Ten of the best Canary Island holidays for under £500

By Ruth Doherty, Jan 31, 2011
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Budget holidays

Ten of the best Canary Island holidays for under £500 Canary Islands Tourism

These holidays in the Canary Islands are perfect for romantic couples, families or groups of friends. And they're purse-friendly, too....

Ten top hotels in the Canary islands

Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, Playa Blanca, Lanzarote
 Where? Ideally placed on one of the finest sandy beaches in Lanzarote, the ancient fishing village of Playa Blanca is just 500 metres from the local village of Yaiza and only 35 minutes' drive from Lanzarote Arrecife Airport. Accommodation: The luxurious suites, impeccable service, Kikoland kids club, thalassotherapy spa and eight gourmet dining options make the Princesa Yaiza the ideal getaway for young and old alike. The Kampai Japanese Restaurant is particularly mouth-watering, and is perfectly followed up by a cocktail at the 4 Lunas Jazz Bar. Price: From £127 a night, based on two sharing a double room on a bed & breakfast basis. Suites start from £196. For reservations, visit <a href="http://princesayaiza.com/" target="_blank">Princesa YAIZA suite hotel resort</a> or call +0034 928 519 206.
Deluxe Gran Melia, Volcan, Playa Blanca, Lanzarote
 Where? This five-star hotel is located by the sea and the picturesque Rubicón Marina, just one kilometre from Playa Blanca and minutes from the famous beaches of Papagayo. Accommodation: The Gran Meliá Volcan Lanzarote is all romantic patios, secluded courtyards and traditional squares. It boasts four swimming pools, a Club House with a great range of activities, a Mini Club with special activities for the kids, a gorgeous spa, 24hr squash court, state-of-the-art gym, bike rental (additional charge), organised bike tours and nearby tennis and paddle courts (free of charge). There are also five restaurants and a pub to keep you entertained. Price: From £423.25 per person, a seven-night stay is available on a bed & breakfast basis. Visit <a href="http://www.expedia.co.uk/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Expedia.co.uk</a> for more information.
Villa Irlandesa, Fuerteventura
 Where? Nestled in the rural setting of La Capellania, the villa is three kilometres outside the lively resort of Corralejo, which boasts a beautiful beach, a huge water park, and lots of bars and restaurants. It's also a short hop to the stunning island of Isla de Lobos (pictured). Accommodation: Villa Irlandesa is a modern three-bedroom detached pad (sleeping 6, plus baby in a cot) with a fenced private pool, is walking distance to a kids' playground and just ten minutes from the nearest beach. Price: <a href="http://totstotravel.co.uk/properties.php?prop_id=302" target="_blank">Tots to Travel</a>, a company specialising in family-friendly holidays, offers a week from £485 per week (flights not included).
Gran Oasis Resort, Playa de las Americas, Tenerife
 Where? This lovely resort is situated in a quiet area between the resorts of Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos. Don't worry - it's not smack-bang in the middle of the party strip! Accommodation: Set within extensive tropical gardens around two swimming pools, these apartments are within walking distance to the beach, as well as local shops. There's a games room, putting green and buffet restaurant. Price: From £336 for a week's stay in a one-bedroom apartment, sleeping four.Visit <a href="http://www.hoseasons.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hoseasons</a> or call 0844 847 1170.
Los Jameos Playa, Playa de los Pocillos, Lanzarote
