The hype
Travelers are obsessed with the views and the location, but consistently underwhelmed by the '5-star' claim due to dated furniture and extra charges.
Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa
$160-240/ night
Book this if You want the best views in Lanzarote and don't mind trading a sprawling resort pool for a city-center skyscraper vibe.
Why People Love It
- It's the tallest building on the island, offering unmatched panoramic ocean views
- Direct access to the calm, golden sands of El Reducto Beach
- The 17th-floor breakfast with floor-to-ceiling windows is a morning ritual
Quick Take: A landmark tower with million-dollar views that's resting on its laurels with 'tired' interiors and a confusing indoor-only pool.
Reviewed by @alamodechezn: I checked into Arrecife Gran Hotel and honestly, the view from my bed was the highlight of the trip. It’s super modern and right in the city, but feels totally peaceful. If you want that high-rise luxury vibe in Lanzarote, this is the spot.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
You will wait for the elevator. You will pay for the spa. You will hear the wind howling against the glass if you're on a high floor.
- You prioritize ocean views over modern furniture
- You want to be in the city center (Arrecife) with walkable access to local bars, not a tourist trap resort
- You love a massive buffet breakfast with a view
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8.5
- Housekeeping: Daily and generally efficient. Some reports of missed dust on high shelves or under beds.
- Bathroom hygiene: Good. Grout is usually white, but some older rooms show signs of wear/calcification on taps.
- Maintenance: The weak point. Peeling paint on the exterior, worn carpets in hallways, and 'tired' furniture scuffs.
- Linens & towels: Standard hotel grade. Clean and white, but towels can feel a bit scratchy/thin.
- Odors & scents: Lobby smells fresh/perfumed. Pool area has a distinct chlorine/drain humidity smell.
Sleepability™
6.8MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Music/footsteps from the 17th-floor bar (affects floors 15-16)
- Loud AC units and plumbing noise between rooms
- High-velocity wind noise against the glass facade
Before you book
Good to know
- Parking is underground but tight and costs ~€10-15/day.
- The 'pool bar' is actually inside the glass dome, which can get humid.
- Dinner buffet is often rated as 'average' — eat out in Arrecife instead.
What to pack
- European power adapter (Type C/F)
- Earplugs (for the wind and thin walls)
- A light jacket (Arrecife is windy, even when sunny)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Suite with Sea View (High Floor) — essential for the full 'skyscraper' experience.
- Imperial Suite — if you want massive space and the best vantage point on the island.
Rooms to avoid
- City View rooms on lower floors — you stare at concrete and street traffic.
- Floors 15 and 16 if you sleep before midnight (noise from the rooftop bar above).
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am requesting a high-floor room (Floor 10-14) facing the ocean. Please ensure I am NOT on the floor directly below the rooftop bar due to noise sensitivity.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the pool really indoor?
Yes. It is under a glass atrium. There is a sun deck (solarium) outside, but the water itself is enclosed.
Does the hotel have balconies?
Mostly no. The architecture is a glass tower; rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows but no outdoor space unless you book specific top-tier suites.
Is the spa free for guests?
No. The 'Aqua+' hydrothermal circuit costs extra (approx. €23) unless you book a specific suite package.
Is it good for kids?
Not really. It's geared towards adults/couples. No kids' club, and the pool is quiet/spa-like.
How is the WiFi?
Generally fast and reliable, suitable for remote work.
Is parking included?
No, it's a paid underground garage. Street parking nearby is difficult to find.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Skip the hotel dinner buffet and walk 5 minutes to 'El Nido' for authentic local tapas.
- ✨
The 'City View' rooms actually offer a nice sunset over the mountains if you are on a high enough floor (10+).
- ✨
You can access the rooftop bar (Blue 17) even if you aren't staying at the hotel — go for a drink first to check the vibe.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'Greenhouse Effect': The glass-enclosed pool area gets incredibly humid and stuffy, smelling faintly of chlorine and drains.
💡The Elevator Lottery: There are too few elevators for 17 floors. You will spend a significant part of your holiday waiting in the lobby.
💡The 'Double' Bed Lie: Most 'double' beds are just two singles pushed together on wheels that drift apart at night.
💡Wind Noise: Being the tallest building means it catches the trade winds; on stormy nights, the building literally whistles.
💡The 'Solarium' Struggle: The outdoor sun deck has limited loungers and is often too windy to actually use.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa is located and what's nearby.