"The Ultimate 5-Star Paradise: Our 59th Stay in 26 Years!
I would like to say a huge thank you to the Hotel Lopesan Costa Meloneras, a destination my family, friends, and I have thoroughly enjoyed for the past 26 years. This marks our 59th stay at this magnificent resort. Naturally, we fell in love with the location, architecture, landscaping, restaurants, spa, pools, beach, atmosphere, and the exceptional hotel management that makes it all possible.
Having travelled to every corner of Spain—including 12 trips to Barcelona, Seville, Cadiz, Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza—as well as all seven Canary Islands and 10 different hotels in Gran Canaria, we can confidently say that none match or even come close to the standard here. It is not just that it is one of the grandest hotels in Europe with a spectacular heated infinity pool; it is the little touches that set it apart. The restaurants, the spa, the warm smiles, the genuine welcomes, and the fond goodbyes—their dedication to going the extra mile makes every single visit unforgettable.
None of this would be possible without the incredible vision and hard work of the Lopesan family, alongside the management team and excellently selected staff who bring this dream to life. A simple thank you is not enough to express our deep gratitude for what you have personally made possible for us. Sometimes we forget to appreciate what we have, so I want to highlight just a few features of this hotel, though there are too many to fit into one review.
Our frequent returns speak for themselves, and we never grow tired or bored because there is always something new happening. I still fondly remember the morning we saw a helicopter in the pool area filming a Spanish movie! This resort is truly international and offers a 5-star-plus experience. Hollywood even selected this site to film Wild Oats, starring Shirley MacLaine, Jessica Lange, Billy Connolly, and Demi Moore. The storyline follows an American woman who mistakenly receives a large sum of money and decides to travel to where the millionaires stay—the Canary Islands. We were lucky enough to witness the entire filming process here in 2014.
No brochure pictures can truly capture how spectacular this hotel is. Whether you arrive by taxi or coach, you are immediately greeted by a majestic, imperial palace complex entrance adorned with palm trees and fountains. The warm, professional welcome from security and baggage handlers is immediate; they take care of your luggage right away so you can walk freely into reception.
The reception area is an architectural masterpiece. It is grand and massive, yet still feels personal and beautifully laid out. The interior features the largest chandeliers I have ever seen, comfortable furniture, and pristine marble floors. It immediately reminds you of the incredible value for money this hotel offers. We have stayed all over the island, but this is the only hotel we know where the vast majority of guests you speak with are repeat visitors planning their next return.
While checking in, you can look straight through the windows to see the infinity pool blending seamlessly into the ocean. You instantly know your holiday has begun. The location is absolutely perfect: a 2-minute walk to the promenade's shops and restaurants, a 3-minute walk to the lighthouse, 5 minutes to the beach, and 6 minutes to the shopping centre. That said, you don't even need to leave the resort, as it features its own supermarket, boutiques, restaurants, spa, hairdresser, bars, and even a casino!
Upon receiving the hotel map, you realise you have entered a miniature city in paradise. It boasts 7 heated swimming pools, 4 à la carte restaurants, 1 massive buffet, 4 tennis courts, a paddle court, an underground spa, a gym, a casino, a dance stage, and beautiful waterfalls. The grounds are kept immaculate by an army of cleaners who work tirelessly around the clock. This dedication shows in the flawless cleanliness of the pools, gardens, and dining areas.
With over 1,000 rooms, you can select the view best suited to your preference, whether it’s the sea, mountains, gardens, or pools. Because the hotel is so vast, you can easily find a quiet area to relax, and there are always plenty of sun loungers available in both sun and shade. The incredible number of palm trees creates a genuine tropical island atmosphere. There is even a man-made beach area with real sand if you prefer to avoid the Atlantic Ocean, which can be quite cold at times.
Upon entering your room, you are instantly impressed by the heavy, solid wooden doors that provide a strong sense of quality and security. Once inside, you won't be disappointed; the same high standards and premium feel are evident in every material used throughout.
