Hotel Riu Palace Oasis

Housed in a somewhat soulless brown building, the mid-range Riu Palace Oasis is starting to show its age. Common spaces have received fresh coats of paint, but the overall decor style and color choices make spaces feel way past their prime. Black floors and mirrored surfaces with golden details give the lobby a dated '80s look, and clash with blue wicker furniture with yellow flower-printed upholstering. The outdoors, however, are much more appealing. The quiet grounds, dotted with tall palm trees providing shade, are the perfect spot for an afternoon nap on one of the many loungers scattered throughout the hotel’s grassy areas. The pool area, although smallish for a hotel this size, is pleasant and relaxing, and the direct access to a gorgeous beach is the icing on the cake for this property. With some investment, the Riu Palace Oasis could be a great pick. For now, though, its datedness makes it no better than average. 

Riu Palace Oasis is on a quiet cobblestone street in Maspalomas Beach, which is one of the Gran Canaria's most popular areas for tourists. Long, sandy Maspalomas Beach can be accessed directly from the resort, and the myriad restaurants and bars on the Meloneras boardwalk can be reached on foot in about 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 a 15-minute walk away, and the airport is about 30 minutes from the property by car.

The hotel has 332 rooms in categories ranging from Standard Doubles to Senior Suites. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of light and rooms are thoroughly cleaned daily, but the yellow and cream palette is a bit on the plain side, and the classic wood furniture and brown carpeting are dated. Each room comes with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge, a ceiling fan, and a safe. All rooms also have furnished balconies offering views of either the mountain or the ocean. Even the smallest unit has at least a small seating area, and Suites have a separate living room with an additional TV. Clean bathrooms are adequate, with shower/tub combos, basic toiletries (Suites have Paul Gauguin bath amenities), and a toilet cabin separated from the rest of the space by frosted glass sliding doors. Some Suites have a blue and white color scheme that is a little more cheerful but furniture that's equally dated.

The Riu Palace Oasis has a number of kid-friendly amenities, including a children's pool, daily entertainment for children, and an outdoor playground. Additionally, kids have a separate shallow section in the main pool. A gate in the rear of the property offers direct walking access to Maspalomas Beach, a long stretch of sand known for its dunes and serene atmosphere. The freshwater pool is a little small for a hotel this size, but there are plenty of loungers both on the deck and dotting the tranquil gardens, and the water is heated in the winter. Small bites and drinks are available at the poolside snack bar. For dinner guests can choose between a buffet with themed nights or an a la carte restaurant. The fitness center is small but pleasant with natural light and plants, and has a wellness area with a sauna, treatment cabins, and a hydrotherapy area. The hotel also features several multi-sports courts (including three tennis courts with floodlights), a conference room for up to 100 guests, and free Wi-Fi.