THEGAYUK

Tag: Gran Canaria Hotel Review

The latest Gran Canaria Hotel Review from THEGAYUK.

  • GAY TRAVEL: Gran Canaria

    GAY TRAVEL: Gran Canaria

    Travel expert, Ray Si checks out gay Gran Can…

    There can’t be many tourist destinations which encompass so many different landscapes and diverse geographical features, cultural blends and range of exciting holiday activities in such a small area. Gran Canaria may have a diameter of only 50km, so it is safe to say that this island is compact and bijou, but that just makes it easily navigable. And with this “miniature continent” having everything from long golden beaches and dunes of rich sand to green ravines and picturesque villages, volcanic uplands and ports, you won’t have to travel too far for the next change of pace or scenery. It also blends the best of Spanish colonial architecture and ultra-modern hotels, all under the rays of an African sun.

    Gran Canaria also has a very liberated attitude towards gay and lesbian tourism and there is a very vibrant scene to be found here especially with gay hotels such as Vista Bonita by MOW Hotels, catering specifically for rainbow flag flying tourists.

    Vista Bonita sits at the heart of the Gay Resort community of Maspalomas, in the lively commercial region along the southern coast. Vista Bonita is an apartment hotel (with an upstairs and downstairs) with a very social scene going on around the heated pool and sauna, well worth catching happy hour at the pool bar and a world away from the tourist trap of Yumbo Centre (pretty much the outdoor shopping centre that the name suggests) and its bad drag shows and even worse the food.

    Gay apartment hotels in Gran Canaria such as Vista Bonita can afford you the perfect combination of privacy and freedom to structure your break the way that you see fit and the convenience of having everything close to hand, the onsite supermarket being a useful touch especially for your fully equipped kitchen. If cooking on a break is not your thing then the pool bar caters to all of your breakfast, lunch and thirst quenching needs. One drawback in the area is car parking which can cause a bit of stress but this is easily avoided if you arrange your parking with the hotel €5 a day as of May’18.

    Obviously the icing on the cake of any hotel stay is the staff and here the housekeeping team are always friendly, seemingly loving the environment that they work in, and it is almost worth staying to see there smiles as well as the extremely helpful and gorgeous Monica managing reception, not only brilliantly accommodating in her role and suggesting the best restaurants but I’m sure can be a lot of fun to share a few cocktails with on the hotels rooftop.

    (C) KOPAZ / TWITTER

    Away from the hotel, there is much to do and a walk along the seafront of the exclusive Meloneras area will reveal a range of bars, cafes and restaurants and also KopaZ, a hidden gem of what I would describe as the only gay outdoor tapas pub in Meloneras. KopaZ has fantastic views of the ocean from its elevated decks, the tapas prepared are humble and delicious with hints of South American and German influences and there is a great selection of drinks to be tried. Service is always friendly and unhurried and the location itself is discreet and away from all the tourist traps. It makes for the perfect place to lunch and wait to watch the sunset sipping on a glass of sangria.

    Atelier. #rooftop #bar #cocktailbar #excellence #passion #bartending #grancanaria #island #bohemiasuites #5stars #hotelboutique #atelier

    A post shared by Atelier Cocktail bar (@loungeatelier) on

    And if it is perfect views that you are looking for then the 360° Restaurant is a must for dinner. Situated on the 8th floor (but feeling much higher) at Bohemia Suites & Spa Hotel, as the restaurant name suggests, it offers all-round panoramic views of the ocean and dunes and offers an exquisite dining experience both via its tasting menu or a la carte options. With live music and the company of attentive restaurant ambassadors, this is a great and stylish way to end the day as the night draws in.

    Maspalomas is a beacon for LGBT tourism, sitting both comfortably alongside mainstream venues and attractions but also catering specifically and brilliantly for the gay scene in Gran Canaria, there is even an annual gay pride event and a number of boat parties and other activities to explore. The perfect destination and the perfect time to hit the sun, grab yourself a twenty-five year old…scotch and bottoms up!

    Written By: Ray Si – Proud Member of IGLTA

  • HOTEL REVIEW | The Seven Hotel & Wellness, Gran Canaria

    I shelved travelling to Gran Canaria for many years because I had horrors of being surrounded by youngsters on their first holiday along with every other restaurant serving a full English Breakfast.

    I would have probably been close to that dread if it wasn’t for the tranquillity of The Seven Hotel & Wellness – Gay Only. After a comfortable 4 hour flight from London to Las Palmas airport (LPA), it was a smooth 25-minute drive to the area of Maspalomas.

