Paradisus by Meliá Gran Canaria

Zoe Oliver Travel

We recently stayed at Paradisus Gran Canaria for four nights as two couples and had a fabulous experience from start to finish. From the moment we arrived and were welcomed with a glass of cava, we instantly felt relaxed. The hotel is beautifully maintained with a calm, peaceful atmosphere, and the staff were consistently friendly, attentive and genuinely welcoming throughout our stay. We had upgraded to The Reserve, which gave us access to an adults-only pool, premium drinks and a separate breakfast area, which we especially enjoyed each morning. Although we didn’t manage to take full advantage of everything included (due to only staying four nights), it definitely added an extra level of comfort and exclusivity. Our room was spacious, clean and very comfortable, and the food across the restaurants we tried was delicious with great quality and variety. One of the things that really stood out was the range of activities available. My husband loved the watercolour workshop, and I attended a glass workshop where I came away with a gorgeous pendant, such a special keepsake. The stargazing experience was also a highlight, seeing Jupiter clearly, including its orange bands and four moons. The pool was a nice temperature, and with the beach directly in front of the hotel, it was ideal for morning walks. I really appreciated the attention to detail and overall guest experience. We came home feeling properly rested and would happily recommend Paradisus Gran Canaria to anyone looking for a relaxing, high-quality stay. I’ve also shared more photos and highlights from our stay over on Instagram (@zoeolivertravel) if anyone wants to see more.

Tom Woods

Great family stay. Well appointed rooms, if not the biggest (premium room, ocean front - having a cot and extra luggage for a less than 2 year old did not help). Great to get a sea view room as the alternative is overlooking the road, albeit with some scenery behind. Plenty of sunbeds, great pools, right on the beach too. I expect we benefitted from visiting just after February half-term, as I imagine it gets busy in peak times. Food and drink quality high, including the buffet, which really was a notch or two above what I was expecting. Seeing lobster there on our first night really gave a good first impression. Activities, great for kids, with separate adult areas available for those who want to pay for that. They seemed busier to be honest, but were not an option for us. Outdoor cinema night, kids cinema too, yoga sessions, PT sessions, aqua aerobics, astronomy sessions, etc etc. Easy from the airport, pharmacy and even a small hospital pretty much opposite the hotel if required. They are the only things you'd need to leave the hotel for! I thoroughly recommend staying.

Jessica Houghton

Paradisus Gran Canaria is an excellent choice for solo travellers, especially if you enjoy wellness, creativity, and having activities to structure your day. The activities are a real highlight and, apart from stargazing, you don’t need to book anything in advance – you can simply turn up, which makes everything feel very relaxed. During my stay I did: - Bubble workshop (making a bookmark by blowing bubbles and adding paint/ink - though this was a bit underwhelming as we weren’t allowed to blow our own bubbles) - Watercolour painting workshop - Ragdoll workshop where we made a jellyfish using rags and some simple sewing - Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions with Isabel (@baransu_studio) who was absolutely amazing and genuinely one of the best instructors I’ve experienced All activities are beginner-friendly and ideal if you’re travelling alone and want something to do without it feeling awkward. The staff were consistently warm and attentive. Antonio was lovely, and the younger man at The Shack (I think his name may have been Hamza?) was great, even bringing my favourite drink without me even ordering! There is table service at Ginger and The Shack (though not poolside). The food was very good overall. I agree with other reviews that sometimes the food at the Gastro Hall can be a little cold, but the variety was excellent and the restaurants were efficient with good menu options available. I didn't book The Reserve area but I spoke to several guests who felt it wasn’t worth the extra cost, which was reassuring. I had a premium double room which was stunning and lots of lovely extra touches. The guest experience team left me some chocolates, cava and a handwritten card in my room on birthday which was lovely. A few small improvements/comments: - More variety and rotation in activities, particularly more craft workshops and to keep things interesting for returning guests - An easier way to contact reception (e.g. WhatsApp or in-app messaging), although the app works well for requesting extra towels, minibar refills, viewing activity timetables or making restaurant reservations etc. - Slight disappointment that there is really only one main pool (others are the kids’ pool, paid Reserve pool or the spa, which costs €15 for 90 minutes) - More accessible pricing or solo-traveller-friendly rates. I would happily return for solo retreats, if the prices weren't so steep! Overall, a lovely, well-run hotel that really shines for solo travellers looking to relax, reset, and enjoy gentle daily activities.

Richard “Mr L” Lawson

Our third visit to this hotel as a family of three generations. In four words THE SERVICE IS EXTRAORDINARY. A very visible, welcoming and supportive General Manager, Marta , backed up by every staff member from rooms to pools to restaurants to bars. The buffet is bright, spacious and caters to every generation and taste. They won't be surprised to see us back! Thank you each and every member of the team. The best holiday hotel for its sector in the market that I have stayed in over the past 50 years.

Grace parsons

We stayed for 7 nights in The Reserve Premium Ocean View room. This was my first stay at a Melia hotel since achieving Gold status and my first all-inclusive experience. The resort is large with plenty of restaurants, bars and places to relax. As Reserve guests, we had access to a private pool, breakfast area, lounge and beach, plus up to three excursions. The food was excellent and the drink selection was great (tip: order a gin and tonic — they free-pour generously!). Although restaurants require reservations, the buffet was the standout for us due to its variety and quality. The ham and cheese wraps were -- chef’s kiss. Unfortunately, during our stay I had a jacket stolen from our room and my husband had €40 taken from his wallet. We reported it and staff apologised, saying they would check room entry records. We had thankfully locked most valuables in the safe, and I strongly recommend others do the same. It’s disappointing to experience this at a five-star resort. The spa deserves special praise. I booked a full body massage and a rituals treatment — not cheap, but worth it. The facilities were excellent, the treatments were incredible, and the staff (especially the receptionist who helped us choose treatments) were friendly and attentive. I highly recommend booking directly with them. For excursions, we chose the rum distillery and banana plantation. The distillery itself was enjoyable, but the hotel-organised transport was disappointing. We were dropped off with no clear return instructions, and after finishing we waited an hour in the rain for the taxi. Although the hotel apologised, they said it was outside their control. As a result, we cancelled the plantation visit. I wouldn’t recommend external excursions unless transport reliability improves. However, the in-house experiences (star gazing and wine tasting) were fantastic. Service overall was mixed. Some staff were excellent and attentive, while other times we waited over 25 minutes for service even when it wasn’t busy. One standout was José D, who was consistently hardworking and friendly — thank you! The rooms were lovely, with a well-stocked minibar, turndown service and a great private balcony. However, first-floor Reserve rooms can be noisy due to live music. It didn’t bother us, but light sleepers may want to request a higher floor. Lastly, the Circle membership was pushed quite heavily. The sales staff were polite, but being approached multiple times after declining felt overwhelming. Overall, I would rate the resort three stars. It’s pleasant, but to reach five stars they need to improve service consistency, address transport issues for excursions, and resolve the theft concerns.