Oasis Duna

The Oasis Duna is your typical mid-range Canary Island resort. With earth-toned apartment units ringing its four pools, it sports the expected look, and the vegetation throughout adds an attractive flourish with bougainvillea festooned across rooftops and bumpy cactus dotting the grounds. The property attempts to cater to a broad swath of travelers from couples to families to groups of friends, but it’s clearly a hit with kids on the whole, offering them a wide range of activities and features, like waterslides, playgrounds, and a kids club. Although the resort also offers hideaways for adults that are seeking out a more tranquil atmosphere, such as a refined lobby bar and a quiet pool. Still, the energy here is cranked up, even for adults, with boisterous animation and piped-in music playing by the pool and the restaurant. 

It’s not exactly beachfront, but the Oasis Duna does offer relatively easy access to the area’s beaches and town, both of which are in walking distance. The little beach of Waikiki is an 11-minute walk away, and the main commercial street of Corralejo is even closer, a five-minute walk away. A supermarket is two blocks away, for travelers that want to stock up their kitchens. The area's large sand-dune beaches (Grandes Playas) are a seven-minute drive away. Reaching the airport takes 36 minutes by car.

Compared to the features and public spaces, rooms can be a bit of a letdown, with past guests complaining of worn furniture, spotty housekeeping, and musty smells. Simple tile floors and white walls give a neutral backdrop for the units, which are outfitted with solid wood furniture and a few prints of flowers and leaves. The apartment units come in either one or two bedrooms, and all have roomy balconies or terraces furnished with a set of patio furniture. The unit's kitchens are also equipped with microwaves, two burners, toasters, electric kettles, and mini-fridges, along with the usual dishware and cookware. Other amenities include flat-screen TVs and safes (for a fee). Be aware that rooms do not include air-conditioning (fans are provided), and Wi-Fi doesn’t reach all rooms; it’s also an additional fee. For families, cribs and cots are available on request. Housekeeping cleans five times a week, but towels are only swapped out twice a week, and bed linens once. Basic bathrooms have either shower/tub combos or walk-in showers. They lack toiletries apart from simple bars of soap.

Features are where Oasis Duna shines, especially when it comes to families. It has four pools, two which are geared toward children with shallow wading areas or waterslides. There’s also three playgrounds, a kids’ club, and an animation team. Adults looking to escape this jamboree can take refuge in the lobby’s tranquil bar or the quiet pool. But many travelers join in their own loud merry-making, with a stage hosting adult-oriented animation as well. A small gym gives a place to break a sweat with some dated equipment, though many prefer using the tennis or volleyball courts. Wi-Fi costs a fee, and it doesn’t reach all rooms. (The best connection is at reception.) In terms of dining, the resort offers one a la carte restaurant and one buffet. A “British pub” caters to the resort’s predominately British crowd. Rates can either be for room only, with breakfast, or half-board plans. A bar provides poolside drinks and snacks. A small market and laundry rooms add to the resorts conveniences.