Holiday in the Canary Islands

Arthur Mills visits a Canary Islands resort that's got the lot.

Arriving at the Hotel Costa Los Gigantes Suites you could be forgiven for believing that you may have taken a wrong turn.

At first glance there seems to be little more to the Canary Island hotel than the reception area and a car park.

Admittedly, it was close to midnight when we arrived, but even the high glass doors of the entrance did scant justice to the brochure claims for the hotel.

However, once through those doors, any concerns were soon swept away as, even at night, the vast area of this new hotel began to stretch out before us, almost Tardis-like, as we were chauffeured on a golf-style buggy to the door of our suite.

At sunrise the impression of the resort was only enhanced as the full detail and extent of this lavish complex came in to view.

Los Gigantes is around 20 miles north of Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos and an hour by road from the Reina Sofia airport.

And the Hotel Costa Los Gigantes Suites and Spa Resort on Tenerife's west coast is the first "all inclusive" holiday operation for Tenerife's well-respected Spring Hotels group.

And the planners had certainly not held back on the standard and design of the resort which is beautifully situated, standing high above the resort of Playa de la Arena, and the small ports of Santiago and Los Gigantes.

At the time of our visit in November it had only been open for three months and as a result was occupied by less than a quarter of the potential guest list of around 2,000 people.

However, strolling around what is essentially a small village, it was soon very apparent as to why First Choice Holidays have added the resort to its list of Tenerife destinations.

It is made up of 500 tidy, balconied suites all located on four terraced levels and all facing the sea with clear views of La Gomera, the smallest of the Canary Islands, and the black cliffs of Los Gigantes. Gentle, sloping pathways wind between the neat terraces and there are strategically placed lifts to help access to all levels.

The spacious junior suites are ideal for a family of four and more than comfortable for a couple. And should a suite be occupied by four adults, there is ample room for any required privacy.

Each suite has adequate space for clothes, a flat-screen satellite TV in both the living room and the double bedroom, a balcony or terrace, bathroom, mini-bar and air-conditioning.

Chatting with hotel director Senor Pedro Mas, who is delighted to point out that in English his name is "Peter Moore", it was clear that he was confident that every effort had been made to ensure that Costa Los Gigantes offered the best family holiday.

"Quality and service are our watchword. This is what we are here for – to sell happiness. We want people and their families to have a special holiday experience," he explained.

"It is a new resort and it is always our intention to listen closely to the customer and make any necessary changes as soon as possible, certainly within 24 hours.

"It is no good leaving these issues for a few weeks. It is important that people staying at our hotel can see that we have taken notice of their comments while they are still with us," he said.

With families principally in mind, the hotel has three main swimming pools for adults – two of which are heated in the winter – and a children's pool with its two-storey water splash slide as well as two smaller pools for toddlers.

It caters well for children, giving them the chance to meet and make friends in and around the state-of-the-art entertainment centre. There is an 80-seat capacity cinema, online games and, for the more artistic, an opportunity to paint or act in the resort's theatre.

Outside there is also a playground, table tennis and pool, and the resort has two tennis courts, mini golf and ten-pin bowling.

Immediately below the reception area is the main restaurant serving buffet-style food and there are three other restaurants offering a la carte menus and themed Oriental, Italian and Indian food nights.

The extensive use of high windows in the hub of the resort gives it a bright and airy feeling, making it comfortable to enjoy a meal, relax with a drink in and around the bars, or take in a live show in the entertainment centre.

Senor Mas was very enthusiastic about the hotel's Spa, although a few finishing touches were still being added to the gym area, which is free for all guests who can take in views of the sea and La Gomera while using the the exercise bikes.

There are fees for other facilities in the Spa – a thermal circuit, sauna, Turkish bath, Roman thermal baths, sensation showers and massage cabins, and a full circuit is definitely invigorating.

Airport transfers are available on a First Choice package, but if you do plan to explore the island further or visit any of the better known resorts, then my advice would be to hire a car.

Travel Facts

• First Choice Holidays offers a seven-night holiday in Tenerife, staying at the brand new all-inclusive, 4-Sun-plus Los Gigantes Suites and Spa, from £1015 per adult, £429 for first child and £609 for a second child. Price based on two adults and two children sharing, departing from Birmingham on the May 22, 2009.

• To find out more or to make a reservation, call First Choice on 0871 664 9012, or book online at www.firstchoice.co.uk

• All holidays are subject to availability and booking terms and conditions. Prices include flights, fuel charge and air passenger duty and are correct at the date of issue.