THE HOTEL REVIEW: MARINA SUITES, PUERTO RICO, GRAN CANARIA
Review: Dex Jones
Calle Juan Díaz Rodríguez, 10, 35130 Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
THE HOTEL
This suite-only hotel (214 suites in total), sits at prime location at the far end of the Marina nestling almost into the hillside with the ocean to our right, beyond the harbour wall. Paying homage to its Marina side location, crisp nautical decor runs throughout the hotel with wicker furniture and bretton striped soft furnishings. A mere 10-minute walk will take you to the beach, bars and restaurants of Puerto Rico. All suites are self-catering with great fully equipped kitchens, and supermarkets within easy walking distance. The hotel does also offer meal packages and has a pool bar and restaurant on site if you don’t fancy DIY option for meals.
THE FACILITIES
Restaurant | Indoor Bar | Games Lounge | Pool Bar Restaurant | Outside Entertainment stage with BBQ area | Fitness Centre | Adult-Only Area | Infinity Pool | Spa Treatments | Kids Club | Kids play area | Kids Pool
The large infinity pool is breath taking, we enjoyed relaxing on sunbeds overlooking the pool and ocean beyond, it was difficult to see where the pool ended and the ocean began. We quickly discovered the three submerged Jacuzzi-style massage seats at one end of the pool. There are plenty of sunbeds and some Balinese beds at the poolside. Sunbed waiter service is also provided.
The kids pool is well thought out, built in a raised decking area beyond the main pool. This area has its own sunbeds allocated so that parents can be close to the kids but still enjoy the sun.
There is a fitness centre for those who don’t want to let the gym routine slip and a games room to entertain the kids with table tennis, pool table and bar football. Internet facilities on a desk top computer and soft sofas arranged throughout the room. There is a colourful kids play area with large sand pit and a ‘kids club’ which had lots of advertised daily activities. In the extensive gardens, there is an adult-only area, subtly fenced off, with Balinese beds, communal sofas and Jacuzzis.
THE ACCOMMODATION
We stayed in the “Thetis” suite no. 208 – a spacious suite with bedroom and bathroom leading off from a long hallway with large lounge and kitchen area at the end. The view of the Marina from the bedroom window were pretty as a picture. The bed king size bed was comfortable and there was plenty of wardrobe space. TV’s were located in both the lounge and the bedroom.
All rooms in the suites are exceptionally large, including the bathroom with twin washbasins, double wall mirrors, a walk-in monsoon shower double ended bath tub and pedestal taps – all following on with the nautical theme right down to the shelving in the bathroom are created in the footprint of a boat.
The integrated lounge and kitchen offers a great living space with plenty of comfortable seating, timber shelving and cute porthole windows. Separating the lounge from the kitchen facilities sits a long marble topped table. We found everything we needed to cater for ourselves, including hob, fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee machine and kettle. Leading off the lounge are there are double sliding doors onto the spacious south facing corner balcony with lovely views of the Marina, sea and across the hotel garden area.
THE SPA FACILITIES
On the perimeter of the sundeck there is a spa treatment section offering body massage, manicures and pedicures. The individual stations offer privacy with billowing voile curtains. We opted to try a 20 minute back and neck massage which was relaxing and professionally executed. We’d highly recommend.
THE DRINKING & DINING
The hotel bar is well stocked with a good selection of lagers, ales wines and spirits, the nautical theme continued with comfortable seating around block and pulley shaped tables inter woven with ropes. The bar had bi-folding doors that opened into the roomy reception area, creating a great entertainment space. Nightly entertainment was either hosted in this area or on the outside stage situated adjacent to the pool bar.
The main hotel restaurant had both inside and outside seating areas, which overlooked the Marina, some of the evening meals are themed nights, we sampled the Spanish night, with hot and cold food on offer and fresh to cook ingredients at the chef’s station, desserts were available from the cold store and sweet table. The staff were well presented and polite, taking us to our table explaining the process and were on hand to answer any queries we had, our meal was well presented and very enjoyable we complimented this with a bottle of red Rioja, overall a great dining experience
A large circular thatched two storey timber building doubled as the Poolside Bar serving drinks throughout the day and snacks at lunch time, along with it being the morning breakfast venue, it afforded fantastic views of the ocean, harbor and pool.
Breakfast was buffet style with a huge variety of choices, to many to mention. Being omelette fans, there was a chef station where they were made to order. This is one of the most picturesque breakfast venues we have come across and couldn’t resist lingered over breakfast enjoying a glass of cava whilst taking in the views.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Fantastic spacious suite & views from balcony
Prime location for access to Puerto Rico
Amazing Infinity pool
Beautiful breakfast location
THE RATES
Visit www.marinagrancanaria.com
THE TRAVEL
We traveled from Leeds/Bradford Airport with Jet2 Airline – prices for two, £267.
AIRPORT LOUNGE
The Yorkshire Premier Lounge (YPL) is the perfect way to start a trip from Leeds Bradford Airport; offering a relaxing lounge experience for passengers travelling both for business and leisure. The YPL has a delicious snack menu, a selection of drinks and unlimited superfast free Wi-Fi. To book, visit www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk