The restored Gold by Marina pays homage to the roots and the golden age of tourism in the Canary Islands.
Gold by Marina, located in the famous Playa del Inglés in Gran Canaria (Avenida Estados Unidos de América, 15), it has become in a short time one of the most fashionable hotels on the island, and has been one of the first to return to activity after the start of the pandemic. Located next to the Dunes of Maspalomas, it offers good temperatures all year round and a youthful and retro spirit that has us captivated (take a look at their social networks if you want get an idea of its vitamin spirit, so necessary in these times).
Take a look: Designed with a modern touch and vintage airs, it has been conceived as an Only Adults with a very powerful aesthetic. It opened its doors in July 2014 and arose from the pampered rehabilitation of the emblematic Carmen Apartments, opened in 1972 and pioneers of the so-called golden mile of Playa del Inglés, south of Gran Canaria. The apartments were transformed into a hotel with the aesthetics of Miami Beach, and a fresh and carefree air, designed for casual getaways.
Miami Beach? No, much closer.
First impression: What is the most striking thing about this hotel? The white facade with turquoise elements, dotted with flamingo designs. The bright colors provide contrast to the white and details such as the hanging chair at the entrance or the small display case with nice souvenirs are telling us from the first moment... that here you come to take things easy (and to post quite a few photos on social networks). “Feel vintage, live modern” is their motto.
Decor: The luminous four-star complex is, as we said, a tribute to the roots of tourism and its golden age. The establishment, managed and owned by the Satocan Group, has become a benchmark in hotel renovation. One of the defining features of the project is the conservation of the vintage air and its retro spirit, combined with facilities and services that make it a modern option to enjoy a holiday in the warm south of Gran Canaria.
The gastronomic proposal of Gold by Marina is casual and fun.
“When we started this project we set out to rescue the best of the building and highlight those details that give personality to the hotel and they transport us to the first years of tourism in the south”, comments Marta Sanjuán García-Triviño, architect and interior designer of the Satocan Group.
White and bright, the building offers details rescued from the original architecture such as the retro doors, the latticework, the hexagonal ceramics, the grained wood, the white marble, glass or turned railings. The fresh, tropical design is punctuated with glamorous brushstrokes, such as shiny brass panelling, the turquoise and yellow tiles, the period furniture, art from the seventies or the Ibizan solarium from the sixties.
Eco shower, next to the Gold by Marina pool.
“This commitment to recycling as the key to the project It has allowed us to control costs and at the same time achieve a hotel with charisma”, Martha adds. The transformation of the complex, the different vintage and modern concept areas, and the rooms have been the fundamental pillars of the hotel which, on the other hand, drinks from a very current trend in interior design and design. In fact, enclaves as distinguished as Miami South Beach, Palm Springs or Acapulco they have recovered obsolete architecture preserving the unrepeatable character of another era.
“We are happy to have valued the essence of a hotel from that era and adapted it to the new user”, comments the architect, who underlines that, beyond aesthetics, the hotel covers all the needs of clients who travel frequently and demand to be up to date. "On an aesthetic level we have created visual sensations that connect with other times. We've introduced some vintage glamor into bright, contemporary spaces. This contrast is the essence of the hotel. Customers tell us they feel like they're in Miami South Beach. In addition, this splendor is projected towards the surroundings", close to the dunes of Maspalomas and the city center.
Standard room.
Hotel areas: The Gold by Marina offers the GOLD & Foodie concept, which includes the restaurant La Palmera Sur and Pool Style, for a more informal moment, with small appetizers and à la carte dishes during the afternoon. Also the Food to Go menu, to take food to the room or for an excursion. In addition, there are other spaces such as the Planetarium, an interior patio with a very special atmosphere and a lounge area surrounded by vegetation and huge spheres of light, and The Tropic Attic, an attractive solarium on the deck, with a platform, Jacuzzi, ecological steam shower and sauna. **Finally, there are the 10 Pool Houses, ten Balinese beds under pergolas over a sheet of water. **
The rooms have a small kitchen.
Food and drink: The Palmera Sur is one of the most renowned restaurants on the island (one of the best rated on Trip Advisor), which combines high-quality cuisine in a very well-cared space. In it you will find a modern atmosphere and fresh seasonal products. One piece of advice: make a reservation, as it doesn't have much capacity, and try their curry prawns. Breakfast is also varied and rich, buffet style, and is served until 12 noon, a big plus for laid-back travellers. In the Pool Style, as we explained above, they serve small appetizers and à la carte dishes during the afternoon.
Terrace of one of the rooms.
Bedrooms: It has 133 spacious rooms, thirty square meters in the standard distribution, and between 35 and 50 meters in the suites, with views of the pool or gardens. They have a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom with a shower (the superior category ones also have a bathtub), amenities and, of course, Wi-Fi. Some are ideal for three people (great if you go with friends). You will like its large showers, its designer kitchenette (small kitchen) and the terraces with *lounge furniture. *
The most emblematic room is the Master Suite, 56 square meters distributed in kitchen, living room bedroom with double bed, a large full bathroom with shower and bathtub, and a private balcony with views of the hotel pool and gardens. In addition, incredible natural light and a 49-inch Smart TV.
One of the hotel pools.
Cleaning (COVID-19 protocol): According to the hotel's director, Renaud Gregoire, in addition to the illusion of having the hotel open again for its clients and for the team, a huge dose of responsibility, and for this reason a meticulous COVID-19 prevention protocol has been implemented, which has the verification and support of the international consulting firm HS Consulting. All measurements comply with the standard guide recommended by the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality (ICTE), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the competent health authorities.
La Palmera Sur, its best gastronomic claim.
The bonus: Apart from good vibes, sunbathing, endless beaches, sauna, jacuzzi, siestas in the shade, delicious dishes, delicious cocktails...? I said, a privileged location on an island that, on the other hand, cries out for you to rent a car and go from end to end discovering its contrasts, fishing villages, etc.
In a nutshell: The perfect hotel for a romantic getaway or with friends, 'Instagrammable', practical and good value for money.