Riu Don Miguel

This holiday wasn't planned. In fact, it was booked the day before as a complete "go for it" moment to celebrate my son's 18th birthday. We did absolutely no research whatsoever... and that turned out to be one of the best decisions we've ever made. We arrived just after midnight and were warmly welcomed by the reception staff. Although we'd missed dinner, we were handed food boxes before being shown to our room, which was such a thoughtful touch after travelling. Our room was only a short walk from reception, and our first reaction was, "Wow... this room is huge!" We opened the curtains to reveal a street view. Was it the most spectacular view in Gran Canaria? No. Did it matter? Not in the slightest. Because what the room lacked in scenery, it more than made up for in comfort. The air conditioning was nothing short of phenomenal. In the Gran Canaria heat, it was an absolute lifesaver, cooling the room down in minutes and making every night's sleep wonderfully comfortable. The beds were excellent, the room was spotless, the shower was fantastic, there were plenty of towels and toiletries, and the balcony was enormous. Better still, it caught the afternoon and evening sunshine, making it the perfect place to sit with a drink and unwind after a day exploring. Now for the part we'll never forget... Despite the hotel kindly providing us with food, my newly-turned-18-year-old son decided what he really needed at midnight was a Burger King. So off we went. A couple of minutes later we found ourselves walking towards the Yumbo Centre. As we got closer, I quietly noticed there didn't seem to be many ladies around. A few more steps and we realised we'd accidentally wandered into one of Europe's most famous LGBTQ+ destinations. Neither of us had the faintest idea! Let's just say both my son and I attracted rather more attention than we're used to. There were plenty of smiles, a few friendly compliments and more than one wink sent in our direction. My son was even told he was "very beautiful" and "very fresh." I've never seen anyone eat a Burger King so quickly. Let's just say the walk back to the hotel was completed at a pace that would have impressed an Olympic race walker! To be absolutely clear, everyone we met was friendly, welcoming and respectful. We didn't experience a single bit of trouble during our nine-day stay. Quite the opposite, in fact. It simply became one of those unexpected holiday stories that we'll still be laughing about years from now. The following morning we enjoyed an excellent buffet breakfast with plenty of choice. Halfway through breakfast my son casually Googled the area and announced, "Dad... this is the gay capital of Europe." I've never swallowed a mouthful of coffee so quickly! The hotel itself deserves every one of its five stars. The staff, without exception, were outstanding. Reception, housekeeping, restaurant staff, maintenance and everyone working behind the scenes all contributed to making our stay enjoyable. Hotels like this don't run themselves, and it's obvious there's a fantastic team working incredibly hard every single day. The restaurant offered plenty of choice each morning and evening, everything was fresh, well presented and constantly replenished. Service was always friendly and efficient. The pool area was another highlight. There were always plenty of sunbeds available, and the refreshing breeze that drifted through the hotel made relaxing by the pool even more enjoyable during the hottest part of the day. I did, however, avoid the double sunbeds... Not because they weren't comfortable—I simply didn't want to accidentally give the wrong impression while wearing my standard-issue British holiday shorts! Location-wise, you couldn't ask for more. Everything is within easy walking distance, whether you're looking for shops, restaurants, entertainment or simply somewhere to enjoy an evening stroll. Would we stay here again? Without hesitation. Fantastic staff, immaculate rooms, brilliant air conditioning, delicious food, comfortable beds, a huge sunny balcony and an atmosphere that made us smile from beginning to end. One final piece of advice... Do what we did if you want a genuine adventure. Book first. Research later. You never know—you might arrive expecting nothing more than a relaxing holiday and leave with wonderful memories, a few hilarious stories... and a reminder that some of the best holidays are the ones you never planned.

Greta hotel been staying there for last 15 year staff always helpful food lovely pool area big and spacious. Always find a bed by pool even in buzy times does need a freshen up in rooms which I think is happening in 2027 already booked up ready Just would like to know when it be closed for renovations just incase it’s time we there and how long be closed for too Please keep all staff they are lovely