Finding luxury in Gran Canaria on the perfect winter sun escape
If you’re in search of a little winter sun but don’t fancy a long-haul flight, Gran Canaria is the perfect destination – the Spanish island, located off the coast of north-west Africa, sees temperatures in the high twenties all through the Northern Hemisphere’s winter. In fact, the Canary Island is warm and sunny all year long, with little rain and temperatures consistently balmy. And there’s no jet-lag to deal with either.
In the north-east of the island, the capital of Las Palmas has colourful colonial buildings, the majestic Cathedral of Santa Ana (construction of which began in 1500 – it displays a mix of Renaissance, Baroque and Moorish architecture), and charming boutique hotels with rooftop pools. It’s a major port for passing-by cruise ships.
The island’s natural rugged beauty is also a key part of its charm. One of the main attractions of Gran Canaria are the dunes of Maspalomas, which have been shaped by the Atlantic Ocean and the winds. They span five square kilometres, with trails on which to explore them (best enjoyed once the temperature has dipped). Another natural highlight on the island is the coastal Agaete Valley, located within the equally scenic Tamadaba park – the landscape includes a pine-tree reserve, coffee plantations and tropical fruit orchards.
Gran Canaria is one of the finest places to play golf in Europe – there are eight courses to tee off at on the island. And spa and wellbeing breaks are another reason to visit Gran Canaria – the year-round sunshine is just the start of your wellness journey.
Where to stay
A little inland from the busy beaches of the south (but within easy reach of them for when the dunes are calling), Salobre Hotel Resort & Serenity lives up to its name.
There are many restaurants to choose from within the confines of Salobre, including Sens, which is the lively hub of the resort – dinners here are a dream come true for street-food fans, since there are live-cooking stations preparing dishes from every corner of the globe, with overriding themes every evening, too. The restaurant at the very top of the resort is the perfect place to head for sundown – it’s aptly named Sunset and has 360-degree views of the mountain and ocean.
The S Club is a laid-back lounge, where you can enjoy a glass of wine from the cellar or a cocktail, often with a soundtrack of live music. You’ll also be able to enjoy lazy poolside lunches of pizzas and poke bowls as you admire the palm trees and rugged mountains that surround the resort. The most formal offering at Salobre is Sidecar, where you can feast on Asian fusion dishes such as sea-bream ceviche with tiger’s milk, scallop aquachile and red-tuna tartare with wasabi cauliflower purée.
Salobre has several swimming pools at various levels of the grounds, including one right at the top, which has a view of the sea in the distance. There are also lots of Balinese-style cabanas should you fancy a day of relaxing poolside with a good book. In case this doesn’t sound relaxing enough, simply head to the Be Agua Spa, where you can enjoy a Canarian massage, the spa’s signature treatment, which uses deep pressure and banana oil.
The treatment menu also spans hot-stone massages, aloe after-sun rituals and Lomi Lomi massages, which use coconut oil and feature Hawaiian music. Other facilities at the spa include a Finnish sauna heated to 80 degrees, an oxygen-therapy cabin, tonic showers and an ice fountain. For a special experience, guests can book in at the spa at night, with a couple’s treatment followed by dinner and private use of the pool between 7pm and 10pm.
Salobre is also one of the finest golfing hotels in Europe, with two courses and an array of buggies lined up outside the main reception ready to send golfers on their way each morning. If golf isn’t your thing, fear not – there’s plenty else to keep guests active, including a weekly schedule of wellness classes that include meditation, sun salutations and yoga. The resort has hiking and running routes, too, along with a grass field for playing football. But if that all sounds a little taxing, simply locate a poolside lounger or cabana and… relax.
Discover more about Gran Canaria as a wellness and fitness destination.
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