Oasis Papagayo Resort

One little-known fact about Fuenteventura: It’s a sporty place. Cyclists looking like Tour de France regulars, trail runners pushing through the desert, and surfers catching the next big wave all head to this island. In fact, this area is often training grounds for Ironman competitions. Surprisingly, most resorts don’t cater to this crowd, offering limited, dated fitness equipment, if any at all. But this outpost of the Oasis chain has just about every sporty activity imaginable, including the only Olympic swimming pool in this part of Fuenteventura. The property’s commitment to fitness runs so deep, they run a separate “sport office” with a fitness director leading challenging bike rides.To be sure, the property also draws the same clientele as other resorts in the area -- retired couples looking to doze by the pool and families eager to build sandcastles -- and the property has plenty of amenities catering to them. The resort itself looks like every other Oasis property, with earth-toned buildings circling recreational pools, animation for kids and adults, and plenty of loungers to loll an afternoon away. In that way, it’s similar to many other mid-range properties. But for fitness lovers, Oasis Papagayo is the only game in town.

While Oasis Papagayo has a central location, a car is needed to get to most areas of interest. The center of town, loaded with restaurants, bars, and shops, is a six-minute drive away, as is the small Waikiki Beach. For families, an aquatic park is about a 10-minute drive away. Ferries to the Isla de Lobos, with lagoon swimming and hiking, is about nine-minutes away. The resort is right next to several shops including a mini market and a dollar-store-style shop selling a variety of supplies from sunscreen to electrical adaptors. A surf school and independently owned gym are also part of the resort's complex. The impressive sand-dune beaches of the area (Grandes Playas) are a five-minute drive from the resort, and the airport is a 33-minute drive away. 

The apartment-style rooms vary in decor, split between a rustic and Mediterranean look. The latter has a fresh, light style with white painted furniture, sky-blue accents, and prints of colorful parrots decorating the walls. The floral curtains and bedspreads feel a bit old-fashioned here, but it’s nothing unpleasant. The rustic look is darker and more traditional with solid wood furniture in a dark varnish and cranberry-colored textiles. Both have separate bedrooms and living rooms with sleeper sofas. They also have balconies furnished with basic plastic chairs and tables. Simple kitchens set into the corridors are outfitted with microwaves, burners, mini-fridges, sinks, toasters, and kettles. Cookware and dishes are limited, but the basics are covered. Rooms also include TVs (some flat-screen, some older tube-style), safes, but no air-conditioning (which is typical of mid-range resorts on the island). Fans are available on request. Wi-Fi is also available, but it costs and extra fee. Bathrooms aren’t fancy, stocked with just a bar of soap, but they have pretty blue tile and clean shower/tub combos.

The features at this Oasis resort are what make it stand apart. Most resorts in the area consider fitness an afterthought (if they consider it at all). Here just about every sport is considered – though some cost an extra fee. The Olympic pool is the frontrunner when it comes to features; it’s the only one in northern Fuenteventura, and it’s kept pristine and perfectly heated. But this feature costs an extra fee to access, and guests are encouraged to reserve a lane via a website in order to avoid a swimmer’s traffic jam. There’s also tennis courts (with classes available) and a functional fitness space, complete with tires, ropes, and TRX equipment for CrossFit fans. The resort’s well-equipped gym includes spin bikes and weight-lifting equipment. A second, independently run gym is also on the grounds offering classes such as yoga, although guests must pay a fee to use it. Another independently owned surf school is also on the grounds, giving guests easy access to surf excursions. And a bowling alley is a part of the complex as well. The resort runs a bike rental outfit that can also handle bike repairs for the serious cyclists that travel with their own set of wheels. Outings for hiking and bike tours can be booked here, and a fitness director (and triathlete champion) leads lengthy bike rides as well. Once muscles are exhausted, athletes can take advantage of the on-site spa that specializes in sports massage, along with offering a full spa menu of facials and beauty treatments. A physical therapist is also available.Apart from athletes, the hotel also caters to families with a kids’ club, playground, kid-friendly animation, loaner cribs and high chairs, and a kiddy pool. But everyone can appreciate the three other recreational pools (one “semi-Olympic” with swimming lanes) and the adult-oriented animation, though some fitness sneaks in here too, such as the Zumba and water polo games. A game room provides pool tables, foosball, and air-hockey -- helpful for rainy days. For dining, this Oasis has two restaurants, a standard buffet restaurant, and an a la carte restaurant with thematic menus and barbecue (reservations are required). A poolside bar offers drinks and snacks. Rates can either be for rooms only, breakfast includes, half-board, or all-inclusive. An on-site laundry room is another helpful feature.  Wi-Fi is free in reception during the morning, but costs an additional fee in rooms.