LABRANDA Riviera Marina

The Riviera Marina doesn’t make a great first impression. The building is a huge older structure with a peach-colored facade, blue balcony railings, and windows on the ground floor covered with dated blue curtains. The hotel changed hands in mid-2015 and is now a Labranda-chain property, so hopefully the spaces will live up to some of the brand's nicer properties across the island in the near future. Now, though, decor is a mix of old and new, and doesn't always work. The restaurant hasn’t been revamped yet and is probably the least appealing of all common spaces. It is located on the basement level (although some natural light still makes its way into the dining room), and the basic blond wood furniture and peach and faded moss-green walls are in need of an urgent update. The airy lobby isn't much to look at either, with a few pieces of wicker furniture, large brown couches, high ceilings, and a curved front desk with cute mosaic tiles. Large arched windows let in tons of sunlight, and classic wooden tables with steel and marble accents lend the space an elegant feel. Outside, ample tiled decks and manicured lawns offer plenty of space to unwind, and the two pools allow for uncrowded outdoor spaces. The hotel draws couples and families looking to relax by the pool or at the adjacent beach, and the atmosphere is generally quiet. 

The hotel is located directly on a pleasant stretch of Gran Canaria’s famous fine volcanic sand. The Riviera Marina is one of several hotels found along the GC-500 road, which runs parallel to the coast and connects all of the oceanfront communities around the island. There is a supermarket and a couple of restaurants a few blocks away, but Playa del Cura is a small, quiet seaside village with little action. Puerto Rico, a much more lively area that's home to dozens of bars, restaurants, and a couple of nice beaches, is less than 10 minutes away by car. There is also a golf course a five-minute drive away, and public buses stop a short walk from the hotel. It's about a 20-minute drive to Maspalomas and rowdy Playa del Ingles. The airport is a 35-minute drive from the hotel.

The hotel’s 145 rooms are surprisingly stylish for a hotel in this price range (and with such otherwise uninspiring public interiors). Plum and peach accent walls, laminate floors in different brown hues, and dark wooden furniture with clean lines are a nice departure from the frequently dated rooms found at other mid-range hotels on Gran Canaria. Orange and dark brown accents are a tad generic, but minimalist round chairs and boxy benches are fun touches found in most rooms. 

All units are equipped with free (but spotty) Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and air-conditioning, but there is an extra charge for use of safes. Open bathrooms are another sleek touch, with wood paneling, glistening white counters, large gray or brown floor tiles, and full-sized hairdryers. Shower and toilet cabins have half-frosted glass walls, but they’re still pretty see-through and some guests may feel uncomfortable. 

Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, though they still feel a bit dark. They open onto balconies furnished with two chairs and a small table, and some have panoramic ocean views. Junior Suites include basic kitchenettes equipped with a microwave, a mini-fridge, a coffeemaker, and a sink, and Suites feature larger terraces with two loungers and a jetted tub. 

While the hotel sits right on the beach, that may be a bit disappointing in this case. The stretch of the beach that's swimmable is a bit down shore, and the sand in front of the hotel is overtaken by piles of rocks at the shoreline. As an alternative, the Riviera Marina features a huge pool deck complete with two pools, one of which is heated in the winter. Each section features a separate kiddy pool and a small whirlpool, and there's daily entertainment around the pool, including yoga, aqua gym, and water volleyball. A snack bar at the end of one of the pools offers an array of drinks and small bites, as well as outdoor seating under large umbrellas. Main meals are served at the buffet restaurant, which has a wide but repetitive spread that gets mixed reviews. All-inclusive rates are available. The fitness center is drab, with blue linoleum floors, limited sunlight, and old equipment. The hotel also features a basic kids’ club complete with a playground with swings. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but can be spotty.