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Need a holiday? Paradise is a short-haul destination if you opt for Gran Canaria. With Riu Palace Oasis ideally situated for you to enjoy the magic of Maspalomas.
Before much further ado, we’ll set out how you get to the four-star Riu Palace Oasis and then outline their facilities and services. Next we’ll tell you what there’s to drink here. Last, but by no means least, we’ll reveal what you can feast on at this all-inclusive hotel.
1. Riu Palace Oasis: where it’s at
Riu Palace Oasis is to be found in Maspalomas. In the rather aptly-named Plaza de las Palmeras, number 2 if we’re going to be particularly precise. Travelling time from Gran Canaria airport is a touch under 30 minutes by car and a tad over an hour by Global bus, although Mr Gran Canaria Local took the scenic route through the dunes from sister hotel, Riu Palmeras to meet up with his family who had driven down from the capital.
Riu Hotels & Resorts are home to four different types of establishments: Riu Classic Hotels, Riu Plaza Hotels, Riu Palace Hotels, and Riu ClubHotels. The concept of the Riu Palace Hotel is that it’s a souped-up Classic. Exclusively beachside, they combine spa and wellness centres with sports facilities, buffet restaurants, and themed eateries.
The elder members of the GCL family took advantage of the 16+ free Body Love spa with sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, ice fountain, and powerplus shower. But they skimped on the treatments (such as massages you have to pay extra for) to take advantage of the subtropical climate enveloping the swimming pool. Before working up a non-sauna sweat on the football pitch where they teamed up with some Belgian teenagers.
65,000 square metres of palm-forested garden provides plenty of shade. And not only to visiting guests but to a resident feline population. There’s also a children’s playground and direct access to Maspalomas beach plus lovely views of the Faro de Maspalomas (Maspalomas Lighthouse).
2. Riu Palace Oasis: what to drink
Riu Palace Oasis is an all-inclusive hotel, meaning that there’s no bar bill to run up. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are available around the clock. Whilst the cocktails may look fancy, the fact they’re made in advance results in them resembling boozy Slush Puppies.
So, we recommend keep things simple. Drink the beer on tap, help yourself to the endless supply of cava in the lobby, or choose a simple mixer you can watch the bar staff prepare before your very eyes. And responsibily rehydrate with the bottles of water you can request at reception.
3. Riu Palace Oasis: what to eat
You’ll never go hungry at Riu Palace Oasis. Whilst Mr GCL checked in with enough time to make a snacky lunch (think pasta, pizza, and salad) at swimming-pool-adjoining buffet Restaurante Foresta, the rest of his family were too late and enjoyed a lunchy snack (as in burgers and hot dogs) in the same venue at 4:00pm. Dinner at the upper-floor Restaurante Oasis was also a buffet but rather more adventurous (salmon supremes with cava, mixed vegetable tempura, and roast veal with mustard sauce).
Foodies though should book a meal (for no extra charge although prior reservation is required) at gourmet restaurant Krystal. Here, starters are of the ilk of pea soup with toasted butter, mascarpone, and prawn and main dishes of the calibre of braised Iberian pork cheeks with sweet potato purée and glazed shallots. The next morning, the Gran Canaria Local family returned to Restaurante Oasis for a breakfast which went big on fresh fruit grown on the island (one can buy non-canned pineapple in petrol stations over here, after all).
Disclaimer: The Gran Canaria Local family stayed in ground-floor interconnecting rooms with a shared garden/football pitch at Riu Palace Oasis for free. There’s no fixed tariff. Discover the latest offers at Riu Hotels & Resorts.