Lanzarote’s accommodation runs from all-inclusive beachfront resorts to boutique cave houses and surf camps. The island’s compact size (60km north to south) means you are never more than a 45-minute drive from anywhere, so your choice of base comes down to the atmosphere you want , lively resort strip, quiet fishing village, or windswept surf town. Here is where to stay in Lanzarote, area by area, with specific hotel recommendations for every budget.
Where to Stay in Lanzarote: Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is Lanzarote’s largest and liveliest resort, built along a 6km seafront promenade. The old town (La Tinosa) near the harbour has traditional Canarian character, while the strip heading east features bars, restaurants, and nightlife. This is the best base for first-time visitors who want easy access to beaches, restaurants, and evening entertainment without needing a car. The main beach, Playa Grande, is ideal for families.
Suggested Hotels in Puerto del Carmen
Hotel Fariones
A five-star landmark perched on a rocky outcrop between Playa Grande and Playa Chica, the Fariones has been Puerto del Carmen’s premier address since 1967. The cliff-top infinity pool overlooks the Atlantic, and direct steps access a small cove. Best for couples and honeymooners. Check rates and availability
Beatriz Costa and Spa
A mid-range resort complex set in lush gardens with multiple pools, tennis courts, and a full spa. The all-inclusive option offers solid value, and the location 200 metres from Playa de los Pocillos provides a quieter beach experience. Best for families who want resort amenities without the five-star price tag. Check rates and availability
Apartamentos Los Pocillos
Simple, clean self-catering apartments 100 metres from Playa de los Pocillos, with a pool and on-site mini-market. Studios from 55 euros per night in low season. Best for budget travellers and couples who plan to eat out rather than cook. Check rates and availability
Where to Stay in Lanzarote: Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca, at Lanzarote’s southern tip, feels more upmarket and relaxed than Puerto del Carmen. The resort wraps around a series of sheltered coves facing Fuerteventura, with a marina (Marina Rubicon) hosting restaurants, shops, and a twice-weekly market (Wednesday and Saturday). The Papagayo beaches are a 10-minute drive away, and the ferry to Fuerteventura departs from Playa Blanca harbour (25 minutes, 25 euros return). This is the best base for couples and families seeking a quieter, more polished resort experience.
Suggested Hotels in Playa Blanca
Hotel Princesa Yaiza Suite Resort
Lanzarote’s most celebrated five-star resort, built in colonial Canarian style around six swimming pools facing Playa Dorada. The Kikoland kids’ club runs an extensive programme (4-12 years), and there are eight restaurants on site. Best for families who want a self-contained luxury experience. Check rates and availability
HL Rio Playa Blanca
A mid-range all-inclusive option set around a large freeform pool 300 metres from Playa Flamingo. The buffet restaurant and pool bar provide reliable value, and the quiet location suits couples and older travellers. Best for all-inclusive stays in the mid-range bracket. Check rates and availability
Apartamentos Palmera
Budget-friendly self-catering apartments in central Playa Blanca, a 10-minute walk from Playa Dorada and the Marina Rubicon. Simple studios with kitchenettes from 45 euros per night. Best for budget-conscious couples who want to be close to restaurants and the ferry terminal. Check rates and availability
Where to Stay in Lanzarote: Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise is the windsurfing capital of Lanzarote’s east coast, with Playa de las Cucharas providing ideal learning conditions. The resort is smaller and less built up than Puerto del Carmen, with a genuine local community living alongside holiday accommodation. The Pueblo Marinero square, designed by Cesar Manrique, hosts a Friday evening market and has a cluster of good restaurants. Costa Teguise gets more wind than the southern resorts , that is the point , and suits active travellers, windsurfers, and families looking for a slightly quieter base.
Suggested Hotels in Costa Teguise
Barcelo Teguise Beach
A stylish adults-only four-star hotel with a rooftop infinity pool overlooking Las Cucharas beach. The rooms were fully renovated in 2023, and the breakfast buffet is notably above average. Best for couples and adult groups who want a modern, quieter resort experience. Check rates and availability
Hotel Be Live Experience Teguise
A mid-range family resort with a large pool complex, splash park, and direct access to Playa de las Cucharas. The kids’ club (ages 4-12) runs daily, and evening entertainment is family-oriented. Best for families with young children. Check rates and availability
Apartamentos Galeon Playa
Well-maintained self-catering apartments near Playa del Jablillo, a quiet cove ideal for swimming. The complex has two pools and a poolside bar. One-bedroom apartments from 60 euros per night. Best for budget-conscious families who prefer self-catering. Check rates and availability
Where to Stay in Lanzarote: Arrecife and the North
Staying outside the main resorts opens up a quieter, more authentic side of Lanzarote. Arrecife, the island’s capital, has a small but growing hotel scene and is the best base for travellers who want to be in a real Canarian city with local restaurants and nightlife. The northern villages of Haria, Arrieta, and Orzola provide access to the Mirador del Rio, Jameos del Agua, and the ferry to La Graciosa island. A car is essential for northern stays.
Suggested Hotels in Arrecife and the North
Arrecife Gran Hotel and Spa
Lanzarote’s only high-rise hotel, a 17-floor tower dominating the Arrecife waterfront with panoramic views from the rooftop pool and bar. The location directly on the Charco de San Gines lagoon puts you in the centre of Arrecife’s dining scene. Best for city-break travellers and those who want to avoid the resort atmosphere entirely. Check rates and availability
Hotel Mirador de Papagayo
A mid-range hotel on the coastal road between Playa Blanca and the Papagayo beaches, offering direct sea views and a quiet, adults-only atmosphere. The pool terrace looks directly across to Fuerteventura. Best for couples seeking peace and proximity to the southern coves. Check rates and availability
Casas Rurales Haria
Traditional Canarian cottages in the palm-filled valley of Haria, Lanzarote’s greenest village. Each cottage has a kitchen, terrace, and mountain views. From 70 euros per night. Best for hikers, couples, and anyone wanting to experience rural Lanzarote. Check rates and availability
