Apartamentos Las Arenas – Playa del Ingles
Apartamentos Las Arenas Offers Affordable Lodging in Playa del Ingles
Apartamentos Las Arenas is a part hotel, part owner occupied residence in the heart of Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria’s main tourist center. The hotel is about a 30 minute drive from the airport. Taxis are very accessible, but you can also get there by Plus Airportline Shuttle for 7.30 Euros one way or 14.60 Euros return.
Las Arenas is an eight-storey complex with more than 200 suites with tiled floors. The accommodation is self- catering, with a fridge, stove and microwave in the kitchen.
There are two single beds in a partitioned-off area. The living room has a couch, television and a dining room table and it opens onto a good-sized balcony, some with sea views.
Maid service is every second or third day and fresh towels are always available at the reception desk. The suites are basic, but they have everything that you need. It is the ideal space for a week or two getaway.
There is free Wi-Fi in the reception area or you can buy it on an hourly, daily or weekly basis from a machine if you want to use it in your room. My friend and I booked for 12 nights for 360 Euros, about US $400 on www.bookings.com, very affordable. You can check out current rates and reviews for Apartamentos Las Arenas on Trip Advisor a, MilesGeek affilitate.
The complex has a huge roof terrace that covers the entire footprint of the hotel. There are also tennis courts and a huge pool area with the sun hitting it from morning until night.
Las Arenas boasts a family-style restaurant which is run by a separate owner and is open when they are in town. There is a simple café with a bar, a car rental agency, a hairdressers and beauty salon which is open in the late afternoon until early evening. There are a few video games scattered around the main floor. I must say, I never did get to the fitness center.
Across the street from the hotel, is a shopping complex where there are a couple of grocery stores, a few bars and a number of restaurants which include a Burger King for all you fast food lovers. The groceries stores are open early in the morning so you can get fresh bread or croissants for breakfast. The restaurants and bars are open late and are far enough away from the hotel so you that don’t hear any noise when you are sleeping.
Las Arenas is a 15 minute walk to the Yumbo Centre, the centre of the gay area. It’s a great hub of restaurants, bars and shops even for the straight crowd. If you would rather take a taxi, it’s only about 3 Euros and the drivers don’t seem to mind taking you on the short journey. I think it is best to walk there and take a taxi back. If you want to explore more of the island consider a day tour of the interior. The hotel is also well located for attending Maspalomas Gay Pride Festival which takes place each May.
The best part of the hotel’s location is that it is four minutes to the golden, sandy beach, Playa del Ingles, which stretches for miles and miles and miles. The beach stretches for so far that you can actually walk passed the sand dunes and onto the next beach at Maspalomas. It’s hard to know exactly where one town stops and the other begins.
There is a long boardwalk set back along the beach where you can find restaurants and novelty shops that sell souvenirs and suntan lotion. There’s also a gym and even a McDonalds. Most of the pubs have a happy hour with live entertainment. One fancy bar looks out over the sea, a perfect spot for a nightcap where you can sit back, relax and listen to the ocean.
And after a full day at the beach, it’s nice to know that you can return to the comforts of the Apartamentos Las Arenas for a good night’s sleep. Apartamentos Las Arenas is an ideally situated, inexpensive choice for a long term stay at Playa del Ingles .
Transport to and from hotel were provided by the Gran Canaria Tourist Board.
