Hotel Riu Gran Canaria

By all-inclusive standards in a stretch of Gran Canaria where resorts can be woefully outdated and bland, the Riu ClubHotel is a stylish retreat. The handsome, streamlined lobby resembles a suavely tailored and slightly vintage suit, with sleek chocolate-colored leather lounges and white netted ball lamp shades. This is a laid-back hotel that knows how to help its guests relax -- its five swimming pools include an adult-only infinity pool with submerged lounge chairs and ocean views, as well as two children’s pools with imaginatively designed water slides. The Atlantico, a poolside theme restaurant, offers ocean views as well, and the Cocktail Bar has a large outdoor terrace with wicker furniture, a water feature, and towering palm trees. When the sun goes down, After Hours, the late-night bar, becomes a seductive spot for couples, with fluorescent lighting that evokes party vibes. The hotel draws mainly couples, but the kid-friendly amenities bring plenty of families here too.

Located in upscale Meloneras, the Riu ClubHotel is surrounded by other sprawling high-end resorts. The busy waterfront area of El Faro Beach is within a 15-minute walk, and Las Mujeres -- a nudist beach -- takes about five minutes to reach on foot. Maspalomas Lighthouse, with breathtaking panoramic views, is a 13-minute walk from the hotel, while the Let's Go Diving school, which offers beginner diving courses, is a 10-minute drive. For foodies, Samsara and Time restaurants, both favorites among visitors to the area, are less than 15 minutes away on foot. Maspalomas Golf Course, one of many on Gran Canaria, is a six-minute drive from the resort, and the Palmitos Park and Botanical Garden, with an aviary of native birds, a cactus garden, and orchid house, is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. The famous Dunas de Maspalomas are just beyond the waterfront promenade, and can also be reached by car. Gran Canaria Airport takes just under half an hour to reach by car, while the Trasmediterranea ferry terminal is a 50-minute drive from Riu ClubHotel.

The 639 guest rooms are stylish across the board, with a cool design scheme that continues the vaguely mod decor seen throughout the hotel's common spaces. Light-brown hardwood floors, charismatic polka-dot ceilings, and blown-up photographic prints in the bathrooms combine to give rooms a fresh, bright appeal. Doubles, Triples, Family Rooms, and Suites are available, and all include large, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges. Rooms also have private balconies or terraces, and some feature ocean views. Modern, tan-tile bathrooms have hardwood floors, large dual sinks, wall-mounted hairdryers, toiletries, and walk-in showers, but there are no bathtubs. Rooms also lack coffee- and tea-making facilities, and in-room Wi-Fi comes with a fee.

As with many of its neighbors in Meloneras, this resort offers plenty to keep guests occupied on site -- including an entertainment program to go along with its all-inclusive rates -- but the quality of most offerings here is a step above the rest. The hotel has five pools, which include two kids' pools fitted with fun, larger-than-life whimsical figures and planes plus an adult-only infinity pool with submerged lounge chairs offering spectacular ocean views. The lounge chairs around most pools can get crowded very early. To continue relaxing, the hotel offers a spa with steam bath, and guests looking to unwind with a little exercise can head to the modern fitness room with new equipment. There are also volleyball courts plus aerobics classes. The resort has plenty for kids, too, including daytime entertainment, a playground, and kids' club. There are four restaurants -- all of which are part of the all-inclusive rates -- including the poolside Atlantico, serving traditional Canarian cuisine; Kaori, with Asian fare; the buffet-style El Patio with a terrace; and Las Dunas, where a breakfast of whole-grain breads, cereals, fruit, and cooked-to-order eggs is served daily. The hotel has three bars, which include a lounge bar, terrace bar, and late-night bar plus a nightclub that's open depending on hotel occupancy. Aside from all meals, all-inclusive rates also include all-day snacks and 24-hours drinks. Free Wi-Fi is available in the resort's common areas. There's also a coin-operated Internet corner with several jump-on computers and printers.