Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Guide

ElleWoods

Thank you! Will we be allowed to go into the grounds of other hotels then?

Elle1971

Oh yes. You get in that one from the promenade... and there's a little bar there that you will see first, with tables and chairs outside on the grass. Most of the hotels will let you in, as long s you are buying drinks etc. We go into the Princesa Yaiza quite a lot (couldn't afford to stay there though ha ha).

Elle xx

ElleWoods

That's good to know, thanks Elle. I'd have thought that if you were wearing a wristband from one hotel you wouldn't be allowed in a different one. I really fancy the Pricesa Yaiza as it looks beautiful, so think we might have to have a drink in there! How far is it from the Holiday Village Flamingo Beach? Also how far is the HVFB from the main area of Playa Blanca?

Elle1971

If you're spending money over their bar you could be wearing a wristband from the Dominican Republic!

Oh the Princesa Yaiza is gorgeous! It's quite a hike from yours though. Come out of the back entrance onto the promenade... and turn left. Keep going (including a slight zig zag across the harbour car park). It's probably about a half hour walk.. maybe slightly more. If coming from the promenade, you'll reach the rear entrance to the Yaiza... and there's a lovely little courtyard there. But I go in the front entrance and head straight to the piano lounge bar.

You're about a 15 to 20 minute stroll from the town centre.

Or... just get the number 30 bus and ask the driver to tell you when you get to the Princesa Yaiza. As you get off the bus, you'll see it to your right on the same side of the road, and the main entrance. The piano bar I mentioned above is lovely, and there is a really nice outdoor balcony. The house wine is Stratvs and more than a bit nice! I think the wine prices are very reasonable for such a posh hotel too (€3.50 a glass from memory) but I don't know how much other drinks cost... sorry!

I love the Japanese restuiarnt in the Princesa Yaiza too - but we save that for special treats as it is very expensive. Worth every penny though!

Elle xx

gingernick

Hi Elle, I'm lucky enough to be staying at the Princess Yaiza 8th Sept and would like to know if there is a good car hire place in Playa Blanca. I've read about Autoreisen and they sound great but are they only located at the airport? I'd like to hire the car for a couple of days as staying by the pool is not my thing (well not for too long) and the island sounds beautiful. Also I've read the Japanese restaurant is good at the hotel so will be trying that, have you any more favourites of yours for us to try. Read about the Piano bar also and I'll be trying a drink or two in there, are there any bars similar where we could chill and have a chat. I'm trying to read all this thread but am at work so can only sneak a few mins now and then . Thanks in advance, your replies are much appreciated by us all. x

Elle1971

Hi Nick you lucky fella you!!!

Car Hire
Just go to the reception desk at the Yaiza and they will sort car hire out for you. They have an arrangement with a company lol¡cally which gets preferential rates. I don't remember which company it is, I'm afraid... but our pal who always stays there gets his cars from there and is very happy. Do get a price check though... and then compare it to Felycar. Felycar have an office in CC Papagayo, which is the commercial centre next door.

Right - my personal favourites. (I should really pop this up in the original post too)

Marina Rubicon
I love Global House for sunset drinks. It is situated almost at the end of the Marina on the left... towards the left hand concrete arm. Grab one of the tables right on the quayside edge. Ask for the local Malvasia if you drink white wine. Very nice!
For any time of day or evening, I like "One Bar", which is located at the end of the right hand arm of the Marina. You should see a little red lighthouse - head for that. Great surroundings, and friendly service.
La Taberna is fabulous for tapas. I have noticed their drinks prices have seriously increased recently (€3.40 for a large beer which I think is horrific for outside a hotel) but the food really is superb. Avoid the Brit favourites and go for the Spanish fayre. Fave dishes are the estofado (beef stew), dates with bacon, and oh my god... the fish croquettes!
I would recommend "Casa Roja" in the Marina as we had a superb meal with friends there recently. Couldn't fault it at all (apart from the weird head waiter). But it get really mixed reviews... so try it at your peril.

Italian Food
For quality of food and friendly welcome, we love "The Italian Job" which is located in CC Papagayo. It's not as homely "looking" as its counterparts L'Artista or Luna Rossa... but Fabio is so pasionate about his food and his customers that he wins hands down for us. We eat there or have pizza takeaways about once a fortnight from him. His spinach and ricotta canneloni is the best I have ever tasted... anywhere!

Seafront Spanish Fayre
Our absolute favourite on the seafront is La Chalanita. It is on the first floor, next to Pedro's... right by the town centre beach. Jose and Roman are excellent hosts... and the flambeed steaks are excellent. It is also home to my favourite paella in the resort.

