LABRANDA Marieta

With its minimalistic design, edgy art pieces in the lobby, and recent rebranding under the Labranda group in 2015, Marieta Labranda is a sharp stand-out in Playa del Ingles. While its location in a more run-down part of town might put you off, the hotel feels worlds away. Decor is bright and airy, and interiors are well-maintained, which isn't always the case with hotels in this part of Gran Canaria. Expect to see playful sculpture pieces, sleek furniture in white and gray, and a minimalist color-block theme throughout. The chilled-out lounge music playing in most areas gives the hotel a hip, but relaxed, feel, and the pace throughout the hotel is laid back. With its adult-only policy, the hotel is free of the noise that can come with kids -- although the restaurant does get a bit busy at meal times. We saw couples of all ages here, many of whom were from Germany and some from the U.K. In winter months, the hotel also draws Scandinavians looking to escape woefully short daylight hours back home.

Although a bit farther away from central Playa del Ingles, a major perk is the ease of finding parking on adjacent streets, and not being within audible distance of local booming night clubs. The beach promenade is just a three-minute walk from the hotel, leading to several quieter, natural inlets for swimming. The main area of Playa del Ingles, with its shops and restaurants, is about a ten-minute walk farther down the promenade. The town’s main bus station, right by the Shopping Centre Tropical, is a five-minute walk and has excellent connections across the island. Guests looking for a party vibe can try out the night life at CC Kasbah, an eight-minute walk away – although some may prefer Yumbo Shopping Centre, which has more gay-friendly bars and clubs, but is a five-minute drive. The sand dunes of neighboring Maspalomas are a protected nature reserve and can be accessed via the public promenade running through Hotel Riu Palace, an eight-minute drive away. Gran Canaria has just one airport, which is a 20-minute drive away.

Rooms at Labranda Marieta have a modern minimalist design and are the same type and size, with gray and light-wood details, plus pops of magenta and bold oceanic murals. Views are the only variable: some rooms face the street, while others have sea views and tend to be quieter. Lower floor ocean-facing rooms have partial sea views, and the upper floor rooms provide direct water views. As with many hotels on Gran Canaria, all rooms have balconies. However, sunbathing may be better on the rooftop terrace, as balconies don’t come with sunbeds (only chairs and a table) and may not get direct sunlight. All rooms have large flat-screen TVs (surprisingly rare amongst the hotels we visited in the area), AC, mini-fridges, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Electric kettles are absent. Bathrobes and slippers are provided for guests on the all-inclusive rate. Bathrooms are sleek and minimal in design, and all have showers -- but beware that water can seep out under glass paneling, which is a common issue.  

The standout feature of this hotel is the fabulous rooftop terrace -- the best that we saw during our time on Gran Canaria. The space is large, immaculately kept, and sunny, with gorgeous panoramic views of the beach and town. It's a guest-favorite hangout spot, and we spotted people working on their tan or lounging with drinks from the bar. There are a couple of dipping pools that cultivate the relaxed vibe, along with chilled-out lounge music. Sunbeds are on one side of the terrace, while the other side houses the bar and has ample shaded and sunny seating. Keep in mind that the Balinese sunbeds for couples are only available for a fee, though other seating is free. The pool, while heated during winter, was less busy during our visit, and comes with a bar. Fukushi Spa is a clean modern space with a good variety of therapeutic pools, a sauna and steam room, and four types of therapeutic showers. A free day pass is given with every seven-night stay. The large, modern gym is air-conditioned, clean, and has a good range of weight-lifting and cardiovascular equipment. La Cascada is a buffet restaurant with a large shaded outdoor terrace, and some of the best food we tasted in the area. All-inclusive rates are available, but drinks are only free at some bars during limited hours. The hotel has an animation program that offers relaxing activities like yoga, pilates, stretching, water workouts, and even Spanish and dance lessons. There’s also live evening entertainment every night of the week. There’s no on-site parking, but parking on adjacent roads is available for a small daily fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and the connection can be slow at times, but we found this to be common everywhere on the island. The hotel can also help arrange tours and excursions via an independent tour operator in the reception area.