Atlantic Garden Beach Mate

Atlantic Garden looks every bit like the typical mid-range resort in Fuenteventura. Marigold yellow and burnt orange buildings bracket the property's pools backed by lush greenery. There’s no restaurant here, but guests mingle at the poolside snackbar or at weekly barbecues and paella cookouts. There’s a lounge off the main pool as well with plenty of seating (though it tends to sit empty as guest prefer to loll by the pool or walk to the beach). Overall, this resort draws independent travelers looking for a bit of tranquility. Music here isn’t head blaring, and guests -- usually a mix of families and older couples -- often eat dinner in their apartment-style rooms or stroll into town for meals. It’s quiet enough that you can hear the hotel’s parakeets chirping in their cage by the pool or the bell from the neighboring shopping complex chime, which adds a Spanish feel to the place. While the property is overdue for a fresh coat of paint, it’s pleasant overall.

Atlantic Garden is well situated to be close to everything convenient without being in the thick of the commercial zone and its noise. At the end of its block, a minute's walk away, is a large shopping complex with clothes and gift shops, restaurants, cafes, and a large grocery store -- ideal considering the resort's lack of a restaurant. (Bells from this complex chime every hour, which can either be atmospheric or irritating.) The main commercial strip of Corralejo is a six-minute walk, and the small Waikiki Beach is a 12-minute walk away. The sweeping sand-dune beaches the area is known for (the Grandes Playas) are a six minute drive away or a lengthy 35-minute walk. The island's airport is a 36-minute drive away.

Rooms at Atlantic Gardens are quite split in terms of their decor and their overall feel. The Standard Apartment units can be a bit dull, with dated textiles in aquatic colors and basic wood furnishings. Artwork is generic prints of swans or botanicals. It’s low-key but devoid of style. Bathrooms are basic affairs with small sinks and shower/tub combos, and toiletries are not provided. Each standard unit has a balcony or terrace furnished with plastic furniture.Suites, on the other hand, have been renovated and offer a major upgrade in terms of their design, with a chic look of dark wood furniture, streamlined cabinetry, and woven ottomans. Throughout, there’s the hint of a Balanese theme, with bolster pillows in bright red and low coffee tables with squat, circular legs. Bathrooms here are refined with walk-in rainfall showers and dual vessel sinks. Toiletries are provided. The terraces or balconies here also give a big upgrade with woven patio furniture.Superior apartments are similar to Suites, but with a slightly lighter, airier look. Their bathrooms are a bit less swanky, with single vessel sinks and smaller walk-in showers without rainfall showerheads. All units have kitchenettes, though renovated units have sleeker appliances. But they include stovetop burners, microwaves, mini- or full-size fridges, toasters, and electric kettles. Suites have ovens as well. All include TVs (standard rooms have some tube TVs, while Suites and Superior Apartments have enormous flat-screen ones). Both safes and Wi-Fi are an additional fee. Air-conditioning is in Suites only. Note that rooms, even renovated ones, have a bit of wear like chipped cabinets and wobbly ceiling fans. During our visit, plans were in the works to renovate all the standard rooms by 2018. 

Features at the Atlantic Garden are paired down compared to neighboring resorts. There’s no full restaurant or boisterous animation. It does, however, offer a small gym (for a fee) with rather up-to-date equipment and massage services -- both a bonus at this pearl level. Tennis courts, which also sport basketball hoops, are a bit faded, but serviceable. An office handling excursions is right at the entrance of the hotel, and they can arrange bike rentals, hiking, and surfing lessons, among other activities. The heart of the resort is the properties three pools, two for adults and one for kids. Loungers are spread out over the pool deck, and there’s plenty of greenery. The poolside snackbar is the sole place for dining, which is just suited to light bites. But there are weekly paella and barbecue cookouts. Wi-Fi is available for a fee, and there are computer workstations for guests’ use. Free parking is available in a narrow lot in front of the resort.