The Canary Islands are Europe’s answer to year-round sunshine, with warm days even in January and flights of around four hours from the UK. But the four big islands are surprisingly different. One has a volcano and a glamorous resort scene, one has sand dunes, one is a work of volcanic art, and one is simply all about the beach.
Here’s our honest guide to choosing between them, with three of our best-rated luxury hotels on each island so you can go straight from “which island?” to “which hotel?”.
You’ll find on this page
- The four islands at a glance: who each one suits best
- Three standout luxury hotels on Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura
- Our quick verdicts for families, couples, beach lovers and winter sun
- A comparison table and answers to common questions
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Hideaway Corales Villas | Costa Adeje, Tenerife | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.9/5 | No |
| Hotel Botanico and The Oriental Spa Garden | Puerto De La Cruz, Tenerife | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.7/5 | No |
| Las Madrigueras Golf Resort & Spa | Playa De Las Americas, Tenerife | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.8/5 | Yes |
| Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia | Maspalomas, Gran Canaria | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.9/5 | No |
| Paradisus by Melia Gran Canaria | San Agustin, Gran Canaria | 5★ | All Inclusive Plus | 4.7/5 | No |
| Bohemia Suites & Spa | Playa Del Ingles, Gran Canaria | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board, Self Catering | 4.7/5 | Yes |
| Hotel Fariones | Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
| Hotel Lava Beach | Matagorda (Puerto Del Carmen), Lanzarote | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.7/5 | No |
| Royal Marina Suites Boutique Hotel | Puerto Calero, Lanzarote | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.9/5 | Yes |
| Bahiazul Resort Fuerteventura | Corralejo, Fuerteventura | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
| Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace | Jandia, Fuerteventura | 5★ | All Inclusive, Half Board | 4.5/5 | No |
| Barcelo Fuerteventura Royal Level | Caleta De Fuste, Fuerteventura | 4★ | All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast | 4.5/5 | No |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
The islands at a glance
Tenerife is the biggest and most varied: Mount Teide, glamorous Costa Adeje, whale-watching and some of the finest five-star hotels in Spain. Gran Canaria is a “continent in miniature”, with the golden dunes of Maspalomas, a lively capital and mountain villages. Lanzarote is the most striking, with black lava fields, white villages and the art of César Manrique, and a calmer, more stylish feel. Fuerteventura has the longest, emptiest beaches in the Canaries, with turquoise water, sand dunes and a laid-back pace.
Tenerife: luxury and variety
Choose Tenerife for the widest choice of top-end hotels and the most to do.
Royal Hideaway Corales Villas
- Costa Adeje, Tenerife
- 5-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Peaceful, modern and perfect for honeymoons, Royal Hideaway Corales Villas in Costa Adeje has rooms with private pools and some of the best guest ratings on the island.
Best for: Couples wanting a private-pool hideaway
Hotel Botanico and The Oriental Spa Garden
- Puerto De La Cruz, Tenerife
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Hotel Botánico in Puerto de la Cruz is famous for impeccable service and an extensive, award-winning spa, set in the greener north of the island.
Best for: Spa lovers and a classic grand hotel
Las Madrigueras Golf Resort & Spa
- Playa De Las Americas, Tenerife
- 5-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
- Adults only
An adults-only five-star on the golf course at Playa de las Américas, Las Madrigueras has a relaxed atmosphere and à la carte dining.
Best for: Golfers and grown-ups
Gran Canaria: beaches and dunes
Choose Gran Canaria for golden beaches and reliable winter sun.
Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia
- Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the colonial-style Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia is close to the beach and dunes at Maspalomas, and perfect for a romantic escape.
Best for: Honeymoons and a timeless, elegant stay
Paradisus by Melia Gran Canaria
- San Agustin, Gran Canaria
- 5-star
- All Inclusive Plus
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Paradisus by Meliá Gran Canaria has a stunning beachfront location, à la carte dining and an All Inclusive Plus package, plus The Reserve room upgrades for extra privileges.
Best for: Luxury all-inclusive by the sea
Bohemia Suites & Spa
- Playa Del Ingles, Gran Canaria
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
- Adults only
Adults-only with fantastic views and a luxurious spa, Bohemia Suites & Spa in Playa del Inglés is made for peace and relaxation.
Best for: A grown-up spa break with a view
Lanzarote: style and scenery
Choose Lanzarote for dramatic landscapes and a calm, stylish feel.
Hotel Fariones
- Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Seafront with direct beach access and an infinity pool with impressive views, Hotel Fariones in Puerto del Carmen is a superb choice for food lovers.
Best for: Beach access and great dining
Hotel Lava Beach
- Matagorda (Puerto Del Carmen), Lanzarote
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Hotel Lava Beach in Matagorda has gorgeous décor, an excellent location and a rooftop bar with stunning views, ideal for sundowners.
Best for: Couples who love a rooftop drink
Royal Marina Suites Boutique Hotel
- Puerto Calero, Lanzarote
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
- Adults only
Adults-only and exclusive, Royal Marina Suites in the marina village of Puerto Calero has modern suites and a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere.
Best for: Quiet, marina-side luxury for two
Fuerteventura: pure beach time
Choose Fuerteventura for endless sand and turquoise sea.
Bahiazul Resort Fuerteventura
- Corralejo, Fuerteventura
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Bahiazul Resort in Corralejo has villas with private pools, an on-site spa and a terrace with Bali beds, just a short drive from the famous Corralejo dunes.
Best for: Families or couples wanting a private villa
Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace
- Jandia, Fuerteventura
- 5-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace has a stunning beachfront location in Jandía, a rejuvenating spa and an excellent Japanese restaurant.
Best for: Long-beach walks and a five-star spa
Barcelo Fuerteventura Royal Level
- Caleta De Fuste, Fuerteventura
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
An exclusive area within a family resort in Caleta de Fuste, Barceló Fuerteventura Royal Level is close to the beach and has a pirate-ship splash pool that children love.
Best for: Families wanting extra comfort
When to go
The Canaries are a year-round destination. Winter brings temperatures in the low 20s °C, while summer is hot but tempered by the trade winds. Flights from the UK take about four hours.
How we chose these hotels
We sell 146 hotels in the four main Canary Islands. To build this list we started with the five-star and luxury hotels on each island, then read what our guests say: every hotel here scores highly on TripAdvisor. We spread our picks across different resorts so you can compare areas, and we only include hotels you can book with us today as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices and room types change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
Which Canary Island is best for luxury?
Tenerife has the widest choice of five-star hotels, especially in Costa Adeje. See our guide to the best luxury hotels in Tenerife.
Which Canary Island has the best beaches?
Fuerteventura, with long stretches of white and golden sand, followed by Gran Canaria’s Maspalomas dunes.
Which Canary Island is warmest in winter?
The southern resorts of Gran Canaria and Tenerife are typically the warmest and sunniest in winter, though all four islands enjoy mild winter weather.
Which Canary Island is best for families?
Tenerife and Gran Canaria have the most family attractions. Fuerteventura suits families who simply want a big, safe beach.
Find your Canary Islands holiday
Search live prices on any island with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer which island suits you.
Keep planning
- Tenerife holidays
- Gran Canaria holidays
- Lanzarote holidays
- Fuerteventura holidays
- Best luxury hotels in Tenerife
- Where to stay in Tenerife
- Best adults-only hotels in the Canary Islands
- Best luxury hotels in Gran Canaria
- Best luxury hotels in Lanzarote
- Best hotels in Fuerteventura
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