We always book half-board because it offers exceptional value for money. It grants access to the largest buffet restaurant I have ever seen, featuring the widest selection of food imaginable. There is truly something for everyone, and with such a massive variety, you are genuinely spoilt for choice. You have to be careful not to try everything at once because the temptation is incredibly high! The beautiful displays, live show cooking, and wonderful aromas constantly invite you to indulge. Luckily, with so many activities provided inside the hotel, you can easily burn off those extra calories.
The service across the restaurants, bars, and poolside snack outlets is friendly, professional, efficient, and attentive. The staff are incredibly impressive; they know the menus and drinks inside out and speak multiple languages fluently—most notably Spanish, English, and German.
In summary, from start to finish, this hotel ensures your holiday is perfect, fantastic, and deeply memorable. Being Iranian, I was particularly delighted to find two staple Iranian fruits growing right in the hotel gardens: pomegranates and figs. Another remarkable feature is its location in the south of the island, which is naturally warmer and drier, ensuring a sunny and bright holiday experience at any time of the year.
I also must highlight the introduction of the UNIQUE by Lopesan service, which rolled out after the extensive 2020 renovations when the hotel closed for approximately two years. This service transforms a stay here into an elevated, luxury experience. Designed for guests seeking ultimate privacy, exclusive amenities, and VIP treatment, upgrading to this concept offers significant advantages across accommodation, dining, and leisure.
Here is a look at what makes the UNIQUE service so special:
• Premium Accommodation & In-Room Perks: Unique guests are assigned rooms in the most desirable areas of the hotel, ensuring premium views and quiet environments. Rooms feature high-end toiletries, premium Nespresso coffee capsules replenished daily, a pillow menu, and a complimentary bottle of wine or cava alongside sweet treats upon arrival. Functional extras like access to a safe, plush bathrobes, and extra beach towels are all included at no extra cost.
• Elevated Dining Experiences: Unique guests can dine away from the standard buffet crowds in more intimate, high-quality settings. This includes access to a private, dedicated breakfast area featuring an exclusive à la carte menu with premium hot dishes, a high-quality buffet selection, fresh-squeezed juices, premium coffees, and the wonderful hospitality of the staff—not to mention the daily fresh honey! Throughout the day, you also gain access to the Unique Lounge. This air-conditioned oasis offers complimentary snacks, finger foods, fruit, and premium beverages. My only critique here after staying for four weeks is that the daily sandwich selection felt repetitive, consisting of the same white bread with pork every day.
• VIP Pool & Solarium Access: While the sprawling main pools can naturally get quite busy, the Unique service perfectly solves this. It provides access to a reserved, tranquil solarium equipped with upgraded, comfortable sun loungers and premium Balinese beds. Attentive, dedicated staff provide complimentary water, fresh fruit, and specialized attention so you never have to hunt for a sunbed.
• Priority Service & Convenience: VIP treatment starts the moment you arrive, allowing you to skip the main reception lines with a dedicated check-in desk and a welcome drink. Subject to availability, late check-outs are prioritized. You also get access to an E-Concierge service for seamless digital communication with guest relations to handle spa bookings, specialty dinner reservations, or excursions.
Ultimately, depending on how you book or your chosen travel agent, you will see different options for room types and Unique offers, though you can also easily upgrade upon arrival. It acts like a peaceful "hotel within a hotel" and is well worth the investment for the breakfast and pool privacy alone!
For those looking to venture out and explore this beautiful island, I would highly recommend the following activities and day trips:
• Maspalomas Beach & Anfi Beach (Free): Perfect for sunbathing and surfing, with gear hire and lessons readily available. Anfi Beach is fantastic, featuring stunning white sand imported from the Bahamas and plenty of water sports for hire.
• The Sand Dunes of Maspalomas (Free): A breathtaking natural landscape where you can enjoy a truly memorable camel ride.
• Palmitos Park (€39.00): A spectacular, lush 20-hectare botanical garden, aviary, and zoo.
