Apartments in Maspalomas

If you are looking at an apartment in Maspalomas, the first thing you should be clear about is that the tourist area is divided into three well-differentiated areas. On the one hand, there is the area around the dunes and Maspalomas beach, where the buildings are lower and the distances to the sand are short; here you will find quiet complexes, but also a bit more wind and less shade. On the other hand, the Playa del Inglés area, which although administratively belongs to San Bartolomé de Tirajana, is included in the Maspalomas offer; it is the liveliest, with more bars, restaurants and shops, and where apartments tend to be cheaper. The third option is the Meloneras area, south of the lighthouse, more modern, with a seafront promenade and higher-category hotels, although apartments there are fewer and more expensive.

The main difference between these areas is the atmosphere and the price. In Playa del Inglés, bungalow-type apartments, such as Bungalows Tisaya Golf, tend to be in complexes with a pool and gardens, ten to fifteen minutes' walk from the beach; they are ideal if you are looking for local life and don't mind nighttime noise. In the dunes area, you will find options such as Oasis Playa Maspalomas, closer to the lighthouse and the nature reserve, perfect for sunset walks, but with fewer services around. Meloneras, with examples such as Maspalomas Lago Canary Sunset, offers larger and more recent apartments, but you will have to drive or take the bus to do your daily shopping if you don't want to pay hotel-area prices.

As for prices, the low season (from May to June and from September to October) is when you find the best value for money: the average price drops from the 192 euros per night recorded in high season to figures close to 75 euros, which is the minimum you can find in a basic apartment. To get there, the Gran Canaria airport is about 30 minutes away by car; you can rent a vehicle, take a taxi (about 35-40 euros) or the public bus (line 66 or 90) that leaves you on avenida de Tirajana. Once there, getting around on foot is viable if you stay in Playa del Inglés or next to the dunes, but to go to Meloneras or the marina you will need transport; there is an urban bus service every 20 minutes and well-signposted bike lanes.

Before booking, check three things: the exact location of the complex (don't trust the name alone, look at the map), whether the price includes electricity and water (some apartments charge for them separately on long stays) and the final cleaning policy, which sometimes involves a supplement of 30 to 50 euros. It is also worth checking whether the complex has a 24-hour reception or only reduced hours, because if you arrive late you will have to let them know. And if you are traveling alone or in a small group, pay attention to the category: the average of 3.5 stars means that you will find everything from basic blocks to complexes with a heated pool, so read recent reviews about maintenance and noise, not just the photos.