Hotel Lanzarote Village

Popular among British, Belgian, and Dutch travelers of all types, Hotel Lanzarote Village has a casual family-friendly vibe. Most rooms, the restaurant, and the snack bar are set around the hotel’s only pool, which means the central part of the property is generally busy and lively. There is some entertainment and music on the pool deck, and kids can be heard splashing and playing, so those seeking some peace and quiet can try to get a lounger on the smaller terraces located a little away from the main deck. 

While the structure (which dates back to 1991) doesn’t have a particularly contemporary design, common areas are pleasant and well-maintained. Some decor elements are a little generic (think: gray floors in the lobby and basic wooden furniture in the restaurant), but most common spaces have a few cuter accents that keep them from being bland, including dark brown armchairs with flower designs, and exposed volcanic stone walls. There isn’t much greenery around the main deck, but black-sand gardens dotted with palm trees and colorful flowers give the property some local charm. 

With its lively pool area, good food, kids’ club, and spacious rooms with sofa beds, the Lanzarote Village is a solid pick for families traveling with young kids. Those looking for apartment-style accommodation may want to consider the similarly priced Costa Sal Apartments, which are a short walk from two beaches, and feature two pools and a supermarket on-site. For a little more money, Sentido Aequora Lanzarote has more contemporary room decor, adult-only areas, a spa, several pools, and a full entertainment program. Sister property Las Costas is a more upscale pick for couples seeking a quieter atmosphere, with an oceanfront pool, stylish rooms renovated in mid-2016, and direct access to Los Pocillos Beach. 

Hotel Lanzarote Village is located on a small, quiet street a little away from the hustle and bustle of central Puerto del Carmen. There isn’t much in the immediate vicinity, but the hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the town’s main drag, lined with restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops. Los Pocillos, one of the largest beaches in the area, is just down the street, and there are loungers and umbrellas there that guests can rent for a daily fee. The other main beach in Puerto del Carmen can be reached in a 25-minute stroll down the main drag, and Matagorda and Guacimeta beaches -- known for their world-class plane-spotting -- are about a 10-minute drive away. The hotel is 20 minutes by car from Timanfaya National Park, a must-see attraction in Lanzarote home to several stunning volcanos. The airport is less than a 10-minute drive away. Free outdoor parking is available at the hotel. 

The hotel’s 215 air-conditioned rooms are clean and spacious, with enough space for two twin beds or a king, and a sofa bed for two additional guests. Decor is basic and a tad dated throughout, with thin bedspreads in red and brown hues, generic dark wood furniture, and bland gray tile floors. Big closets provide lots of storage space, and floor-to-ceiling windows open onto ample balconies, almost half of which offer at least partial ocean views. While the decor style could use an update, rooms have all the amenities expected of a property in this price range, including mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs with a couple dozen international channels, and electric kettles. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby but paid in rooms. Safes are available for a fee. 

Bathrooms are simple but clean, with a mix of chocolate-brown and beige tiles, big counters, and one or two sinks. A few dozen have shower/tub combos, but most feature spacious walk-in showers with glass screens. Two-in-one shampoo and shower gel is provided in large wall-mounted containers, but the hotel also provides several bars of soap, shower caps, and paper tissues. All rooms are equipped with professional hairdryers as well. 

The hotel has only one restaurant, located right off the pool. It serves an excellent buffet spread for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and features several show cooking stations that keep food fresh and hot. Breakfast includes full English and continental options, with beans, sausages, pancakes, fruit, different types of breads and pastries, and made-to-order eggs. Guests are offered a choice of two types of coffee (filter or espresso-style), and there is a juice machine with flavored drinks from concentrate. Lunch and dinner offer a wide array of different dishes, including pasta with several sauces, rice, beef, pork, fish, chicken, and an assortment of fresh salads. Drinks are served at the table, and there is poolside seating available. 

The poolside bar features a short snacks menu, complete with burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, cake, and chips. There are cake and coffee hours every afternoon. 

The all-inclusive rate covers all food and local drinks until midnight, as well as two free hours of tennis (equipment available for a fee), and a large bottle of water in the room per day. Packed lunch can be requested by guests going on day trips. 

Although the beach is just a short walk down the street, many guests -- and mostly families -- choose to stay on-site to enjoy the pool, which is heated in the winter. It is not huge, but offers a separate kiddy area, a whirlpool with sea views, and plenty of loungers. During our visit, quite a few chairs had been reserved with towels before breakfast although the pool was not even officially open, an issue that, according to other guests, is common at the Lanzarote Village. The pool area is generally lively, with plenty of kids splashing around and playing in the water. Activities such as aqua gym and water polo can be a little loud to some, and music is played through loudspeakers a few hours per day. Those seeking a more relaxing atmosphere can try to get a lounger at one of the smaller sundecks a little away from the hustle and bustle of the main pool area.

The fitness center is small but well-equipped and pleasant, with a handful of cardio and strength-training machines, a few free weights, and a separate movement studio with large mirrors and laminate floors. There is no full spa on-site, but guests can use the sauna in the gym free of charge, and book massages at the hotel’s sister property Las Costas, located a block away. 

The kids’ club is also small but cute with a daily program of indoor and outdoor activities for children 4 to 12 years old, a colorful arts and crafts room with kid-size furniture, and a playground. Entertainment for teens is available seasonally only, but kids over 12 can join the daily activities program for adults, which includes soccer, darts, volleyball, and bocce ball. The game room has a few arcade machines and ping pong and pool tables. There are also family-friendly shows several evenings a week.