Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort

Known among locals as one of Lanzarote’s grand dames, the Princesa Yaiza has a strong wow factor. It is designed in a lovely Canarian colonial style, with an impressive lobby featuring soaring wooden ceilings, warm lights, a beautiful indoor garden, and small desks for personalized check-in. The outdoors are similarly attractive, offering big decks covered in palm trees, direct access to the promenade and beach, and a charming plaza adorned with strings of bare bulbs and a gazebo with live music in the evenings. Its upmarket feel, however, doesn’t quite translate into a high-end experience. Instead, the property seems to be somewhat stuck in time, with interiors riding the line between pleasantly traditional and dated, and services provided not quite deserving of the luxury tag. Also note that some past guests have complained of cold rooms and common spaces in the winter.Still, with a lively atmosphere, an active entertainment program, and a kids’ club with dozens of activities for all ages, the property is a desirable upscale option for families wanting a bustling vacation. The cheaper Hotel THe Volcan Lanzarote has a similar vibe, plus an adult-only area with a quiet atmosphere, a heated pool, and free evening drinks. The Princesa Yaiza is closer to the beach, though. In that same price range, the adult-only H10 Timanfaya Palace is even quieter and more stylish. Families seeking something with even more kid-friendly amenities may want to compare rates at the Grand Castillo Tagoro Family & Fun. 

Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort is located between Playa Blanca’s lively marina and the area’s main shopping street. The main entrance is on a quiet street with little traffic, but the back entrance opens directly onto a long, sandy beach and the promenade, offering easy walking access to many bars, restaurants, and shops. It takes about 15 minutes to walk to Marina Rubicon, where guests can find a wide array of dining and shopping options, as well as a number of seaside lounges with live music. The hotel is about a 20-minute drive from Timanfaya National Park, and about a half-hour from Lanzarote Airport. On-site parking is available free of charge.

Starting at 463 square feet (43 square meters), rooms at the Princesa Yaiza are some of the largest in Lanzarote. They are all suites, and have spacious seating areas with sofa beds, furnished terraces or balconies, and wet bars complete with sinks, mini-fridges, and microwaves. Rooms have been designed in the same Canarian style as common areas, and while many guests like the colonial vibe, others find it dated. Brown-tiled floors, white walls, and traditional wooden furniture give rooms some local charm, while the older blue-fabric couches and armchairs are outdated and generic. Big windows offer vistas of either the gardens, pools, or sea in most, but a few rooms overlook the parking lot or have views obstructed by palm trees.  Standard amenities are sufficient, and include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, free safes, and electric kettles alongside free tea and coffee. Higher-category suites come with a few extras, such as espresso machines, DVD players, and Bluetooth speakers. Bathrooms are spacious and clean, but they're decorated in a traditional style that feels more dated than bedrooms, with white and blue tiles throughout, white-stone counters with painted tiles on the side, and big shower/tub combos. Hairdryers, an array of upmarket toiletries, and magnifying mirrors are provided.

Princesa Yaiza offers a wide range of dining options, from gourmet a la carte eateries to buffet restaurants and poolside snack bars. The a la carte outlets, which include Japanese, tapas, and Italian, draw guests and non-guests alike with tasty food and a romantic atmosphere in the evening. The buffets, of which there are three (opening in alternate nights) get mixed reviews, in particular the main one, which serves international cuisine. A breakfast buffet is included in the standard rate. Two large, pleasant family pools are located on two separate decks. There are dozens of loungers around each of them, but there have been complaints that most are old and uncomfortable. The vibe on the main deck is lively and can sometimes feel overrun with children, as the kids’ club and its two kiddy pools are right next to it. The entertainment program keeps guests of all ages busy during the day, and there is always some live music in the evening. The kids’ club offers a variety of age-appropriate activities for kids between the ages of 3 and 15. The spa is relaxing and appealing, with dozens of experience showers, many rooms for massages, and a hydrotherapy area with heated saltwater. The gym is spacious and well-equipped, offering cardio and strength-training machines and free daily group classes, including yoga, HIIT, Pilates, and spinning. Extensive meeting space with audiovisual equipment is available. Guests get discounted rates at Lanzarote Golf, an 18-hole golf course located a 30-minute drive from the hotel.