Gran Canaria - Playa del Ingles & Maspalomas

Throb's number one gay holiday destination, and its not hard to understand why. Lying in the Atlantic off the north western African coast, the Island boasts a fantastic warm and sunny climate - throughout the year - making it an scorcher in the Summer and an ideal Winter sun destination.

Not only is the weather hot here: the resort of Playa del Ingles pulsates with life and attracts thousands of gay and lesbian visitors from across Europe and beyond every year, many returning time and time again. During the day, the Sahara-esque dunes at nearby Maspalomas, with busy gay and nudist beach sections (and a very cruisy scrubland area at the back - behave yourself if you can!) provide the perfect setting to get the tan that will make your friends back home turn the colour of Brussels sprouts with envy.

When the sun finally goes down, the delights of the infamous Yumbo Centre, in the heart of Playa del Ingles, keeps the heat turned full-on. Here you'll find dozens of gay bars, clubs, cinemas, saunas, sex shops and backrooms - something to cater for just about every taste - to help you make it through until the early hours.

With a wide range of accommodation available, including ever popular gay exclusive accommodation, both in the centre of Playa del Ingles and the quieter surrounding tourist suburbs, you'll always find yourself close to the action.

Season: ALL YEAR

The resort: The resort area of PLAYA DEL INGLES and MASPALOMAS Campo de Golf are our featured resorts in Gran Canaria. Playa del Ingles is a typical tourist town: built up with apartment blocks and hotels on every corner - it's also home to the Yumbo Centre: by day a busy multi-level shopping centre, by night a bustling gay heaven: dozens of gay bars, clubs, sex shops, saunas. Most of our selected Playa del Ingles accommodation is just a few minutes walk from the Yumbo. Some urban street noise is inevitable when staying in Playa del Ingles but is not particularly excessive. The 'Campo de Golf' area of Maspalomas is a greener, quieter and more 'low level' tourist area with most accommodation in bungalow apartments rather than apartment or hotel blocks. Walking from the Campo de Golf area up to the Yumbo takes about 15 minutes (including a walk up a short hill) although plenty of inexpensive taxis are available. The Maspalomas dunes border on both Maspalomas/Campo de Golf and Playa del Ingles: from most of our accommodation properties it takes 10 - 15 minutes to reach the start of the sand dunes - allow a further 15 - 20 minutes walking time across the sand dunes to reach the gay nudist section of the beach.

A Club Torso
C Tenesor
D Gold By Marina
E Valparaiso
F Iguazu
G Axelbeach Maspalomas
H Riu Don Miguel
I Neptuno
J Riu Palace Maspalomas

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Fancy something pre-packaged? We've a selection of ready made holidays from Thomson, First Choice, Thomas Cook and easyJet Holidays for you to pick from.

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Club Torso, Playa del Ingles

Gay Excusive, Men Only, Clothing Optional

Quickly becoming one of Gran Canaria's hottest gay exclusive resorts, we're proud to include Club Torso on throb.co.uk.

Located in the quieter area of Campo de Golf, Masplomas, but still only a few minutes walk or taxi ride from the hedonistic delights of the Yumbo center and the sand dunes of Maspalomas beach, Club Torso consists of 12 highly specified bungalow apartments and the resort has it's own pool, jacuzzi and adult play room!

Ably managed by Richard and Martijn, come and explore Club Torso now.


 Find Out More About Club Torso...

 

Map Marker A

Gay Classification: Gay Excusive, Men Only, Clothing Optional

Accommodation Description: Gay exclusive men only accommodation in Campo de Golf area of Maspalomas

Address: Av. Touroperador Kuoni

Rooms/Apartments: 13 Floors: 1

Hotel Facilities*: • Swimming Pool • Jacuzzi • Bar/Restaurant • Sun Terraces • WiFi • Adult Play lounge • Washer & dryer

Room Facilities*: Kitchenette • Bathroom • Terrace • Air Conditioning

* Some services may be payable locally


Tenesor, Playa del Ingles

Gay Friendly

For those who can't bear to be more than a hop, skip and jump away from the nightlife, the Tenesor is a very gay friendly apartment complex located in the heart of Playa del Ingles - leaving you just five minutes walk from the Yumbo and, in the other direction, the beginning of the rolling dunes of Maspalomas! Also within the complex building you'll find gay bars Retox-Detox and the Rainbow cafe bar! The complex consists of clean, comfortable and affordable one bedroom (sleeping up to 3 people, with the 3rd person sleeping on a sofa-bed that's smaller than a usual single bed) and two bedroom (sleeping up to 5 people, with the 5th person sleeping on a sofa-bed that's smaller than a usual single bed) apartments, all with balconies overlooking the pool. The Tenesor has its own good sized pool as well as sunbathing terraces plus should you wish to entertain at night you'll be pleased to know that you don't have to sneak your new found chico/a past a guard as there is no night time reception!
 

