Occidental Margaritas

Though the hotel's large, modern main building with uniform rows of protruding balconies is rather striking, the entrance itself is rather unassuming. The property's other building is a smaller apartment block with a white facade and lattice-work balconies. Both buildings are set amidst three acres of tropical gardens with shaded walkways surrounded by manicured lawns, giant cacti, and mature palm trees. In the main building, the lobby area has polished marble floors and walls, smart wicker seating, and windows overlooking the grounds. A pair of elevators service the property's eight floors -- which can get overcrowded at peak times. The many child-friendly features appeal to families, while a quiet pool and massage treatments are popular with vacationing couples of all ages.

The hotel is located in the center of the popular resort of Playa del Ingles, which is toward the southern end of Gran Canaria island. The area's well-known stretch of beach is a 10-minute drive away, plus the hotel provides free shuttle service; there travelers will find a range of water sports, as well as a nudist section. It's a 10- to 15-minute walk to Yumbo Centrum for shopping, dining, and nightlife. The stunning Maspalomas Dunes and lighthouse are around 10 minutes' drive away, and the Maspalomas Golf course is five minutes. Gran Canaria Airport can be reached in around 20 minutes by car. The hotel charges a fee for parking, but there's free street parking nearby.

Decor in the hotel's 490 rooms and apartments is simple and contemporary, featuring minimalist wooden furnishings and muted tones with occasional splashes of blue or red. Rooms in the main building have wood floors and open to furnished glass-fronted balconies (most overlooking the gardens), while apartments have tile floors and more enclosed balconies; superior apartments add sun loungers. Those overlooking the main pool can be noisy due to nightly entertainment on an outdoor stage. Apartments have living areas with dining tables, couches, and kitchenettes that include stovetops, mini-fridges, and microwaves, but most lack cookware and dishes; they also have less contemporary furnishings than the rooms.Amenities in all rooms include 32-inch flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning, which isn't the case for many area hotels. Wi-Fi is free of charge, though generally patchy and slow, plus use of in-room safes requires a fee. Well-maintained bathrooms include shower/tub combos or walk-in showers, plus wall-mounted hairdryers and toiletries.

Extensive leisure facilities include two outdoor pools -- one is lively with daily activities and the other is by the apartment building and quieter, also featuring daybeds and waiter service. Some guests have complained that the pools can be cold at times. For the younger guests, there are a free kids' club, playground, and a splash pool. Sports facilities include tennis courts (flood lights available at night for a fee), mini-golf, and a volleyball court. Additionally, a small but well-equipped fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows and a spa offering massages and beauty treatments are available. Wi-Fi is free throughout, although it can often be slow (high-speed connection is available for a fee). The hotel also runs a free daily shuttle to the beach.A buffet breakfast and dinner are included in the standard half-board rate (all-inclusive option is also available). While the food receives mostly good reviews, the restaurant can get very busy at peak times and the dinner service can be inconsistent. Better quality food is served at the thatched-roof a la carte restaurant, Aloha 37, but it's only open for dinner. Two poolside bars serve snacks, while an indoor lounge has a grand piano and nightly entertainment.