 Where? Playa de los Pocillos is just a mile away from the bars and action of its livelier neighbour, Playa del Carmen. It's a modern, new town, just five miles from the Arrecife International Airport. Accommodation: Head to Seaside Hotels' four-star Los Jameos Playa, for the best tennis facilities in the Canary Islands, two swimming pools and a Spa and Wellness Centre. Price: From £486 per person for seven nights based on two adults sharing a twin room on a half-board basis. This package includes return flights from London Gatwick with Monarch Airlines, departing on the 6 May 2011. For more information or to book, visit <a href="http://www.monarch.co.uk/" target="_blank">monarch.co.uk</a>.
AC Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
 Where? Located in the centre of Gran Canaria's capital, Las Palmas, this hotel is a hop, skip and jump to Las Canteras Beach, and the hustle and bustle of the city. Accommodation: The four-star AC Gran Canaria has a gorgeous outdoor pool with fantastic views over the beach, as well as a gym, sauna and an on-site marina. Price: From £365 for seven nights room-only, based on two sharing a standard room. This includes direct return flights with EasyJet from London Gatwick to Las Palmas. For reservations, visit <a href="http://www.expedia.co.uk/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Expedia.co.uk</a>.
Barcelo Varadero, Guia de Isora, Tenerife
 Where? Located in Guia de Isora, this hotel is less than two miles from Los Gigantes, which boasts some of the best weather in the Canaries, and fabulous cliffs of the same name, which you can visit by boat. Accommodation: The three-star Barcelo Varadero features a huge outdoor pool, tennis courts, a sauna and a children's club. Price: From £269 per person for seven nights room-only, based on two sharing a standard room. This includes direct return flights with easyJet from London Gatwick to Tenerife. For reservations, visit <a href="http://www.expedia.co.uk/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Expedia.co.uk</a>.
The Hesperia Lanzarote, Puerto Calero, Lanzarote
 Where? The Hesperia Lanzarote is located on the easternmost island of the Canary archipelago, next to the postcard-pretty Puerto Calero Marina, and close to the busy resort of Puerto del Carmen. Accommodation: Four swimming pools, four restaurants (including the beachside La Caleta), three bars and a spa and sports club offer endless opportunities to unwind, have fun and put your feet up! Price: Sovereign Luxury Travel (0844 415 1984) are offering an early booking discount on a bed and breakfast stay, meaning that seven nights costs from just £439 per person, a saving of up to £159 per couple. The early booking discount is valid on departures 1 May to 1 October 2011 when booked by 30 April 2011. For more information or to book online, visit <a href="http://www.sovereign.com/" target="_blank">Sovereign Luxury Travel</a>.
Caleta del Sebo, La Graciosa Island
 Where? La Graciosa is a beautiful little island off the northern tip of Lanzarote, where pure relaxation is the order of the day. The villa is located in the heart of the main town, Caleta del Cebo - a charming little fishing village. Accommodation: This two-bedroom house has a breathtaking roof terrace and is a small hop to the sea, the beach and shops. Price:The apartment (which sleeps four) starts at £490 per week excluding flights and the studio, which sleeps two, is from only £215 per couple per week. Visit <a href="http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk" target="_blank">Owners Direct</a>.
Dream Gran Castillo Hotel, Playa Blanca, Lanzarote
 Where? Playa Blanca is a relaxed yet lively resort, close to the famous Playa Papagayo beach. For something a little less busy, though, head to the nearby Famara beach for perfect wind surfing and sailing. Accommodation: The five-star Dream Gran Castillo Hotel boasts fantastic views of the ocean and the neighbouring Canary Islands, including Fuerteventura. There's two outdoor pools (plus a children's pool), and, as it's all-inclusive, drinks are available all day from the poolside bar, La Cascada. Price: From £480 per person for seven nights all-inclusive including flights from Luton with <a href="http://www.lowcostholidays.com" target="_blank">lowcostholidays.com</a>

