Gloria Izaro Club Hotel

Lanzarote's complexes are often rundown, so 2013-refurbished layouts here make for strong first impressions. Typically Canarian, the property's whitewashed structures are nicely spread amid tall palm trees, and ramps throughout provide mobility support for the many steps and slopes dividing pool, restaurant, and bar areas. Most guests spend their time on-site at the large saltwater pool with ample sunbathing space, and the adjacent covered bar's happy hour is a favorite. While evening bingo and singing are mediocre, daytime animation offers unobtrusive fun, and scheduled play times at the kids' club offer soccer and mini-discos. Having come for the outdoors, guests don't mind the unremarkable dining room or not having a proper lobby.

The hotel's quiet street keeps traffic noise away, although Puerto del Carmen's buzz isn't far. The Old Town Harbour is an easy eight-minute walk downhill, while Playa Chica's sandy coves are two minutes farther. Great for diving, it's quieter than the main Playa Grande, a 17-minute walk away. Forming the New Town, Avenida de las Playas' bars and restaurants run opposite this huge stretch of beach, where it's more of a party scene. Boutiques, a supermarket, and movie theater at Biosfera Plaza shopping complex can be reached in nine minutes on foot. A bus stop is a three-minute walk from the hotel and runs all over the island, although taxis are cheap, plentiful, and particularly handy for return uphill walks. Timanfaya National Park's dormant volcanoes are a 20-minute drive. Lanzarote Airport is a quick eight-minute drive.

Spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments are outfitted in homey woods, clean while tile floors, and soft-gray and teal fabrics. Sliding glass doors keep apartments bright, and leave to well-furnished balconies with pool or terrace views. Apartment layouts are large and functional, with living areas that have two couches next to dining tables and kitchens. sufficient. Pristine kitchens have electric hobs, kettles, microwaves, toasters, mini-fridges, and necessary cookware. Note that beds can be twins pushed together, though that's common for the region. Standard amenities include phones, satellite flat-screen TVs, and wardrobes, but there are charges for high chairs and safes. Deposits for AC and TV remotes are refundable. Peach and granite-accented bathrooms are modern, and outfitted with showers or shower/tub combos, toiletries, towels, and hairdryers. Towel changes are every three days, and linens are changed twice-weekly. Cribs are available for free.

The large saltwater pool's waters aren't the warmest, and plastic loungers are nothing fancy, but there's always a spot available and surrounding terra-cotta terraces are impeccable. An adjacent kids' pool gives little ones their own space, and the animation team organize activities like soccer and badminton. Pops of green jazz up beige wicker seating at La Solera's covered deck, while metallic bucket chairs can be found inside at the bar. Evening singers here add some entertainment, though most guests find it mediocre. More frequented is the pool bar's happy hour, and an all-day menu consists of burgers, sandwiches, and drinks. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with half- and full-board packages available), the restaurant offers buffet spreads with live cooking. Guests can dine al fresco or in a bland indoor dining room. Oddly placed by the pool, a small outdoor gym has a few cardio and weights machines, but they're old. Laundry facilities are available for a fee, as are secure underground parking and bike rentals. Street parking and Wi-Fi are free.