Top 10: the best beach hotels in the Canary Islands
An expert guide to the top beach hotels and resorts in the Canary Island, including the best for spectacular sunsets, infinity pools, family-friendly services, botanic gardens and spas, in locations including Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama
Tenerife, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
Generally considered to be the best hotel on Tenerife. The Ritz-Carlton Abama is positioned in splendid isolation on a clifftop above banana plantations on the south-west coast. The property resembles a North African citadel with sandstone turrets rising from a luxuriant garden of tropical flora and palm trees, and covers a vast surface area, yet the design creates a sense of intimacy and privacy by incorporating hidden gardens and quiet corners. Facilities include an indulgent spa, a secluded golden beach and a two Michelin-starred restaurant. The elegant, colonial-style rooms have large balconies that are completely private and a romantic spot from which to watch the sun setting behind La Gomera. Read expert review From ￡183 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
Two worlds collide at Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas: the man-made development of Gran Canaria’s biggest resort, Playa del Inglés, and the natural beauty of Maspalomas’ iconic dunes. Built in a colonial style, the Riu Palace appears almost to be a fortress, constructed to protect the Dunas de Maspalomas. There’s a pedestrianised thoroughfare connecting the avenue above with the dunes below. It's neoclassical by design, with a veritable grove of palm trees in the gardens that make it feel even more of an oasis. Expect swimming pools, botanic gardens, a spa and wellness centre. Read expert review From ￡128 per night
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Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort
Playa Blanca, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
Right by Dorada beach in the low-key resort of Playa Blanca in the south of the island, with views across the sea to Isla de Lobos and Fuerteventura. Modern and practical, but well designed in colonial style with plenty of space. There are tennis courts, a large gym with fitness and Pilates classes and a huge spa with a wide range of treatments. Eight restaurants include three buffets serving local, international, Italian and Mexican food. Isla de Lobos, which is popular with non-guests, is one of the best restaurants in Lanzarote and has a lovely terrace overlooking the sea. Read expert review From ￡131 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Bahía Del Duque
Tenerife, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
One of Tenerife's most exclusive hotels, providing elite pampering and superb spa facilities in a mock Canarian village on a beautiful beach-front setting. Bahía Del Duque is designed to resemble a traditional Canarian village, complete with mock church towers, plazas and streets, and brings contemporary opulence to colonial elegance. The capacious lobby, bedrooms, suites and restaurants are clustered around five swimming pools and extensive landscaped gardens. Every room has either a balcony or terrace. Read expert review From ￡256 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Santa Mónica Suites Hotel
Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
Continuing a trend of refurbishing dated establishments to catch up with the changing times in newly respectable Playa del Inglés is the Santa Mónica complex, re-imagined as a four-star superior hotel. The USP is direct access to the beach and close proximity to the area’s distinctive dunes. The décor feels more muted than ostentatious, although the exterior lighting up blue at night is pretty flashy. The Sun & Moon Massage Center houses a Finnish sauna with vistas of the dunes and offers a wide range of treatments. Read expert review From ￡106 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Barceló Teguise Beach
Lanzarote, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
This hotel is in the pleasant resort of Costa Teguise on the north-east coast of Lanzarote. It overlooks the sea and Las Cucharas beach is a few minutes’ walk along the promenade. Some rooms have sea views and others give onto the pool. Staff are knowledgable and helpful. The near Olympic-size main pool is shaded by palm trees and has Balinese sunbeds as well as loungers, while a smaller infinity pool has its own sundeck with sea views. The well-designed thalassotherapy spa has a lovely relaxation pool and offers treatments including wraps and massages using Canarian aloe vera products. Read expert review From ￡77 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Iberostar Grand Hotel El Mirador
Tenerife, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
An intimate and romantic couples-only, deluxe hotel next to a picturesque, sheltered bay and a pale sand beach in the heart of upmarket Costa Adeje. El Mirador is located in the most exclusive part of Tenerife, with direct access to the manicured and pristine Playa Del Duque beach. It offers impressive views across the south-west coast and to the neighbouring island of La Gomera. Palm-filled pots dot terracotta-tiled walkways that meander through landscaped gardens and past ornamental fountains and swimming pools. Read expert review From ￡129 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Hotel Reina Isabel
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
The four-star Hotel Reina Isabel’s setting above Las Canteras, one of Spain’s best urban beaches, remains a real draw. While the main hotel entrance is on a side street close to a bus stop, you can also access the Reina Isabel from the Paseo de las Canteras promenade. A roof garden (with saltwater pool) lends colour to the hotel's functional exterior, while the elegant lobby featuring expressionistic artwork reminiscent of the genre’s master, Paul Klee. The spa features a glass-fronted sauna that looks out to Las Canteras beach. Read expert review From ￡67 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Red Level Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora
Tenerife, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
An opulent, hip hotel located on Tenerife's sunny south-west coast near a sheltered, black sand beach with natural rock pools. Fabulous sunsets behind the neighbouring island of La Gomera are a nightly feature of this location. Upgrade to Red Level and you gain direct access to the beach. Private villas take deluxe to a level of opulence and style fit for royalty or the set of a Bond film. Aromatherapy-scented plazas and gardens incorporate six pools, including one of the largest seawater infinity pools in Europe; seven bars; a disco; a theatre and YHI spa. Read expert review From ￡181 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort
Lanzarote, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
All-inclusive specialist Sandos maintains a vast pleasure complex dedicated to unadulterated fun. The free cava flows from the reception desk to a dozen pools, bars and terraces. A wealth of dining opportunities promise Italian pizza at lunch and Spanish feasts in the early hours. There's a high-tech glass-fronted gym and spa, including a Finnish sauna and Turkish hammam. Rooms are clean and simple with light grey laminate floors. Many of them boast fabulous sunset views over the Atlantic. Read expert review From ￡95 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com