Alternative view of Gran Canaria (Gran Canaria)

Member Name: Sandy2

Product:	Gran Canaria
Date:	27/06/02 (602 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lovely weather

Disadvantages: A bit tacky in places

Gran Canaria

We like to try different types of accommodation for our holidays. This year we decided on an apart hotel in Gran Canaria. We chose an apartment from the Riu chain attached to a four star hotel. The apartment was well equipped with basic kitchen needs, lounge, bathroom, bedroom and balcony. We wanted to experience the comforts of a hotel, but with the convenience and independence of self-catering.

We feel this was achieved quite well. We hired a car for the week previously arranged over the Internet, which we picked up at the airport. On arrival at the hotel, we were met with the utmost courtesy and a glass of champagne then guided to the apartment.

Something else new to us was a larger, lively resort. Player del Inglės is unusual, totally unstructured with no obvious centre. There is a selection of Commercial Centres consisting of several levels of shops and restaurants which by day were rather tacky, but at night took on a life of their own.

The coastal path stretched some 8kms which we walked in sections at a time. At one end at Maspolomas was endless sand and an assortment of large luxury hotels. Dunas de Maspolomas certainly is a popular place. I have never seen so many visitors parading up and down the sea?s edge like a band of ants. Not being the fittest of couples, we found the walk up the dunes demanding but well worth the effort.

Midway along the pathway the area became a lot more commercialised. There were a lot more fast food chains. McDonalds get everywhere. We found we had to scout about a bit to find more authentic eating places. The far end of the coastal walk encompassed Playa de San Agustin, again masses of hotels and beaches. I suppose it depends what you want from a holiday, but the idea of lazing in the sun all day on the beach does nothing for us.

We were nicely placed for evening entertainment. The hotel entertainment was good and we were close enough to bars, restaur
ants and music. Daytime at the hotel was quieter, relaxing round the pool, but close enough to join in with adjacent hotel activities. Keep fit, karaoke, bingo was on hand (if you wanted it). We enjoy shows, dancing and music. We joined in just one of the organised trips one evening to Sioux City, where they laid on a barbeque and excellent western theme night. We really will have to learn line dancing.

The rest of the time we spent exploring the island. Up north it was cooler and overcast, but on the whole the weather was lovely. Blue skies and sunshine every day. We enjoyed a lovely day out at Parque Palmitos, when we found it! It is extremely well laid out and well worth a visit.

We did the panoramic views and things. We stopped off at Fataga, a lovely little town of white houses and pink roofs. It was as if time had stood still. There wasn?t a sole to be seen, but we could hear the chatter of lunch time coming from the little houses with a wonderful aroma of local cuisine drifting through the air. We drove round the perimeter of the island. It was not intentional. We had driven to Roque Nublo when the weather suddenly and very cloudy and hazardous, so rather than continue across the mountains, we headed for the coast and drove round the edge.

One day we drove to Puerto Rico and caught the ferry across to Puerto de Morgán to the island?s Friday market. That was nice. The port has been recently developed but has kept an authentic air about it. We went back another day when the market was not on and it felt like a different place.


The flights there and back were on time. This year though there was a restriction with hand luggage to one piece each. I am never very impressed with cabin comfort. Although we had good leg room, at an extra cost, we felt squashed, especially trying to eat. Meals were adequate, but more for passing the time away. We have no problem doing without on shorter journeys and are quite happy with no f
rills service. Futuristic, if all options like sitting together, meals, and legroom, even getting a seat becomes additional extras, heaven help the industry!

We intend to visit Gran Canaria again as we did not get to explore Las Palmas. We shall base ourselves in the south though because the weather is more reliable.

Summary: