Lopesan Baobab Resort

Huge, luxurious, and with a striking design, the Lopesan Baobab is one of the top resorts in this part of Gran Canaria. Soaring buildings have African-inspired design and decor, wood, stone and adobe accents, and dimly lit spaces full of African artwork. Housed in a stunning building with a thatched roof and huge wooden beams, the lobby wows at first sight. Inside, dark floors, ornate latticework panels, straw chairs, and African artifacts give the space an exotic, swish feel, while strategically placed small orange LED lights add a sexy touch. Large planks of untreated wood decorate the wall behind the long, dark mosaic front desk.
The sprawling grounds are dotted with huge pools, buildings with soaring ceilings and glass walls, and traditional African artifacts, including clay jars, tree stumps, and even a pair of huge elephant statues. Room decor is slightly more subdued, but the snakeskin-style headboards and the balcony railings resembling twigs are all nods at the hotel’s overall theme.
The relaxed Lopesan Baobab is one of three Lopesan properties in the posh resort area of Meloneras, and the most inland, which means sea views here aren't as impressive. The Baobab is more family-oriented than the more intimate (and pricier) Lopesan Villa Del Conde, and is slightly closer to the main hub of beachfront restaurants and shops. The Lopesan Costa Meloneras is the largest and the least luxurious, but has the biggest pool complex and the location closest to the boardwalk.

Lopesan Baobab Resort is on a narrow two-way street in a quiet area of Costa Meloneras in the south of Gran Canaria. Long, sandy Maspalomas Beach, and the myriad restaurants and bars on the Meloneras boardwalk, are just down the street and can be reached on foot in five to 10 minutes. The immediate vicinity is mostly quiet, but Playa del Inglés, known for its nightlife and sandy beaches, is just a 10-minute drive away, and there are a number of pleasant stretches of sand within a 20-minute drive in either direction along the coast. Expo Melonera convention center is directly across the street, and Gran Canaria Airport is about 30 minutes from the property by car.

The Lopesan Baobab offers a wide array of room types, including Double, Superior, Deluxe, and Family units, as well as Junior Suites and Suites. All have chic decor with dark tiled floors, gray accent walls, light gray bedspreads (not duvets), moss green pillows, and tan wood accents in closets and countertops. Large bright cherry or snakeskin headboards, a couple of zebra print touches, and African artwork round out the look. All units have a balcony or terrace with at least a small table and two padded chairs, and some also have loungers. Deluxe Pool Rooms feature small plunge pools, and Family Pool units offer direct access through the terrace to one of the hotel’s seven pools. Some rooms do have distant sea views, but if views are a priority both of the sister properties have better outlooks.
Bathrooms are sexy and stylish, with anthracite gray walls and floors, soaking tubs, separate walk-in showers with rain showerheads, and white rectangular sinks that stand out against the dark countertops. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars and electric kettles, and most units also have sofa beds for an extra guest. However, Wi-Fi and in-room safes require a fee.

This resort offers multiple dining options, including two buffets (one with a kids’ section), a restaurant serving African specialties, and an international eatery, all housed in gorgeous spaces with African-inspired decor. Breakfast, half-board, and full-board rates are available. There are also several drinking options here, including one inside an artificial cave with waterfalls, a lobby bar, and a snack hut serving light bites and cocktails. There is always a lot going on here, thanks to a daily entertainment program chock-full of fitness classes, fun activities for kids, and nightly shows. With seven pools spread across the sprawling, lush grounds, finding a quiet spot and a lounger is generally not as hard as at many other family-friendly resorts.
Guest looking to get a full workout can find several cardio and strength-training machines at the small but bright fitness center offering views of the lush grounds. The Lopesan Baobab does not have a spa on-site, but there is a high-end wellness center complete with hydrotherapy areas, treatment cabins, and saunas at the hotel’s neighboring (less upscale) sister property, Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort, Spa & Casino. The resort also offers seven fully equipped meeting rooms and free shuttle service to two golf courses. There are daily fees for Wi-Fi, use of in-room safes, and parking.