Spa review: The Sheraton Salobre, Gran Canaria :: Spa break

What is it?

A stylish, luxury five star spa hotel to the south of the island - achingly chic, (slate floors, sleek lines, glass and sculptural aloe vera plants), but very welcoming and friendly. If you want a blissed-out spa experience with year-round sun, and only a four-hour flight from the UK, you could do a lot worse than this amazing hilltop retreat.

The Canary Islands is usually known for winter sun and beery Brits abroad, but it's fast developing a reputation for the go-to place for top-notch treatments, especially its thalassotherapy – bathing in mineral-rich, warm seawater pools with hydrotherapy jets to sooth tired, aching muscles and improve skin tone. And with the Canary Island climate, you can combine it with some serious sun-worshipping. It's something I was desperate for. My skin was an interesting grey colour and I was keen to try some indulgent spa treats with some sunbathing in between to perk it up.

What’s the hotel like?

The hotel is incredibly calm, quiet and luxurious and although it was nearly fully booked when I visited, it felt empty, owing to the seven pools, all different shapes and sizes, each on a different level, spreading the guests out. Each of the 313 rooms has a spectacular view, taking in the private golf course and stunning desert hills spread out beneath you like a giant relief map, right to the coast.

As well as being very close to the beaches, the hotel is also within easy reach of the pine forests and spectacular lunar landscapes and sand dunes. The rooms are beautiful, very minimalist, with lush décor. It has four restaurants, four bars, a 36-hole golf course, and gym, not to mention the amazing Aloe Spa (more about that in a minute). I loved the fact that there's a free, seven-minute shuttle bus to Maspalomas Beach, where the hotel has a beach house for guests, with bar, changing room, showers and pool – so lush.

What's the spa like?

The Aloe spa was very chic, all stone and slate, with delicious lemon and salt smells. It was very quiet but not all snooty. The staff greeted me with warm smiles and bathrobes and showed me where to go and what to do. I loved the hammam with pre-heated stone loungers and the bi-toning jet showers with alternate warm and cold water. I really felt it was doing me good.

The best bit though was the outdoor relaxation lounge. When I'd finished being pummelled and steamed and every last pore was open and cleansed, I sunned myself under one of the shady pergolas, eating fresh fruit, drinking iced tea and looking out over the Gran Canaria mountains. If I got too hot, I could slip into the infinity pool and do the water circuit, with jets that massaged my neck, back and legs.

There are all sorts of treatments to choose from, but the best one I think is the aloe ritual, which is a massage and facial using the jelly extract from the aloe vera plants growing around the hotel. It's so soothing, I could almost feel my skin healing and glowing while I was having it. The Lomi Lomi Hawaiian massage is a full-on deep tissue pounding, guaranteed to get rid of any tension. To be honest though, the spa itself, with the Finnish sauna, bio thermal sauna, ice fountain, steam bath and jacuzzi means that you don't really need to pay extra for a treatment, in fact, you feel revived just being in the building.

Any tips to take home?

I'll definitely have a closer look at aloe vera products from now on. It really is a miracle substance, no wonder they've built a whole spa around the plant. You can even drink it in a smoothie, so it does you good inside and out.

Why will I like it?

It's got something for everyone, and is perfect for a girlie break away with friends. You can just live in the spa (like I did), or be more active and take a Pilates class before heading down to the beach or pool.

But if you want to go away with your man, he won't feel out of place and can head to the golf course. Plus there are spa packages for couples, so you can have your treatments together.

Or take the kids for a family trip. There's a kids club, a teenagers club and all the suites are suitable for families.

Anything I won’t like?

The hotel is a bit tricky to navigate, especially if you're like me with no sense of direction in or out of buildings. There are long, corridors of glass and slate and they all look the same. Some lifts, confusingly, don't go to all the floors and I did get lost a few times. It was never a major problem because there's always a smiling member of staff around to guide you back to the ground floor or your room, but it's a bit unnerving. In a few of the rooms, there's only glass between the bathroom and the bedroom, which is fine if it's you and your fella, but not quite so cool with a mate, no matter how close you are!

Prices and information

Gran Canaria Wellness offers a wide range of spa, wellness and health holidays at the island’s leading hotels. A two night stay at The Sheraton Salobre Golf Resort & Spa is offering two nights in a double deluxe room including breakfast, a full body Aloe Vera massage, Japanese Shiatusu therapy, and a romantic dinner for two for £300 per person, based on two people sharing.

For more information and to book visit www.grancanariawellness.com