Suites & Villas by Dunas

Like many hotels in the region, the Hotel Dunas is more about providing plenty of facilities for its guests than about top-notch style, and that keeps plenty of visitors returning year after year. The Mediterranean lobby is relaxed, if somewhat dated, with a clay sculpture centerpiece, cushioned wicker furniture, and decorative maroon-and-peach floor and wall tiles. The lobby leads to expansive grounds, with landscaped gardens, water fountains, mosaic tile-work inspired by Antoni Gaudi, and tall palm trees. Poolside dining is big in the hotel -- at the buffet restaurant with alfresco seating, and at the Pool Bar Delfrin, shaded by a large thatched-roof gazebo. With three kids' pools and a game room with arcade machines, the resort is extremely popular with families, but couples find their way here as well.

Located in a popular tourist area, the Hotel Dunas Suites and Villas Resort is surrounded by other resorts catering to visitors from across northern Europe, and sits adjacent to Maspalomas Golf Course. It's a six-minute drive to Maspalomas Beach, and the resort offers a free beach shuttle throughout the day in high season. The ambitious can walk there in 20 minutes, and beachside boutique shopping, restaurants, and bars proliferate along the Maspalomas waterfront strip. Yumbo Centrum -- a kitschy shopping center that turns into a wild gay-friendly destination in the evening -- is a seven-minute drive from the hotel. Palmitos Park botanical garden is home to an aquarium and plenty of native birds, and is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, while panoramic views are available from the Maspalomas Lighthouse, built in 1886 -- it's a five-minute drive from the resort and sits near Maspalomas' famous sand dunes. The island's ferry terminal is a 48-minute drive from the hotel, and Gran Canaria Airport is 25 minutes away by car.

The 302 Suites and Villas at the resort are an odd marriage of chain-style contemporary wicker furniture, and dated faux-antique pieces. This isn't to say that the blend is offensive -- in fact the rooms manage to look put together somehow -- but overall it's not the most stylish decor we've seen. Expect marble floors, faded generic wall art, stone accent walls, Ikea-style desks and tables, and a overall green hue to compete for attention, as it did in the Suite that we visited. Some rooms have private terraces with manicured garden views. All rooms have separate living rooms and bedrooms, and multi-bedroom units are available. Bathrooms are spacious, but somewhat tired, with tan tiling and dirty grout, large vanities, wall-mounted hairdryers, and shower/tub combos. Standard features include free Wi-Fi, flat-screenTVs with satellite channels, in-room safes, mini-fridges, and air-conditioning. Accessible rooms can be arranged by request.

The hotel has five swimming pools, with three kids' pools, and a large pool bar area with an a la carte menu and ample alfresco seating. The hotel's main restaurant serves a free daily buffet breakfast with fresh pastries, fruit, cereal, and bread, as well as hot items. The evening buffet menu varies daily, from Italian to Spanish and Asian themes just to name a few. There's an on-site fitness center, hair salon, tennis court, and landscaped tropical gardens surrounding the hotel grounds, which are accessible from most of the room terraces. Childcare services can be arranged via the hotel reception, and there's a children's playground, and indoor game room with arcade machines. The hotel offers 24-hour reception, with luggage storage, laundry service, car hire, bicycle rental, and free shuttle services to Maspalomas Beach. The hotel offers free basic Wi-Fi, with the option to upgrade to high-speed internet for a fee, and free on-site parking is available.