Jardin Del Atlantico

Located right across the street from a number of popular bars blasting music until late, Jardin del Atlantico is not the place to go for some R&R. Young British and German partiers make up the majority of guests here, and there are no kid-friendly amenities except for a small shallow pool in the back of the property. Although it is one of the largest hotels in Playa del Ingles, the hotel layout allows for guests to spread out. Two long buildings form an "X", taking up almost an entire city block, with one pool in each V-shaped section, and two more in the back. Despite its size, the restaurant and bar are surprisingly small, with just a handful of tables each and no outdoor seating. Beyond the bar, which is decorated with IKEA-style wooden tables and playfully mismatched chairs in cheerful colors, the rest of the common spaces are in need of an update. Most areas were last renovated in 2002, and feature basic wooden furniture and generic artwork on walls. The hotel began renovating some of its rooms in 2017 and expects to have a few done by 2018. Until then, construction noise may be an issue.

Taking up the better part of a city block, Jardin del Atlantico is surrounded by streets on three sides. The main entrance is on San Cristobal de la Laguna, a busy street lined with shops, hotels, and bars. Right across the street, a cluster of bars and shops keeps the area abuzz with partiers and tourists until the wee hours, and Yumbo Centrum, a large mall packed with a few popular nightlife spots, is a 20-minute walk or five-minute drive away. Playa del Ingles beach is just down the street, and the gorgeous dunes and beach of Maspalomas are a 15-minute walk from the property. Gran Canaria Airport can be reached by car in about 20 minutes. The hotel offers free outdoor parking. 

The hotel has 330 one-bedroom apartments, all decorated in a simple, mostly dated style, with basic pinewood furniture, brown tiled floors, and a baby-blue color scheme throughout. Walls are bare, save for big color photos of ocean scenes in the living room. Each unit features a living area with a sofa bed (which most guests find uncomfortable), a small flat-screen TV, and a kitchenette equipped with a full fridge, stovetop, coffeemaker, toaster, and an electric kettle. Apartments are clean and overall decent for those who plan to spend most of the time by the pool or exploring the island, but they lack air-conditioning, and fans are only available for a fee. There are also extra charges for Wi-Fi and safes. Straightforward bathrooms have basic shower/tub combos with plastic curtains, and granite counters. Only hand soap is provided, and there are no hairdryers. Rooms overlooking the main street can get noise from bars until the early hours.

Jardin del Atlantico offers all-inclusive packages, but food is just average according to most guests. There are always fish, meat, veggies and kid-friendly options such as pizza, nuggets, and chips for lunch and dinner, but quality and taste are only so-so, and the spread can get repetitive after a couple of days. Breakfast, however, is well-regarded, offering a wide array of sweet and savory options, including eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and bacon. The dining room is tiny for a 330-room hotel, and there can be lines at peak times. The bar is also small, but it has a decent variety of drinks (most of which are covered by the all-inclusive rate) and live music several times per week. There is no outdoor seating, though. There are four pools at the hotel -- including one for children -- and generally enough loungers for all guests. Other on-site amenities include a tennis court and mini-golf.