Arrecife Gran Hotel

In recent years, Lanzarote's capital Arrecife has undergone something of a transformation, with the newly landscaped oceanfront park, promenade and beachside making the city much more attractive and welcoming to visitors. A cornerstone of this regeneration project has been the re-birth of the Gran Hotel. As the only real high-rise on Lanzarote (built before the island's strict planning laws were passed), the Arrecife Gran has always been a controversial building, and for many years it stood disused and neglected. Nevertheless, it became recognised as one of the island's most distinctive landmarks, and following complete top-to-bottom refurbishment, it finally re-opened in 2004 as one of the island's most stylish hotels.

Catering to a mixture of business travellers and independent holidaymakers, the Arrecife Gran will suit those who appreciate comfortable accommodation, professional service and refined cuisine, but who have no need for the organised entertainment programmes offered in typical resort hotels. Its 17 floors comprise 52 standard rooms and 104 suites, all of which are furnished and decorated in contemporary style, with the neutral cream tones of the soft furnishings complementing the darker shades of the hard-wood flooring.

All rooms and suites have very well appointed marble bathrooms, as well as the usual 5- star facilities including minibars, satellite TV, air-conditioning and telephones. Suites consist of a bedroom and sitting room separated by sliding doors.

Breakfast is served in the main buffet restaurant on the first floor, whilst for dinner, the top floor Altamar Restaurant beckons with its excellent à la carte menu and sensational views. The same panorama can be enjoyed from the adjacent "Stars City" bar, the perfect spot for a nightcap. Other facilities in the hotel include a heated freshwater swimming pool on the second floor covered by a glass roof, an adjacent sun deck, a small gym and a spa centre with sauna, steam room and hydro massage treatments (a local charge applies for the spa centre).

With the sandy town beach, Playa del Reducto, right next door and the main shopping streets just a short stroll away, the Arrecife Gran is ideal for a combined city-and-beach break, and other parts of the island can be explored reasonably easily by public bus. Those planning to hire a car for part of their stay can take advantage of preferential guest rates in the underground car park.