Cordial Biarritz Bungalows

There are a ton of mid-range apart-hotels in Playa del Ingles, but Cordial Biarritz Bungalows was the only one we visited where we saw wild parakeets fluttering in the trees. It’s a telling detail, and speaks to the amount of work the hotel puts into maintaining the grounds – which are lush and picturesque, not to mention extensive. All 76 apartments are housed in attractive, one-story bungalows, with arched roofs adding a homey touch. Bungalows are arranged around a central pool area, and the pool wends its way through the grounds like an avenue of sorts, with bungalows on either side. Arched bridges are placed neatly in various spots along the way, completing the feeling of being in a cozy village. During our visit, the hotel was quiet, with most guests sunbathing lazily by the pool or on their apartment terraces. Although there are kid-friendly facilities on-site, the hotel caters mainly to mature couples who are repeat guests, many of them from Great Britain and Germany. 

This apart-hotel is on a busy back street in Playa del Ingles, and is surrounded by holiday apartment complexes as far as the eye can see. The beach is just under a 15-minute walk away. Restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping options can be found in the Yumbo Shopping Centre a couple blocks away (a six-minute walk). There’s also a HiperDino supermarket across from Yumbo, which sells many English products including Marmite, along with German and Scandinavian goods. CC Kasbah, frequented for its nightlife and shops, is a longer 14-minute walk away. The sand dunes of neighboring Maspalomas are a protected nature reserve and can be accessed via the public promenade running through Hotel Riu Palace -- a 15-minute walk or three-minute drive away. Gran Canaria has just one airport, which is a 25-minute drive.

Most of the 76 bungalow apartments have one bedroom, and only 19 include two bedrooms. All are clean and spacious, but the decor and furniture can be worn and slightly dated. Yellow walls and neutral shades are paired with striped curtains and floral-patterned cushions. While it’s not the most stylish look, the cheerful tones and pretty arched ceilings make the apartments feel homey and pleasant. Bathrooms also have a yellow-and-neutrals pairing, with dated marble sinks. All apartments feature large sunbathing terraces, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. The latter can be spotty (though we experienced slow connections everywhere on the island). AC is a standard in some apartments, though these are more expensive, and AC units can be rented for an additional fee in apartments without them. Roomy separate kitchens include microwaves, electric kettles, and coffee machines, but no toasters. Terraces have patio areas as well as grassy areas, with leafy hedges providing partial privacy. Keep in mind that while this part of town is generally calmer than the areas near the biggest nightclubs, there will still be noise from traffic in streetside apartments.

The favorite feature of guests here is the delightful L-shaped pool -- and it was one of the largest of all hotels we visited on the island. It’s surrounded by ample sun loungers on a palm-dotted grassy lawn, and wraps all around the property, leaving plenty of space for guests to spread out and find a quiet spot for themselves. The beautiful landscaped grounds are also quite extensive -- especially for a small mid-range property on Gran Canaria -- and include a landscaped mini-golf green, three tennis courts, and a kids’ playground set in sand (mini-golf and tennis cost extra). The small, but modern, gym has a handful of cardio and weight-lifting machines that are free to use -- but training with the free weights is charged an hourly fee and includes instruction from a professional. The restaurant serves buffet meals, including a buffet breakfast with good hot and cold options, which can be taken alfresco on the shaded outdoor terrace. Its associated bar is housed in the same area and is close enough to the pool for convenient drinks. There’s no on-site supermarket, as with most other apart-hotels on the island, but there’s a decent supermarket within a short walk. There are no hotel-organized activities and no animation team. The hotel has an in-house tour operator for booking excursions, and the Wi-Fi and on-site parking are free.