La Palma Princess

Set on the coast of La Palma, La Palma Princess is a large four-star hotel with the sort of facilities that suit divers travelling with a non-diving partner, or anyone who likes a proper choice of places to eat, swim and sit down. The mood is more full-service resort than small island hideaway: seven outdoor pools, several restaurants, four bars, a spa and evening shows all sit within the same address.

Information for guests is available in English, German and Spanish. That makes the hotel’s public information accessible to a broad range of visitors, while the accommodation itself is geared towards couples, families and solo travellers who want the practical bits close at hand.

You are in Fuencaliente de la Palma, Spain, at La Palma Princess, c/José Cabrera Blanch no 2. The hotel is described as beachfront, with the Atlantic as part of the setting rather than something you need to reach through a town first. Zamora Chica Beach and Playa de la Zamora Grande are about 1.2 miles away by car, while Puntalarga Beach is about 1.8 miles away.

La Zamora Beach is around a five-minute drive from the hotel. Echentive Beach is further along the coast, about 3.7 miles by car. Nearby restaurants and bars are spread out rather than clustered outside the entrance, so having the hotel’s own dining options matters here; the closest listed restaurant is about 3.8 miles away by road.

La Palma Airport is about 17 miles away, with a drive of roughly 29 minutes. Free private parking is available on site, and car hire can be arranged if you want to explore beyond the resort without turning every outing into a logistical exercise.

For two people, the sea-view rooms are the obvious choice if you want the island and the Atlantic to remain part of the day once you are back indoors. The standard double or twin rooms are more straightforward, with a sofa bed, a large bed or twin beds depending on the layout, plus a furnished balcony or terrace. Choose the room around the view and sleeping arrangement rather than expecting every category to work in the same way.

Families have more breathing room in the Superior Family Rooms and sea-view suites. These layouts provide separate sleeping areas and two bathrooms, which is a small but meaningful improvement when everyone returns sandy, tired or simply in need of a shower at the same time. Family rooms are available, and children of any age are welcome; children aged 12 and over are treated as adults for the accommodation policy.

Air conditioning, a minibar, a kettle, a seating area, a desk and satellite television cover the basics after a long day out. Bathrooms have a bath and shower, with towels, toiletries and a hairdryer. The rooms also have balconies or terraces, so you can take the evening outside without having to find a lounger by the pool first.

All-inclusive is the hotel’s main formula, with breakfast, lunch and dinner covered across the dining venues. Food Market is the main buffet restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with live cooking stations, local Canarian dishes and international fare. Breakfast is a continental buffet, starting at 07:30, which gives you a workable start before a full day out.

El Mirador sits by the pool and adds an outdoor terrace with Atlantic views. It serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, with late-riser breakfast and quicker options from midday. Family Snack Mordisco handles the less ceremonial moments with pizza, burgers, pastries, coffee and cake from lunchtime into the afternoon. It is the place for food when sitting down for a full meal feels unnecessarily ambitious.

For the evening, La Tasca serves local food in a barn-style interior, while La Vita offers a local tasting menu on an outdoor terrace at Plaza de los Delfines. There are four named bars: La Palma Piano Bar in the lobby, Jaleo disco bar, Teneguía Piano Bar and Coco Loco Bar by the pool. Evening opening at Teneguía depends on the season, and Jaleo adds nightly shows and disco entertainment. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices are available, along with special diets on request. Dinner requires proper evening clothing: swimwear, flip-flops, sleeveless shirts and sportswear are not accepted in the bars and restaurants.

Seven outdoor freshwater pools give you room to change the scenery without leaving the hotel. Two are heated, one has a man-made beach, and there is a dedicated children’s pool. The Esencia de La Palma area adds four pools reserved for adult guests, useful when you want a quieter swim away from the family part of the resort. Sun loungers and parasols are available around the pool areas.

Aqua Princess Spa occupies 700 square metres, with a thermal circuit, hydromassage, jacuzzi, sauna and hammam, plus massages, facial and body treatments. Couples’ massages are available, as are fitness facilities, yoga, aerobics and aqua aerobics. After a day spent doing very little, the spa can still provide a respectable excuse for putting on a robe and calling it an activity.

Away from the water and the spa, you can use the tennis courts, play mini golf, darts, table tennis or billiards, and join walking tours, bike tours or hikes. Evening shows, live music, a nightclub and daytime sports programming keep the resort moving after dinner. Babysitting, an indoor play area and a children’s playground add practical options for family stays.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 23:30, and check-out from 06:00 to 12:00. The minimum age for check-in is 18. Airport transfers are available as a paid service and can be arranged with the hotel; the airport is about 17 miles away by road. Free private parking is available without reservation, and the hotel also has a 24-hour reception, concierge service, luggage storage, a tour desk, currency exchange and an on-site cash machine.

Wi-Fi is free, with access described in the booking conditions as available at reception. Air conditioning is available in the rooms and throughout the hotel. Laundry and ironing services are available, while a safe can be used at reception. A minimarket, snack and drinks vending machines, room service and daily housekeeping cover the small practical matters that tend to appear once the suitcase is open.

Children are welcome, but cots and extra beds are not available, so the room’s existing sleeping arrangement matters when you book. Pets are not allowed. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard and American Express. For the gala dinners on 25 and 31 December, gentlemen are asked to wear elegant long trousers with a jacket or tie.