Gran Castillo Tagoro Family & Fun

With watchtowers, a charming central patio with a fountain, and pointed horseshoe arches throughout, the Gran Castillo Tagoro Family & Fun is designed to resemble a grand Arabian palace-fortress. Its architecture is impressive without feeling overdone or gaudy, and its outdoor areas -- complete with huge freeform pools overlooking the ocean and lovely gardens -- are equally striking. Interiors have a mix of contemporary and more classic decor that stands in stark contrast with the building itself. The hotel’s two a la carte restaurants have themed decor style matching the food served, while the lobby bar has a more contemporary feel, with red-and-white striped wallpaper, dark laminate floors, and chocolate-brown couches placed under modern jazz-themed paintings. The main restaurant’s outdoor area has an attractive design that looks straight out of Bali. It is housed in a long terrace built on stilts above the pool, and has wooden floors and ceilings as well as wooden railings. 

The Gran Castillo Tagoro is known for its wide array of family-friendly features, from huge rooms with sofa beds to a water park, a 5D movie theater, and an outstanding kids’ club with services for kids six months and over. The atmosphere is bustling year-round, and some guests complain that the main restaurant can be chaotic during peak times, with long lines for the show cooking stations and staff struggling to cope with the sheer number of tables. But the hotel also offers plenty of options for parents seeking some time alone together or some peace and quiet. While probably not the best pick for couples expecting to have a kid-free vacation, the hotel does do a good job separating the family sections from the more relaxing, quieter adult-only areas. 

The hotel’s slightly cheaper next-door neighbor, the Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort, is similarly family-friendly, but the Gran Castillo Tagoro is more upscale overall. Those looking to stay closer to Marina Rubicon and its many restaurants, bars, and shops, may want to compare rates at The Volcan Lanzarote, which also has a separate adult-only area that includes a number of rooms, a pool, and a lounge with free hot and cold drinks. Those on a tighter budget may want to compare rates at the H10 Lanzarote Princess and Relaxia Lanzasur Club, both of which are solid family-friendly options. Couples looking to get away from it all should consider the H10 Timanfaya Palace, a quiet, upscale property a three-minute walk from a lovely, sandy beach.

The hotel is located on a quiet dead-end street that leads to Playa Blanca’s cute promenade. There are a supermarket and a few other shops within a short walk of the Gran Castillo Tagoro, but little else can be found in the immediate area. There is some sort of beach right outside the hotel, but there is little sand and many big volcanic rocks, which makes getting in the water uncomfortable. In fact, not a lot of people use this beach, and most guests choose to sit around the hotel’s huge pools. The famous beaches of Papagayo -- known for their great kitesurfing -- are a 10-minute drive away. The hotel is about a 15-minute stroll along the promenade from Marina Rubicon, a lovely harbor lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. Central Playa Blanca, also offering an array of dining, drinking, and shopping options, is just a five-minute drive away. Timanfaya National Park takes about 25 minutes to reach by car, and the airport is a half-hour drive away. Free outdoor parking is available at the hotel. 

The hotel has 329 rooms spread over several buildings set around several large outdoor pools. At 603 square feet (56 square meters), standard rooms are some of the largest in Lanzarote, and have at least an integrated living area with a double sofa bed. The largest suite is a whopping 2,066 square feet, but most families will find that even the smallest double rooms are big enough for four guests. Decor is classic but beachy, with a mix of striped wallpaper in neutral tones, off-white tiles and furniture, wicker chairs, and red throw pillows. Some may find the style a little old-fashioned, but everything is kept spotless and tidy. 

Rooms have all the amenities expected of an upscale hotel, including air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric kettles, and safes. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and it is generally good enough for streaming video. Bathrooms are spacious, with one or two sinks, separate tubs and shower cabins, and robes. Hotel-brand toiletries are provided, including shower gel, shampoo, body lotion, and combs. Suites have jetted tubs. 

While many room types have sliding doors separating the living area from the bedroom, Premium Rooms offer even more privacy, as they’re duplex units with one bedroom and one bathroom on each floor, along with a living room with a double sofa bed. Families with young kids, though, often love Merlin Rooms, which have a separate room for children complete with bunk beds and colorful murals, as well as PlayStations, toys, tents, and an additional TV. 

The hotel has a number of outdoor saltwater pools, all surrounded by tropical plants and loungers. The two main pools are located on the oceanfront deck, and the largest of the two has a beach-style access for children. Kids can be seen swimming and playing around the pool, but the atmosphere is generally not too loud, as there is a separate area for children in a different section within the hotel. The kids’ area features a cute water park with several colorful slides, an activity pool, and a snack bar with fast food and drinks. Couples seeking some peace and quiet can find it in the hotel’s adult-only deck, complete with a small pool with massage jets, a whirlpool, cabanas (free for Premium guests only), and a bar. 

Las Coloradas is the hotel’s main restaurant, and serves a varied buffet spread for all three main meals. Breakfast can be a little hectic and disorganized during peak season, and some guests have complained of long lines for the show cooking stations and long waits for tables to be cleared by the staff. Lunch is the quietest of all three meals at Las Coloradas, as many guests choose to stay around the pools and grab a quick bite at the snack bars. Those looking for a quieter place to eat can sit in the small adult-only courtyard, which has a handful of tables and palm trees. 

Another common complaint at the Gran Castillo Tagoro is the lack of themed nights at the main restaurant, but all-inclusive guests are also offered unlimited free dinners at the hotel’s two a la carte restaurants, which serve Italian and Asian cuisine. Additionally, Premium All-Inclusive guests get one free dinner at the adult-only Sansofe Restaurant, which serves a five-course tasting menu in a cute dining room with panoramic ocean views.

The hotel has a two-tier all-inclusive plan. The standard package includes all food and local drinks, as well as several imported spirits and cocktails. The Premium package offers a number of extra perks, such as in-room Nespresso machines, unlimited premium-brand drinks, free access to the spa, and cabanas at the adult-only pool. 

One of the most outstanding features at the Gran Castillo Tagoro is its kids’ club, decorated with colorful furniture and huge wall-to-wall murals of cartoon characters. It offers kids between the ages of 4 and 12 a huge variety of indoor and outdoor activities, including pool games, competitions, video games, sports, ball pits, trampolines, and arts and crafts. There is also a special section for babies six months and older, complete with a nap room and babysitting services. Kids can even stay overnight at the kids’ club if their parents want some time alone, and there is a special evening babysitting service so that parents dining at Sansofe restaurant can have a romantic, kid-free dinner.

The hotel features a full daily entertainment program for guests of all ages that includes sports, but there is also a full fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment. All guests get one free pass to the hotel’s spa (Premium All-Inclusive guests get free daily access), which features a hydrotherapy area, massage rooms, and treatments for couples. The all-inclusive rate also offers free passes (one per person per stay) to the 5D movie theater, which is one of the few in the Canary Islands.