Hotel Caserio

Hotel Caserio makes a good first impression. With its immaculate white exterior, the hotel easily stands out as the smartest on the block. Following a complete overhaul in 2016, the hotel now sports an ultra-sleek, sophisticated look inside as well, with a predominantly white color scheme and minimalist decor throughout. The pool area, a favorite spot during our visit, is especially striking. It’s swathed in dazzling hues of ivory and turquoise, with a multi-layered terrace of chic sunbeds neatly placed around a trapezoidal zero-entry pool. The rest of the hotel follows suit, with an edgy, modern look focused around crisp whites and occasional punches of bright color. There’s chill-out music playing poolside and throughout most of the hotel, making it feel like a relaxed, hip hangout for adults. We saw mostly couples during our visit, and while it’s not an adult-only hotel, families may struggle to find child-friendly activities and entertainment. The hotel seems to attract all nationalities, including Germans and British citizens year round, with more Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese guests during summer months.

Although a bit removed from central Playa del Ingles, one of the major perks of staying here is not being within earshot of the town's booming night clubs. The beach promenade is just a three-minute walk from the hotel, leading to several quieter, natural inlets for swimming. The main area of Playa del Ingles, with its shops and restaurants, is about a 10-minute walk down the promenade. The town’s main bus station, right by the Shopping Centre Tropical, is a five-minute walk and has excellent connections across the island. Guests looking for a party vibe can try out the night life at CC Kasbah, an eight-minute walk away -- although some may prefer Yumbo Shopping Centre, which has more gay-friendly bars and clubs (a five-minute drive from the hotel). The sand dunes of neighboring Maspalomas are a protected nature reserve and can be accessed via the public promenade running through Hotel Riu Palace, an eight-minute drive away. Gran Canaria has just one airport, which is a 20-minute drive away.

All 170 rooms have a minimalist design that's executed in shades of white and gray to create a clean overall look. All come with air-conditioning, mini-fridges, large flat-screen TVs (surprisingly rare among the hotels we visited in the area), free Wi-Fi, and balconies overlooking either the pool at the front or mountains at the back of the hotel. Higher level pool-facing rooms also have sea views and get the most sunlight, although sunbathing is better achieved poolside or on the rooftop terrace. Bathrooms are modern, and all have walk-in showers and neutral decor. Rooms facing the back of the hotel are bigger, and many of these include sofa beds to accommodate extra guests. The hotel also has a small handful of accessible rooms, plus Junior Suites that can accommodate four people and are better suited to groups of friends or families with children. Although there were no tea- or coffee-making facilities during our visit in 2017, the hotel plans to add electric kettles to rooms (so check ahead if this is important for you).

Hotel Caserio’s pool was a standout among those we saw on Gran Canaria. Its innovative zero-entry design mimics the sensation of slowly walking into the sea. There’s a standard deep section, and an elevated dipping pool with jet streams at the top edge. Chic sunbeds in various sizes can be found around the pool, with a 10-level terrace stretching out on either side, each with its own sunbed. This was the busiest part of the hotel during our visit, with many guests lounging and enjoying drinks from the modern poolside bar.The rooftop sunbathing terrace is a quieter, less-frequented area, and has various types of sunbeds, a separate nudist section, and gorgeous views over the sea, the Maspalomas dunes, and the surrounding mountains. There’s also a hot tub that’s housed on an elevated platform, almost giving it the feel of an infinity pool. There was no music playing here during our visit, contributing to a slight lack of atmosphere, but the hotel plans to add a rooftop bar by the end of 2017.Other features include a stylish buffet restaurant, with live cooking stations and various ethnic themes throughout the week. All-inclusive rates are available. There’s free live entertainment in the evenings, including professional acrobatic shows and live DJs. The hotel also hosts a packed animation program daily, which includes a variety of recreational activities and games such as pilates, water sports, dance lessons, and bingo (all free). There’s no proper spa, but the hotel has a wellness area that includes a sauna and massage room. There’s free on-site parking -- which is convenient for busy Playa del Ingles -- and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.