The marble and brass of the lobby seems grand at first, but beyond the check-in desk is a large, modern seating area filled with light from huge windows that overlook the pool and grounds behind.
Here, guests can lounge on bright, candy-striped sofas where tables feature quirky sunken fruit bowls. It's a juxtaposition that works.
Outside, a large veranda wraps around the middle of the hotel, and stairs sweep down to the main swimming pool, poolside bar and restaurant.
Beyond are manicured lawns, surrounded by a centuries-old palm grove. Tucked into a far corner of the gardens is the plush wellness spa, offering all manner of treatments. Even if you don't splash out on one (a Relaxing Massage costs €75 (NZ$127), you can still enjoy the Thalassotherapy pools, sauna and steam rooms, and outdoor gym. There is also a discreet nudist area and sauna.
While the design looks to the Seventies for inspiration, thankfully the catering doesn't. Banish thoughts of tired buffets: breakfast service includes cooked-to-order omelettes, continental platters and more, all of which keeps even the fussiest of eaters full (my party included a vegan, a pescetarian and a fad dieter).
Evening meals are served in the main dining room, which spills out to a terrace, and alternates between a themed gourmet buffet, such as Asian or Italian, and a four-course a la carte meal.
The buffets hit the right note, but the a la carte menu less so. While tasty and exquisitely presented, the choices - such as steamed cod or tortellini - were limited. However, the delicious pastries and deserts, which are baked on site, compensated.
A more intimate experience is offered at the Trattoria and Orangerie restaurants, serving Italian and haute cuisine respectively for a supplement to the half-board offering.
The only point where the hotel's retro image falls down is at the Salon Bar. Although decorated in a plush red Seventies theme, the entertainment was stuck in a time warp. One to avoid unless you like line dancing and magic tricks.
Location: The hotel is in Maspalomas on the southern tip of Gran Canaria. It creeps up to the resort's sand dunes, which are particularly dramatic at sunrise. A short stroll along the beachfront parade takes you to bars, boutiques and restaurants where the atmosphere is more sophisticated than at the southern resorts of Puerto Rico and Playa del Cura.
The nightlife of Playa del Ingles is a 5km taxi or bus ride away; as is the Yumbo centre, a strange multi-level "destination'" full of restaurants, bars and shops, which, after 10pm transforms into the self-styled "Gay Center" with drag shows, bars and clubs.
Comfort: The 328 rooms maintain the 1970s-luxe theme. Hues are in contrasting lemon and turquoise, coral and blue, or lilac and green. Alternatively, there's a beige and brown colour-way if you favour a more neutral setting. It's all tasteful, with over-sized mirror or wood veneer sideboards, Harry Bertoia-inspired wire mesh chairs, and glass tables. The marbled bathrooms are stocked with L'Occitane toiletries, though not all have baths.
Rooms differ only in size and views, ranging from sea to pool, dunes, palm grove and gardens; all have balconies. A superior corner room is available on every floor, identical in furnishing but more spacious and a good option for families.
The three variations of suites have separate living areas and come with amenities such as espresso machines and spa baths.
Address: Avenida del Oasis s/n, 35100 Maspalomas, Gran Canaria.
Book online at designhotels.com.
- INDEPENDENT
