Experience luxury and pure relaxation at the Barcelo Teguise Beach Hotel in Lanzarote…
It’s October as I land in the Canary Island Lanzarote and the air is beautifully warm – a stark contrast to the wet and dreary UK I have just left behind. The Canary Islands are a sunny archipelago nestled just off the African coast and while islands like Tenerife and Gran Canaria are known for their flocks of ‘Brits abroad’, Lanzarote is a serene alternative. With a rugged, volcanic landscape and many hidden gems to visit, it provides all you need for a year-round vacation. I am headed here to check out the Barcelo Teguise Beach hotel, a luxury adults-only resort just 14 minutes from the airport.
The Room
I head inside and am greeted by a spacious and contemporary lobby. A glass centrepiece sends shards of rainbow light reflecting off the walls and plush seats in jewel tones are just begging to be sat on. I head to my room and am led through open corridors, the kind where you can feel the sunlight breaking on your skin, smell the sea air just beyond and feel the leaves of the palm trees as you wander through. I push open the door and am greeted with a large and super stylish space. The room is separated with a dividing wall; a sofa, table and desk sit to one side and a king-sized bed complete with crisp white linen and fat, squishy pillows sits on the other. The bathroom is open plan to the left of the room with a dividing segment for the toilet and shower. The real highlight to this room, however, lies through the balcony doors. I throw them open to reveal one of the largest balconies I’ve ever seen, complete with two loungers, two chairs, a table and a large jacuzzi.
With views of the stunningly lit pool it’s the most perfect place to spend an evening. The sun is beginning to set, sending warm orange glows puddling over the surface of the pool below and I change into my swimming things, pour a glass of prosecco and sink into the tub. It’s this moment I truly relax. City life is often so busy and so manic, it’s rare to get those moments of peace. The air is quiet and calming and has that smell to it that you only ever get when abroad. A mix of heated earth, faded suncream and a faint sea breeze. I’ve been at the Barcelo Teguise Beach for about half an hour but already I’m hooked. Hotels can get the decor right or the features perfect, but if the atmosphere isn’t there, there’s little point. Barcelo Teguise hits the nail right on the head and lets you relax, rejuvenate and anticipate what’s to come from your break. As I unpack my suitcase I’m already dreading the moment when the clothes will be folded back in a few days time.
The Food
The main restaurant for breakfast and dinner at the Barcelo Teguise is The Atlantic Buffet. It is divided into three themes and the food on offer changes regularly. The themes are local, Asian and international and include live show cooking as well as freshly-cooked dishes. Buffets can have a bad rep, with repetitive offerings and sub-par dishes, however the Barcelo Teguise Beach prove this wrong. There is a great array of dishes to choose from and each night there is something new – one night there is even a Katsu curry fountain! Food is innovative and delicious, combining both style and substance and providing something for everyone without being too broad. I eat here for breakfast and dinner and each time am impressed. In the morning I slather warm croissants with jam and butter and in the evening I experiment with the new dishes on offer, accompanied by a glass of wine recommended by the waiting staff. They go above and beyond to help and really make the experience. Other places to eat include the Champs sports bar, a great space located underneath the Hotel’s second pool and with its own separate walkway to the beach. It’s a fun spot to head if you’re looking for a chilled evening where you can watch sports games, enjoy live entertainment and play arcade games. The menu includes pub favourites such as burgers, fajitas and nachos as well as an impressive drinks menu. This restaurant is open to the general public so can get a bit busier (particularly if a football match is on) but has a fantastic atmosphere and the food is delicious too. Lunch at the Hotel is a la carte and can be enjoyed at the Breeze Gastro Pool Bar. Here you can find an innovative array of Mediterranean dishes as well as fresh fruit salads and hot and cold snacks.
The Hotel
The Hotel itself is absolutely beautiful and you can see the thought and cleverly executed design aspects woven through each part. There are two main pools, one which is an infinity pool with a glass edge – aptly nicknamed the instagram pool – and a larger main pool. The main pool is stunning, with plenty of plush loungers, Bali beds and a separate area with serviced cabanas (for a fee) perfect for a romantic day with your other half. A waterfall cascades down at one end and it’s ideal for both dipping in when it gets too hot, or for swimming lengths. The Hotel’s gym is partially outside meaning you can feel the fresh air when you work out, and the spa is not to be missed. It features a unique ‘relay’ area where you head from zone to zone, each with different health benefits. When you’re looking to relax, rejuvenate and take some time out of the blazing sun, there’s no better place to be. Try their full body massage for a real treat and feel all tension leave your body. The Hotel offers fitness classes for free each morning, including yoga, Pilates, and Zumba and its location by the beachfront makes it the perfect spot if you fancy a dip in the sea.
The Area
Prior to heading to Lanzarote I didn’t realise just how much there is to do there. (Full post on what to do coming soon.) You can climb volcanoes at Timafaya National Park, take a segway along the stunning coastline, see the salt flats at Salinas de Janubio and have your breath taken away at Charo Verde. Head to Jameos del Agua for lunch inside a cave, and venture to Mirador del Rio for some of the best viewpoints on the island. The Barcelo Teguise Beach Hotel puts you at the best position to experience all of this and if you need any advice or help the reception staff are always on hand to help.
To Conclude
The Barcelo Teguise Beach is one of those special Hotels. It’s one that you will end up parring future hotels against and being that bit disappointed when they don’t quite match up. It’s a Hotel that entices you in with style and proves they have all the substance to go with it. They achieve a high level of luxury without the pretentiousness that makes for a break away when you feel truly spoilt. When heading to Lanzarote there’s nowhere else to stay but here. I for one, am already counting the days until I can return…