La Bocaina
This is one of those places that people tend to discover towards the end of their holiday... and wish they'd found it before. It is located by the petrol station on the way out of town... but all taxi drivers know where it is. They do an early bird menu... but we always go for the proper menu in the evenings. Am planning my 40th there in November (although they don't know that yet ha ha ha). They've just started an offer that gives you 10% discount if you eat on your first night after landing (as they know you'll be back again). Just take your boarding pass with you as proof. My fave dishes are the scallops starter, and the tornados rossini main course. Lovely! Their website is https://www.labocainarestaurant.com

Chilled out drinkies
The best in the resort has to be Bar Marea. This is located on the seafront side of La Mulata, which is the small parade between the Rubicon Palace and Natura Palace hotels. Hammocks, low comfy seating... chilled atmosphere - good at any time of day and night. The white wine is like vinegar though... you have been warned!

These are my favourite chilled out places where you can be civilised and have good conversation with whoever you've taken with you. Of course I have lots of other favourites too... but with a different vibe, or for different occasions. Wax Bar, Rooftops, Irish Anvil, Jungle... the list goes on.

Have a great time Nick - and do keep the questions coming. I'll let you buy me a glass of vino at the Princesa Yaiza

Elle xx

gingernick

Thanks for your very imformative reply Elle. I make that five restaurants and eight bars, that should do us very nicely with the hotel bar and restaurant . Now seeing as you ask if there are any more questions , pretend you and your partner/hubby have got a day off, you jump in the car at 9 or 10ish and you head off somewhere before having lunch. Back in the car after a leisurely lunch spending the afternoon site seeing then calling somewhere for dinner before finally heading back to the hotel or Playa Blanca for a well earned drink or two :beer:.
I've read some more of this thread and it has some great places to visit but I'm not sure how many you could do justice to in a day or two. So I guess I'm asking where should be at the top of my list. Many thanks again, I think I'm not the only one that'll find your posts invaluable and if I spot you there'll be a glass or two at the bar for you x

Elle1971

Ah... if you're in the car... that's a little different! I'll answer with my perfect day... but will leave the tourist excursions out of it.

Right... we'd jump in the car and head up to Famara for a quick dip in the sea there (as it's a gorgeous beach) but only at certain times of thr year. Avoid it in the winter months as it can be a bit grey and blustery.

From there I would be torn... but would probably decide to head to El Golfo, where we would have a lazy lunch overlooking the sea. Any of the seafront restaurants will do you proud... but there is one in particular that does the most amazing lobster paella (you can pick your own lobster if you like... but that's not my thing. I don't want to see it blinking at me before it gets boiled!) It's called Costa Azul and it's on the left as you head the village centre. It might have been a dish of the day rather than a menu item... but you can always ask. Most of the restaurants down there will offer you just a choice of "meat or fish". I always ask for the fish and it comes on a huge platter with Canarian potatoes, mojo sauces and salad. Lovely! Watch the drinks prices on the seafront places though.

After lunch we would head back home for a snooze and a shower before heading out for dinner at around 8pm. I'd probably head to La Bocaina that I mentioned above, and then go to One Bar at the Marina for late drinkies. You don't get the stunning views at La Bocaina that you get on the seafront... but the menu is so damn good! I'm actually popping up there later today - lovely!

Of course we would have a chauffeur for the whole day so that Alan could have a drink too! Failing that, he'd drive during the day... but we'd get a taxi everywhere in the evening.

Of course that's just one day... and I didn't get to mention lunch at the first restaurant on the right as you head past the left hand end of the beach... or the views from Mirador de Guinate (equally as good as Mirador del Rio, but free!)... or the walk from the Old Town in Puerto del Carmen that takes you to Puerto Calero... or tapas at Casa Luis in Costa Teguise... or a quick stop at the wooden place on the left in La Santa. So much to do... and so little time!

Elle xx

gingernick

Thanks again Elle for your reply. I'm googling the places you have suggested and I'll do a list of the places we want to visit to take with us so we can make the best of our 7 days. September seemed so far away but with August here on Monday I'd better get myself sorted. x

Elle1971

September is my favourite month here... and yes it will be here before you know it! Have a fantastic time... and don't hesitate to yell with any more questions.

Am off out this afternoon to meet up with a few people from my forum. Drinkies on Playa Blanca seafront... heaven! Oh yes, and we're on weather alert this weekend as it is soooooo hot!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Elle xx