For some of us the pandemic has meant trips abroad were put on hold, because what is the point of going on holiday if you can’t fully enjoy it? But now that the world has mostly opened up again, we can once again enjoy a trip abroad exactly how it should be. So what better time to visit an all inclusive resort on the beautiful island of Lanzarote? I was invited to the fabulous Hotel Riu Paraiso Lanzarote to find out why there’s no better option than an all inclusive resort.
Located in south-east Lanzarote in Puerto del Carmen, a stone’s throw from Arrecife airport, Hotel Riu Paraiso Lanzarote lies right on the beachfront of Playa de Los Pocillos, a wide stretching sandy beach with clear blue water stretching off into the horizon. The hotel has over 500 comfortable rooms designed to guarantee a pleasant and relaxing stay but its biggest draw is the fact that it is a 24 hour all inclusive hotel.
My sister and I were thrilled to be checking into our suite with sea view after not being on holiday together for almost a decade. The king sized bed was more than big enough for the two of us but we also had the option of a sofa bed in the living room. The room also had a TV, fridge and all the amenities you’d expect along with a large walk-in shower and two balconies both with incredible sea views. As nice as the suite was, we barely spent any time there as there is so much going on within the hotel you don’t want to miss a thing. Of course the first thing you do in the morning is head to breakfast and there is nothing better in life than a buffet breakfast. Each morning we were greeted by a team of friendly staff who were always on hand to fill our coffee cups or offer fresh water and tea. Chefs were stationed throughout the buffet restaurant, cooking fresh food such as eggs, pancakes and local specialties and were happy to make items just as you like. We on the other hand were not that fussy, and were quite happy piling our plates first with a starter course of croissants and pastries, followed by a main of toast, eggs, beans and holiday bacon (it’s not the same as at home and you know it!) and finished off with a plate of fresh fruit to balance it all out. Of course you could just have a bit of ham and cheese or a bowl of cereal, maybe some granola and yoghurt… but who in their right mind would do that when that option to be an absolute glutton is there?
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After breakfast it’s a race to secure a sunlounger in a good spot by one of the 4 swimming pools and 2 childrens pools. Though you needn’t race as we never struggled to find a couple together whether in shade or sun. The sun loungers all come with a shared umbrella and some are even under modern style cabanas away from the glare of the hot sun. I however am not about that life and fully embraced the sun on my pasty skin the whole time I was there. At all pools you’re never more than a few steps away from the pool bar and snack bar which are open throughout the day. Most drinks such as soft drinks, wine and beer you can help yourself too then bar staff are on hand to prepare a number of cocktails and spirits 24 hours a day. I enjoyed many mojitos by the pool and loved a full fat coke first thing in the morning after a few too many cava’s the night before.
The hotel guarantees fun for all ages with a packed programme of activities all day and night. Kids can have fun at the RiuArt workshop where they can bring out their creative side, or enjoy a variety of activities in the RiuLand Kid’s Club. For adults there is a fully equipped gym (sorry I can’t review that I did not step foot in the place, I was on holiday) and many fitness activities with the RiuFit team each day. After your exercise session, you can pamper yourself and recharge your batteries in the Wellness Body Love centre, where they offer a wide range of body treatments and massages.
It was evident that many guests enjoyed nothing more than lying by the pool in the day or taking part in the entertainment programme but for us, we wanted to be on the beach and see a bit more of the Island. We enjoyed boat trips, volcano tours and wine tasting whilst in Lanzarote and the hotel is happy to recommend many local activities. The hotel also makes access to the beach easy with a gate leading directly to the white sandy beach with plenty of sun loungers and windbreakers only a couple hundred metres from the hotel. The winds in Lanzarote does mean the sea can get a little choppy but if you’re anything like me then bobbing up and down in the waves is a welcome change to being sat at a desk all day!
The evening meal at Riu Paraiso Lanzarote was always something we looked forward to because there was just so much to enjoy. Why decide what it is you fancy to eat each evening when you can just turn up and see what there is… which is usually a bit of everything! I absolutely loved deep fried red peppers, pizzas, salads, burgers, canarias potatoes, lamb, chicken on the bone, rice and all the delightful desserts that were so well stocked and presented each evening, it was a real joy to dine this way and we never felt the need to queue once whilst we were there, the dining areas were always so well managed and guests were so respectful of each other.
There are also 2 other restaurants available, Yashima and Yaiza. Yaiza serves typical dishes from the Canary Islands whereas Yaiza offers Asian dishes. For both restaurants you need to book and it’s well worth doing. We loved the Asian restaurant, with dishes being cooked fresh right in front of you and delicious salads and prawn crackers to nibble on in between courses of fresh noodles, peking ribs and sweet and sour chicken. A holiday in Spain isn’t complete without a Chinese right?
The staff we encountered everywhere, from the cleaners to the hotel manager, were so incredibly welcoming. Everyone was so happy to see us, said an enthusiastic ‘Hola’ as we passed and it was always a pleasure to go to the bar for a drink where staff were always up for a laugh. We enjoyed a circus show, magician and several live singers and duos during our stay and not at any moment were we ever bored.
In the most perfect location, with fantastic facilities, wonderful staff and absolutely delicious (and copious amounts of) food the Hotel Riu Paraiso Lanzarote was the absolute perfect place to visit after a long time stuck at home.
Hotel Riu Paraiso Lanzarote
C. Suiza, 4, 35519 Puerto del Carmen
Las Palmas
Lanzarote
Spain
