WEEKEND AWAY: Barceló Playa Blanca, Lanzarote
Craig Hough and partner enjoyed Royal Level access at Barceló Playa Blanca in Lanzarote
Location
From January to October 2025, Lanzarote welcomed close to three million tourists, nearly 100,000 more than during the same period in 2024. Tourism on the island continues to grow year on year and there is a clear shift towards attracting a more discerning traveller.
Once a quiet fishing destination in the 1970s, Playa Blanca has evolved into one of Lanzarote’s most popular destinations. Today, the small town is home to an array of hotels and private holiday rentals. One of the main focal points of Playa Blanca is Marina Rubicón, a buzzing area that includes a boutique that sells luxury fashion brands, several independent shops, a variety of diverse restaurants and an area to dock your yacht or rent one out for the day.
It is alongside the marina that Barceló Playa Blanca is located, offering its guests the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful stay in the resort or an easy walkable access to Playa Blanca’s charming centre and its many restaurants and shops.
Royal Level
Ahead of our arrival, we downloaded the Barceló app which was a handy travel companion that helped to streamline the entire experience. From booking spa treatments to browsing the hotel’s entertainment schedule, the app was a great help to stay up to date.
Although Playa Blanca is the furthest of Lanzarote’s popular resorts from Arrecife Airport, the journey to Barceló Playa Blanca is only around 45 minutes by private taxi. On arrival, the sheer scale of the hotel instantly impressed. We stepped into a very modern and spacious reception area, with volcanic-inspired decor, digital screens showcasing the hotel’s daily activities and entertainment and a large, calming infinity style water feature. Floor to ceiling glass flooded the reception with light, offering views of the hotel’s main pool and neighbouring island Fuerteventura.
We had booked the Royal Level Adults Only option, which felt like a hotel-within-a-hotel experience that offered exclusive privileges to the Royal Level area alongside full access to the wider resort. Check-in took place at a dedicated Royal Level desk, where we were welcomed with a chilled drink before our luggage was loaded into a buggy and we were driven to our room.
Our open plan room was thoughtfully designed and featured a large comfortable sofa and bed, generous wardrobe space, a double vanity area and a separate WC room for privacy. Outside, the balcony provided a welcome retreat, overlooking the Royal Level area and accompanied by sounds of waves breaking against the nearby rocks on the shoreline. It was a perfect setting for a little pre-dinner reading.
The menu at Barceló’s Royal Level restaurant, Magical, offered a blend of Canarian and Mediterranean cuisine mixed with your regular hotel favourites. These were served throughout the day across a hot and cold breakfast, a relaxed lighter à la carte lunch and a more refined evening menu. Ingredients were notably fresh and the service is incredibly personable - with special mention to the wonderful Lola, whose warmth and conversation throughout our stay was welcomed.
Throughout the day, Royal Level guests can also make use of the Beach Bar beside the adults only pool, which offers a relaxed break out area away from the pool and restaurant area.
Outside of the Royal Level, we also enjoyed time at the B-Lounge bar, opposite the Royal Level reception, which was a laid-back space which we would use to grab a coffee before exploring the area or a cocktail once we returned. Service here is internationally relaxed and there is a gorgeous terrace outside that overlooks the hotel grounds.
The on-site Mexico Lindo restaurant is well worth a visit, having been nominated for the ‘Best Hotel Restaurant’ in the 2025 Qué Bueno Canarias Awards, a fact our friendly server, Paul was rightly proud to highlight. The menu focuses on classic Mexican favourites, including tacos, nachos and quesadillas, all authentically prepared and paired with freshly made margaritas. The restaurant is decorated in bold colourful tones and on our visit, was brought to life with a live mariachi performance, which was enjoyed by everyone in attendance.
Other bars and restaurants are available including KOI serving Japanese cuisine, Breeze Bar close to the main pool, Barcy Food and Fun for families and Champ Sports Bar showing all the latest sports.
Wellness
An afternoon spent in the hotel’s spa proved to be a highlight of the stay. We booked on the app in the morning and shared the space with only a handful of couples.
The spa operates around a wellness map (which can be found on the wall as you enter) which guides you through each area, outlining recommended timings and the benefits of every experience. We followed the circuit of thermal baths, hydromassage pools, dry saunas, a steam room, sensory showers and an invigorating ice fountain.
Next to the spa was also a vast gym overlooking the hotel grounds and out to sea. The facilities are impressive, with an extensive selection of cardio and weight training equipment and separate TRX rooms and a stretching area.
Final Thoughts
Having opened at the tail end of 2023, Barceló Playa Blanca still retains the crisp, polished feel of a brand new hotel. Its vast size allows the property to cater to every taste.
For families seeking a fun-filled holiday, the hotel’s energetic entertainment team delivers a packed programme of activities from morning around the pool through to the evening in the main theatre.
If you have a young family and are looking for a fun-filled break, the hotel has a hard working non- stop entertainment team offering fun and frolies all day and night. Couples in search of a quieter getaway will find the Royal Level offering particularly appearing as it combines refined dining with adults-only spaces. Wellness-focused travellers are equally served with the extensive spa and fitness facilities that will satisfy the most dedicated gym goer.
With a prime location beside Marina Rubicón and Playa Blanca’s town centre, Barceló Playa Blanca is a versatile holiday destination for some winter sun and one well worth adding to the travel list.
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