I was very lucky to escape for some winter sun recently, visiting Lanzarote and Fuerteventura courtesy of Hyatt Inclusive Hotels and easyJet holidays.
Work trips are always exciting, but I will admit they can be a little nerve-wracking, especially when you are travelling with nine other travel agents you have never met before. Thankfully, we all had our own rooms, which helped everyone settle in quickly. The aim of the trip was to experience the hotels first-hand and get a real feel for each destination, so we could confidently recommend them to our clients.
Arrival in Lanzarote
Our flight from Gatwick to Lanzarote took around four hours. We met at the airport, grabbed a quick breakfast and before we knew it, we were boarding. As we landed, the sun was shining and the warm air hit our faces as we stepped off the plane. It was such a great feeling after winter at home.
We transferred to the Secrets Lanzarote Resort and Spa, an elegant adults-only hotel. As we arrived early, we headed straight to lunch and enjoyed dining al fresco at the Ocean à la carte restaurant. The menu was excellent, with plenty of vegetarian options available.
After lunch, we took a gentle 15-minute walk to Puerto Calero, a lively marina filled with upmarket shops and restaurants. It was a lovely area to explore and a great first introduction to Lanzarote.
Secrets Lanzarote Resort and Spa
We then checked into our rooms for a three-night stay and were delighted to be upgraded to a Preferred Club swim-up room. The Preferred Club offers a more exclusive experience, including:
- Prime room locations
- Private Preferred Club Lounge
- Personalised check-in and check-out
- Daily breakfast in a private restaurant
- Exclusive in-room amenities and thoughtful extra touches
The hotel itself was beautiful, with six restaurants, six bars and an incredible spa. We could not resist spending some time there, enjoying the steam room, sauna, reflexology foot bath and a variety of powerful water jets. Pure bliss.
Exploring Lanzarote
The following day, after a delicious buffet breakfast, we headed out on an island excursion. Our first stop was Timanfaya National Park, where you can still feel the heat from the volcanoes that erupted over 300 years ago. The heat is so intense that the park’s restaurant still uses volcanic energy to cook its food.
Next, we visited La Geria to sample local wines. This area is home to several bodegas set amongst striking volcanic vineyards, creating truly unique scenery.
Another highlight was El Lago Verde, also known as Charco de los Clicos. The vivid green lagoon, caused by algae and sulphur in the water, contrasts dramatically with the black volcanic sand and surrounding brown mountains. It is a stunning sight and well worth a visit.
We enjoyed lunch at a local fish restaurant, once again with plenty of vegetarian options available.
Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada
Our final day in Lanzarote was spent at Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort and Spa, a fantastic option for families. The resort offers kids’ clubs, plenty of activities and even an adults-only section if you prefer a quieter stay.
The spa here was equally impressive, and I loved the hotel’s location. It sits right near the beach and is within easy walking distance of the harbour and Playa Blanca, where you will find plenty of shops, restaurants and entertainment.
On to Fuerteventura
After three nights in Lanzarote, we headed to Playa Blanca port to catch the foot ferry to Fuerteventura, which was a first for me. The port itself was clean but fairly quiet, and the half-hour crossing was smooth and much calmer than expected. There was also plenty of space for luggage, which made the journey easy.
Secrets Bahía Real Resort and Spa
Our home for the next two nights was the Secrets Bahía Real Resort and Spa, an adults-only hotel in Fuerteventura. The entrance was a real wow moment, with a very Spanish feel from the outside. A special mention also has to go to the delicious cookies in the lobby.
We stayed in a ground-floor ocean-front room with a lovely terrace. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side and it was rainy, so we did not get to enjoy it as much as we had hoped.
The hotel offers a wide variety of restaurants, including a show-style teppanyaki restaurant. Sadly, it was fully booked during our stay, but the setting looked fantastic.
Family Options in Fuerteventura
A short 10-minute walk took us to Alua Suites, a family-friendly resort offering a wide range of room types, including rooms suitable for up to five people. The resort is large, with lots of different areas to explore, and we enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch during our visit.
Fuerteventura Excursion Day
Our excursion day arrived, and so did the rain. Despite the weather, we made the most of it and visited:
- The Majorero Cheese Museum
- Betancuria, one of the most important colonial towns in the Canary Islands, beautifully decorated for Christmas
- The oldest rocks in the Canary Islands, located in a cave in the town of Ajuy, north of Pájara
We stopped for lunch at Alua Village, a lovely complex that is ideal for watersports thanks to its excellent wind conditions. On our way back, we also stopped at the famous sand dunes. They were incredibly impressive, although very windy.
Final Thoughts
All in all, it was a fantastic experience. I loved the idea of two islands that are so easily accessible, yet offer very different landscapes and atmospheres.
Hyatt Inclusive Hotels truly delivered, from the luxurious five-star Secrets adults-only resorts to the four-star family-friendly Alua options. If you would like to know more or are thinking about booking a Canary Islands escape, give me a call today. I would love to help.