Seaside Palm Beach

The island of Gran Canaria offers a head-spinning variety of landscapes, making it possible to hike through verdant groves and rocky ravines in the north and then retreat to the south for fun in the sun. The beaches aren’t exactly a secret, and from the outside, Seaside Palm Beach doesn’t look much different than the mega-resorts of the sixties and seventies that are still kicking, with its concrete horseshoe shape rising above the big lagoon-style pool. But inside, it’s an artistic cut above the by-the-numbers hospitality of its neighbors.

A 2002 redesign promised a major overhaul, and instead of going for chic minimalism, French architect Alberto Pinto took elements from the hotel’s Seventies origins and updated the look by fusing glam accents with modern luxe. While this isn’t exactly understated (you’re not staying in a 328-room resort hotel for that, anyway) it’s more stylish than it sounds, with plenty of bold colors and intriguing art objects. Shag carpets and any remnants of leisure-suit beach culture have been jettisoned. Each guest room comes with a spacious balcony, and the color schemes range from bright lilac-green to soothing beige-brown. Amenities don’t change much from room to room, although larger corner suites offer separate living spaces and multiple balconies.

When it comes to sunrise views, the sand dunes of Maspalomas are one of the wonders of the Canary Islands. They’re just outside Seaside Palm Beach, along with a shoreline packed with bars and restaurants. Of course, we’d just as soon recommend staying close to the hotel grounds, which include an extensive wellness retreat and a massive dinner buffet among its multitude of restaurants.