Resort pool and palm trees at night lit up with lights from the bottom of the pool (Jos Michaels)
We like to enjoy a beach destination in the summer. Who doesn’t?
After trekking through old town squares in countless beautiful European cities, taking in cathedrals and architecture, a lazy beach getaway appeases the need for a little self-indulgence, a smidge of laziness and quiets the ever-present teenage groans that follow my husband and me on our family adventures. Last summer we decided on the Canary Islands. After much back and forth, fervent YouTube video viewing and several comparison websites, we settled on the island of Gran Canaria. Now came the hemming and hawing over where to stay. We knew we wanted beach access, and with a lazy river onsite, Hotel Lopesan Costa Meloneras won out.
This resort was all-inclusive and not the most economical way to go, but we decided to treat ourselves. To save a little money, we went with the breakfast and dinner option, knowing that with a buffet that was 100 meters long, we could fill up enough at breakfast to be happy with just a snack out of our bags or the little convenience store until it was time to loosen the belt buckle for dinner.
We scheduled a shuttle to pick us up from the airport; however, we were mistakenly let off at the wrong Lopesan Resort, which we did not realize until the kind people at the front desk realized why they could not find our reservation. Alas, our ride was long gone.
Seagul perched upon rocks in the water as the waves crash. A black siloutte surrounds the photo. (Jos Michaels)
Luckily, the Lopesan where we were supposed to be was only a short walk down the road. And so, we ignominiously shuffled our luggage (thankfully only carry-ons and backpacks) down the road to our intended destination and were quickly enthralled enough with the beautiful surroundings as to forget all about our luggage-laden walk of shame. Said forgetfulness was assisted by the complimentary beverage upon arrival.
We dropped our bags in our rooms and went exploring. Huge infinity pool? Check. There was also a smaller pool directly outside of our room which included a private patio and the lazy river. We assessed the short walk to the beach and then it was time for the all-important dinner buffet. It did not disappoint and was as lengthy as it looked in the much-studied pictures found online, with different sections providing offerings being cooked up fresh behind the counter as you served yourself. And a gelato bar? Yes please.
Breakfast was just as satisfying and as my husband and I are early risers, I really enjoyed having a daily quiet breakfast with him before the big rush. Thanks to a gloriously kaftanned, sun-baked septuagenarian gliding in clear high heels (yes, at breakfast) my attention was drawn to the table of complimentary champagne (or at least sparkling wine), that I shamefully missed near the entry to the dining room.
She entered the space in the manner of one who lived at the resort, speaking to all the service staff like friends while sipping from her flute as though she was hosting a chic dinner party circa 1970s…but at 7:30 a.m. I am not a big drinker, but I do enjoy a complimentary bubbly when on holiday. As the aforementioned glamour goddess was now my dedicated summer spirit animal, I followed suit.
Woman standing in the distance on the sandy dunes. (Jos Michaels)
Amid much time spent reposing around the pools, drifting in the lazy river and walking along the beach, my husband and I signed up for an island bus tour. However, while interesting, this bus ride felt more like a long bus ride, simply picking people up along the way. I felt we did not get to spend enough time in any of the villages we visited to really enjoy them and wished we had been a bit more ambitious and booked a visit to one of the other islands instead.
My children’s choice of activity: camel rides. I did not like the look or sound of this, but in an attempt to encourage their participation, I booked it for them. Upon arrival, I decided that my intuition was correct. These poor animals looked a bit sad and tired of hauling around oblivious tourists two at a time.
The lovely thing about our location on Gran Canaria was its proximity to the Maspalomas Dunes. A lovely 15-minute stroll along the beach brings you to these surprisingly situated sand dunes and nature preserve. They were genuinely stunning, and something we had never gotten to experience before. This was a true highlight as I saw my two occasionally morose teens revert to their delightful youthful selves: rolling down dunes, making sand angels and, of course, snapping innumerable pics in this exceptionally Instagrammable setting. It was truly like watching them as toddlers having unabashed fun in their backyard sandbox. A perfect place to watch the sunset, and cap off your evening and even your visit to beautiful Gran Canaria.
Vast sandy dunes on a sunny day with clear, blue skys (Jos Michaels)
Editor’s Note: This article was written by a member of the local military community, not an employee of Stars and Stripes. Neither the organization nor the content is being represented by Stars and Stripes or the Department of Defense.
