Arrecife Gran Hotel
The small Canary Island of Lanzarote attracts over 1.5 million foreign tourists every year. And whilst there is no shortage of good quality hotels in Lanzarote to cater to this demand one establishment in particular stands out from the rest. Quite literally in fact. As the Arrecife Gran is the only high rise building on the island.
Back in the 1970’s high rise construction on Lanzarote was outlawed. Thanks to the lobbying of the island born artist Cesar Manrique. Who campaigned for the controlled development of tourism on the island of his birth. And who had friends in high places on the island government to ensure that his vision became reality.
Manrique feared that Lanzarote would suffer the same fate as the Spanish Costas. Which were being buried beneath a sea of new developments as tourism started to take off in Spain under the regime of General Franco.
On Lanzarote however any building taller than a Canarian palm tree was banned. Whist advertising hoardings were outlawed and the island’s three main tourist resorts were kept well contained. Leaving Lanzarote largely as nature intended.
During 1988 Manrique left the island to exhibit abroad and whilst he was away developers started to create a high rise building in the heart of Lanzarote´s capital city of Arrecife. Intending to create a luxury hotel. Manrique was furious on his return and work on the project ceased. The shell of this building then stood empty and derelict for years. And was even squatted and subjected to a fire in 1990.
The island government was unsure what to do with this burnt-out edifice. Finding that the cost of demolition would be too expensive they resorted to a pragmatic solution and eventually sold the building to a property developer. granting permission for the creation of a five star hotel on the site.
After a long drawn out €26 million renovation project the Arrecife Gran finally opened for business in 2004. And has since become a real landmark. Thanks to its well appointed accommodation, good quality facilities and amenities and extras such as the rooftop restaurant and on site Spa Centre and swimming pool.
Today, the Arrecife Gran is very well established and makes an ideal base for anyone planning a stay in Lanzarote´s cosmopolitan capital. Boasting a total of 104 rooms arrayed across seventeen floors. And with prices starting from around from around €120 per night. Depending of course on the time of year.