    When I arrived, I began to ponder the undeveloped surrounding areas and wondered where the ocean was hiding. All the rubble from the airport journey was left behind and forgotten about as soon as I walked through the resort doors and confronted with the dramatic backdrop of the island’s impressive mountains, endorsed by deep blue clear skies. This gay resort in Gran Canaria has perfectly set itself in a surprising picturesque landscape. You might find it a struggle to leave the grounds especially when you’re spoilt by attentive staff, spacious raindrop showers, 24hr access to the sauna, heated outdoor Jacuzzi, loungers inside the pool and of course temperatures reaching a steep 25 degrees (Nov ‘ 17).

    kasabubu / Pixabay

    With a somewhat struggle, I managed to pull myself away from the resort and took a 5-minute drive to the ever so talked about Yumbo Centre. The Yumbo Centre is not an area, it’s not a village, it’s not an attraction, it’s an exasperated outdoor shopping centre that looks as though it can’t be bothered. Don’t go searching for authentic Spanish food at Yumbo (or anywhere in the area), having spoken to some of the locals the general consensus is that they don’t have to improve Yumbo or renew the area as tourists settle for the wreck and continue to flock in and out each week. I wonder how many gay tourists would return to Yumbo Centre after leaving the island? So when it comes to choosing where to spend a few precious days on a winter break, food is almost as high in my priorities as sunshine. Not in a Michelin restaurant sort of way – but with local restaurants more in mind. Where can I eat well – and affordably?


    After seeing what was on offer at Yumbo, I was extremely content with my dining option at Abora Restaurant a Dégustation experience every night in the good company of the staff, guests and the mountains all without the high prices that such an experience can fetch. The oceanfront lined restaurants in Meloneras was an eye opener for not settling on Yumbo as a gay hotspot Gran Canaria. The word of mouth – Restaurante Borneo was a high point of my trip, home cooked food with care and attention also where else in the world can you get kisses and hugs from the fantastic Chef.

    All the gay bars are in the Yumbo Centre and opened every day with the majority of them starting to peak evidence of life past midnight. Many of the gay guests at The Seven Hotel opted to socialise at the resort bar, exchanging stories and laughs among gay travellers from Sweden, Italy, Germany, UK, Russia, France and USA.

    Seven Dos:

    1. Accept that this is part of Spain even though it doesn’t feel like it should be
    2. Stay in a Suite at The Seven Hotel & Wellness and opt for half board
    3. Spend half a day in Las Palmas and get an overview from the Sightseeing bus tour
    4. Hire a car (if only to do your airport to hotel transfers – very inexpensive )
    5. Avoid Yumbo Centre and take a long walk on the sand dunes or book a massage
    6. Dine at the word of mouth Restaurante Borneo
    7. Have a glass of something and people watch in the Meloneras area

    For a real understanding of what makes Gran Canaria tick start by deciding if you want to retreat or not – whatever you choose it will be worth the trip and a Grand Canary-On!

     

  • REVIEW | Vista Bonita Gran Canaria

    If you’re looking for a gay stay in Gran Canaria then Vista Bonita should be on your priority list.

    Gay-only vacations aren’t for everyone. The thought of staying in a gay hotel or gay apartment might not be to everyone’s taste – it wasn’t mine until I stayed at Vista Bonita near Maspalomas in Gran Canaria – and then my opinion changed. We ended up visiting twice – in one year.

    Vista Bonita is a set of simple but perfectly formed one bedroom apartments set around an outdoor pool on the outskirts of Maspalomas and around a 2-mile walk or 10-minute cab ride to the gay epicentre of Yumbo.

    Gran Canaria, which is located a hundred and fifty miles off the north-west coast of Africa, has long been accepted as one of the most gay-friendly holiday spots in the world, and with all-year round good weather it’s just a four and a half hour flight from the UK, you’re pretty much-guaranteed sunshine.

    English is widely spoken and the locals are incredibly friendly and accepting.

    Vista Bonita offers two styles of apartment, although they are all essentially the same floor plan. You have a standard duplex and the deluxe. They both offer a living room and equipped kitchenette as well as a first-floor bedroom. Each apartment has two toilets – and one which comes with a bath/shower. All have terraces overlooking the swimming pool or the lush gardens towards the back of the complex.

    The deluxe duplex offers the extras including a welcome fruit selection and alcohol. There are other extras as well.

    A word to the wise and an insider tip. Although a pool view might seem nice (in fact it can be at times very interesting – because some guests take full advantage of a clothing optional acceptance) it can be very noisy – especially at night when those who have partied at Yumbo for too long come back and think it’s a great idea to start a pool party at 3 AM. Although this is not permitted by hotel management, it did happen almost every night we stayed on our second visit. So ask for a room in the garden section – which is further away and offers a little more privacy.

    Flight time from the UK around 4 and half hours- with legacy and low fare carriers all serving the Island.