Riu Flamingo – Playa del Ingles – Gran Canaria

Just back from 10 day break at Riu Flamingo & cannot speak highly enough of this apart-hotel, sister to the Papaya next door.

Rooms were spacious & comfortable with massive balcony & cleaned daily. Public areas were finished to a high standard, staff were incredibly helpful and, despite the big German presence, sunbeds around the big pool area were easy to get. Imagine there would be a much bigger uptake in summer, though.

Weather was superb, which helped, & everything was within walking distance; beach, shopping centers, bars & restaurants.

We didn’t have a single bad meal experience & particularly enjoyed Los Brasos, a little Italian about five minutes walk to the right of the Flamingo, called Yellow Rose, I think. The Tex-Mex at the Koka Apartments was excellent as well.

Oh, & a wee bar called the Windmill in the Chapparal center, again just up to the right from the hotel, were selling pints at 1.50 euro, went down well with a raft of Man United victories.

It was our first visit back to Playa del Ingles in several years & we did think the resort in general had degenerated into Tack Central, particularly the so-called Irish Center. But, really it is the weather you go there for & with hotels like the Flamingo & good restaurants like those mentioned, you are pretty much cocooned from the general tackiness. Off the beaten tack, you might say!

We’d definitely recommend this hotel, and will probably be back again next year. Great holiday!