This resort is set in gardens at the edge of a spectacular golden beach that stretches for miles, and is perfect for relaxation and watersports. Take a long walk along the shore, swim in the lagoon’s crystal-clear waters or lounge on the beach and watch the colourful sails of the kitesurfers dancing over the ocean. When you’re not catching the ocean breeze by one of the pools or admiring the views you can choose from a full programme of activities, from tennis and Pilates to watersports and stargazing. At Los Gorriones Restaurant you can enjoy a variety of themed hot and cold buffets plus regular show cooking where you’ll be able to see the chefs at work. Grab light bites from the snack bar, sip drinks by the pool bar and fill up bottles from the water cooler to take to the beach. There is a family-friendly pub hosting regular shows and from 7pm you can escape to the adults-only Gabi Bar to lounge on Balinese beds (extra cost) and work your way through the cocktail list. Standard Double Rooms overlook the gardens or you can upgrade to enjoy sea or lagoon views. The Level Double Rooms are in the main building and have breathtaking sea views, exclusive benefits including access to a private breakfast room, access to the outdoor sun terrace with two hydromassage tubs and use of The Level Lounge where you can enjoy free snacks, drinks and Wi-Fi.
Imagine a chilled-out surf pad for adults wanting the finer things in life, and you have Sol Beach House at Melia Fuerteventura. This oceanfront bolthole overlooks the sparkling lagoon of Playa de Sotavento – a windsurfing hot spot, and home to the world championships. It’s a place to unplug and unwind: the vibe is relaxed, the interiors minimalist, and the food for buffet breakfast and dinner farm-to-fork fresh. If you’re more into your asanas than your surf, then the outdoor yoga sessions against a dramatic Atlantic Ocean backdrop are for you – there’s no need for a Spotify relaxation playlist with waves crashing against the sand. An infinity-edge pool looks out over the same glorious vistas, as does the outdoor terrace and its lantern-lit wooden tables. You’re also surrounded by the untamed beauty of Jandía Natural Park, a wild sliver on the south-west spit of land jutting out into the Atlantic – great for scenic hikes. The newly refurbished rooms and suites are styled as beach houses, with a pale colour palette accented by driftwood sculptures and headboards, rattan scoop chairs and brightly patterned cushions. Pick a Junior Suite Balcony Beach House Sea View for light-flooded digs overlooking the Atlantic, or go for a Xtra Junior Suite Balcony or Terrace Beach House Sea View for a smattering of luxe finishes – freestanding bathtub, organic beach bag with flip flops and vintage bike loan.
Fuerteventura basks in 3000 hours of sunshine a year, calling for optimum sun-basking opportunities – and XQ El Palacete delivers. Balinese days beds are dotted around a bubbling whirlpool bath on a wooden terrace, with views of the ocean beyond. A smattering of padded loungers line a glass-edged terrace above the jewel-toned sea below, while a gleaming outdoor pool begs to be dived into – the sun bouncing off its sparkling surface. You couldn’t ask for a better location: XQ El Palacete looms over the powdery dunes of Playa Jandía in the south of the island; you weave through the undulating sand to reach the beach and Atlantic Ocean beyond. The foam-tipped swell lures windsurfers from across the world, but the golden grains are just as enticing for sunbathing. The pace shifts down a few gears in this corner of the island: wake to leisurely breakfasts set against a soundtrack of crashing waves, go cycling in Jandía Natural Park, and help release rescued loggerheads into the sea at Morro Jable’s Turtle Nursery. While away the afternoon flitting between the hot tub, pool and sun lounger, before ending the day with a feast of day-fresh seafood and local cuisine. Behind a lemon-yellow façade, rooms are classic and rooted in place – think oceanic blues or bleached stone hues, coastal-inspired wall art and coral-pink cushions. Many come with private sea-facing balconies for optimal blue-on-blue views.
Melia Fuerteventura
Sol Beach House at Melia Fuerteventura
XQ El Palacete
