A white, Mediterranean-style building houses the Apartamentos Galeon Playa's lobby, a primarily glass and marble room with pops of color. Stairway banisters and window frames in the hallways are painted bright green. The vibe is a fun one, albeit loud with kids, and it's common to see children, still dripping wet from the pool, running through the public spaces and making the floors slippery as they go.

Guests of the Apartamentos Galeon Playa often pick the property because of its location in the heart of Costa Teguise and on Las Cucharas Beach. There's plenty of parking, and a car is useful for exploring the island, but because the apartments are centrally located and taxis are easy to get, a vehicle isn't a necessity. There are several shopping centers and restaurants nearby, as well as a water park and activities such as golf, water sports, and horseback riding. The Lanzarote Airport is a 20-minute drive away.

The Galeon Playa's 141 apartments come in one- or two-bedroom configurations and sleep up to five adults or four adults and two children. Room decor is colorful but dated, though some rooms have undergone a renovation. Guests have the option of two-bedroom pirate-themed rooms, complete with bunk beds for the kids. Views are of the gardens, pools, or -- if a Sea View Apartment is booked -- the beach of Costa Teguise. Those who book the pool-facing rooms might be subject to noise well into the night, as large groups that stay at the hotel are known to take a dip after a night out. Each apartment has a microwave, toaster, kettle, and TV with channels in multiple languages, but all lack air-conditioning. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos.

The complex added 34 Junior Suites after our visit, all of which sport a much more contemporary style. The rooms come in one or two-bedroom configurations that sleep up to three adults and are equipped like traditional hotel rooms, with minibars and electric kettles (but no cooking facilities).

Soaking up the sun is the main activity at Galeon Playa, and the complex offers several ways to do just that, including a heated main pool and a second non-heated pool, both of which are surrounded by lounge chairs and umbrellas. There are also two smaller children's pools. Entertainment runs throughout the day and into the evening and includes activities such as volleyball, aerobics, and darts in the daytime and live music or karaoke in the evening. The hotel has two restaurants; one is buffet-style and the other is poolside and serves snacks and fast food. Other amenities include two kids' clubs, a video game arcade, a pool table, a playground, table tennis, and babysitting services. Wi-Fi is also available throughout.