SBH Costa Calma Palace

Guests arriving at the SBH Costa Calma Palace are met with a formidable facade of bold, clean lines reminiscent of a North African citadel, albeit very much from the 21st century. Even this grandeur, however, doesn't hint at the vastness of the space just on the other side. Quite likely the largest lobby on the island, if not the Canaries, an enormous atrium stretches in all directions, crisscrossed with numerous wrought-iron balconies and with wraparound floor-to-ceiling glass offering panoramic sea views. Moroccan-style fountains and courtyard also add to the Arabian vibe. To the rear, immaculate grounds with palm-lined, manicured lawns stretch the length of the property, and just beyond sits an impressive swathe of golden sand. While not an adult-only property, it's certainly childless couples who make up the great majority of the clientele, contributing to the more chilled-out and grown-up ambience.

The hotel has a particularly prime location on the seafront, right in the middle of the popular resort town of Costa Calma, on the southwest coast of Fuerteventura. While there's not much in the way of a town center, there are a couple of shops and restaurants within walking distance. The property has direct access to Sotavento beach, a lovely, long stretch of sand. The Oasis Park Fuerteventura and surf beach Playa de la Pared are both around 10 minutes by car, while the rugged beauty of the Jandía Natural Park is a 25- to 30-minute drive. Fuerteventura Airport is about an hour away.

The hotel's 417 rooms all have sliding doors that open to balconies or terraces with loungers and sea views -- or at least partial sea views. Decor is certainly on the traditional side, with chunky dark wood furnishings, wingback armchairs, and patterned fabrics; while well-maintained the vibe might be a bit conservative for some. Amenities are straightforward, and include mini-fridges, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi (for a fee). Bathrooms mix tiling with marble, and include the standard wall-mounted hairdryers, shower/tub combos, and sachet toiletries; suites add twin basins and walk-in showers.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (in two sittings) are served buffet-style in the restaurant, which despite being the only real eatery, is large enough even at peak times. Guest reports also suggest that the food quality is generally good, with plenty of variety and live cooking stations. There's also an alfresco terrace, plus several bars in various locations around the property. Entertainment is provided every evening, which while better than that at most competing resorts, can get repetitive.

The hotel features two main pools, surrounded by plenty of sun loungers and with a large snack bar in between. A spa also has a heated indoor pool, and offers a whirlpool tub, sauna, and massage treatments. Guests have direct access to a wide sandy beach and water sports facilities. There are four tennis courts and a mini-golf course, but little in the way of child-friendly facilities.