Silence is golden – and so is the sunshine in Fuerteventura. The Wordrobe’s Sophie Ritchie discovers sandy splendour, heavenly menus and an ocean of calm
When it comes to switching off, a stay at the five-star Gran Atlantis Bahia in Fuereventura is like a satisfyingly good stretch. Located on a glorious beach in Corralejo, there’s little sound apart from the gentle lapping sea.
The sense of tranquility is impossible to fight – even the fiercest of workaholics reside happily on the sun loungers. Total relaxation begins at check-in itself when there’s a welcoming glass of bubbly before you’ve even pocketed your room card. Let the reclining begin.
Shut your eyes just for a moment, and imagine waking up to the gentle sound of breaking waves. There are no beeping horns, no angry sirens, no flurry of footsteps. The only traffic you might encounter is other guests making their way to the breakfast buffet for counter after counter of fresh meats, creamy local cheeses and enough fruit to feed a fruitarian family for a year.
Despite the sense of escape though, the hotel is ideal located – a 40-minute drive from the airport, with the nearby old town a relatively easy stroll away. With six restaurants, 170 rooms and 72 suites, it feels more like a town itself (which is why the signposts come in so handy).
Make the most of the surroundings and go for a room with an ocean view to enjoy endless Atlantic skyline, complemented by regal decor in a Moroccan meets Canadian style.
The little details make all the difference and this hotel is full of them. From the toiletries to the enveloping robes, rooms here are traditional, gorgeously comfortable and full of detail.
Each of the six restaurants, filled with guests and locals alike, offer its own style of cuisine. The culinary crown jewel is undeniably La Cúpula de Carles Gaig – a Grecian-style gourmet spot on the top floor overseen by Michelin-starred Carles Gaig and offering beautiful dishes such as blue fin tuna tartare with delicate watermelon.
For Japanese-loving foodies, Yamatori is an authentic style eatery with indoor rivers and a menu brimming with sushi, sashimi and hot dishes. Sink your teeth into everything from octopus sashimi to sumptuous local pork, and if you’re lucky, enjoy a theatrical teppanyaki experience with each dish prepared expertly before your eyes – just watch out for the occasional wave of fire!
There’s also the garden patio of La Alacena Real or, for something a little more Spanish, book Las Columnas for heavenly tapas and a la carte cuisine prepared with ingredients straight from Espana itself.
During the day, Beach Club Las Palmeras makes a lusciously Mediterranean lunch stop. Positioned on the water’s edge with its own pier, there’s a tempting menu of fresh seafood and local rice dishes that toucan wash down with thirst-quenching cocktails.
Spend your time…
1 Hidden away
Take a stroll down the beach to Coco Beach Lounge and Club if you’re looking for a little more privacy. You can order nibbles and drinks at the bar and drink one of the private Bali Beds (which come complete with lavish Tattinger towels).
2 In the spa
Make the most of the enormous 3,000 square metre Bahia Vital spa, the largest on the island, to bask in the steam rooms, enjoy a range of treatments or take a dip in the lake-like pool. Exercise classes are also on offer throughout the week.
3 Exploring
A trip to the local old town is perfect for picking up designer bags or chic trinkets. You can rent a Fuerte Charter catamaran to sail and sunbathe around Lobos Island or take a guided tour with Fuerte Scout for a fascinating few hours exploring local terrain and famous points of interest.
Make it real
Details at… atlantisbahiareal.com/en
Book through… classiccollection.co.uk
Catamaran character… fuertecharter.com
Guided tours… fuertescout.com
Words by Sophie Ritchie
