H10 Lanzarote Princess

First opened in 1986, the H10 Lanzarote Princess offers much more than what its older exterior may suggest. Some details, such as the white and gray floors and the golden handrails on stairs, are dated, but renovations in the early 2010s gave the property new life. Common spaces have a mix of traditional Canarian elements and chic contemporary decor, especially in the lobby. Cute painted tiles and small indoor gardens with local plants stand in stark contrast with the big white Chesterfield couches and navy armchairs off the reception area. The piano lounge is decorated with sleek white sofas, elegant wooden floors, and a bright yellow mural behind the bar. Throughout, dark volcanic stones and cactuses lend the property some local charm. This H10 is a great pick for families looking for a fun vacation, but those whose idea of an island break is enjoying a book with the sound of the waves in the background may want to look elsewhere. The pool area can be loud sometimes, with dozens of kids running and splashing around, and an active entertainment team encouraging guests to join group activities. Every day, yoga, archery, aqua gym, dance lessons, and even wine tasting sessions keep guests busy, and pop music is played from time to time through the loudspeakers. The restaurant serves tasty, varied cuisine, but the dining room can feel overcrowded at times, especially during dinnertime.The H10 Lanzarote Princess is a solid family-friendly all-inclusive, but those looking for even more kid-oriented amenities may want to compare rates at the Relaxia Lanzasur Club, which features a great water park. The H10, though, is more stylish. The Gran Castillo Tagoro Family & Fun also offers excellent family-friendly features, but rates are generally higher. Families looking for something cheaper may want to compare rates at the three-pearl THB Tropical Island, which is a sprawling apartment complex with several pools and spacious buffet restaurants with kids’ sections. 

Though the hotel’s main entrance is located on a quiet side street in Playa Blanca, the pool deck has a small door opening directly onto Avenida de Papagayo, the town’s main drag. The avenue is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops, and a short walk away is the pedestrian area, which offers plenty of other shopping and dining options. The nearest beach is Playa Dorada, a cute stretch of golden sand with a few dozen rental loungers and umbrellas located less than a five-minute walk away. The lively marina -- complete with a shopping mall and an array of restaurants and bars right on the water -- is a three-minute drive or 25-minute walk away along the promenade. Timanfaya National Park, home to several stunning volcanos, is about a 15-minute drive from the hotel. It is about the same driving time to the famous beaches in Papagayo. The airport is a half-hour drive away. The hotel has free outdoor parking. 

H10 Lanzarote Princess has 407 rooms ranging from spacious Standard units to Suites complete with a separate living area and a sofa bed. All units are clean and stylish, with striped wallpaper in gray and brown hues, a soft neutral palette throughout, and contemporary furniture with clean minimalist lines and metal accents. A few have elegant wooden floors, but most feature gleaming white tiles that add even more visual space. Large windows open onto balconies or terraces, many with pool views and others overlooking the front gardens and the mountains; a few have sea views. (Some rooms have obscured or unappealing views, however.) Standard amenities include mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs with international channels. Safes and Wi-Fi are available for a fee, though internet access is not guaranteed in some rooms. Family Rooms and Suites have sofa beds for additional guests, but in suites the living area is in a separate room, while in Family units the seating area is integrated in the bedroom. Privilege and Superior rooms offer a number of great extras, including Nespresso machines, robes and slippers, free safes, pillow menus, fully stocked minibars (for a fee), and iPod docks.Clean bathrooms feature shower/tub combos (except in wheelchair-accessible rooms), hairdryers, and an array of toiletries, including shower gel, shampoo, hand soap, combs, and paper tissues. Some bathrooms were updated again after the full early 2010s renovations and have dark floor and wall tiles, and more contemporary sinks and taps. 

The main restaurant at the H10 Lanzarote Princess serves an excellent, varied buffet spread for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has its own bakery, and there are always several different types of bread available, along with pizza and other baked goods for lunch and dinner. The terrace is a pleasant spot for a relaxed meal when the weather is nice, but the dining room can get busy and loud at night. Drinks are served in individual, full-sized bottles at the table, which is a nice departure from the self-serve soda and water machines available at most other all-inclusives. Additionally, we found desserts to taste less processed and artificial than at most other properties in the area (the coconut macaroons were especially tasty!). Sakura is the hotel’s only a la carte restaurant, serving Asian cuisine for dinner in a stylish, elegant space decorated with wooden floors, big lanterns, and bamboo sticks. All-Inclusive guests get one free dinner here per stay, but all other guests have to pay an extra fee. Privilege guests can also have a la carte breakfast at Sakura free of charge. La Choza offers a selection of small bites, salads, and ice cream by the pool, and Mike’s Coffee has fresh pastries, cookies, cakes, and tasty coffee. Cash is not allowed in any of the bars, and all purchases are charged to the room. The hotel offers all-inclusive, room-only, bed-and-breakfast, and half-board rates. All-inclusive packages cover all food and snacks until late at night, local drinks, and some imported brands.

The hotel has three pleasant pools, including a large family one and two for kids. The largest of the two kiddy pools has a big pirate ship with a waterslide, and the shallower pool for toddlers features a number of cute water features and is heated year-round. There are plenty of loungers around all three pools, but some guests have complained that umbrellas are hard to come by. The kids’ club is housed in a cute mushroom-shaped building located adjacent to the pools. It offers kids between the ages of 4 and 12 an array of group activities daily, including arts and crafts, pool games, crazy golf tournaments, and sports. Teens are kept busy with sports and video games. There is also a full entertainment program for adults that includes aqua gym, archery, and dance lessons. Professional performances are offered several nights a week, and the rest of the evenings the in-house entertainment team organizes themed nights. Live music is also available daily in the lobby bar.  The hotel lacks a full spa, but the fitness center features a small massage room and a sauna, as well as a few cardio and strength-training machines in a sunny room with laminate floors. Privilege guests get free access to a private lounge complete with free Wi-Fi, an open bar, newspapers and magazines, computers, a la carte breakfast, and personalized check-in and out. Free, unlimited dinners at the a la carte restaurants are also included in the Privilege package.