Got my A-Level exams Cumming up won't be online until they finish :(
Got my A-Level exams Cumming up won't be online until they finish :(
Member since:13.04.2007
Reviews:7
OO GRAN CANERIA INTRODUCTION OO
Gran Canaria is the third largest island in the Canary Islands of the coast of mainland Spain. It is a archipelago which is located around 210km from the northwest coast of Africa. It is a volcanic island with volcanic origin. The islands initial inhabitants where the Guanches who arrived at Gran Canaria at around 500 BC and names the Island Tamaran, however the Island was then claimed by Spain in the 15th century. Gran Canaria’s surface measures 1,560 km² and its highest peak is 1,949 meters. The Island is divided into about twenty one municipalities which are as follows:
Agaete Agüimes Artenara Arucas Firgas Gáldar Ingenio Mogán Moya Las Palmas San Bartolomé de Tirajana San Nicolás de Tolentino Sta. Brígida Sta. Lucía de Tirajana Santa María de Guía Tejeda Telde Teror Valleseco Valsequillo Vega de San Mateo
OO DECISION OF WHERE TO GO OO
Well last year (2006) me and my friend decided that it was time to take a well earned break from all the hustle and bustle of everyday British life. Our initial thought was, somewhere relaxing, exciting, and sunny, with good beaches of course. The general specifications one would wish to get out a holiday. Our search lead us to the great King of all holiday search websites that is (http://www.thomson.co.uk). We had a budget so we decided on Spain since your always guarantied a decent price there. Whilst keeping Spain in mind, I remembered a member of my
family who had just come back from Spain where she stayed on the Island of Gran Canaria. I remembered her enthusiasm so we decided to look for some holidays in Gran Canaria. Our search led to ‘Maspalomas’ as there was an excellent deal that we just couldn’t refuse. Whilst there we stayed at the ‘Hotel Maspalomas/tabaiba Princess’. I will elaborate on our stay later in the review. For now I will introduce you to Gran Canaria and Maspalomas.
OO MASPALOMAS OO
Maspalomas is on the south east coast of Gran Canaria and around 20 minutes drive from Puerto Rico which is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Maspalomas. It is this popular mainly because of the islands dynamic and contrasting landscapes and beach. When we where there was a beautiful beach that stretched around 6km, its was nice to have a nice relaxing walk along the beach at dawn and the sand is just right, however there are magnificent sand dunes which stretch most of the way which look absolutely astonishing when night falls and the sunset is resting at the seas edge. Truly spectacular. However famous for its beach, Maspalomas has a lot more to offer than just a magnificent beach, there is the rest of the island to explore in all its tropical glory. I say Tropical for the fact that there are tropical forests which are small enough to explore within a few days. Maspalomas is defiantly a quiet family retreat, however its great to just get away from it all. More things to do will be explained later in the review.
OO HOTEL OO
As I mentioned earlier within in review, we stayed at the Hotel Maspalomas/tabaiba Princess 4*, which was absolutely spectacular from the outset. When we arrived we were greeted by the hotels lobby area alone, which is absolutely amazing, full marble flooring with glass exterior, I mean it was beautiful, and for the price it felt even better. Having been greeted by the excellent first appearance of the lobby we walked over towards the reception desk located in the centre of the giant lobby and we were greeted again by a lovely woman who was smiling and courteous at al times. She helped us check in and pointed us in the right direction. Whist finding our way to our room, one couldn’t help notice the elegance of the hotel, chic glass fronted elevators and palm trees stretching far up into the open space, and that was just the start of the hotel. The Hotels rooms were excellent, clean, elegant, and nicely furnished with a gorgeous en-suit bathroom with a balcony. A perfect hotel room if you ask me, we felt like royalty. Having settled in, we went down in the posh glass lifts to get a drink at the hotel bar, which was sophisticated in every way, it had its own grand piano along with player and an expert in cocktails at hand at the bar. But don’t worry, you don’t need to wear a tuxedo at all times, simple casual wear is generally excepted at this particular bar in the hotel.
Moving on to the pool area, when we went outside for the first time, we were astounded by the sheer size of the swimming pool. It was huge, crisscrossed with wooden bridges and surrounded by beautiful foliage. There were bars all around the pool which served food and drink all day along with various ice creams and so on, basically everything you would need to laze about. If you fancy a nice Italian style pizza there is a lovely little restaurant serving tasty pizzas all day long. It gets even better, what would make a relaxing day more relaxing? Yes a wonderful sauna and seem room. Guess what? They got them both. I found myself simply sitting in the sauna for the majority of the holiday.
