"Where are you?" asked my literary agent a few weeks ago. Much to his surprise, I told him I was in Gran Canaria, neighbouring island to my favourite, Tenerife. He retorted "but you always go to Tenerife. Has Tenerife run out of five star hotels or is the island just full?". He jests of course (and knows me better than I'm comfortable with). As part of writing a book, in my case of course, on the topic of the Canary Islands, you inevitably bump into literary agents along the way. They're great, most of the time, but like my YouTube channel sponsors, can be demanding - but come good when they get your masterpiece onto the shelves of WHSmith.
My successful, if somewhat ditzy, agent did have a point though. I do have form. I do love Tenerife and across YouTube and here on the blog posts, along with my upcoming best seller, my travel journalism does revolve around Tenerife. This had to change!
The truth is that I could spend a lifetime reviewing five star resorts in Tenerife and still not have time to see them all. There are, after all, more five star hotels per square mile in Tenerife than anywhere else on Earth. True fact.
So here I am, in Gran Canaria, at the Lopesan Villa del Conde, one of several very upmarket resorts in the equally upmarket Meloneras.
Meloneras is in the municipality of San Bartolome de Tirajana and is notable for its lighthouse, shops and some very nice sea front restaurants.
The resort itself has seen explosive growth since I first started visiting the place more than thirty years ago. The five star hotels have sprung up, and with them, a wave of investment which has really turned this once quiet town into the bustling metropolis of wannabe millionaires that it is now. Few of the visitors here actually are that rich, they just like the two weeks a year pretending they are.
In addition to the shops, you also have the Maspalomas sand dunes. Not so hidden amongst the long grass, is one of Europe's largest naturist colonies. So if you like to let your hair down and, well, let it all hang out too, this is definitely your place. It's all very casual by the way. Nobody bats an eyelid and to be honest, if you think you're simply going to see stunning models, brace yourself (and prepare to be disappointed!).
The cliff edge path walk from Villa del Conde to the Maspalomas lighthouse
The lovely pools of the Lopesan
The Lopesan Villa del Conde
Now I've told you a little about the area, I better talk a bit about the hotel.
The Lopesan Hoteles Group is based in Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria and it has a proud history of growing up in the Canary Islands. It competes directly with other Spanish hotel operators Iberostar and Melia, but has much more association with the Canaries historically.
The quality across all Lopesan hotels is excellent and the Villa del Conde is no exception. With 561 bedrooms ranging from the entry level room that I had, through to luxurious suites, the hotel caters for all tastes but even at its most basic, this is every bit a five star resort.
Built in 2004, to traditional Canarian style, the centrepiece of the five star hotel is its impressive lobby, a replica of one of Gran Canaria’s most ancient churches complete with bell tower and central dome
The hotel boasts several large swimming pools, that are immaculately maintained, as well as full spa facilities. Can't be bothered walking to the beach? No problem, they've even brought the beach to you in the form of a small poolside beach experience, complete with deck chairs!
The impressive lobby (left) and pseudo beach (right)
Accommodation
With 561 bedrooms across a range of entry level through to suites, the Villa del Conde caters for all tastes, and with fair pricing too.
My entry level 'deluxe' room, shown here, cost just €135 a night, inc. taxes, in July.
The room itself was perfectly clean, roomy and they even gave me a welcome bottle of Canarian wine!
The room featured a large television, both bath and shower, as well as a nice, large balcony from where I sat and wrote this blog!
My entry level 'deluxe' room
Food and Drink
The Villa del Conde presents no fewer than nine (yes nine), bars and restaurants.
Everything from Italian to Spanish tastes are catered for and the one restaurant that stood out for me was the 'Ovo' restaurant. This is the one to head for, to experience local Canarian cuisine. The pork medallions were excellent, as was the barraquito to finish!
The Alpendre Italian restaurant is also excellent but in a less formal setting, so you can enjoy a nice pizza or pasta dish and honestly, well within budget.
Do bear in mind that queues for breakfast can be very long at around 0830. Personally I'm an early riser when in the Canary Islands (why would I waste any of that Canarian sunshine!), but if you do prefer breakfast later, just be prepared to queue for a table.
As with Iberostar and Melia, five star isn't enough for these hotels when they've got people willing to part with even more money.
Lopesan calls their 5-star+ experience 'Unique' and with it some valuable additional benefits such as:
- Suite-level rooms
- Separate breakfast areas
- Separate bathing areas
- Separate check-in
- VIP executive lounge
- Daily happy hour (complimentary canapes and alcoholic drinks)
The cost of Unique varies obviously on your room choice but goes up to the Royal Suite which starts at €1500 a night.
Having tried Melia's own 5-star+ brand, 'Red Level', it can be worth it, but it's not necessary - remember these are premium resorts to begin with.
Conclusion
The Lopesan Villa del Conde is, without doubt, an excellent place to spend a few days. There are staff tending to the grounds everywhere, and nothing is too much trouble.
Service in the bars can, at times, be slow. But this is common across Spanish hotels - it's a cultural thing and at first can be frustrating, but you eventually just accept that Spain's people have a more relaxed approach to life than Northern Europeans.
The rooms themselves are spacious and I had a great nights sleep in the entry level 'deluxe' room allocated to me.
I was also particularly impressed with the overall layout of the hotel. It sprawls outwards instead of upwards and as someone who isn't a fan of tall hotels, it just felt like a nice place to be.
Highly recommended.
Directions
From the airport, it's a fairly quick 30 minute drive in a hire car to the hotel. For the most part you'll be on the island's main autoroute, the GC-1. Leave at junction 50 and head towards Meloneras passing the Meloneras golf course on your right, past the hospital and just a short drive down the road you'll find the hotel on your right.
The hotel does have on site parking but I just used the plentiful (free) street parking.
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