Hotel Riu Palace Meloneras

A palm-lined path leads guests into an extravagant Art Deco-influenced lobby with damask accent walls, an opulent crystal chandelier, sleek black floor tiles, mirrored columns, a decorative cut-out ceiling, and a selection of contemporary furniture with vintage lines. This design statement continues into the hotel’s sexy Bar Le Baroque, where there's evening entertainment. For a romantic cocktail with ocean views, the Blue de Mar Bar, with a Tiffany-blue motif and contemporary white molded chairs, is the place. All in all, there are plenty of reasons to stay inside the resort's grounds, which is an appealing option for many guests here as the one strike against the Riu Palace is that it's not directly on the beach. Still, it's a great hotel for a relaxing escape, and features like a freshwater infinity pool with submerged sun lounge chairs create a laid-back luxury atmosphere. This is a romantic setting for couples, and while families are also welcome, they're not as frequently seen at this hotel as others in the area.

On the southern end of Gran Canaria Island, nestled on 10 acres of subtropical gardens, the hotel is a 10-minute walk from the beach and Maspalomas Lighthouse, which offers spectacular coastline views and was built in 1886. There are a few restaurants outside the hotel's front gates, and plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes along the water and the beachfront promenade. The Yumbo Centrum, a tacky shopping center/entertainment hub that turns into something of a wild gay destination at night, is a 10-minute drive from the hotel in Playa Del Ingles. Gran Canaria is a popular destination for golfers, and Maspalomas Golf Course is a seven-minute drive away. One of the more striking area attractions are the Dunas de Maspalomas, a wide swath of sand dunes that make for amazing photographs (and draw plenty of nudist sunbathers). Guests with an interest in native birds, orchids, and butterflies are a 20-minute drive from the Palmitos Park and Botanical Gardens. Las Palmas is a 45-minute drive from the resort, where the Trasmediterranea ferry departs for the mainland, while Gran Canaria Airport is a 27-minute drive from the hotel.

The Hotel Riu Palace Meloneras Resort's  515 contemporary rooms are decorated in a narrow color palette of muted gray and lilac tones, with soft bed linens, ambient lighting, whitewashed laminate floors, and sexy leather headboards. Velvet accents and abstract art complete the picture. Rooms come in an array of sizes, from Single Rooms to a Presidential Suite, though most are Double Rooms with sitting areas that include sofas or sofa beds. Junior Suites have hot tubs on the balconies, and Presidential Suites have separate living rooms. With the exception of Single Rooms, all have private balconies or terraces and some offer views of the ocean. Standard features across all rooms include free Wi-Fi, large flat screen TVs with satellite channels, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and in-room safes. Bathrooms feature large black-granite vanities and mosaic-tile walk-in rainfall showers. White-and-gray marble walls in striking patterns, along with contemporary fixtures, give the bathrooms a particularly sleek look.

The hotel has five swimming pools, including two infinity pools with ocean views, and a children's pool, surrounded by ample sunbeds with umbrellas. Unfortunately, there is not beach on site. The hotel has a fitness center, whirlpool bath, steam bath, hair salon and spa, mini-golf course, and squash court. Bikes can be rented at the front desk, and laundry service and airport transfers can also be arranged. On-site parking is free, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

All rates here are half-board, and include breakfast and dinner. There are three on-site restaurants that include Magnolia, the main buffet restaurant where breakfast features healthy choices, fresh fruit, hot buffet items, and cava. Krystal Fusion restaurant and the Ocean’s View poolside restaurant are the hotel's two a la carte restaurants, the latter of which serves a Spanish menu. The a la carte restaurants are also included in the room rates, but reservations must be made in advance and there are dress codes. There are also bars in the lobby, lounge, and by the pool, and the hotel offers an on-site entertainment program with live music performances on certain nights.