Map Marker C

Gay Classification: Gay Friendly

Accommodation Description: Partly residential 5 storey apartment complex in the very centre of Playa del Ingles, just 5 minutes walk from the Jumbo centre and the sand dunes of Maspalomas. A choice of comfortable and affordable one and two bedroom apartments. Please note that this accommodation does not have a 24hr reception service.

Address: Avenida Tirajana

Rooms/Apartments: 60 Floors: 5

Hotel Facilities*: • reception • swimming pool • sun terraces • lift to all floors

Room Facilities*: • kitchenette • bathroom • terrace/balcony • safe • television

* Some services may be payable locally


Gold by Marina, Playa del Ingles

Gay Friendly, Adults Only

Centrally located in Playa del Ingles, the Gold by Marina (formerly known as the gay friendly Carmen) is just a few minutes walk from the Yumbo and only 400 metres from the nearest beach (the start of the dunes at the Riu Palace Maspalomas hotel are about 10 minutes walk away, so you won't tire yourself out too much!). Each recently refurbished well maintained, comfortable studio apartment sleeps a maximum of two people an equipped kitchenette, satellite television, mini-bar and balcony or terrace. A limited number of one bedroom apartments are now also available. The complex has its own swimming pool, sunbathing terraces and lush garden areas as well as a bar, internet café and also a mini-market for when you run out of the essentials, and is 'adults only' so there are no pesky kids to annoy you!
 

Map Marker D

Gay Classification: Gay friendly, adults only

Accommodation Description: Built in 1972, the complex offers a total of 138 apartments spread over 9 floors. Guests are offered a large garden and pool area , a substantial lobby with lifts, safes, a currency exchange desk and a 24-hour reception. There is also a TV room, a café, a small supermarket, a homely bar and a restaurant. WLAN Internet access (for an additional fee), a laundry service, bicycle storage and car parking facilities are available to guests.

Address: Avenida Estados Unidos

Rooms/Apartments: 138 Floors: 9

Hotel Facilities*: • 24hr reception • lift to all floors • bar/restaurant • swimming pool • sun terraces • mini-supermarket • mini gym • wi-fi/internet access

Room Facilities*: • bathroom • kitchenette • terrace/balcony • safe • television

* Some services may be payable locally


Valparaiso, Playa del Ingles

Gay Friendly

Simple, but clean and comfortable the gay friendly Valparaiso is in the heart of Playa del Ingles leaving you less than 5 minutes walk from the Yumbo and about 10 minutes walk from the start of the Maspalomas sand dunes. The Valparaiso accommodation comprises of functional, great value one bedroom self-catering apartments - 44 in total - sleeping up to three people , with twin beds in the bedroom and a sofa bed in the lounge: due to their great value for money these apartments are are selling quickly so snap one up before they disappear!
 

Map Marker E

Gay Classification: Gay friendly

Accommodation Description: The Valparaiso Apartments are located less than 5 minutes walk from the Yumbo and the Cita shopping centre and start of the Maspaomas dunes are about 10 minutes walk: you#ll find everything you need within easy reach! The apartments are simple and functional but well maintained.

Address: Avenida de Estados Unidos

Rooms/Apartments: 44 Floors: 6

Hotel Facilities*: • 24hr reception • swimming pool • sun terraces • lift to all floors

Room Facilities*: • bathroom •kitchenette • safe • television • balcony/terrace

* Some services may be payable locally


Iguazu, Playa del Ingles

Gay Friendly

Also in the centre of Playa del Ingles, the Iguazu is anther popular gay friendly apartment complex offering clean, functional apartments just a few minutes walk from the Yumbo centre and the top of the Maspalomas dunes. The Iguazu comprises three blocks of self-catering apartments, with one bedroom apartments sleeping up to two people and two bedroom apartments taking up to four people. Each apartment has a living area, private bathroom, balcony and kitchenette. The Iguazu has 2 swimming pools, a 24 hour reception and a tennis court for guests use: 'new balls', anyone?!
 

Map Marker F

Gay Classification: Gay friendly

Accommodation Description: Modern apartment complex in central Playa del Ingles with 220 apartments spread over three neighbouring buildings.

Address: Avenida de Tirajana

Rooms/Apartments: 220 Floors: 5

Hotel Facilities*: • 24hr reception • lift to all floors • swimming pools • sun terraces • tennis courts • safety deposit box hire

Room Facilities*: • kitchenette • bathroom • terrace/balcony • television

* Some services may be payable locally


Axelbeach Maspalomas, Playa del Ingles

Gay Friendly

Located in the busy heart of Playa del Ingles, the Axelbeach are great value clean, functional apartments just a couple of minutes walk from the Yumbo centre and 5-10 mins walk from the top of the Maspalomas dunes.The Axelbeach is a block of 92, one bedroom self-catering apartments, with each one bedroom apartments sleeping up to two people (three at a pinch: with the 3rd person sleeping on a sofa-bed that's smaller than a usual single bed) and each apartment has a living area, private bathroom, balcony and kitchenette.
 