Tags: Canary Islands, Ferbruary half term

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12 Comments

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jchorses

After 2 weeks (March/April 2011) in Playa Blanca we reckon the Princess Yaiza is one of the best in the resort. Avoid the Sun Park at all costs though!
As for Playa Blanca itself, very nice and some great beaches but be very careful of some of the beach-front restaurants and ALWAYS check your bill - popular tricks to fool us 'tourists' include charging for dishes you haven't had (especially garlic bread) or even giving you somebody else's much larger bill - and don't be too aggressive with the waiters (however surly) as they can get their (Montezuma's)revenge!
PS - Hope you like German because it is spoken everywhere!

April 14 2011 at 6:49 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

chuffbubble

A word of warning:- We hired a car through HoildayCars.com for Gran Canaria and received the voucher. It turned out the pick-up point given was totally incorrect which resulted in us spending nearly one and a half hours at the airport, making several phone calls and finally getting a taxi to the Orlando’s local office at a cost of 15 euro’s. On return we contacted Holiday Cars to complain and received an auto response that they would deal with the matter in 4 -6 weeks!!! Three days after the six weeks expired we received an email stating we needed to supply all the details of the complaint AGAIN and our credit card number via email. As is common knowledge this is a totally insecure method to send card details, and low and behold they would contact us in yet another 4-6 weeks !!!!
We have never encountered a more incompetent company with such appalling customer service, so although they may be ok if everything goes right, if you have a problem BEWARE.....YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

February 20 2011 at 12:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

halfyard5

...Can anyone tell me if the Costa del Sol is a wheelchair friendly resort and what hotels can you recommend, if any for getting access with a small wheeled wheelchair...Thanx guys!

February 20 2011 at 7:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to halfyard5's comment

michaelmicky2001

Hi yes Fuengarola in Costa Del Sol is very flat and Hotel Angela is an excelent hotel we have stayed there many times ourselves, if you go on Thomson,s site there are pictures of the hotel. Hope this is of some help.....

April 14 2011 at 4:20 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

malb180548

Just to confirm..Our Resort-Rentals, are just Seven Pounds £7.per person per night!! Yes Only £49.Each!! for the Entire Week!!
We feel thats unmatched..Be that Mainland Spain, or the Canary Islands.
Unless you know Differently??

February 14 2011 at 9:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

josiecrossley

just last week i stayed in playa blanca- in the new marina so bout 10 mins from the central part we stayed at the gran melia volcan - wuold nt entierly describe it as above dont get me wrong it was very nice but the description is misleading -states 5 resturants -we wre 1/2 board but could only eat in 1 1 main buffet - 1 was pool snack bar -1 japan resturant you have to pay and 2 off site which again you have to pay but can charge them to the hotel- i chose this hotel as i dont like to eat in the same place every night and the thought of 5 resturants was great - until u get there and realise they are not all in with your half board options- me and my husband got board there as most times we were the only people in the bar email me for anymore info josiecrossley@aol.lcom

February 13 2011 at 6:32 AM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to josiecrossley's comment

jchrs52

Josie,

The Volcan is a reaonable hotel, been there a couple of times but it is overpriced for what it is. The spa is rubbish and overpriced but that goes with most unfortuantly. The overall problem is that the Canaries are overpriced and fairly badly maintained! people are drifting to the cheaper far east.

February 13 2011 at 6:55 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

suemwhitehead

The weather here in mainland Spain on the Costa Blanca is pretty good at the moment. A two bedroom well equipped self catering apartment can be found for as little as GBP 175.00 per week. E mail Sue@sunnyholidayrentals.com

February 13 2011 at 6:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

malb180548

We are still "Offering " 2.Bed Apartments,sleep.6 Max!! for less-than
£300..These Quality Self Catering Holiday Resort-Rentals. Are Unmatched
for Value..Fly from your local Airport. Please see.http://www.resort-rentals.co.uk No harm in Looking!!

February 08 2011 at 5:25 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

mileswitham

It is many years since I have been able to take overseas holidays.
When I could, my favourite place was Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, and in particular Papagayo.

Last time I was there, there were many roads between Playa Blanca and Papagayo, but no buildings on them except for one circular fort. The roads were intended to serve hotels, which had not then yet been built.

I find myself imagining the hotel described sitting on what was then a barren area, with views across the magnificant peninsula of Papagayo. It would make a great base to explore the fascinating peninsula on foot, which is the only wat to explore it.

February 07 2011 at 3:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to mileswitham's comment

dielze

The area of Playa Blanca has changed quite a bit since you were last here. I live in Playa Blanca, and even now there are quite a lot of roads leading no-where as the global financial crisis has hit the island badly. However, the urbanisations and the hotels built around the Papagayo area are stunning, still relatively unspoilt and yes, you can explore on foot. I hope you manage to return some day

February 13 2011 at 5:33 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

ajtonto

The only thing that the Canaries have is sun!! The rest is total rubbish and a big ripoff. Most of the bars and entertainment centres are owned and run by dodgy Brits!!!!!!!! I lived there for a number of years and watched the transformation, and it was not for the better. I would not go there on holiday even if it was free.!!!! The true Locals call it the A***h**e of the world.

February 15 2011 at 10:43 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply