Mirador Maspalomas by Dunas

By any measure, this all-inclusive resort on the Canary Islands is simple and straightforward, even dated in many aspects. Guests are greeted in an atrium-style lobby that's flooded with natural light and furnished with cushioned wicker furniture. There are Picasso-style prints on the wall and racks of tourist information all around. Cream tile floors and light walls are enlivened by red columns, a dolphin sculpture centerpiece, and a large, burgundy-hued front desk. There's a well-stocked mini-mart on-site, a colorful outdoor kids' playground, and a dimly lit club area that's decorated in shades of green and scarlet red. The buffet-style restaurant is basic and cafeteria-esque, with cushioned steel frame chairs, rectangular picture box windows, and a large outdoor terrace with terra cotta tiling. Guests are mainly holidaying singles, couples, and families who don't mind the slightly dated decor and are looking for a decent value vacation.

The hotel is situated near the main highway, GC-1, in a fairly lackluster area that's a bit far from the beach, which is a 10-minute drive away (the hotel provides a free daily shuttle). There are a couple of supermarkets in the immediate area, and the El Tablero Centro shopping mall is a nine-minute walk from the hotel. Several attractions can be easily reached by car, including the Aqualand water theme park (a five-minute drive), Lopesan Meloneras Golf Course (a four-minute drive), and Palmitos Park botanical garden and aviary (a 17-minute drive). One of the town's most famous sights is the Dunas de Maspalomas, a stunning, wind-swept collection of sand dunes that stretches over 1,000 acres and is a protected natural area. They take five to 10 minutes to reach by car. The Trasmediterranea Ferry Terminal is a 40-minute drive away, while Gran Canaria Airport is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. 

The Dunas Mirador Maspalomas has 437 guest rooms that range from Standard Rooms (some of which have pool views) to Family Rooms, which have separate living rooms. Decor is simple and dated, with a mixture of wooden and wicker furniture, wall-mounted Impressionistic prints, cream-colored tile flooring, and private balconies or terraces. Some rooms feature brightly colored walls, in shades of crimson and green, which are paired with dated, striped bedspreads. Rooms include old tube-style TVs with satellite channels, safes, and free toiletries in the bathrooms, but there is no air-conditioning and only ceiling fans are available, which can be troublesome in the summer. In-room Wi-Fi is available for an additional fee. The bathrooms are also somewhat dated, with marble-style peach tiling, large vanities, and shower/tub combos. We saw some grout that could use a deep cleaning when we visited. 

The hotel has plenty for families, with a children's playground, children's mini-club, and babysitting services available for an additional fee. The Wellness Center offers massage and beauty treatments for an additional charge and there's a lobby bar, discotheque club, and two outdoor swimming pools with a conveniently located pool bar. The main pool is large, with jetted and children's areas, but it gets extremely crowded and is surrounded by tightly packed lounge chairs, which can be hard to score during peak season. The buffet-style restaurant serves breakfast daily for a fee, with a grill chef on hand to cook-up fresh eggs and crepes, as well as lunch and dinner. All-inclusive rates are available. There are various sports activities available including table tennis, billiards, foosball tables, and a multipurpose sports pitch. The hotel runs a free shuttle to the beach. Wi-Fi is available for an additional charge and there's no guest parking on-site.