파라디수스 바이 멜리아 그란 카나리아 - 올 인클루시브

Admit to a heart sink when I realised that I’d booked an all inclusive without realising it, and then read some brutal reviews here. ( plus some very suspiciously similar good ones by first time reviewers. Hmm.) The business model of an all inclusive is obviously to deliver the least, from a staff with no tipping incentive to please. However those fears here were unfounded. This is a brand new and beautifully designed hotel, and the staff were largely charming and highly professional. We booked a junior reserve suite and it was a lovely space. A fabulous view, clean, with a regularly stocked mini bar and delightful bathroom area. The Reserve boasts its own adult only lap pool, though why people crowd around it, feet from each other and the pool like ticket holders for some aquatic gladiatorial combat that never happens is a mystery. Particularly when the main hotel infinity pool is charming and large, and the surprisingly lovely beach and Atlantic Ocean with huge fun filled waves is two steps away. Different strokes for different folks. The buffet is as one would expect, a canteen atmosphere with an unchanging menu. But plates are cleaned and glasses filled swiftly. Restaurant choice was limited during our stay. Kanna by the pool was appalling in the evening ( a meat skewer that would have challenged a great white shark to chew and a ‘cauliflower steak’ being just a raw piece of it burned on both sides) But the upside is you can just get up and leave and go and forage somewhere else. In sharp contrast the restaurant in the Reserve was outstanding. Devine set menus by a Michelin starred chef delivered with a great deal of theatre. Top class. Nice small spa. The hotel is also in a very quiet location, a boon for those not wanting to endure the human vandalism this beautiful island has suffered further up the coast. Would come back. Don’t often say that.

A lovely hotel where “ALL” the staff work incredibly hard and are very personable. We encountered many staff who went above and beyond to make our stay a memorable one. Brian in particular was a member of staff who added a few extra touches to assist us with a couple of birthdays celebrations whilst we were there. We would have liked a few discreetly placed tip boxes so we were able to reward and recognise many of the hard working staff instead of individuals who were serving us on the odd occasion. Whilst we understand tipping is purely optional it would have been a nice touch for all staff to benefit during the festive period. The different restaurant set ups are a good idea so you don’t spend your whole stay in a buffet restaurant and there is generally something for everyone. Our only tip would be to place a microwave in the buffet so if like us you like your food piping hot you would have the option to heat it to your desired temperature. This was our first visit to Gran Canaria and both the hotel, the hotel staff , Canarian locals and the area made it a fabulous holiday for us