The best hotels in Gran Canaria

This sprawling hotel is well located for hiking, mountain biking, diving and other water sports. It’s located on the north-west coast of the island, and is a very short walk from the beach. There’s a pool, plus a spa with mud and water therapy, biothermal showers and a Turkish bath. There’s also a gym if you fancy a workout – but hey, no pressure. You’re on holiday, after all!

This hotel is located in Arucas, in the north of the island. Each room is air-conditioned, has free WiFi, as well as a desk, should you need to do a little work while you’re away. The view from the terrace may not overlook the ocean, but the church of San Juan Bautista makes for a pretty spectacular sight. Plus, if the blazing sunshine isn’t enough, there’s also an onsite solarium.

Now here’s a place with an interesting location – it’s on the edge of the Bandama volcanic crater, whose peak rises over 500 metres above sea level (and is, luckily, long dormant). All this can be comfortably enjoyed from the hotel’s terrace, which is beside a solar-heated pool that features a waterfall and hydromassage jets. You’re also not far from a couple of equestrian centres, should you want to try out a bit of horse-riding.

This complex of suites is to be found in the resort of Playa del Inglés at the southernmost tip of Gran Canaria. But there’s also two outdoor pools should you want to keep the sand out of your shoes, as well as a Finnish sauna and spa centre. You’ve got the best of both worlds here: you’re just a three-minute trot from the beach, but also have all the town’s restaurants, bars and shops on your doorstep.

A hotel that’s all but on Meloneras beach on south coast of the island. This is a distinctly upmarket establishment, lavishly decorated in a style inspired by Antoni Gaudí, along with a restaurant named after the Catalan architect that does à la carte dining. Each room here has a balcony and a satellite TV, and there’s also a tennis court and a kids' club for little holidaymakers. Playa del Inglés is a ten-minute drive away.

The Gran Canaria outpost of the Radisson empire boasts a wide array of amenities – you’ll find two pools, a spa with hot tub, sauna and Turkish bath, a gym, tennis courts, a rooftop restaurant and poolside bar. Truth be told, you’ll be tempted not to set foot outside the place. Rooms are all spacious and air-conditioned; the La Canaria restaurant serves buffet meals four times a week and a set menu three times a week.

This hotel is located in a blissful little harbour on the south-eastern corner of Gran Canaria – guests here can enjoy views of bobbing yachts and quayside shops and restaurants. Not only does the Puerto de Mogán have a spa and pool, but it also has direct access to the sea. All rooms are air-conditioned, with a minibar and satellite television; the onsite restaurant serves international dishes.

Look, we’ve got nothing against kids, but sometimes it’s nice to get away from them for a while. No screaming. No wailing. No getting splashed as you sunbathe by the pool. Bandama is perfect for getting away from all that: an adults-only hotel located inland in Santa Brígida. While the amenities are fairly basic (featuring an on-site bar, tennis courts and bicycle hire), the views certainly aren’t. Be sure to make the most of Bandama’s sweeping vistas of Gran Canaria’s lush, hilly terrain.

Sitting pretty at the bottommost tip of Gran Canaria lies the Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia in Gran Lujo, a luxury complex of swanky apartments and lush, well-tended gardens. The properties here boast elegant villas with private terraces and balconies, all on top of a large outdoor heated pool, a spa centre and a poolside bar. Plus, all guests get complimentary access to a bunch of other facilities – including the tennis courts of the nearby Hotel Seaside Palm Beach. Not bad, eh?

Another hotel to be found inland, this gorgeous 19-century building is nestled among the rolling countryside surrounding Tejeda. The place has a rustic, rough-spun feel – you’ll definitely enjoy some peace and quiet here. Rooms are air-conditioned and have cable TV and a private bathroom. There’s also a games room, and lots of opportunites for hiking and horse-riding in the local area.