It's days like today that make me want to reach for the passport and hop on a plane to the sun. Luckily I'm heading to Spain on Sunday for a bit of a foodie few days in Extremadura, but if you're seeking a sunshiny getaway that's just a few hours from London, I took a trip to Gran Canaria a couple of years ago and couldn't recommend it highly enough. Thought you knew Gran Canaria? Think again...
A mere 210km off the coast of Morocco, the Canary Islands boast year round golden sunshine, dusty horizons, palm trees, incredible sunsets and golf courses everywhere; it almost feels like you’re in Palm Springs, what's not to love? Alas, it was my spa-loving side that drew me from London to Gran Canaria, with the determination to pack as much in to my four day break as possible. With 16 incredible spa hotels in its portfolio, if Gran Canaria Wellness (www.grancanariawellness.com) isn’t enough of a lure to the island then I don’t know what is.
The island is home to a dazzling array of spa hotels, each with their own unique selling points. From serene mountain hideaways to family-focused resorts, there really is something for everyone. After an easy flight with RyanAir from Stansted airport, I arrived to a balmy Thursday evening of sunshine. While Las Palmas in the north of the island may have been somewhat overcast, there was little sign of it as we headed south to the sun, and the five star Sheraton Salobre Golf & Spa resort. Nestled amongst the mountains, the hotel encompasses 11 stories of balconied rooms (including 17 lavish suites and a Presidential Suite, complete with rooftop hot tub, previously enjoyed by J.Lo…) with breathtaking views out across two golf courses, towards the azure sea and beyond. The hotel was carefully designed to integrate with the natural environment; the terracotta-hued walls, using local stone from Gran Canaria, blend seamlessly into the mountain face behind them. East-facing balconies make the most of stunning sunrises, while at the end of the day everyone heads to the top floor and the aptly-named Sunset Pool and bar to watch the sun go down, Tenerife in the distance, from one of the curtained Balinese beds that surround the infinity pool. Three hours in and I was already in heaven.
As well as seven pools for use by all guests (including one extremely secretive one hardly anyone could find...), the Sheraton houses the beautiful Aloe Spa. The 1658m₂ space is devoted to fitness, relaxation and beauty, with a heated outdoor vitality pool with hydromassage, indoor whirlpool, two saunas, steam room, ice shower, nine treatment rooms and a plump menu of indulgent therapies. A two hour session in the spa comes at a small fee, but it’s worth it for the views from the infinity pool alone, as well as the peaceful serenity that comes from knowing children aren’t allowed in. Ever..
The food at the Sheraton Salobre is, quite simply, beyond exquisite, with six bar and restaurant options to choose from Camaleón, the a la Carte option, offers mouth-watering Mediterranean cuisine and a sumptuous wine list. The menu changes daily, but my choices were the delicious signature open cannelloni in melted grapefruit butter with king prawns and a curry-berry sauce, grilled sea bass with green risotto and creamy vichyssoise, and a raspberry tartlet with limoncello that was to die for. The less formal Gofio serves one of the best buffet breakfasts I have ever seen (think everything – EVERYTHING – I spotted, crepes, churros, chocolate covered doughnuts and caviar in various locations…) as well as a fantastic international buffet in the evenings. Highlights for me were the salads like melon with mint and Serrano ham and chicken with pumpkin and zucchini, as well as the truly mind-boggling array of individual desserts. Needless to say, you will undoubtedly put on a couple of pounds when such treats are placed in front of you…
Day two saw us depart to the coast and the Gloria Palace Amadores Thalasso & Hotel for the second spa visit of the trip. An overwhelming hotel, the main lobby of the Gloria Palace is centred around huge five-storey windows with a view to the horizon directly out on to the sea. Designed to resemble a cruise ship, it is so close to the shore (merely a single carriageway’s distance away) that from the reception desk it feels as if you are in the middle of the ocean. Considered one of the most modern centres in Europe, the 2,500m₂ spa, has absolutely spectacular views out to sea. Thalassotherapy is based on diverse treatments with seawater, heated to between 33 and 37 degrees, which allows the skin to absorb elements found in abundance in the water such as iodine, sulphur, calcium and magnesium. These elements make up for the lack of salt and minerals caused by stress and fatigue in the human body, helping to bring about a speedy recovery of the nervous system. Apart from being one of the most ancient treatments in the worls and benefiting the general wellbeing and skincare, thalassotherapy relieves a variety of ailments such as rheumatism, arthritis, diverse bone and muscle problems and repiratory illnesses. The Get In Shape pool uses multiple hydromassage stations with heated seawater at different temperatures to relax and revive; after an hour’s circuit of the pool and a snooze on the sun-drenched terrace overlooking the sea, I felt like a new woman. The pool session was swiftly followed by a 25 minute Fangotherapy treatment (the application of warm mud to the whole body followed by thermal body wrapping. NB – stains white bikinis…go naked…) and a 25 minute massage. Blissful, and only €58 (you’re not in London any more…). The Thalasso Gloria Palace Amadores also has a sister hotel on the island, the Thalasso Gloria Palace San Augstin, which is the largest thalassotherapy spa in Europe with over 7,000m₂ dedicated to relaxation and wellbeing. Tempted yet…?
Waking up bright and early on Saturday morning, we made the fatal mistake of hitting the buffet breakfast hard before our morning’s activities; not a good idea when scuba diving! The Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa, situated at the south west tip of the island, is home to the Extra Divers Gran Canaria centre (www.extradivers-kanaren.com), the first diving base on the island. Managed by George Wolf and his team, the centre offers everything from beginners courses for chidren to excursions for licesnsed divers and international diving certificates, so as a complete rookie I knew I was in safe hands. The day began with a session in the hotel pool, learning the correct breathing techniques and hand signals for when underwater, all of which is obviously of the utmost importance when you hit the sea! Not being much of a sportswoman I had never dived before and had no idea how heavy the kit was! Once loaded up with wetsuit, mask, boots, flippers, weighted vest and the all-important oxygen tank, I couldn’t believe I would even be able to walk. Our instructor for the morning was the wonderful Lena who came with an impressive 10 years of experience at the tender age of 24 and could dive to an incredible forty metres. Though we did get a few funny looks waddling to the pool in our full kit at 9am, I felt like a mermaid as soon as I got and started swimming along the bottom! After a practice session in the pool to ensure we knew our stuff, the kit was loaded up for a short drive down to the coast for the real thing. Even at the harbour I was stunned at how clear the water was and knew we were in for a treat. After loading up the boat, we headed a few minutes out into the harbour and to our dive site; as beginners it would be a maximum of 3-5m, enough to see the abundance of Canarian sea life without getting to deep. We kitted up, we jumped in, and we dived. What an incredible experience. Although some ear issues prevented me from going too deep, it was an amazing sight to see. If you haven’t tried diving before I would recommend it hugely, it’s something I would definitely try again, and with a beginners morning as we had just €75 it’s a holiday treat worth investing in.
Following a lunch of Canarian tapas in the hotel’s pool café, it was away to the spa for an afternoon of indulgence! The hotel itself is built to resemble a Canarian village, with rooms and suites located down lanes and around courtyards. Built on the site of an old garden centre, the resort is completely engulfed with an abundance of stunning plants; dozens of types of palm trees, plentiful bougainvillea, stunning hibiscuses and an avenue of fruit trees from limes to mangoes provides a stunningly calm setting. In amongst the beauty nestles the Spa Inagua, featuring the latest technical advances and offering exclusive beauty and health treatments including incredibly indulgent packages. After one of the best massages I’ve ever had, we headed through to the pool and the outdoor Jacuzzi, flotation pool and hydrotherapy beds, before sunning ourselves on one of the Balinese beds before heading home for the evening.
Back at the Sheraton Salobre, after our standard buffet, we headed to the 230° terrace bar (so named due to it’s height above sea level) to enjoy a cocktail in the sunken outdoor seating area, whilst we listened to live music from a local guitarist and singer. Absolute heaven.
