Las Costas

Known for being one of the few hotels directly on sandy Los Pocillos Beach, Las Costas is for those seeking a quiet, relaxing vacation by the sea. There is no booming entertainment program here, no music around the pool, and just live music in the evening. The property makes the most of its beachfront setting, with a door opening directly onto the sand, and great ocean views from many of its rooms and all of its common spaces. Las Costas has compact grounds, but the only thing separating the hotel from the beach is a glass wall, which allows for an open, expansive feel. Everything -- from the restaurant to the conference room -- is set around the pool, located right adjacent to the beach. While this layout could make it seem overcrowded, the main deck is spacious, and proximity to the beach and the city center means not all guests stay on-site during the day. 

Las Costas has an attractive stepped design, with the lobby on the street level, and big stairs leading down to the central part of the property, where the pool, the restaurant, and the rest of the hotel features are. Although the hotel was first opened in 1989, it closed for full renovations in 2005 and reopened with a completely different style a year later. Rooms were fully renovated again in mid-2016. Interiors are stylish and pleasant, with huge windows overlooking the pool area and the beach, and a mix of elegant and generic decor in earth tones. Heavy wooden chairs with white upholstery, and big black couches with clean lines and accent pillows dot the lobby’s lower level, while huge thin pillars in gray hues hold soaring ceilings. In other common areas, decor is a little more generic, but gray accent walls with strategically placed LED lights add some style. The hotel lacks the expansive, lush gardens generally associated with island properties, but its grounds have lots of local charm. Stone paths are flanked by dark-sand lawns decorated with palm trees, shrubs, and cactuses, and the vast majority of rooms are housed in whitewashed bungalow-like buildings with cute little patios. 

The hotel is an excellent upscale pick for those more interested in relaxing in the sun than staying busy all day, but those seeking a more bustling atmosphere may want to compare rates at the adjacent Vik Hotel San Antonio, which has several beachfront pools and a full entertainment program. Its rooms, though, are dated and basic. Las Costas features a couple of convenient amenities for children -- including a kiddy pool and a kids’ club with daily activities -- but families may want to consider sister property Hotel Lanzarote Village, which is a little less upscale but offers all-inclusive rates and is just a block from the beach. Luxurious La Isla y El Mar Hotel Boutique has a similar quiet vibe, but rates are generally almost double than those at Las Costas.

The hotel has an excellent location right on Los Pocillos -- one of the largest beaches in the area -- and on Puerto del Carmen’s main drag. Although situated on a quieter block, the hotel is just a five-minute walk from the myriad restaurants, bars, shops, and cafes lining the avenue. The other main beach in Puerto del Carmen can be reached in an easy 20-minute stroll down the main drag. Matagorda and Guacimeta beaches, known for their world-class plane-spotting, are both 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.

The hotel’s 187 rooms were fully renovated in May 2016, and only the cream-colored floor from the old design remain. All units have stylish contemporary decor with clean, almost minimalist lines, and a chic combination of gray, white, and teal hues. At an average of 355 square feet, rooms are spacious, with enough space to fit a double sofa bed, a small coffee table, a work desk, and a cupboard with a microwave and a mini-fridge. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto private patios furnished with chairs, a table, and a lounger. But some find the outdoor spaces lacking in privacy, as they are separated from the grounds and other rooms only by a low wall. A few rooms have terraces instead, and a total of 46 units have full ocean views. All rooms feature seasonal air-conditioning and large flat-screen TV with cable channels, but electric kettles are only available on request, and safes come with a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

Bathrooms were renovated in 2006 and have a slightly older style, with black counters, chocolate-brown and off-white tiles throughout, and cream-colored walls. About half of them have walk-in showers, and the rest have spacious shower/tub combos with glass screens. Although they're not sparkling new, we didn’t see any signs of mold around the showers, and everything was kept in good shape. The hotel has four wheelchair-accessible rooms complete with roll-in showers, wider doorways, and grab handles. 

The hotel has only one restaurant on-site, serving a large buffet spread for all three main meals. Breakfast offers full English and continental options, including made-to-order eggs, pancakes, plenty of pastries, fresh fruit, sausages, and several types of bread. Food generally gets good reviews for quality, variety, and taste, but many guests find the coffee subpar for an upscale hotel. Lunch and dinner always include a range of salads, vegetable dishes, soups, pasta, and rice, along with a number of show cooking stations with freshly grilled beef, chicken, pork, and fish. There are no a la carte restaurants at Las Costas, but themed dinners are available a few evenings per week.

The poolside bar features a short fast food menu, complete with hot and cold drinks and small bites such as ice cream and chips. The hotel offers bed-and-breakfast and half-board meal plans only.

One of the hotel’s top highlights is the pool. Its panoramic views of Los Pocillos Beach, located right on the other side of a glass wall, are some of the best around, and its spacious deck features plenty of loungers and umbrellas. There is also a smaller kiddy pool and a whirlpool right adjacent to it, both with the same excellent vistas. The water in the family and kiddy pools can be heated in the winter. 

There is no full entertainment program with sports, games, and competitions, but those who want to stay active during their vacation can use the on-site fitness center free of charge. It is smallish but well-equipped and bright (though not from natural light), and features professional cardio and strength-machines, free weights, and a couple of mats for stretching. Guests can also rent a well-maintained squash court, although it is sometimes used for other activities, such as yoga. The hotel lacks a full spa, but massages and salon services are provided at the small on-site wellness center. 

The kids’ club offers daily indoor and outdoor activities, and there is a playground in a quiet corner overlooking the beach. The game room keeps guests of all ages entertained with a couple of pool and ping-pong tables and a few arcade machines. There is also a bar with a stage for evening shows, and a large meeting room with audiovisual equipment.