IFA Faro Hotel

Housed in a white six-story building with rows of balconies, the Ifa Faro offers a quiet retreat right on a long, sandy beach. While the look is modern enough, but the lobby and the restaurants are a tad generic and have a couple of dated details (the carpets aren't the freshest we've seen, nor is the brown tiling around the front desk). However, in an area filled with outdated mid-range and upscale hotels, things here do have a bit more character, helped in part by the funky contemporary art that hangs throughout. The hotel's outdoor areas are pleasant and appealing, with a number of decks overlooking the ocean, a large pool ringed with loungers, umbrellas and palm trees, and bar terraces with wicker furniture and views. The cafe’s outdoor area is particularly cute, with a spacious deck shaded by beige awnings running on dark wooden beams, and lit by globe lamps at night. While the Ifa Faro does offer an entertainment program with evening shows, this isn't the kind of place to come with families or kids -- for proof, look no farther than the rooftop nudist deck.

The hotel is located directly on the fine sands of Maspalomas’ dunes and beach, and adjacent to the town's iconic lighthouse. This is a quiet residential area with big avenues where couples and families can be seen leisurely strolling in the evening, but those looking to spend a night out in town can find several bars within a few blocks of the hotel. Additionally, Yumbo Centrum, a popular mall with a number of bustling nightlife options (and a bit of a seedy reputation) in Playa del Ingles, is just a 10-minute drive away. Aside from Maspalomas, there are a few other pleasant stretches of sand within a 15-minute drive of the hotel, including Costa Meloneras, Pasito Blanco, and Playa del Ingles. The airport is a 30-minute drive from the property.

Ifa Faro Hotel has 188 rooms, all with large windows opening onto balconies furnished with a table, two chairs, and at least one lounger. Views vary between rooms, but many have side beach views, and others have full ocean views. With a mix of soft neutral tones and darker browns, decor is modern if a tad bland, including simple dark wood headboards and desks, beige carpets, and white comforters. Faded red sofa beds are particularly passe, as are the off-white swirl-patterned curtains in the room that we visited. Large abstract paintings decorate walls, which combined with white padded office chairs and brown accent walls lend rooms a more contemporary style. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning, but there is an extra fee for in-room Wi-Fi. Suites feature free internet access, free on-site parking, and two loungers instead of one on the balcony. Bathrooms are clean and contemporary, with open plans that make them feel spacious, but their frosted glass walls may make some guests feel uncomfortable. Suites have hydromassage showers and separate soaking tubs. 

The Ifa Faro is one of the hotels built closest to the beach in Maspalomas, and it offers direct access to the dunes and the ocean via a small door off the main pool deck. The freeform pool is large and appealing, with expansive sea views and access to a cafe serving drinks and snacks on a lovely terrace overlooking the beach. Guests are assigned loungers for their stay on arrival, which means there is no need to wake up early in the morning to secure a seat by the pool. The best spot for sunbathing, though, is the roof, but guests need to either be nudists or fine with their company as the space is reserved for clothing-optional relaxation. The main buffet serves a varied, quality spread for breakfast and dinner, and Panorama Restaurant has an international menu and a spacious terrace with lounge furniture. With laminate floors and some natural light, the fitness center, complete with a handful of modern cardio and strength-training machines, is a pleasant spot for a quick workout. The hotel also features on-site parking (for a fee except in suites), and a meeting room for up to 100 guests.