NH Imperial Playa

Without considering any of this hotel's other perks, its prime location at the end of Las Palmas' bay allows for spectacular views over the busy beach, sparkling blue sea, and surrounding mountains. The hotel entrance opens out to a pedestrian-only block that leads directly to the beach promenade, and is lined with cafes, restaurants, and plenty of sunny outdoor terraces where locals and tourists alike mingle for a drink. It’s a vibrant, yet leisurely, holiday beach vibe that sets the tone for a stay here. 

Inside, the decor is corporate, but modern enough, as dark wood furniture is paired with neutral textiles and beige marble floors. Spectacular sea views are visible from most parts of the hotel, including the airy restaurant and some meeting rooms. Although audible in some rooms and parts of the hotel, merry sounds from the beach -- including live music, laughing beachgoers, and waves rolling into the bay -- are more of a pleasantry and than a nuisance.

NH Imperial Playa is primarily geared toward business guests, but has an ideal location for leisure travelers as well. During our weekend stay, we saw mostly mature local Canarians visiting for short weekend breaks. During the week, expect to see business travelers.

NH Imperial Playa has a prime beachside location, with the vibrant beach promenade just a few steps from the hotel's entrance. A good handful of cafes and restaurants with sunny outdoor terraces are all on the same block, and are perfect for a relaxing drink and people watching. This is an excellent location for both beach trips and city exploring, and attractions such as the largest shopping mall in town and Parque de Santa Catalina (a local hangout) are a leisurely 15-minute walk away. Calle Triana, the city’s pedestrian-only shopping street, and the charming old town are both about a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Gran Canaria's airport is a 25-minute drive away.

One of the best options of this hotel are the sea-facing rooms with balconies, which arguably have some of the best bay views in town. Roughly a third of the rooms have direct sea views with balconies, while a quarter have partial sea-view balconies. All 142 rooms are done in a generis corporate style, with dark wood furniture and modern bedding. Standard features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but electric kettles must be requested from the front desk in Standard Rooms (they're provided in others). Standard Rooms are the lowest category offered and some overlook the inner courtyard, while others have city views. Superior Rooms come with additional amenities including bathrobes and slippers, plus many have balconies with spectacular sea views. Junior Suites feature separate living areas and large sea-facing balconies. Bathrooms are clean and fairly modern, and all have neutral tiling, bidets, and shower/tub combos. 

The best feature of this hotel is its prime beachside location and fantastic views over the beach and bay. There’s no pool or gym, but the beach is practically just outside the door. Being a hotel that caters to many business guests, NH Imperial Playa has an entire floor dedicated to conference facilities. The four meeting rooms get plenty of natural light, some have gorgeous sea views, and the largest has a maximum capacity of 150 people. 

The airy restaurant has slightly dated decor, but is a cheerful, well-maintained space with fantastic views of the bay and colorful stained-glass mosaics. It serves a la carte lunches and dinners (no meal plans available), with both local Canarian choices and international favorites. The breakfast buffet is an extensive spread of hot and cold options, including fresh fruit smoothies made to order, fresh-squeezed orange juice, omelets and eggs cooked to order, and a special selection of 18 different herbal teas. Other healthy additions are available for yogurts and cereals.

The bar is situated in the same space as the restaurant, has fantastic sea views, and serves drinks along with light snacks. The free Wi-Fi is decent by Gran Canaria standards, but as with most city hotels, there’s no parking. The hotel provides discounted rates at a nearby underground garage, but be sure to present the ticket to the valet after first parking the car, as the discount can only be applied then.