TONE YOUR BOTTY IN LANZAROTE

Dose up on winter sun and stay in a resort that’s set up perfectly for workouts and downtime

Bathed in sunshine almost 365 days a year, Lanzarote is a gem aptly named ‘The Pearl of the Canary Islands’. Who doesn’t want to have access to that sort of weather? And, it turns out, a trip abroad doesn’t have to break your routine. Sure, switching off and not checking your inbox is a must when it comes to holidaying in sunnier climates, but that doesn’t mean letting go of your fitness and wellness plans. We find out just how the four-star Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort in Costa Teguise can help with not just the tanning, but toning too.

Lanzarote isn’t just a place for an 18-30s jolly, it’s a beautiful island that offers surreal landscapes; black, white and golden sandy beaches; lava fields; volcanoes; caves; and beautiful clear waters. The ‘Oscars of Tourism’, aka The World Travel Awards, gave the title of ‘Spain’s Leading Sports Resort’ to Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort in 2022, and it’s a retreat that manages to create a balance between a holiday hotel on the beachfront and sports and activities.

Lanzarote is around a four-hour flight from London Stansted, and from Arrecife Airport it’s a short car ride to Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort, where the hotel spans both sides of the road. It boasts 814 fully renovated rooms, including a Deluxe Hypoxia room, which simulates an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level to help guests to acquire more red blood cells, aiding the blood to carry more oxygen and perform better in sports activities. We checked into a deluxe room, which had a separate bedroom and living area complete with a sofa and a fully furnished terrace looking out at the sea. The decor is all neutral with a modern contemporary feel, making the spaces inviting and calm.

Onto the main event: the activities. Given the facilities here, it’s no surprise that the resort is a hotspot for pro and amateur athletes who come here to train. The whole hotel just had a revamp in 2022, and now boasts 659 fitness rooms (some of which incorporate state-of-the-art technology), an impressive 10-lane Olympic pool, a high-end gym and more.

If you get on best with fitness classes, they offer a Les Mills 360° programme, so guests can take part in as many of the 14 programmes as they like, guided along by certified instructors. In the fully-equipped gym, you can train on the cardio and strength machines on your own, book a session with a personal trainer, or break off into a fitness room for a spin class. If you fancy trying something new, you can head to the Deluxe Hypoxia room where you can work out in simulated altitudes of up to 4,000 metres. And swimmers can take full advantage of the premium, 26°C-heated pool by booking a private lane.

That’s not all, there are plenty more activities to explore beyond the retreat too. From cycle routes with remarkable views to wild swimming in the clear waters of Playa del Ancla, you can really rack up the one-off experiences here. Runners are in luck because Costa Teguise has plenty of idyllic paths and trails that take you past the sea and volcanoes, with maps and GPS provided by the hotel. And with chances to go diving, golfing, surfing, windsurfing and paragliding, it’s hard to get bored here.

Food-wise, there’s the usual holiday indulgence options and more refined choices for your inner athlete, like their BLikEat, a breakfast concept made with organic, local and seasonal ingredients; the Breathe Healthy Bar space for a post-workout meal or drink; and there’s even healthy drinks, cereal bars, non-carbonated isotonic drinks, unsalted nuts and various vegetables found in the mini bar in the rooms.

For a holiday where you can get some uninterrupted time to focus on your fitness, health and wellbeing, Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort comes with great perks. Rates start from 135€/night in Active and 195€/night in Royal Level Service on Bed and Breakfast in low season. All-inclusive rates start from €215.

Avda del Mar 6 35508 Costa Teguise Spain
barcelo.com

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