Adults Only Holidays in the Canary Islands

If your idea of holiday-hell is to spend your well-earned break in a hotel full of other people's children making constant noise, then Corona Holidays have it covered!

We understand that some adults like to relax in peace and quiet without children running around, and have put together a selection of ADULTS ONLY hotels in the Canary Islands. So, take it easy with a quiet swim in the pool, pick up a book, enjoy a cocktail or two, or simply relax in a spa - the choice is yours.  Of course we have lots more to choose from, but just show a small selection below.

Christopher Columbus and The Canary Islands

 

Who was Christopher Columbus?

Christopher Columbus [Cristobal Colon in Spanish], explorer and navigator, was born in 1451 in Genoa, Italy and by the age of 25 made his first voyage into the Atlantic when his fleet was attacked by the French, his vessel set alight, and he had to swim to the nearby Portuguese shore to save his life.

Here he settled, married and had a son. But following the death of his wife, he moved to Spain and took part in several other expeditions to Africa and learned about the currents around the Canary Islands.

Roca Negra Hotel and Spa in Gran Canaria

Roca Negra Hotel and Spa

We have just added to our portfolio of spa hotels, the Roca Negra Hotel and Spa in Gran Canaria.

Located in the quiet resort of Agaete [in the northwestern part of the island], this is an ideal getaway for holidaymakers looking for a peaceful break at a hotel with all modern facilities and lots of activities to hand if you wish.  It is 4 star hotel with only 87 rooms and a mere 5 minutes walk to the local pebbly beach.

Riu Grand Palace Maspalomas Oasis Hotel Changes Its Name

As of 8 May, the Riu Grand Palace Maspalomas Oasis Hotel changed its name to simply the Riu Palace Oasis and is now a 4.5 star hotel.

This follows recent news that although Riu had been granted a provisional demolition permit for the hotel and a building permit for the new hotel, they were presented with a statement from the island government of Gran Canaria advising that the area surrounding the hotel was environmentally protected.   Due to this, Riu will have to present a new proposal.


Riu Palace Oasis Hotel in Maspalomas

In the meantime, the newly named Riu Palace Oasis is open as normal.

The hotel is located just 100m from the nearest beach, accessible by walking through the garden complex.  In the hotel grounds you will find a swimming pool, a children's pool, snack/pool bar, sun lounges and parasols, whirlpool.  There is also a sauna, jacuzzi, gym and for an additional fee you can enjoy the use of the health and spa centre.  There is an entertainment programme for adult and children [including a mini club and playground] with live music being held during the week.

All of the 332 rooms and suites come with air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom with hairdryer, direct dial telephone, satellite/cable TV with music channels, minibar, safe and balcony or terrace.

If you would like more details on the Riu Palace Oasis Hotel, just click here for a full description.  You can also book online, but for a more competitive quotation just give Corona Holidays a call on 0800 5 677688 [or if you are calling from a mobile you will need 01582 421117] and we will be delighted to take you call.

ClubHotel Riu Gran Canaria to Undergo Facelift

The ClubHotel Riu Gran Canaria in the resort of Meloneras, Gran Canaria is to undergo a Euros 20 million facelift shortly.

ClubHotel Riu Gran Canaria in Meloneras

The Hotel will close in April and the refurbishment programme will last through to July when it is planned to re-open with a new children's pool with water games, new bars and restaurants so it may be a great time to book early for when the Hotel re-opens for the school summer holidays.

The complex is ideal for families as it offers a 24 hour all inclusive programme and is located right next to the beach.  The activities during the day include table tennis, aerobics, shuffle board, bowls, mini golf, squash, bowling, darts, rifle shooting, volleyball, golf and aquatic games for people of all ages.   There is also an art workshop as well as a fitness centre.

In the evening you are entertained by shows, live music and a disco so there is no need to leave the complex as there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family busy.   However, if you want to have a change of scene, then you can take a stroll to the nearby resort of Maspalomas [only 900m from the Hotel] and enjoy the famous sand dunes that can be found here.

So if you are interested in staying at the ClubHotel Riu Gran Canaria following its facelift then give us a call on 01582 421117 or on 0800 5 677688. 

Canary Islands Beaches in Top 10 in Spain for 2013

2 of the beaches in the Canary Islands have been voted into the top 10 Spanish Beaches for 2013 as shown in Trip Advisor's Travellers' Choice.

