Where to Book a Stay in Lanzarote, Spain, for a Beach Holiday

This is one of the top hotels in Lanzarote, and it’s easy to see why. The eco-conscious La Isla y el Mar is remarkably stylish, with a modern streamlined look comprised largely of volcanic stone. Even the fitness centre looks worthy of Architectural Digest. Starting at 540sqft (50sqm), the 81 open-plan suites are some of the largest around. Expect Nespresso coffeemakers, terraces facing the Atlantic and private hot tubs in top-tier units. Common areas are just as fantastic, with pools, both buffet and à la carte restaurants, a spa and a pool bar for sunset cocktails and live music.

This upscale Iberostar is dramatically set on a volcanic peninsula, adjacent to a white-sand beach. All categories of its 332 rooms have a contemporary design, bathrobes and slippers, outdoor space and a commitment to no single-use plastics. Three horseshoe buildings surround large pools for guided spinning and stand-up paddle yoga classes. To unwind out of the sun, there’s an impressive spa with a full water circuit, sauna and twinkly lit hammam. Opt for half-board – the food is abundant, varied and delicious.

Couples looking for an all-inclusive retreat would do well at the tranquil H10 Timanfaya Palace in Playa Blanca. The quiet resort caters to adults and offers a tonne of leisure options, like ocean-facing pools, tennis, yoga, Pilates and an on-site diving centre. The dining options are equally impressive and include a Mediterranean/Arabic-inspired à la carte restaurant and a buffet with seemingly endless stations. The flat walkway in front of the hotel runs along the beach in both directions – three minutes to the south is white-sand Playa Flamingo.

R2 Bahea Kontiki is a two-minute walk from Playa Blanca and the main drag, so finding a restaurant, Irish pub or grocery store is a breeze. Its cube-like, two-storey apartment buildings circle a lagoon pool, with shaded loungers and grassy seating areas. There’s a fresh, beachy vibe throughout the complex, and the units (regularly hailed as spotless) come with microwaves, hobs (no ovens), toasters, coffeemakers and fridges. Those with mobility issues should note the property’s location on “Cardiac Hill”, though the elevated position does mean excellent beach views.

Adults travelling without kids or teens adore Barceló Teguise Beach Hotel for its snappy, sophisticated design – even the outdoor areas are sleek and stylish. The heated infinity pool is a big hit, as are the reasonably priced thalassotherapy circuit and free exercise classes, including paddleboard yoga and aqua-cycling. Four of the six room types have private hot tubs, and all come with minibars, Lavazza espresso machines and German-made Hydro Basics toiletries. The hotel is within easy walking distance of local Costa Teguise shops and cafés.

By nearly all accounts, Lani’s Suites Deluxe is the best hotel on the island. The upscale adult-only boutique draws rave reviews for everything from its super-chic, white-on-white style (it might bring to mind an exclusive honeymoon hotel on a Greek island) to thoughtful services like nightly turndown, free laundry, cooked-to-order breakfast and free sunscreen by the heated pool. This attention to detail is also found in the 25 suites, which have Smart TVs, sunhats, minibars with free soda and beer and even binoculars to use for dolphin-spotting. On top of everything, Lani has a terrific location on Puerto Del Carmen’s main strip, directly on a small rocky beach.

Las Vegas-based Diamond Resorts must know something about building comfortable resorts in desert settings. This cluster of one-storey whitewashed bungalows near Playa Blanca is perfectly in tune with the landscape, in contrast to some Canarian high-rise hotels that look rather divorced from their surroundings. All units have two to four bedrooms, full kitchens (plus washing machines) and terraces. Garden grounds contain pools, pétanque and mini-golf, plus an on-site restaurant and bar, which gets high marks for happy hour and occasional live music. All around, Jardines del Sol is excellent, comfortable and affordable.

Travellers who don’t care about big-resort features when looking for where to stay in Lanzarote should be very happy with this well-loved, adults-only apartment complex overlooking wide, sandy Playa de la Concha. Its low-rise cubist buildings hold an outdoor pool and 21 chic, minimalist apartments with kitchens (some with full-size teal Smeg fridges), mosaic patios (most room types have outdoor hot tubs) and either one or two bedrooms. Daily housekeeping and beach towels are provided.