrete and appealing spa plus a small high-tech gym are available. A kids club keeps the little ones distracted while you work out. Many activities are free, including yoga and tennis.
With your appetite stoked by the energy-zapping facilities, you’ll be pleased with the selection of restaurants and bars on site. Their main restaurant is a patio affair, with the chefs working in open kitchens. The international menu has broad appeal, but the daily specials keep it fresh. An updated menu is delivered to your room daily to whet your appetite.
The main restaurant is where the comprehensive breakfast is served. In the evenings, the vibe remains laidback and includes occasional barbecue nights to spice things up.
The supporting cast of eateries will appeal to gourmet instincts. Esencia is their signature gastronomic offering. Canarian and Mediterranean dishes are created from locally sourced ingredients that look as good as they taste.
Meanwhile, the colorful and laidback La Bodega serves tapas and local wines. Again, there is a focus on quality ingredients from local sources. As you would hope from La Bodega (The Winery) there’s an excellent choice of Canarian and Spanish vino to wash down the food as the empty plates pile up.
Poolside and terraced bars put a cooling drink within easy reach. If you plan on simply losing yourself in the hotel, consider their all-inclusive premium plan to enjoy the bars and restaurants without restraint.
The facilities at Seaside Palm Beach entice you to spend time in the hotel. But the chances are most guests are also there for the local attractions, several of which are directly outside the hotel.
The unearthly Maspalomas dunes are adjacent to the hotel, as is the flourishing nature reserve La Charca de Maspalomas. The Playa de Maspalomas, among the prettiest beaches in Gran Canaria, is a five-minute walk.
Nearby is the Faro de Maspalomas. The striking lighthouse is a warning to sailors and a magnet for visitors looking for sight-filled things to do in Gran Canaria. There are many bars and restaurants around its beachfront location.
If you find yourself hunting for souvenirs, there are also plenty of shops in the area. The best are on the agreeable Boulevard El Faro.
An endless array of bars and restaurants are within easy reach of the hotel. One of the best, Samsara, is just a few feet away. If you’ve had your fill of Mediterranean food, head there for superb Asian-inspired dining in a vibrant setting.
The many local attractions are compelling reasons to head south for your island vacation. Paradise awaits. But if you want to lift your vacation to the next level, then Seaside Palm Beach has the answers for devotees of style and decadent comfort.
Check availability and book your stay here
Recommended day trips, tours and experiences in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria offers a plethora of unique tours and experiences, here are some of my favourites I recommend:
- Explore the landscapes around the Fataga Natural Park in this off-road adventure tour
- Splash into the clear, colorful waters on a scuba diving experience, choose from the following departure points:
- From Puerto Calma
- From Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria is this likely to sell out scuba trip
- From Puerto de Mogan
- Cruise along the Gran Canaria coast in a luxury catamaran
- See the most iconic and epic landscapes on this private photography tour
- Take this guided tour of vineyards, wine museum, wineries and wine tasting
- Visit the lush Azuaje Ravine, rainforest, and seaside swimming holes at Agaete
Hopefully, I’ve left little doubt about my love for Gran Canaria. It’s a magical island where the tropics meet Europe. Whether you’re a cultural explorer, gourmand, beach lover, or all three, there are many memorable things to do in Gran Canaria. If (when) you make the journey, buen viaje! (have a great trip!)
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