Playa de Cofete, Fuerteventua

Voted in at number 6 is Playa de Cofete, Morro de Jable in Fuerteventura with following comments being made:

• Golden, clean sand. Huge waves. Crystal clear water. Fabulous beach.
• Superb beach
• Wild beach, very windy with big waves
• Feels like the end of the world with amazing scenery
• Incredible views with a beach that goes on forever with stunning mountains as a backdrop 
• Great secluded beach

Voted in at number 10 is Playa de Las Canteras in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria with the following comments being made:

• Clean and sunny beach
• Good flat surface for walking alongside the beach, lots of restaurants and cafes
• Clean and beautiful with changing tides, natural breakwater and clean yellow sand
• The most beautiful and clean beach in any city
• Soft sand, very clean and lovely waves.
• Not crowded

So with both Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria featuring the top 10, how about a stay in or around the resorts so that you see them for yourselves?

Las Palmas 2011 Carnival - Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria's "party of the year" is the Las Palmas Carnival which is due to start on the 15 February and last through to the 12 March 2011.

As well a flamboyant parades and all-night parties, there are local competitions in Parque Santa Catalina to elect the best chorus group, drag queen and carnival queen. 

A long-standing tradition on the island of Gran Canaria [although General Franco did his best to spoil the party until his death in 1975], many event are fancy dress parties and beauty pageants in which a carnival queen and drag queen are elected.  Each year, the costumes become more extravagant and competition is fierce.

You will find that carnivals on the Canary Islands tend to last longer than those on the mainland and usually stop on Ash Wednesday.  Celebrations in Las Palmas continue until the "day of mourning" for the symbol of the carnival - the sardine.  A huge sardine is marched through the streets as everyone follows in funeral costume.  The following day, the sardine is buried on the beach to fireworks, bonfires and all-night parties.  For more details, visit http://www.lpacarnaval.com/

Canary Islands Music Festival

January 2011 sees the start of the 27th Canary Islands Music Festival .... so why not spend a week on a holiday in Gran Canaria and gently see the New Year in with the magical voice of Nancy Fabiola Herrera, one of the world's most sought after mezzo-sopranos.  We have a 7 night break starting the 12 January at the 3 star Marinasol Aparthotel in San Agustin for £233 per person, based on two people sharing a one bedroom apartment on self-catering including return flights from Gatwick. 

The Canary Islands Music Festival is the only music festival held in Europe during the winter, and includes a programme of international acts and classical music world premieres.  Proving that there is more to Gran Canaria than a warm winter climate and beautiful beaches, Las Palmas [the capital] actually boasts the oldest private music socieity in the whole of Spain and was founded to organise concerts.  Choose from a performance by Florianer Sangerknaben, the Orchestra Sinfonica de Tenerife or Nancy Fabiola Herrera accompanied by pianist Ruben Fernandez Aguirre.  Performances take place on Sunday 16 January or Monday 17 January [tickets are not included in the cost of your holiday and cost from 15 euros ... see www.festivaldecanarias.com

The 3 Star Marinasol Aparthotel is located in San Agustin, 80m from Morro Besudo beach and 1km from the heard of San Agustin with its shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.  It is possible to walk along the seafront into livlier Playa del Ingles.  The hotel is 22km from Las Palmas airport and 38km from Teatro Perez Galdos - the venue for the Gran Canaria concerts.       If you're looking for accommodation nearer to the venue, just give us a call or send an enquiry and we will provide you with a quotation.

They think it's all over - It is now ...

Spain have deservedly become "Los Campeones del Mundo" the Champions of the World,  after 5 weeks of the World Cup competition and an extra-time goal from Andres Iniesta.   Alan Shearer - former England striker - has said "Not only were Spain easily the best team on the night, but they were also without question the best team in the entire World Cup".

Did you know ... 2 of the Spanish team are from the Canary Islands. David Jimenez Silva was born in Arguineguin on the island of Gran Canaria in 1986. Although he has been living off the island since the age of 14, he never misses an opportunity to return to Gran Canaria to see family and friends and helps promote the municipality of Mogan and Gran Canaria as a holiday destination.


The second player is Pedro Rodriguez who currently plays for Barcelona.  Pedro was born in Tenerife - Santa Cruz de Tenerife - in 1987 and played for a third division team until he signed for Barcelona in 2005. 

Paradors in the Canary Islands

Did you know that 5 of the Canary Islands are home to a Parador?  Paradors are famous throughout Spain and other countries for their distinctive brand of luxury accommodation and are often converted castles, palaces, fortresses, convents, monasteries and other historic buildings.  Some Paradors are modern, although they are built in traditional styles. Corona Holidays can offer you accommodation in each Parador in Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma and Gran Canaria.

We will start with the Parador de Canades del Teide in Tenerife.  Located inside the crater of a volcano with views of the summit of nearby Mount Teide, this Parador is located 7,200 ft above sea level and is the only building in the Teide National Park.  Take advantage of its location and beat the queues to the funicular that ferries passengers to the top of Mount Teide.  The Parador also has its own telescope, and holds regular nights for guests to star-gaze.

The Parador de La Gomera can't be matched for its elegance and luxury.  Converted from an old manor house with an interior courtyard and fountain, the wood-panelled walls are hung with colonial paintings.  The interior is packed with maritime references and has navigational instrumentation from the Columbus era [La Gomera was Columbus' last port of call before heading for the New World].  The bedrooms, swimming pool and garden all have fantastic views towards Mount Teide.

El Hierro has a Parador [the Parador de El Hierro] which is next to the sea and is backed by spectacular cliffs and the Roque de la Bonanza.  Many of the rooms have elegant balconies with sea views and the interior has been designed to represent the early history of the island.  In the gardens, you will find dragon trees, coconut palms and a swimming pool.

The Parador de La Palma is a more modern hotel, but designed in accordance with the traditional Canary Islands architectural principles   It is located on a hillside overlooking the sea and has tropical gardens with native plants, fruit trees and walkways.  There are wonderful views of the Atlantic and towards Mount Teide on nearby Tenerife.  Request a room in the east wing to benefit from the sunrise. 

Lastly, there is the Parador Cruz de Tejeda in Gran Canaria.  This is a traditional Canarian building situated in the mountains in central Gran Canaria.  The name comes from the huge stone cross which stands at the entrance to the Parador.  The Parador is famous for its views over the island and benefits from a terrace perfectly placed to watch the sun go down over the Roque Nublo.

So, if you would like to spend part of your Canary Island holiday at one of the Paradors, just give us a call on 0800 5 677688 or send an enquiry and Corona Holidays will be able to help.

Merrymaking in Maspalomas

On your Gran Canaria holiday during the period 11-21 March?  Why not take time out and visit the resort of Maspalomas where the 2010 carnival is due to take place.  

Carnival time gives tourists the change to experience Gran Canaria as you would not normally expect to see it - the drag queen competition and the funderal of the sardine which is held on the final day.  Parades held during carnival time range from floats and flamboyant carnival costumes.

Mamma Mia in Tenerife

Mamma Mia - the musical featuring the music of Abba hits the Auditorio de Tenerife in Santa Cruz this month from 28 December through until 4 January during which time there will be 10 performances.

Following Tenerife, the musical moves on to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria from 7-29 January.

You may know the story is based around family and friendship, and is staged in the 70s and 80s.  It will be performed in Spanish, but everyone knows the words to the songs!

A great Christmas or New Year treat if you are in Santa Cruz, Tenerife over the festive period or in Gran Canaria in January.

Las Palmas - Big Wheel

You may remember us talking about Las Palmas in Gran Canaria being an earmarked site for a giant wheel - simar to the London Eye.  Now, Las Palmas Council has been urged to make a decision, or risk losing funds. 

Back in the summer, the Council announced that the wheel was to be located in the heart of Las Palmas with the hope that it would increase the city's appeal to tourists.  However, it would appear that plans have "gone cold" and the grant of Euros 50,000 which has been set aside, may be withdrawn in the next few weeks if the site of the wheel is not decided upon.

The delay has, however, been caused by the need for detailed technical studies which will reveal if the site initally chosen will be able to support the weight of the 60m wheel.   We will bring you news as soon as a final decision has been made.

Giant Wheel for Las Palmas

Las Palmas in Gran Canaria is hoping to install a giant wheel in its centre - similar to the London Eye, which will hopefully attract more visitors to the capital. It transpires that Gran Canaria's tourist board has been in discussions with the city council and is looking for a suitable site in Las Palmas.

However, there is opposition to the idea and although several sites have been proposed, none of them currently fulfil the accessibility and safety requirements. It is feared that if the wheel is placed too close to the city's main roads driver will automatically stop/slow down to look up at it which could lead to accidents.

The favourite location for the wheel is the plaza at the Santa Catalina bus station.