smartline Castillo de Antigua

The Suite Hotel Elba Castillo San Jorge & Antigua has an exhaustingly long name that points to the fact that this is actually two sprawling buildings that are stitched together into one larger resort. The look between both is entirely unified, with burnt orange buildings trimmed in white balconies. Terra-cotta tiled pathways lead around tiered fountains and wrought-iron street lamps that attempt to give the public spaces the feel of a Spanish town square. 

The real division in this resort comes not from the buildings' look but from their vibes. The Antigua side is the livelier area. It acts as the heart of the hotel with animation shows by the pool, which also overlooks the ocean. This area tends to draw more families and it's more boisterous (though it never becomes a rowdy party scene). The San Jorge side has a calmer air with a quieter pool that appeals to older couples reading novels and napping in the Spanish sunshine.  

But both sides of the hotel share all the facilities, including the contemporary buffet restaurant that offers all meals for guests opting into all-inclusive packages. And both sides benefit from the resort's incredible location, right on the coast with a peaceful waterfront promenade out back leading to the beach.

This Elba resort occupies a beautiful stretch of land right along the coast of Fuerteventura. Unfortunately, the shoreline here is lovely but rocky, so it doesn't offer a beach. However, guests can follow a pretty waterfront promenade toward Caleta de Fuste, a public beach that's eight minutes away on foot. The surrounding streets are full of other mid-sized and mega resorts along with a few vacation condos, and there are several restaurants and bars in walking distance. A shopping complex is also a 10-minute walk away with more dining options along with a grocery store and a pharmacy. The airport is a quick 16-minute drive north up the coast. The giant sand-dune beaches of Grandes Playas in Corralejo are a 43-minute drive away in the same direction.

Guest rooms and apartments at this Elba feel a bit more basic compared to other properties in the chain, such as the ritzy Hotel Elba Palace Golf. That said, they're still contemporary and entirely pleasant, with simple wood furniture in white or medium-toned wood, white-tile floors, and slate-gray accent walls. A few throw pillows in fuchsia and sage green liven up the palette, though the sleeper sofas and cabinetry feels like it might date back a decade or two. 

The room categories range from Double (standard) Rooms to apartments with one or two bedrooms and kitchenettes. Double Rooms were revamped in 2014, so they have a slightly more updated look and more updated bathrooms with walk-in showers. (Older bathrooms have shower/tub combos and bidets.) All rooms have balconies or terraces, but not all have sea views -- and it's worth the upgrade, as those rooms have completely unobstructed vistas over the crashing waves. Kitchenettes have burners, kettles with tea/coffee supplies, mini-fridges, microwaves, toasters, dishware, and cookware. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, safes, hairdryers, and individual toiletries (with apartment units getting a few extra bottles and bars of soap). Note that in-room Wi-Fi is an extra fee.

Features here hit all the requirements for a mid-range beachy resort. Topping the list is the resort's four pools, two adult pools and two for kids. Animation tends to take place around the kiddy pools, and plenty of plastic cobalt-blue loungers are on hand for sunbathing while thatched umbrellas provide patches of shade.

The resort's game room offers up video games and air hockey tables, helpful for rainy days, and two playgrounds are on hand for when the sun is out. There's also a kids' club with a tiny ball pit and slide, along with other toys and activities like facepainting. Adults can make use of the spa that offers massages and beauty treatments using local plants and herbs. Sachets of bath salts and other items are for sale here as well.  

For dining, the buffet restaurant serves all meals and includes show cooking. Rates range from self-catering (good for guests making use of their kitchenettes) to all-inclusive. The poolside snack bar, open from mid-morning until evening, serves light bites to swimmers and sunbathers, and the disco pub gives another spot for beer, wine, and cocktails. 

This Elba also strives to offer loads of on-site conveniences, such as a mini market, a medical office, and a laundry room with coin-operated machines. The property caters to parents with loaner cribs, changing tables, and baby monitors, too. Wi-Fi is free at reception, but elsewhere costs an additional fee.