Lanzasur Club

Tucked away on a small street in the outskirts of Playa Blanca, the Lanzasur Club is a bustling, family-friendly resort set on sprawling grounds. The central part of the property houses the lobby, the restaurant, the pools, and the entertainment areas, while the apartments are spread over 17 acres of gardens. While this layout allows for a serene atmosphere, there is plenty on-site to keep guests busy during the day. The entertainment program for adults includes daily pool games, sports, competitions, and mellower activities such as darts and archery. The water park is a huge hit with young (and not so young!) guests, and the kids' club offers children a wide array of fun things to do. Unobtrusive pop music played in the background around the pools during our visit.  

The Lanzasur Club first opened in the 1990s, and although it is not the newest or most stylish property in Playa Blanca, its gardens are lovely, with colorful bougainvillea, palm trees, and tropical shrubs throughout. Long stone paths flanked by black sand patches wind through single-story bungalows with whitewashed facades and small private patios, giving the hotel lots of local charm. Most guests are families with young children in tow, and evenings are quiet around the apartments. Although the hotel was full when we visited, we didn't hear much at night aside from the footsteps of guests going back to their rooms after the show at the lobby bar. We also saw plenty of guests quietly enjoying the warm nights out on their patios with a glass of wine.

The hotel’s excellent water park makes it a favorite among French, German, and Dutch families traveling with children, but those seeking something a little closer to the city center may want to compare rates at H10 Lanzarote Princess, which has contemporary rooms, all-inclusive rates, and a fun entertainment program. Gran Castillo Tagoro Family & Fun is the hotel’s most direct competitor, with a staggering array of kid-friendly features -- including a 5D movie theater, an excellent kids’ club, and huge pools -- as well as spacious rooms with sofa beds, and adult-only areas for those seeking some peace and quiet. Though somewhat quieter, THe Mirador Papagayo Hotel is another great pick for families, with both apartments and hotel rooms, a kids’ club, and several pools. 

The Lanzasur Club is located at the end of a two-way street lined with other hotels. The nearest beach, Playa Flamingo, is just a five-minute walk away and has fine golden sand and rental loungers and umbrellas. Two breakwaters keep the waters calm, making the beach a popular pick among families. There are several restaurants, bars, and shops lining the beach, and a few other dining and drinking options can be found within a 10-minute walk of the hotel. Playa Blanca’s main drag offers and even wider array of shops, restaurants and bars, and is located a pleasant 20-minute walk down the promenade. Marina Rubicon, known for its yachts and varied dining options, is a 10-minute drive away. Timanfaya National Park is about a 15-minute drive from the hotel, and the airport is about a half-hour away by car. Free outdoor parking is available on-site. 

The hotel has 228 one- and two-bedroom apartments, each housed in a small bungalow-style building overlooking the gardens. All units were fully renovated in 2013 and feature simple decor with generic blond wood furniture, beige tiled floors, moss-green accent walls in bedrooms, and thin bedspreads. Although austerely decorated, rooms are clean and spacious; separate living areas are complete with sofa beds and small flat-screen TVs with several international channels, and cute patios are furnished with a table, chairs, and a lounger. Kitchenettes feature microwaves, cooktops, toasters, electric kettles, mini-fridges, and sinks, as well as the most basic cooking and dining necessities. Air-conditioning is available (in all but 50 units) for a daily or weekly fee; charges also apply for safes and Wi-Fi. Streaming is not allowed due to the hotel’s limited bandwidth. 

Bathrooms are big and have skylights, but they weren't fully renovated in 2013 and are starting to show some wear and tear. Big shower/tub combos have both plastic curtains and glass screens, which make them feel a tad drab, and the older granite counters around the sink are small. Wall-mounted hairdryers can come in handy, but toiletries are limited, with just two sachets of shower gel, a shower cap, and two small bars of soap. 

Due to the hotel’s layout with all common spaces packed into the central part of the property, nights are quiet regardless of where the apartment is located. However, those looking to stay near the water park may want to request an apartment in the Park section, as Beach units are quite a trek from it.

The hotel’s main restaurant serves a decent buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the morning guests can choose between full English and continental options, including fresh and canned fruit, a selection of different types of bread, and pastries. Juices aren't natural, which is standard in mid-range hotels. For lunch and dinner there is generally pasta with different sauces, salads, a couple of meat dishes, a few veggies, and a show cooking station with one or two options. While the buffet isn’t a huge spread, the weekly themed nights allow for some variety. The restaurant has a separate area for children, complete with a TV for cartoons and a small buffet section with chicken nuggets, pasta, and other kid-friendly options.

There are also some lunch items and snacks at the poolside bar, which also has a full drinks menu, hot beverages, and ice cream. Those spending the day at the water park can visit the small restaurant there, which features a small buffet with pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and desserts, and a pleasant terrace adjacent to the lazy river. 

Although all apartments have a small but fully equipped kitchenette, most guests pick the all-inclusive package, which includes all food and local drinks, as well as free access to the water park. The All-Inclusive Gold upgrade offers a number of additional perks, including premium drinks, a private area in the restaurant, full wine bottles with lunch and dinner, free use of in-room safes, free access to the fitness center, and pillow menus.

The hotel’s top feature is the water park, complete with five big slides for all ages, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a kiddy section with smaller slides and cute water features. All-inclusive guests get free access to the water park, but it is an extra charge for all others. As part of the hotel’s extensive sustainability program, all pools are heated using geothermal energy. The park is also open to non-guests, and while it can get busy, it generally doesn't feel overcrowded.

The Lanzasur Club features three additional pools, including two for families and one for children. They’re all on the main deck, and the atmosphere is bustling, with some music and group activities during the day, and plenty of kids. There are several dozen loungers on the deck, but we saw guests reserving a few with towels even before breakfast. The smaller family pool is heated in the winter using solar energy, and the kiddy pool has warm water year-round. 

Located near the water park, the kids’ club offers plenty of daily activities for children of all ages. It features a ball pit, an indoor area for arts and crafts, a patio for outdoor activities and games, and a nap room with a bed. There is also a game room with a few arcade machines, a playground adjacent to the pools, and a miniature golf course. 

The spa is basic but clean, with a cabin for massages and beauty treatments, a sauna, and a relaxation room with a big padded bench. The adjacent fitness center offers a good array of machines, including some cardio and strength-training equipment, as well as weekly yoga and Pilates classes. There is a fee for use of both the spa and the gym.  

The hotel also features a laundry room with token-operated washers, and a small supermarket with all the basic necessities, including drinks, fruit, cheese, olive oil, breakfast items, and water.