• Cocodrilo Park (€13.00): An amazing, incredibly friendly small park that lets you experience everything from close contact with farm animals to watching crocodiles at feeding time.
• Island Excursions: A trip into the center of the island and deep into the mountains offers stunning, panoramic views and beautifully fresh, clear air. Prices vary depending on your chosen route and duration.
• Day Trips & Markets: A shopping trip to the capital city of Las Palmas (which also boasts a beautiful beach), a visit to the bustling Mogán Market, or a boat trip to see the dolphins. Prices depend on whether you travel via taxi or bus.
• Family Attractions: Great choices include Aqualand waterpark, Cocodrilo Park, and the yellow submarine adventure.
• Right at the Resort: You can enjoy a round of golf at Meloneras Golf, or a relaxing day at the incredible spa located directly inside the Lopesan Costa Meloneras.
So, thank you once again to the management, the entertainment teams, the nightly shows, the daily activities, the house band, the dancing, the drinks, our celebratory cake, the VIP treatment, and the room upgrades. And thank you to God for the sunshine, the sea, the sand, and the blue skies.
If you have read all of the above, you are probably thinking: Are there absolutely no negatives?
Well, every hotel has areas for improvement, and it ultimately depends on what you are looking for in a holiday.
The first point relates to the salad selection. Personally, I would prefer more traditional salads with specific, classic ingredients. For example, a summer salad should ideally include only fresh vegetables, without any meat or fish like pork or tuna mixed into it. Similarly, the Mazandarani Salad (also known as Russian Salad or Salad Olivier) should strictly retain its core, authentic ingredients: chicken, potato, mayonnaise, egg, peas, lemon, carrots, and gherkins. In other words, please avoid the creative "Chef’s Salad of the Day" variations! Furthermore, my favourite Mazandarani/Russian/Olivier salad only appeared on the menu twice in four weeks. That being said, the entire salad selection is by no means disappointing. Everyone has different preferences, and the buffet always provides plenty of individual, fresh ingredients so you can easily mix your own. It is also worth noting that this critique only applies to the main buffet restaurant, not to the other excellent dining venues across the hotel.
My second negative is that following the recent refurbishment, some of the furniture has become more decorative than functional and comfortable. For example, the practical, waist-level round table in our room had disappeared and was replaced with a low-level one. The previous table easily accommodated sitting down to eat or use a laptop. Fortunately, the hotel team resolved this for us promptly by providing a suitable table and chairs upon request.
The third minor issue is the loss of one of the paddle courts. Considering the resort has four tennis courts that are rarely used, it felt quite strange to see the island's most popular sport lose a court.
The fourth and final piece of constructive feedback concerns the Animation Team (the daytime entertainment, which is currently outsourced to an external organization). I would highly recommend switching back to an internally managed, hotel-owned animation team, just as the resort beautifully maintained from 2001 to 2006. As is often the case with outsourcing, the current setup lacks consistency, uniqueness, and a truly professional touch. Specifically, the staff change regularly—almost every couple of months. I only notice this because I visit so frequently, as do many other repeat guests who would love to see a familiar, welcoming face.
Naturally, the longer a team member stays in their role, the more confidence and knowledge they build to truly entertain. Because of the high turnover, some staff are amazing while others are underwhelming. Depending on when you stay, your daytime entertainment experience becomes a bit of a lottery. Of course, if you are the type of traveller who prefers exploring the island during the day, this won't impact your stay at all.
I would like to end by extending a deeply heartfelt thank you to the memorable, extremely knowledgeable, and helpful receptionist, Eduardo Lopez; the brilliant animation manager; the wonderfully active, lively, and super positive Sebastian and Janice; and the entire Unique breakfast staff, who always started our days with positive smiles and truly made us feel at home.
Thank you, Lopesan Costa Meloneras, for being our home away from home!
All the best,
Fraydon Aryan
May everyone have a wonderful holiday!"
