Gran Melia Palacio de Isora Resort & Spa

Hotel Description

Okay, so I’ve stayed at a lot of places in the Canary Islands, but the Gran Melia Palacio de Isora honestly caught me off guard – in the best way possible. When you’re driving down Avenida Los Océanos toward Alcalá, you sort of expect another typical resort, but this place sits on these dramatic volcanic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, and the architecture actually works with the landscape instead of fighting it. The whole complex feels like it was carved into the coastline, which I mean, it kind of was.

What really got me was how they’ve managed to create this sense of space without feeling overwhelming – you know how some five-star places can feel like airports? This doesn’t have that problem. The lobby opens up to these incredible ocean views, and there’s this constant sound of waves that becomes almost meditative after a while. The staff genuinely knows the area too, which is rarer than you’d think. Our concierge Miguel actually grew up in Alcalá and had insider tips about the best spots for sunset photos (there’s this little viewpoint about ten minutes south that hardly anyone knows about). Check-in was smooth, though I’d recommend arriving before 4 PM during peak season – things get a bit hectic when the afternoon flights from Madrid land.

The rooms are seriously well thought out, with these floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the ocean perfectly. I stayed in one of the ocean-view suites, and honestly, I spent way more time on that terrace than I planned to. The beds are proper comfortable – not too soft, not too firm – and the bathroom marble actually stays cool even in the afternoon heat, which is a small luxury that matters more than you’d think. The resort has multiple pools, but the infinity pool on the lower level is where you want to be around sunset. Fair warning though: the gym gets packed between 7-9 AM, so if you’re serious about working out, go earlier or later. The spa is genuinely exceptional – I’m usually skeptical of hotel spas, but their volcanic stone treatments use actual local volcanic rock, and the therapists know what they’re doing.

Food-wise, you’re not stuck eating resort food if you don’t want to – Alcalá has some fantastic local spots within walking distance, and the hotel’s location means you can actually explore the real Tenerife. That said, their restaurants are solid, especially the seafood place overlooking the water. The breakfast spread is extensive without being wasteful, and they source a lot of ingredients locally, which you can actually taste. With an 8.4 rating, it’s not perfect – the Wi-Fi can be spotty in some areas, and like most places on this coast, it gets windy in the afternoons – but it’s the kind of place where those minor issues fade into the background pretty quickly.

Rooms

• Suite with 1 extra-large double bed, or, 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults
• Suite (2 Adults +1 Child) with 1 large double bed, or, 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Suite (2 Adults + 2 Children) with 1 extra-large double bed, or, 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for 2 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe Room with 2 single beds, 2 × 1 sofa bed, or and 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe Front Sea View with 2 single beds, 2 × 1 sofa bed, or and 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 1 child
• Two-Bedroom Master Suite with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 2 single beds, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults
• Deluxe Room Partial Ocean View with 2 single beds, 2 × 1 sofa bed, or and 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 1 child
• Red Level Suite Resort View with 1 large double bed, or, 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Red Level Suite Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed, or, 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Red Level Master Suite 2 Bedrooms Ocean View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 2 single beds, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults
• Deluxe Family with 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 1 sofa bed, or and 2 single beds for 3 adults
• Red Level Master Suite 2 Bedrooms Resort View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 2 single beds, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults
• Deluxe Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) with 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 1 sofa bed, or and 2 single beds for 2 adults, 2 children

Reviews

• Roland from Hungary (9/10)

  The resort was comfortable. We tried three possible restaurants on site (Italian, Oasis, Pangea), and the food was great. The service was fast and professional in all three restaurants. The resort was clean and calm.

• Jesper from Denmark (8/10)

  Restaurant staff very friendly.
  Excellent buffet.
  Housekeeping very good

• Rahul from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Excellent accommodation with a lot of facilities and friendly staff

• Emily from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Hotel lovely, breakfast good, staff great

• Fernando from Spain (9/10)

  Excellent swimming pools. Gym. Excellent breakfast buffet.

• Louise from United Kingdom (9/10)

  This Hotel is fabulous.
  The staff are polite, friendly and accommodating. Nothing was too much trouble for them.
  The food and alcohol included in the All Inclusive package was great quality and varied.
  Great pool and pool side facilities.
  For a short 5 night break this is a great location.

• Arman from United Arab Emirates (9/10)

  Food, facilities, evening entertainment is excellent. Perfect for quiet, secluded and private rest.

• Ciaragh from Ireland (9/10)

  Clean and well looked after…..plenty of outdoor space.

• Eoin from Ireland (7/10)

  I loved the buffet breakfast and some and location to the sea and the beach

• Rasa from Luxembourg (8/10)

  The hotel's teritory is big and well maintained, the infinity pool big and lovely (though the water slightly too cold).

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities