- Over 1,000 British holidaymakers rated their experiences of resort areas on eight different criteria.
- Which is YOUR top preference among the seven Canary Islands? Cast your vote in our online poll below...
The Puerto de Mogán in Gran Canaria has surpassed more well-known destinations to be declared the best resort area in the Canary Islands, outdoing places viewed as being overly saturated with British products.
The verdicts come from a survey conducted by Which? involving 1,000 British travelers that ranks Canary Island destinations based on eight criteria, including the quality of the beach, scenery, food and drink, accommodation, and value for money.
A score was then calculated based on overall satisfaction and likelihood of recommendation. Typically, it are the smaller, quieter resorts on the Canary Islands which have achieved top results - possibly, which notes, because more crowded package holiday destinations have been targeted by anti-tourism protests by locals, who are angry about the negative impact of mass tourism.
The town of Puerto de Mogán leads the way on the 15-strong list with a remarkable resort evaluation of 90 percent.
**The establishment receives five-star ratings for accommodations and four-star ratings for food and drink, scenery and value for money, standing as the sole resort with such high ratings in the survey. Additionally, it is given a three-star rating for peace and quiet.**
‘With its picturesque marina, charming white buildings, and winding old town streets, it’s no wonder this “serene and lovely destination” stole the hearts of travelers,’ the online magazine claims.
Lanzarote's second-ranked resort, Playa Blanca, scored 77%.
‘At the southern part of the island, this upscale resort presents a laid-back way of life, with those who visited describing it as "child-friendly" and "relaxed",’ states Which?. ‘Primarily untouched by high-rise construction, the resort boasts a terrific selection of accommodations, earning it four stars.’
Playa Blanca was rated three stars for dining, with reviewers noting its ‘great selection of high-quality eateries’.
Ranked third, with scores of 75 per cent are Costa Adeje, Tenerife; Costa Teguise, Lanzarote; and Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
Members of Which? expressed great enthusiasm for the "fantastic" hotels - many of which are located right on the beach - in Costa Adeje, giving them a rating of five stars for their accommodations.
The resort received three-star ratings for shopping, scenery, and food and beverages.
‘Friendly’ Costa Teguise earned four stars for its accommodations, while its beach, scenery, food and drink, value for money, and peacefulness received three stars each.
‘We are pleased it is not the most crowded in Lanzarote,’ said one participant. ‘It has a wide range of choices for eating and drinking and is reasonably priced.’
According to Which?, Las Palmas is suitable for travelers who wish to mix sun and sea holidays with city exploration, with the city earning four out of five stars for accommodations and three out of five stars in the categories of tourist attractions, value for money, food and drink, scenery, and peace and quiet.
'It's a city first, and a tourist destination second,' said one traveler.
For those looking for a peaceful and quiet vacation spot, Playa de Santiago boasted the best result in this area, being the only destination to receive four stars in this category.
Located on La Gomera, one of the smallest Canary Islands, the quaint fishing village - which scored 73 per cent overall - "draws visitors seeking a refuge from the hustle and bustle", according to Which?.
One tourist said: 'This little town is extremely quiet, untouched by tourists, and it's an ideal place to completely relax and unwind.'
However, it's the Canary Islands resort achieving the lowest score, 61 per cent, that's perhaps the most surprising. This is the destination that attracts thousands of British tourists each year, who also refer to it as English Beach.
Members of Which? have suggested that Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria, has become a "victim of its own success" since its construction in the 1960s, with some criticizing the resort as being "too busy, too full of British bric-a-brac and not relaxing".
"Among the locations that witnessed anti-tourism protests last year, along with Tenerife, a few members still choose to return.
One exclaimed, ‘I always have a fantastic time when I visit… I find the local residents and travelers to be extremely warm and welcoming.’
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: 'The Canary Islands are a favorite among the British for their year-round sunshine, and although many thousands of Brits visit each year, our research indicates that holidaymakers typically prefer quieter resorts to the overcrowded, package holiday destinations and beaches that become overly crowded with sun-worshippers in the traditional all-inclusive package holidays popular among tourists.'
‘Demonstrations last year demonstrated that many residents are still furious about the detrimental effects of mass tourism.
‘Opting for a less frequented resort that ranked top on our poll will help to deflect those pressures and result in a more enjoyable holiday. Seek out ways to boost the local economy - such as by choosing family-run hotels, bars, and restaurants over multinational corporations and holiday rentals.’
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