WHAT’S IT LIKE? Open since 2002, the Princesa Yaiza is one of the top hotels on the Canarian island of Lanzarote and is classed as a five-star luxury property. A large complex with 385 rooms and suites, its design is inspired by traditional Canarian architecture, with whitewashed buildings set around an attractively landscaped pool area.
I received one of the best welcomes I’ve ever had on arrival – a porter met me with a smile and took my bags, while inside the revolving door the resident manager was waiting to greet me, offer me a glass of sparkling wine or juice, and guide me to one of several reception desks, set up with chairs for you to take a seat while the staff run you through the resort’s facilities. A great first impression.
The lobby is bright, airy and inviting and features a high ceiling with a colourful stained-glass window, lots of greenery and wood, and a cabinet showing off the various awards the hotel has won. Archways leads through to a large seating area, a piano bar and, at the end, a double-height conservatory area filled with towering plants and water features – this, in turn, leads on to the pool area. Staff throughout the resort are friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is relaxed and well-heeled.
WHERE IS IT? In the pleasant resort town of Playa Blanca in the south-west of the island, facing the popular Playa Dorada beach. It is well located for the resort’s attractions and is a short walk from Marina Rubicon, a relatively new development with upmarket restaurants and bars. The airport is about half an hour’s drive away.
ROOM FACILITIES Starting from 43 sqm (plus balcony), the categories are Double/Double Sea View rooms, Junior/Junior Sea View suites, Suite/Suite Sea View, and Duplex, Family, Royal Kiko, Presidential and Royal suites. There are also accessible suites. They have a fresh feel with tiled floors, a pale yellow and blue colour scheme, and wooden furniture. All have balconies and garden, pool or sea views.
My spacious one-bed suite (C326) had a bedroom with two beds pushed together (others have king beds), a living room with a flatscreen TV, dining table and two sofas, and a big bathroom with a separate tub and walk-in shower, twin sinks (the mirror tended to steam up) and own-brand toiletries Facilities included free wifi, a well-priced minibar, plenty of wardrobe space, a safe, fridge, microwave, turndown service, 24-hour room service, centralised air conditioning, tea and coffee facilities, and robes.
The balcony had two sunbeds and looked towards the pool but the view was almost completely obscured by trees and greenery. The room provided a clean and comfortable base for the couple of days I was there, though I must admit to being a little disappointed that there was no daylight in the bedroom – when in a place like this, I do like to wake up to a view. Instead, there was a window with wooden shutters that had an internal view on to the corridor, which was partially open-air, but I kept this shut for privacy. The only daylight in the suite was via the living-room window and balcony. All other room types have daylight in the bedrooms.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS A big choice is available. There are three buffet restaurants open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (many of the guests stay on an all-inclusive basis and take advantage of all three sessions). One of them is partly open-air with views of the pool. They have international, Italian and Mexican themes and when I stayed in April, were open on a rotating basis (on arrival at the hotel, the reception staff will give you a leaflet showing the opening hours of all the various venues for the coming week, along with a map). The buffet range is extensive with live cooking stations and a lavish spread for breakfast. I also had a good buffet dinner here, with meat and fish barbequed to order.
There is also an à la carte fine-dining restaurant with a beautiful view out to sea (closed on the weekend I stayed), à la carte Japanese and Italian eateries, a poolside café-bar, where I had a very bog-standard sandwich and fries, a juice bar and a gelateria. The piano bar features live music in the evenings, and there is also a lovely jazz bar, Quatro Lunas, that serves good cocktails and plays host to some excellent musicians. There are also dining options in Kikoland, the kids’ club.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES Spaces for large and small gatherings are available for hire. The Timanfaya auditorium holds 600 delegates theatre-style or 850 for a reception, and there are nine other meeting rooms of varying sizes, five of which are located side-by-side in a separate part of the resort over the road, linked by an underground walkway (there are more guestrooms over here, along with a pool and the hotel gym). Mojitos club is used for events only and holds up to 1,500 people. There is also a small room for VIP meetings, and an internet corner.
LEISURE FACILITIES There are saltwater, freshwater and kids’ pools in the main part of the resort, all with plentiful sunbeds – the saltwater pool tends to be quieter and is situated closer to the beach. The Thalasso spa offers a whopping 50 treatment rooms and its facilities include an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, tea and relaxation rooms. The gym is open Mon-Fri 7.30am-9.40pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm. There is also Kikoland kids’ club, with daily activities and a “mini disco”, tennis, basketball, football and beach volleyball courts, a hairdresser and a selection of shops.
VERDICT With its beachside location and wide range of facilities, this impressive property is an attractive choice for both holidaymakers and corporate groups.
PRICE Internet rates for a night’s stay in June started from €150 for a Double room.
CONTACT Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, Avenida Papagayo 22, Playa Blanca; tel +34 928 519 222; princesayaiza.com
Michelle Mannion