Having took in all the opportunities of the hotels surrounding, after dinner there is the opportunity to round the day of with a nice drink in the lounge, or maybe some light entertainment in one of the two entertainment venues in the hotel. Or maybe a nice game of miniature golf or tennis or table tennis.
You should take a look of some pictures of the hotel here:
Meals All the meals are buffet style. That may put some people off initially however they are superb, I mean simply superb. There are endless choices of foods, courses and derserts. Be aware that you may gain substantial weight from this holiday since the food is fantastic at the hotel.
Entertainment There ate quality night shows at the hotel, professional singing, dancing and the famous piano bar where the regulars tend to ballroom dance :o!
Activitys There is tonnes to do at the hotel, including archery, boules, rifle shooting, mini golf and tennis. Everything really, we never actually got time to do everything. You would most deffinatly need at least 2 weeks there.
Room facilities 2 or 3 beds Telephone Hairdryer Satellite TV Minibars, safety deposit boxes and fridges available Air-conditioning There are a limited number of rooms for four adults with two twins Rooms for 3 and 4 people do not have a pool view Third and fourth beds are either sofa beds or fold out beds This hotel will not allow child bed sharing Single rooms available on request
Official rating 4 Star
OO ACTIVITES AND SIGHT SEEINGOO
Trips and sight seeing tours can generally be organised though your hotel or travel company, or even by yourself. We decided to use the hotel listing for things to do. Wow we was amazed at the choice. From donkey riding, helicopter ride to scuba diving they had the lot. We actually decided on scuba diving and the helicopter ride to get our adrenaline running after all that relaxing at the hotel and beach (smiles). The experience was excellent for both and I would truly recommend them both. it’s a must do. Further activities include, an array of internet cafes, arcade and gambling arcades, bowling, sunbathing, trampoline, sky diving and many many more.
Maspalomas is very quiet generally compared to the coast, such as Playa del Ingles, however it does consist of varies bars and clubs down at the ‘Umbro centre’. This is considered a very ‘gay’ friendly area were you are sure to meet some very interesting people. Here many drag shows take place and it is excellent for a truly gay night out. Drinks are also extremely cheap. I got half a glass of vodka with coke for something like 2 euros. Now that’s good!
OO WEATHER OO
The weather is Gran Canaria is excellent. Did I mention we went for Christmas in December? No? Well its true and the weather was superb. I actually got burned on Christmas day lazing on the beach. Oh I nearly forgot to mention the excellent Spa actually on the beach. Oh gosh, I mean the massage was absolutely orgasmic if that’s the right word?
OO PRICE OO
As I mentioned the price was actually very fare, although I couldn’t remember the exact price it was around the area of £400 per person at the time. You can check www.thomson.co.uk out for more information.
The general price of food was also excellent, we had a three course Chinese meal for 7 euro, which I think is excellent. However, the souvenirs are an absolute rip off, you should try to avoid buying useless souvenirs because we made that mistake and they all either got thrown away or forgot about.
All in all I would recommend Gran Canaria to anyone, especially Maspalomas, it was the holiday of my life!
Sounds like a lovely place, and definitely somewhere I'd like to go. Lisa x
thebigc1690 21.04.2007 00:39
great review!
jo145 20.04.2007 23:19
You started your review very well, but then it became a review on the hotel, which should be under a different section. Check and see if it is on Ciao or ask them to add it. Devote this review to Gran Canaria in general. If you are stuck come back and ask or ask Coooeee who helps newbies. Jo x
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We propose some unforgettable holidays in "El Capistrano Villages", in Nerja, the privileged balcony of the Costa del Sol. "El Capistrano Villages" is, possibly, the most beautiful and exclusive Urbanisation on the Costa del Sol.
Advantages: plenty for every one, great beaches, excellent restaurants, lively bars and nightlife Disadvantages: you've just gotta come home some time!
flashpointz 02.02.2001 (11.09.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Gran Canaria (Spain)
Advantages: gorgeous weather, plenty of things to do and see Disadvantages: Place I stayed was full of cockroaches, beaches are too full & not that nice, people trying to force you into their restaurant.
leesa7711 15.07.2005 (15.07.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Gran Canaria (Spain)
Apr 20th, 2007
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