I’ll admit that before I visited Lanzarote recently I very much associated it with its “Lanzagrotty” reputation. In my head it was somewhere to go for cheap sun and not much else.
However, despite the nickname persisting for decades the tag feels somewhat ironic when you discover the island’s distinctive architecture, cultural attractions and spectacular volcanic landscape.
Our accommodation, Seaside Los Jameos, beside Playa de los Pocillos on the edge of Puerto del Carmen was a lovely place to start.
Less than 15 minutes from the airport and part of the German-founded Seaside Collection, Los Jameos was designed by students of César Manrique, the celebrated Lanzarote artist whose influence we would encounter far beyond the hotel.
A major refurbishment saw it reopen in September 2025 with updated bedrooms, dining spaces and family facilities, while preserving the character that has helped draw guests back for decades.
We were greeted with a glass of sparkling wine at check-in and staff went to great lengths to help us navigate the resort, providing a map and leaflet to keep us right.
A sweeping timber-framed reception inspired by Canarian architecture suggests a more traditional style, but step beyond it and the four-star property is a feast of colour, sunshine and creative design.
Whitewashed buildings sit among subtropical gardens bursting with bougainvillea and bird-of-paradise flowers. At their heart, two lagoon pools are surrounded by yellow-and-white-striped umbrellas.
Connected along the second floor, the accommodation buildings are named after islands across the Canaries. Our Double Deluxe room was in La Gomera.
With loads of space, an exceptionally comfortable bed and much-appreciated air conditioning, it was everything we needed. However, the real selling point was the view from the balcony looking across the resort towards the sea.
Inside, patterned curtains, rattan details and stripy chairs added personality to the fresh blue-and-white scheme. The bathroom was spacious, with a walk-in shower and L’Occitane en Provence products in generous dispensers. It was exceptionally clean throughout too, which is always one of the first things I notice when staying somewhere new.
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Having arrived just after 8pm we had made it in time for dinner. You enter the restaurant via a sweeping wooden staircase from reception, which creates a lovely sense of occasion. There’s a choice of tables inside or outside near the pool. We opted for the latter
Buffets are known for their variety and volume but this was unlike anything I’d seen before. Chef Vicente Rodríguez works with local producers to source fresh ingredients and the choice was enormous.
Outside, there were around six show-cooking stations where chefs prepared dishes in front of you. Each was colour-coded: red for meat, green for vegetables, blue for fish and so on, so you could easily decide what you were in the mood for and head straight there.
What’s more, every night is different. During our stay, the hotel was celebrating Oktoberfest, with schnitzels, bratwurst and sauerbraten among the German specialities featured.
Breakfast was equally impressive, offering everything from home comforts like bacon, eggs and sausages to Spanish omelettes, freshly baked pastries and cakes.
One thing I particularly appreciated was the help-yourself bar, where several bottles of cava sat beside the juice dispensers, just on the off chance you wanted to start your day with a cheeky little mimosa.
After breakfast on our first full day, rooms division manager Rocio Garcia took the time to show us around the resort’s amenities.
With 528 rooms, there is plenty of ground to cover. However, the size clearly doesn’t put off its regular visitors.
“We have very loyal guests,” Rocio explained, telling us how some return year after year.
The refurbished family area includes pools, slides, water play and a children’s club, while teenagers have their own games room. Elsewhere, there is mini golf, table tennis, a spacious gym and a wellness area offering massages and beauty treatments.
There is even a separate nudist sunbathing area should avoiding tan lines feature prominently on your holiday agenda.
Evenings are equally well catered for, with live music in the piano bar and a different show each night, from ABBA and Tina Turner tributes to magic shows. Younger guests also have a mini disco before the main entertainment begins.
Following the tour, we spent the afternoon enjoying the balmy 27C sunshine and making the most of those cerulean lagoon pools before getting ready for dinner.
While the buffet was included in our package, we were intrigued to try the hotel’s more formal Arroz y Fuego where you can dine for a supplementary fee. And believe you me, it is worth it.
Specialising in Canarian tapas and paella, it’s the perfect way to try something different and authentic without having to venture too far.
I opted for the arroz negro, black rice with prawns, scallops and calamari. The rice had a rich, smoky, almost meaty flavour that reminded me of black pudding, while the seafood was cooked to perfection.
Paired with a refreshingly chilled glass of sangria filled to the brim with fruit, it was the perfect way to cap off the day.
The following morning, we made the conscious decision to be more active and explore the island, as tempting as another day on a sun lounger was.
We’d booked a trip to Jameos del Agua, a volcanic cavern with a saltwater lake inside.
One of Manrique’s most striking artistic interventions, it brings nature and art together within a lava tube created by the eruption of La Corona volcano.
The lake is home to tiny blind white crabs, known as Munidopsis polymorpha, which I was particularly taken with. It takes a while to spot them, but when you do, they are mesmerising to watch scuttling about.
The site also houses the Casa de los Volcanes, a science museum with interactive exhibits and immersive experiences explaining the island’s volcanic origins.
It was a great way to learn more about Lanzarote’s history and landscape in one place, which worked for us as we were pressed for time.
Had we had longer I would have loved to visit Manrique’s former home, given his significant influence on the island.
When we returned, we took a stroll along the promenade just outside the resort which you can access directly through automatic doors at the back of the hotel.
Stepping through them almost feels like entering another world, as you leave Los Jameos behind and find yourself walking past classic Irish bars, tapas restaurants and shops selling your usual tourist tat, just in case you fancy buying a knock-off designer purse as a souvenir. As I did.
However, there is considerably more to Lanzarote than this familiar resort scene. Manrique’s campaigning helped protect its distinctive landscape and architecture, something worth appreciating beyond the beachfront.
On Sunday, we headed to the historic town of Teguise for Lanzarote’s biggest market. The hotel organised transport, picking us up at 9am and bringing us back for 1.30pm.
That allowed ample time to explore the more than 400 stalls selling everything from food and clothing to jewellery and art. It’s the perfect place to pick up a memento of your trip, or several, as was the case for me.
Three days simply wasn’t long enough to enjoy everything Lanzarote and Seaside Los Jameos have to offer. Next time, I’ll know to book a longer stay.
Factfile:
Seaside Los Jameos room rates start from €365 per night for a superior room, including breakfast. For more information visit www.los-jameos.com.
There are plenty of direct flights to Lanzarote from Belfast. Operators include Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet.