Sunday dawned and with it our time for a bit of culture. We indulged in a guided tour around the south of the island, visiting stunning viewpoints up in the mountains as well as the famous sand dunes of Maspalomas, followed by a stroll along the promenade on the sea front to the Maspalomas lighthouse. After a light lunch we headed to our final spa visit of the trip. You know the saying about leaving the best til last? Never before has it rung so true as this…
The Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort, Corallium Spa & Casino feels like you’re stepping into a movie. The cobbled main courtyard complete with huge central fountain is reminiscent of colonial architecture, there’s something about it that reminded me of Raffles in Singapore. Upon entering the hotel you can’t help but be struck by the view, straight out of reception’s main doors is the most incredible pool I’ve ever seen, flanked by fountains, stretching down with a view of the ocean behind it. The Corallium Spa is one of Spain’s most innovative and complete health and beauty centres. Inspired by the volcanic conditions of the island, the 3.500 m₂ spa offers a route around a hydrothermal circuit designed especially to stimulate toxin elimination of body and emotions, helping to reach relaxation and harmony as well as invigoration of the cardio vascular and immunological systems. The centre uses the latest hydrotherapy applications, chromo-therapy, musical therapy and aromatherapy, with the spectacular design taking the visitor on a journey from Egypt to the Arabian World and from the Tropic to the North Pole.
The spa circuit takes you to no fewer than a mond-blowing 15 different rooms, beginning with a relaxing waterbed followed by (amongst others…) a Himalayan salt grotto, steam room, tropical ‘Cosy Wall’ waterfall for back massage, iced foot baths, Turkish Hammam, ‘Lava Dome’ relaxation room, flotation pool, the biggest sauna I have EVER seen and an ice chamber to finish the journey. The experience continues outside to swimming, relaxation and plunge pools, Jacuzzi, hydrotherapy beds and sun loungers; undoubtedly the most epic and beautiful spa experience I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. If you only visit one spa location in Gran Canaria, this one should be it. Incredibly, a whole day’s spa experience in this wonderland is a mere €52 for non-guests of the hotel. It’s beyond worth it. Additionally the centre offers treatments ranging from facials and waxing to reiki, shiatsu and Thai massage, as well a mind-boggling menu of 18 different massages!
Our final day in Gran Canaria dawned with a dull sadness that we would soon bea leaving, but massive excitement at the morning’s activities before we did, for on the agenda were two things I have always wanted to try; jet skiing and parasailing! The port of Mogán is home to Canary Watersports (www.canarywatersports.com) and after getting harnessed up we were speed-boated out to a pontoon in the middle of the sea, with a view back of the coast and the Gloria Palace hotel, nestled into the cliff face, we had visited a few days earlier. Parasailing is a simple concept; lifejacket on, a harness is placed around the waist and under the thighs. You then sit on the back of the boat, back to the sea, before being clipped on to an enormous parachute. Wait to pick up the wind, let the rope go and hey presto, up we go. To say it was fun was an understatement; I always thought it would be fast when in the sky, but we floated serenely along for a good ten minutes, taking in the amazing views (I managed not to drop my camera into the sea – bonus) before being winched back in. I loved every second of it and am going to try and persuade my friends to go again on next month’s trip to Ibiza. Next up though was my number one – the jet ski! As my companion was a pro, having grown up jet skiing on her parents’ lake, I was designated driver for the afternoon and took to it with aplomb, hitting the waves head on and bouncing through through the ocean, pretending I was Mariah Carey in the Honey video (albeit a slightly less glamorous version). Quite possibly the best fun I’ve ever had and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It may not be cheap (€60 for a 25 minute session for two. Parasailing €70 for a tandem) but what price fun eh?
I admit it, I used to think Gran Canaria was perhaps not the location for me, having heard horror stories of ‘Brits on tour’ style nightlife, but if that happens then God only knows where. I discovered a paradise of peaceful relaxation, some of the best spas in Europe at a fraction of the cost you would pay in London, incredible food, amazing hospitality, and with the promise of sunshine every month of the year, what’s not to love? If you’re debating a location for your next getaway, look no further.
For full information about all of the hotels and spas featured or to book, visit the Gran Canaria Wellness website at (www.grancanariawellness.com). EasyJet, RyanAir and Thomson all fly daily to Las Palmas from London airports.
Love Laurel x
