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by Carole French
· personal page ·
  · website ·

With its sunny climate, natural products like Aloe Vera, said to be the purest in the world, and mineral-rich water, Gran Canaria is a favourite with spa and wellness enthusiasts. In fact, it could be considered one of the first destinations to attract health tourists. In the 19th century stories of miracle treatments for lung and stomach ailments circulated around Europe and many people made the journey to the island in the search of a cure for their disorders. Even doctors of the period are said to have recommended Gran Canaria because of its health-giving water and climate. Today the island has one of the Canary Islands’ finest selection of spa resorts, as well as privately owned beauty and spa centres.

One of the first spa centres to be built was at Playa de Maspalomas, location of the famous sand dunes that stretch for some 12 kilometres along the coast. Eduardo Filiputti, one of the first people to recognise the therapeutic properties of the fine sands and to use it in treatments for the body all over the world, built a heliotherapy centre at the dunes in the 1960s. It was quickly followed by new centres throughout the island.

Today, visitors can enjoy treatments using volcanic stones, fruits of the island and sea spray, and regenerative masks and wraps of mineral-rich algae, sea mud and sand. There are hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, thalassotherapy, thermotherapy, reflexotherapy, sauna and Turkish steam bath experiences on most spa menus too. Massage is popular for its slimming, anti-stress and relaxation benefits, and most pools also have body jets to massage the body, while rehabilitation treatments can help or cure rheumatism, ulcers and disorders of the skin and bone.

Many visitors travel to Gran Canaria purely for the spa experience, although most will consider treatments as an extension of their holiday, especially if travelling with children as part of their group. Most spa treatments are unsuitable for children. Gran Canaria offers sports from swimming in the clear waters to fishing, hiking and mountaineering, dining in city or harbourside restaurants, architecture such as the 16th century Catedral de Santa Ana in the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and exploring the countryside as well as spa experiences. An island of contrasts, it has miles of beaches, sand dunes and fishing harbours that line its coast, while lush farmland with rural villages surrounded by banana plantations, pine forests and a mountain range characterise its inland landscape.

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Did you Know?

The Aloe Vera found on Gran Canaria is considered by health and beauty specialists to be the purest in the world. The plant’s gel has therapeutic and healing properties, and is used in many spa treatments. It is also used when the skin has become sun burnt.

The waters off the Gran Canaria coast are rich with minerals, including iodine and sodium which are beneficial for the body.

The fine Maspalomas sands are said to have therapeutic qualities and are used in wrap and massage treatments for exfoliating and softening the skin. One of the island’s first spas was located at the dunes of Playa de Maspalomas.

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Top 5 Spa Resorts

Therapy & Wellness Seaside, Grand Hotel Residencia
A range of treatments are offered at the Grand Hotel Residencia’s contemporary spa suite in Maspalomas, including algae-based peeling to rejuvenate the skin, thalassotherapy mineral pools, mud therapy, anti-cellulite and anti-aging treatments, Shiatsu massage, plus the popular Rasoul Bath and Cleopatra Bath. It also has an aqua fitness suite and a Hamam lounge. Tel: 0034 928 72 31 08 www.grand-hotel-residencia.de

Talasoterapia Canarias San Agustín
At around 7,000 square metres in size, the Talasoterapia Canarias San Agustín, part of the Hotel Gloria Palace, is one of the largest spa and wellness centres in Europe. Its signature treatment is thalassotherapy where a series of sea water pools provide benefits for the body. Others treatments on its menu include mud and marine therapies. Tel: 0034 928 765 689 www.hotelgloriapalace.com

Grand Spa Corallium, Costa Meloneras Resort
Located in the Gran Hotel Costa Meloneras Resort, Maspalomas, the luxurious Grand Spa Corallium offers a spa and relaxation area of some 3,700 square metres in size. Among the treatments are Shiatsu, stone therapy, algae wraps, mud masks and Turkish, Thai and Oriental massage. It has 14 private treatment rooms, plus four different types of swimming pools. Tel: 0034 928 12 81 81 www.lopesanhr.com

Spa Inagua, Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa
The Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa’s spa suite is elegant and relaxing, and a short walk from the harbourside of Puerto de Mogan. Its menu comprises a range of massages including the popular Shiatsu, along with seaweed wraps, mud therapy treatments and reflexology, plus sauna and spa bath experiences. Tel: 0034 928 72 11 47 www.cordialcanarias.com

Spa Las Nieves - Hotel Puerto de las Nieves
Located at Agaete, the Spa Las Nieves has an extensive menu of treatments. Among them are Chakra and relaxation massages, Fango mud and algae wraps for body enhancement and slimming therapies, plus a pool and spa bath options. Tel: 0034 928 88 62 56 www.hotelpuertodelasnieves.es

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Gran Canaria: World Biosphere Reserve

Gran Canaria is classified as one of 531 international biosphere reserves under a UNESCO biodiversity conservation initiative, the Programme on Man and the Biosphere. A total of 105 countries are participating in the project designed to maximise on the sustainable use of natural resources. Gran Canaria became a reserve, which is an area considered important for the protection of species of flora, fauna, wildlife or any natural geological feature, in 2005.

A natural volcanic island and known for its variations of climate from the sands at sea level, through lush farmland, banana plantations and pine forests to its high mountains, Gran Canaria is famous for its many natural wonders. These include the Maspalomas sand dunes, which have been a nature reserve for over 100 years, along with Roque Bentayga at El Bentayga, one of the highest points on the island, Roque Nublo, a landmark rock formation, and the fascinating area of Cenobio de Valerón where there are nearly 300 caves. Palmitos Park, Cueva Pintada and Jardin Canario are three of the most important botanical or archaeological parks in Gran Canaria.

The criteria to becoming a biosphere reserve is that a legally protected core area must be provided together with a zone where non-conservation activities are prohibited and then an outer zone where approved practices are allowed. UNESCO awards the title to countries or areas that have established ecological-friendly terrestrial, coastal or marine ecosystems through zoning and management.

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Don’t Miss

Puerto de Mogan – A town full of traditional houses covered in bougainvillea, Puerto Mogan has a marina and pedestrianised squares. It is a great place to dine in a harbourside restaurant.

Museo Canario - Dedicated almost entirely to the aboriginal population of the island in pre-Hispanic times, the Museo Canario tells how the Guanches of Gran Canaria lived.

Maspalomas – The sand dunes of Maspalomas are a protected nature reserve. They attract sun worshippers as well as more adventurous tourists who take camel treks.

Roque Bentayga at El Bentayga - A favourite haunt of wildlife and photography enthusiasts and one of the highest points on the island, the site has an archaeological park where visitors can see natural wonders like rock caves.

Palmitos Park - A sprawling zoological and sub-tropical botanical gardens, Palmitos Park has palm trees and exotic shrubs, an orchid house, aquarium, birds of prey and animal enclosures.

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(c) Carole French - worldwide rights reserved
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This article was published in
ABTA MAGAZINE (London)