Gran Canaria is the third-largest Canary Island and offers visitors diverse and breathtaking landscapes. Sandy stretches of beach can be found all along the rugged coastlines, with inland areas of the island covered in forests and dramatic mountain ranges at its heart. It's a beautiful holiday destination and people flock to Gran Canaria all year round for a pleasantly warm climate and friendly atmosphere. Coastal resorts make the most of the scenery with their positioning.
Contemporary and stylish, Tabaiba Princess Hotel has plenty to offer all the family. There's a huge outdoor pool that's split into four sections and another large pool. Five bars between them and two kids' pools ensure everyone is kept happy. There are 873 rooms, a buffet restaurant open all day that offers a themed meal every other week and an a la carte restaurant for lunches. There are also many bars, including the bar-beach pit.
At Riu Papayas you have so much on your doorstep, with bars and cafés being moments away and the centre of Playa del Ingles just a five-minute walk. The beach is a little further away, but the journey on foot will still only take around 15 minutes. This modern hotel has 468 rooms, outdoor pool, kids' pool, buffet restaurant and two themed restaurants. Gran Canaria Airport is just under 25 minutes away.
Just a five-minute walk from Playa Des Ingles town centre and slightly further to the beach, Suneo Servatur Waikiki has an exotic, unique appearance. The 497 rooms are arranged across five circular towers that create a horseshoe-shaped hotel with a swimming pool at its heart. There's also a pool for kids, and for adults, the Mai Tai Lounge with its Balinese beds and whirlpool bath. A range of international dishes is served at the two buffet restaurants.
Enjoying a hilltop setting above the resort of San Agustín on the south coast, Ifa Interclub Atlantic offers fantastic views of the sea and the Maspalomas sand dunes in the distance. It's a family-friendly hotel set within beautiful gardens and has 420 rooms, an international buffet restaurant, two pools and a kids' pool with mini slide and waterfall. One of the main pools features waterslides and there are three whirlpool baths around the area to enjoy.
Sitting on the south-west coast, Paradise Taurito Valle tastefully nestles on a hillside next to the sea. As such, the sands and shingle of Taurito Beach are just moments away. Guests of the 190 rooms have use of Lago Taurito waterpark and all its action-packed slides. The hotel also has its own main pool and one for the kids. A buffet restaurant offers a range of dishes, as well as regular Mexican, Italian and Canarian-themed evenings.
Lopesan Baobab is an African-themed hotel between Meloneras and Maspalomas and sits just behind the former's promenade, with the nearest beach a 10-minute walk away. The hotel and its 677 rooms have been designed to look like a safari lodge. There are two kids' pools and a total of seven main pools, with two featuring artificial beaches. Four restaurants can be found at the hotel, including two that are buffet-style and one African-themed.
Set into a rugged hillside and within a peaceful bay, Taurito Princess is mere steps away from a sand-and-shingle beach. All 405 rooms enjoy stunning views of the sea, while guests can enjoy the buffet restaurant that has regular themed nights with dishes from specific countries, including Chinese, Italian and Canarian. There's plenty of evening entertainment on offer, as well as two outdoor pools and an extra one for the kids.
Abora Catarina by Lopean had a total refurbishment in 2017 – all of its 402 rooms and common areas are bright, clean and stylish. The dunes at Maspalomas are only a few minutes away and lead you straight to the beach. Playa del Ingles, with its shops and restaurants, is a 15-minute walk. As well as a buffet restaurant, there's a food court with plenty of options. Five pools and a poolside bar are also available.
Located on the hillside that overlooks Puerto Rico, Rocamar Apartments enjoy a picturesque setting overlooking the valley down to the ocean. The beach is just a 10-minute walk away – and the town centre is even closer. With just 54 rooms, Rocamar feels like an exclusive and boutique holiday base. The swimming pool comes with a bar/café and stunning sea views. There's a snack bar available, although all apartments also have kitchenettes.
With a palatial style throughout its 448 rooms, Maspalomas Princess is a luxurious hotel that boasts an artificial stretch of beach, four impressive pools and two for kids. There's also a huge buffet restaurant with show-cooking stations and regular themed nights. The poolside restaurant offers a la carte dining and several bars host a variety of evening entertainments. You can reach the beach in around 25 minutes on foot and Gran Canaria Airport in the same time by car.