The Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort in Playa Blanca rests in a pretty spot on Lanzarote, with sea views of Fuertaventura and the Isla de Lobos. Based on a colonial Canarian-style church, the resort’s entrance hall echoes with a sense of peace and tranquillity. With 360 degree windows crowned by contrasting panels of stained glass, the bright sunlight floods in, highlighting the elaborate curtains of ivy which cascade down the walls. It’s a welcome sight for the weary traveller, and augurs well for a restful break.
The resort boasts an impressive five swimming pools, eight restaurants and a glorious indoor botanical garden. And less than a stone’s throw away lies a stretch of golden beach, protected either side with giant arms of natural volcanic rocks. There’s plenty of indulgence for parents at the Thalassotherapy Spa, with 50 treatment rooms and an indoor dynamic seawater pool. The highlight for children is the mammoth-sized Kikoland, a children’s park dedicated to fun. Children can join the Baby Club, Mini Club or Junior Club and splash around in the pools, go wild in the play areas, and take part in everything from football classes to costume making, all under the watchful eye of Kikoland staff.
For tantalising mealtimes, the resort’s eight restaurants have it covered, offering everything from traditional Spanish Tapas to Japanese and Italian cuisine, to name a few. One memorable meal I had was at the Isla de Lobos; a fine dining gourmet restaurant which embraces the Slow Food Philosophy. The majority of supplies are sourced locally, including the fruitfully delicious white wine Stratvs. In-keeping with the Slow Food ethos, some dishes are cooked over 24 hours at 45 degrees. The exquisite taste, due to the gradual release of flavour while cooking, proves that slow and steady can indeed win the race.
Wherever you wander on the island, your surroundings are sure to be picturesque. The folk of Lanzarote pride themselves on preserving local and historical values. All the buildings are painted a crisp white and no more than two storeys in height – there’s not an ugly, garish skyscraper in sight. Traditionally, front doors can be seen painted either blue or green, indicating whether the dwellers are descended from either fishermen or farmers.
Take a ten-minute stroll along the promenade and you’ll find yourself in the ancient fishing village of Marina Rubicon, which less than 30 years ago was all that existed in the area. Saturday morning is definitely not worth missing out on, as there is a lovely local market which wraps itself around the marine edge. It’s a good place to shop for souvenirs – I am particularly fond of the fresh water pearl necklace I picked up.
After an afternoon spent exploring the town, I wandered out of the local supermarket and I was greeted with a mesmerising rose-tinted sky. It has to be said that running down a cobbled path leading to the promenade in dainty sandals, clasping a digital camera and a bag full of local biscuits and treats was not my most glamorous moment ever. But it was well worth the breathtaking view when I reached the promenade and looked up to the hotel and the sky beyond – and captured it with my camera.
From £2,825 in June (including flights, transfers and one spa entry) for a family of four with Sovereign.
For more suggestions for holidaying in Europe see our Continental Year Guide - Where to go and what to do in Europe for every season!
