Having successfully completed my first solo trip to New York at the end of October 2023, I quickly launched into my second solo adventure at the end of November. Yes, I was making up for all those years I didn’t go anywhere. After the hustle and bustle of New York, I’d convinced myself it was time for a proper relaxed holiday. Some scenic beaches, a nice pool etc. Given the time of year, the canaries were the perfect choice, and my parents had been to Gran Canaria a few times before.
Manchester Airport – 7/10
Like last time, I flew out of Manchester Airport, and the experience was very much the same, only I was there earlier and bought breakfast. I felt more ripped off with the breakfast than I did with the Archie’s I got last time, but it’s probably better than plane food.
Tip: The bottled water in Boots is slightly cheaper than in the other shops, but you’re still getting ripped off.
Jet2 – 8/10
The bag drop was fine and staff were friendly enough in the airport and on the plane. Seats were cramped, but at least they couldn’t recline. I don’t bother bringing hand luggage because I can’t be doing with the overhead locker battles, so it was just a bag under the seat in front for me. Easy enough journey, no major delays.
Tip: It’s a long flight on such a cramped plane, so bring a book or headphones to occupy you.
Gran Canaria (Las Palmas) Airport – 7/10
Nice airport and a quick suitcase pick up. The slowest part was the shared coach transfer to the hotel. It seemed to take ages for the coach to depart, and then a long time to reach my hotel. By this point, I was drained by travelling and regretting not bringing more food for the plane. That Manchester breakfast felt a lifetime ago.
Coming back through the airport on my way home was actually lovely. Very modern, clean and had a good Burger King.
Tip: Take a bathroom break before you get on the shared coach transfer. You can be sat there for ages before moving.
Abora Continental Hotel – 6/10
The hotel was nice, clean and modern. Location wise, it was right next to the bus station and the boardwalk, so walking along the front to Playa del Ingles was super easy. The room itself was decent, if a bit noisy at night.
I chose this hotel because of the location and the fact that it had entertainment in the evenings, but I hardly saw the entertainment. The hotel was full of older couples, particularly given the time of year, and I did feel a bit out of place on my own. It was nothing specific that happened and no one said anything to me, but being on your own in a city and in a beach resort are not the same thing.
It was an all-inclusive hotel, but again, I didn’t bother with the food beyond breakfast and a couple of hot dogs one lunchtime. I tried some food the evening I arrived, but it was barely warm and bland. I don’t drink alcohol, but the all-inclusive soft drinks were fine, even if they tasted a bit flat.
Tip: If you’re going solo, be aware of the hotel you choose. This one ticked all my boxes, but I did feel like I stood out on my own. A smaller hotel might have been better!
Hotel Pool – 4/10
I’m giving this it’s own category because I can’t rate it the same as the rest of the hotel. Despite all intentions of relaxing and visions of me lounging by the pool, I had one pool day out of five days.
The pool area itself was nice, and there was a hut with the all-inclusive food at lunch time, including jelly, hot dogs etc. I’d say the sunbeds were a bit worn, but nothing major. All clean enough, and I didn’t struggle to get one.
Before I start with my biggest gripe, I do realise I went at the end of November, but that doesn’t mean the pool has to be kept below zero. Knowing the canaries are busy year-round, surely you would heat the pool in the colder months. Gran Canaria itself was fairly hot when I went, but the pool was so cold that I thought I was going to die of shock. I braved it once, edging my way in slowly and hoping it would feel warmer. It didn’t.
I don’t know whether it was a consequence of the time of year or the location of the hotel, but when I was there, the pool area was a wind tunnel. Not that it bothered anyone else (assume the older guests were regulars and used to it), but battling not to lose my hat, book, or beach towel wasn’t the relaxation I was going for.
Tip: Beware of the pool temperature and wind chill factor.
Mogan – 8/10
On my first full day, I took the bus to Mogan on my parents’ suggestion. It was market day, the weather was nice, and I managed to get on the right bus without getting lost. I think there were excursions you could book where you get picked up from your hotel and go to Mogan, but honestly, it’s cheaper and easier to just get a local bus.
Mogan itself was very pretty. The markets stretched from the bus station down to the front, where there was a small (busy) beach and more market stalls going around the port. There were plenty of restaurants to get food overlooking the beach and sea, so I got a nice (very spicy) pizza. Getting the bus back was simple, and while there wasn’t loads to do in Mogan it’s well worth a visit.
Tip: It was busy when I went in November, so I can only imagine how packed it is in peak season. Go early if you want to get on the beach.
Food – 7/10
You’ll know from my New York post that I’m not a foodie and prefer basic British food. Fortunately, there is plenty of it to be found in Gran Canaria. There are plenty of restaurants along the front and further back in the town, along with a lot of bars. Food quality was a bit mixed, but you can’t really go wrong with the basics.
My bigger issue, as in New York, was getting past the awkwardness of eating alone. It certainly put me off going anywhere overly busy and resulted in a lot of wandering for somewhere ‘just right’. It’s definitely a confidence thing rather than anything else. There is a Hard Rock Café set back from the front (and up a fair few steps), which I went to once, and then went to an Irish Bar twice, and another restaurant called Melly Blue. Food in all was pretty decent, and the burger in Melly Blue was lovely.
Tip: You can be waiting forever for the bill. A lot of European countries are similar, and I suspect they do it more when it’s quiet, and they want to look busier. Be prepared to ask a few times.
Yumbo Centre – 6/10
A recurring theme of my beach holidays is that I’m up and out far too early. The Yumbo centre is basically a big open-air shopping centre with a fair few bars and restaurants. It was mostly closed at the time of day I went, but it was a bit too far from my hotel for me to bother venturing there in the evenings. My parents have been and said the bars were good, but I believe it also gets very busy.
Tip: Check the opening times, people.
Beach – 8/10
Again, I didn’t have a day on the beach. It’s one of those things that seems like a good idea until you consider the logistics involved and being there on your own. I mean, what if I needed the loo? While I didn’t have a beach day, I did walk along the front many times and it was a beautiful beach.
On my last day, I walked along the beach and wet my toes in the sea, which was a lovely experience. If you like the beach and don’t mind sand in your sandals, it’s a great place to indulge.
Tip: There are a couple of lifts down to the beach, otherwise there is a lot of steep, uneven stairs.
Playa Del Ingles – 6/10
If I had to rate the resort itself, I’d give it a solid six. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, the weather is generally decent most of the year, and the beach is lovely.
I didn’t find that there was loads to do, but I also thought it would be more of a pool holiday for me. I don’t think I can go on holiday and just sit there for long stretches. Where the resort loses points is the state of the pavements and roads. No wonder there were so many pensioners in my hotel on crutches or with their arms in slings. The steps down to the beach are steep and crumbling, and as you’re walking along any of the streets, you’ll see many with broken or missing flags. The boardwalk is better in this regard, but the state of the roads and pavements when I went was terrible.
Tip: Watch your feet. My mum had warned me how bad they were from when they went a few years before, and they obviously hadn’t improved when I was there.
Five days later, I’d completed my first solo beach holiday. Gran Canaria was a lovely break, and wandering around in the sun was far better than the British weather, but I don’t think I’d go back. The experience was really useful in finding what I want and don’t want on a holiday, and I certainly need more to do (or maybe a warmer pool). I’d say five days was also the perfect length of time to see Gran Canaria in. If you’re looking for a short break out of season, I’d give it a try.
My next solo trip combined beach vibes and sightseeing. Look out for my next travel post covering my solo trip to Malta.