Map Marker G

Gay Classification: Gay friendly

Accommodation Description: The building was completely renovated in 2005 and consists of 4 floors with a total of 92 apartments. Guests may take advantage of the pool and garden complex, 24-hour reception, small supermarket and air-conditioned bar with a cosy outdoor terrace. Guests may also take advantage of the hotel's laundry service.

Address: Avenida de Tirajana

Rooms/Apartments: 92 Floors: 5

Hotel Facilities*: • 24hr reception • swimming pool • sun terraces • lift to all floors • bar/restaurant

Room Facilities*: • kitchenette • bathroom • balcony/terrace • television • safe

* Some services may be payable locally


Riu Don Miguel, Playa del Ingles

Gay Friendly

The three star Hotel Riu Don Miguel lies in the very heart of this resort, just a couple of minutes walk across the road from the Yumbo centre and a 10 minute stroll from the top of the Maspalomas sand dunes. With 284 comfortable rooms, a bar and restaurant, sun terrace and a pool that's heated during the winter months, this hotel offers everything you could expect from a busy, 'mainstream' tourist hotel.
 

Map Marker H

Gay Classification: Gay friendly

Accommodation Description: Fully renovated in 1997, this hotel has a total of 284 double rooms spread over 5 floors. Facilities include a 24-hour reception, 4 lifts, a newspaper stand, a bar with a TV and video corner, a restaurant with a non-smoking area and an Internet terminal (for an extra charge). In addition, there is a laundry service as well as a kids club and a playground for younger guests.

Address: Avenida de Tirajana

Rooms/Apartments: 284 Floors: 5

Hotel Facilities*: • 24hr reception • bar/restuarants • swimming pool • sun terraces • lift to all floors • tennis courts • wi-fi/internet access

Room Facilities*: • bathroom • terrace/balcony • television • telephone • ceiling fan • central heating

* Some services may be payable locally


Neptuno, Playa del Ingles

Gay Friendly / Adult Only

Right next to the Yumbo, the popular Neptuno is a gay friendly, 'adults' only (sorry kids! we're not going to miss you here!) busy 4* tourist hotel. The rooms are a good size, modern-styled and comfortable, and are air-conditioned. The hotel operates on a half-board or 'all-inclusive' board basis to help you budget for your stay. We recommend requesting a high floor and pool view.
 

Map Marker I

Gay Classification: Gay friendly / adult only

Accommodation Description: A bright modern hotel with 171 double rooms spread over 5 floors. Facilities include a 24-hour reception, lifts, , a bar, a restaurant and internet terminals (for an extra charge).

Address: Avenida Alfereces Provisionales

Rooms/Apartments: 171 Floors: 5

Hotel Facilities*: • 24hr reception • lift to all floors • bar/restaurant • swimming pool • sun terraces • mini-gym • wi-fi/internet access

Room Facilities*: • bathroom • balcony/terrace • air-conditioning • television • telephone • safe • central heating

* Some services may be payable locally


Riu Palace Maspalomas, Playa del Ingles

Gay Friendly

Stunningly located next to the sand dunes (just to confuse you, the hotel is in actually in Playa del Ingles - about a 10 minute walk from the Yumbo - not Maspalomas), we're pleased to offer this much requested hotel. The imposing 'colonial style' Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas underwent a complete renovation during the summer of 2003, improving the hotels facilities (which include bar, restaurant, terrace and gardens, pool (heated in winter), 'straight' sauna and Jacuzzi) and rooms in keeping with its high four star standard. The hotel has a total of 368 rooms, split between standard (street view) and 'sea view' rooms, which look out over the rolling sand dunes to the sea. Although in our opinion the rooms are a bit more compact than we'd expect for a hotel of this class and price range, the hotel is always in very high demand so make sure you book early: especially if you want to secure a 'sea view' room!
 

Map Marker J

Gay Classification: Gay friendly

Accommodation Description: The hotel lies amidst gardens spanning 28,000 m² and comprises 368 double rooms spread over 4 floors. Furthermore, there is a foyer with 24-hour reception desk. Additional facilities include a café, a hairdresser's salon, a bar, a conference room, an air-conditioned restaurant with a non-smoking area and an Internet terminal. Room and laundry services are also available.

Address: Avenida de Tirajana

Rooms/Apartments: 368 Floors: 4

Hotel Facilities*: • 24hr reception • bar/restaurants • swimming pools • sun terraces • lift to all floors • wi-fin/internet access • conference rooms • shops • mini-gym

Room Facilities*: • balcony/terrace • bathroom • television • air-conditioning • telephone • central heating • mini-bar • safe • room service • rooms for the disabled

* Some services may be payable locally


Fancy A Quickie?

Here's just a few last minute package holidays to Gran Canaria - Playa del Ingles & Maspalomas from Thomson, First Choice & Thomas Cook. You can view more package holidays here!