Arrecife Gran Hotel & SPA

Arrecife Gran Hotel stands out in Arrecife as the tallest high-rise building in the city, and it's prime spot right next to the ocean is one of its biggest draws. The exterior is made of sea-green glass that reflects the setting, and the interior spaces are large and airy. While furniture and decor is well-kept and reasonably modern, it can't help looking a bit generic and chain-like. The lobby has glossy white floors, high ceilings, and wooden accents, with pops of brown and red throughout the upholstered furniture. Seating areas in the lobby take advantage of lovely sea views through floor-to-ceiling windows, as does the Pool Bar and the top-floor restaurant. A few small quirky pieces like a large pink rug, modern artwork, or an old-fashioned carriage give the place a bit of character. However, it's not style, but the beachfront location that attracts plenty of couples and mature travelers to its doors. Though families do stay here, there aren't really any kid-friendly amenities or features on-site.  

It’s not hard to spot this property, as it’s the tallest building in Arrecife. The hotel has a beachfront location, which is ideal for those who want to relax to the sound of the ocean all day long. There’s a great selection of restaurants and bars on the surrounding streets, and even more within a five- to 15-minute walk. There are also plenty of shops nearby, though much of the action centers on pedestrianized Calle Leon y Castillo, and the streets surrounding it -- these are all a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The 17th-century Church of San Gines takes 11 minutes to reach on foot, while La Casa Amarilla takes eight minutes. It’s a seven-minute drive to Lanzarote Airport.  

All rooms at Arrecife Gran Hotel share the same decor: wood floors in varying tones, warm wood furniture with clean and modern lines, white beds with tan throws, and chain-like art pieces of flora and fauna or drawings of vases on the walls. The rooms are clean, bright, and airy, though the traditional style isn't the freshest we've seen and is, in fact, looking tired. Additions like tube TVs in some rooms contribute to a slightly dated vibe overall. All rooms come standard with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, safes, minibars, and kettles. Most rooms do have flat-screen TVs, but not all. Higher-category rooms, like the Junior Suite that we visited, have separate living rooms. Bathrooms feature brown marble tiling and bidets plus shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. The hotel advertises city or sea views, and though some rooms have sea views, others only have partial views that aren’t as ideal.  

One of the hotel’s major highlights is its spa, which includes a hydrothermal circuit with a dynamic pool, hot tub, foot bath, steam room, bithermal showers, sauna, chromotherapy, and a Turkish bath. Unfortunately, there's a fee to use any of it (in addition to obvious fees for treatments). The spa also provides massages (a couples treatment room is available) and beauty treatments, along with nail services by ESSIE. To complement the spa, the hotel has an indoor pool that’s covered by glass and surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas. A workout can be had in the hotel’s gym, which has great views of the ocean, dated cardio equipment, and free weights. The beach is next to the hotel, but services aren't offered on the sand (though beach towels are free).Dining options are plentiful, starting with an included hot breakfast. Dinner buffets are less inspired, though theme nights are occasionally offered to mix up menu offerings. The hotel’s top-floor elegant restaurant, Altamar, receives positive reviews, as does the Star City Coffee & Gastro Bar, which was added in 2016. The Pool Bar is light and airy, with ocean views, and serves drinks and food. Decor is a bit tired, and it has a pool table. DJs and live music occasionally liven things up. Half-board and bed-and-breakfast options are available. With three fully-equipped meeting rooms and free Wi-Fi throughout, it’s well-suited to business travelers too. The hotel offers paid parking at a decent rate.