Bungalows Vista Oasis Apartments

Bungalows Vista Oasis opened as a purpose-built apartment complex back in 1988, and despite its age, the hotel’s grounds are clean and well maintained. Neat desert landscaping lines the bungalow walkways, and large cacti -- almost as old as the property itself -- tower against a backdrop of pristine white buildings. However, other public spaces -- such as the reception area -- felt a bit tired on our visit, and we couldn’t help but notice the smell of cooking grease in the restaurant. It’s what one might expect for a budget property, but this hotel exceeds expectations in other aspects: its more modern apartments are spotless and cheery -- a welcome surprise among the hotel's more dated competitors (though some rooms are still quite dated here as well). All things considered, this hotel stands out as one of the most pleasant apart-hotels that we visited on Gran Canaria, and the fun Latin dance music playing from the restaurant was a bonus, adding a cool island vibe to the mix. Despite -- or because of -- its somewhat remote location, the hotel was busier than other similar properties during our visit, with young couples, groups of friends, and young families lounging by the pool, playing in the recreation areas, or asking questions at reception. We saw mostly younger British guests here, who are the majority of guests, although the hotel is also frequented by Germans.

This apart-hotel is tucked away on a quiet Maspalomas hilltop, in a residential area that’s a bit far from Playa del Ingles’ main action. This allows for tranquility away from any late night music or noise, but a car or taxi is required to reach the major attractions. A Spar supermarket can be found three minutes up the road, but any restaurants, bars, or other entertainment are best found in Yumbo Shopping Centre, an eight-minute drive away. CC Kasbah, frequented for its nightlife and shops, is a 10-minute drive away. The hotel runs a free shuttle bus that takes guests to Maspalomas' beach, about a 12-minute drive away. The Maspalomas sand dunes are a protected nature reserve and can be accessed via the beach. Gran Canaria has just one airport, which is a 25-minute drive from the property.

Bungalows Vista Oasis’ 130 bungalow apartments -- all of them with one bedroom -- were the highlight of the hotel. At the time of our visit in April 2017, roughly half had already been renovated, with the other half scheduled to be completed by autumn 2018. All apartments are spotlessly clean and come with kitchenettes, sofabeds, flat-screen TVs, and large balconies. Refurbished apartments are decidedly modern, with a cheerful lime green color scheme and modern gray-tiled bathrooms with showers. All in all, they are a welcome change when compared to the dated decor we saw in similar budget properties. The older apartments also have a lime green theme, plus white stucco walls and cool white floor tiles, though details like the patterned bedspreads are less appealing. Even so, they still felt more upbeat when compared to the drearier competitors in the area. None of the apartments have air-conditioning, although freestanding fans are provided. All kitchenettes have tea kettles, toasters, and two burners, but no microwaves or ovens. The spacious balconies are furnished with a table and two chairs, and larger ones also come with two sun loungers. Many have views over Maspalomas’s sand dunes, or the surrounding mountains. Wi-Fi and TV access are only available for a fee. 

Being a basic budget establishment, this hotel has somewhat limited features, but there’s certainly enough to compete with similar properties. The large pool is clean, well maintained, and divided into three separate sections: one for toddlers, one for children, and one for adults. Although there isn’t a separate deck for sunbathing, there are ample sun loungers by the pool, and previous guests don't have trouble finding free ones during their stay. The bar has a poolside terrace and serves strong drinks -- even the ones that are included in the all-inclusive plans. It’s housed in the same space as the buffet restaurant which, although sporting a bit of a cafeteria vibe, provides decent variety throughout the day and includes a breakfast buffet with full English options. The outdoor recreation is area is small, but use of the tennis courts and ping-pong table, air hockey table, and small playground are free. There's a fee for the pool table. Other kid-friendly activities come in the form of evening entertainment, which includes a live reptile show and mini-disco for kids, as well as live music and other professional shows. There’s a range of daytime activities including stretching, water aerobics, and water polo. A mini-market in the lobby is stocked with basics, and the Wi-Fi in reception is free -- although limited to 30-minute usage windows. On-site parking is also free.