Paradise Lago Taurito

Paradise Lago Taurito is one of seven large hotels located in Taurito -- a self-contained resort park nestled in a desert valley on Gran Canaria's south coast. Taurito is laid out like a village, with a small cluster of thatch-roofed kiosks selling excursions, and a main pedestrian walkway lined with countless market stalls. It also comes complete with its own beach, water park, disco, arcade, restaurants, bars, and supermarket. In other words, it's best suited to those who prefer quick and simple access to everything, without the inconvenience of leaving the area.

At 192 rooms, the hotel itself is a rather large, mid-range all-inclusive with a casual vibe. Common areas are spacious, with high ceilings, beige marble tiling, and Greco-Roman style statues and water fountains. While it may appear to verge on formal, the constant foot traffic and packs of energetic kids certainly offset any stuffy decor. During our visit, some areas -- including the restaurant at peak lunch hour and the pool -- were borderline chaotic. The hotel is best suited to families accustomed to noise and the constant buzz of activities, and many hail from the U.K. 

Paradise Lago Taurito is located on the east cliff of the Taurito resort park. It's surrounded by a few other hotels and there's a popular water park below. Just next to the entrance of the hotel is a long pedestrian walkway lined with shops and market stalls selling beach gear. Taurito Beach is just a two-minute walk away, where various water sports -- including windsurfing -- are offered. Puerto de Mogan, a pretty fishing village and harbor, is a 13-minute drive from the hotel. Puerto Rico is 13 minutes to the east by car, and the airport is a 35-minute drive. Budget nearly an hour to reach the vibrant city of Las Palmas by car.

Paradise Lago Taurito’s 192 rooms are spacious, relaxed, and in fairly good condition, with orange accents, dark wood, and wicker furniture. Is it the most fresh and stylish look? No. But for a property where very little time is spent in your room, it all works just fine. Standard features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, mini-fridges, and furnished balconies. Most rooms face the resort park and have partial sea views. Bathrooms are done in neutral tiling and include shower/tub combos. Some have bidets. Access to Wi-Fi and safes is not free, and there’s unfortunately a limited selection of English TV channels (mostly news). Rooms are split into two main room types: Standard Double Rooms, which have a maximum capacity of two, and Family Rooms, which have a maximum capacity of four. Standard Double Rooms have the layout of a standard hotel room, with a desk, but no seating area. Family Rooms include kitchenettes equipped with two stovetops and a microwave, as well as a separate living area with a sofa bed. Electricity for the stovetops is switched off on arrival, but can be switched on upon request. 

The most popular feature here is the hotel's free access to the water park -- a large saltwater pool complex with an abundance of water slides that’s great for entertaining the kids. Entry to the park is free for hotel guests, but drinks are not included (despite most guests staying here on all-inclusive rates). Alternatively, the massive, sprawling pool complex is surrounded by pretty cactus gardens, and features a separate hot tub and kids’ pool. Despite being quite large, the area can get crowded and chaotic. The poolside bar stays busy, and is also where all-inclusive drinks can be obtained. There’s even a recreation area on the same level, with billiards, ping-pong tables, a sand box for kids, and pleasant views over the water park and ocean. 

The hotel’s large buffet restaurant serves a decent variety of Spanish and international dishes, but beware of the disorder at peak meal times. All-inclusive plans are available, and are a popular choice with guests. The hotel hosts a comprehensive recreation and entertainment program, including daytime activities for kids and adults, with a special mini-club for young kids, and a teen club for teenagers. Activities are offered six days a week and include aquagym, bingo, bowling, tennis, pilates, dance lessons, and more. The evening entertainment also takes place six days a week and involves live music or other professional performances. Guests receive free entry to other parts of the resort park, including Disco Bambino dance club, Planet Play arcade, and the kids’ club -- although drinks are not included at any of these venues. Additionally, access to mini-golf is not free.

Guests receive discounted spa access at the sister hotel, plus discounted meals at the beachside restaurant and discounted garage parking. There’s free Wi-Fi, but only in the reception area, and the signal can be spotty.