HILARY DOUGLAS heads to a five-star oasis of tranquility on Gran Canaria to de-stress in style

THE DRAMATIC domed reception hall is modelled on the twin towers of the oldest church in the Canary Islands, the breathtaking Santa Ana cathedral in Las Palmas but the rest of the Lopesan Villa del Conde Resort & Thalasso spa is designed in the style of a Gran Canarian island town. There's a striking central plaza surrounded by colourful villas of all shapes and sizes.

Visitors to this stunning five-star resort which boasts five swimming pools, one huge with a man-made beach and the rest smaller and more intimate, will find that it has quiet corners galore, making it easy to find a sun lounger tucked away in complete solitude.

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The lure of going off exploring each day, with the soft tones and balmy warmth of a rising sun, had to be tempered with the equally attractive draw of my luxuriant king-size bed in a room of absolute opulence. It featured traditional ornate Spanish furniture, creamy marble floors and a view to die for, a sweeping vista over a tree-lined plaza reaching down to the dark cobalt sea.

That said, it was well worth getting up with the dawn, around 6.30am during my visit in early summer, to walk the 200 yards to the magnificent Maspalomas Dunes, a vast expanse of sand like something straight out of the Arabian Nights. From the top of one of the dunes I watched the sun rise over the sparkling blue water, before strolling back, having worked up an appetite for the hotel's sumptuous breakfast.

If when you think of Gran Canaria you imagine Britons enjoying sausage and chips, think again. I was confronted by sushi, omelettes cooked to order, pancakes with date palm honey, sugary sweet bananas, island hams and Iberian smoked meats alongside a fruit selection so vast that little children stood looking at it wide-eyed before making their choice.

This exotic hotel has a clientele to match, Spaniards from the mainland, Germans desperate to get their walking boots on for a hike in the island's remote mountainous interior before heading back for an afternoon by the pool, and a few British guests.

The spa treatments offered on Gran Canaria are well-kept secrets, with therapists reaching for the abundant supply of the healing, soothing qualities of the aloe vera plant which grows in abundance on the island.

The Villa del Conde has its own Corallium thalasso centre tucked away at the bottom of the hotel, an oasis of sweet-scented calm.
Mothers come for spa days to enjoy an aloe wrap where their skin is first buffed with the plant, before its gel is wrapped around the body, leaving the skin silky soft.

I enjoyed the ultimate relaxation of a massage in one of the Ocean View Suites, where my therapist used specially blended oils to ease away the stresses of everyday life as I gazed dreamily out to sea.

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There's also a thalassotherapy circuit, with a seawater pool with heated beds, a Kneipp pool for cold water treatment and a flotation pool for total relaxation. The water adventure area continues with crystal and steam baths and ice showers for the brave who want to leave with an even healthier glow.

A quick five-minute stroll along the promenade takes you to a 1, 000-year-old palm grove, site of the Seaside Palm Beach hotel, a perfect place to enjoy a sundowner cocktail.

If you don't want to leave the confines of the Villa del Conde, you can still find everything you need for the perfect break. An exquisite buffet is on offer for those taking up the half-board option and there really is something for everyone, from Chinese dishes to grills and fresh salads and, if you really want to indulge, exotic deserts.

A NIGHT out shopping in the capital Las Palmas is an easy and reasonably priced 15-minute taxi ride away which should cost no more than €20.

The capital has two-and-a-half miles of golden sand at its heart, with cafes, bars and restaurants just moments away.

In addition to the usual leather goods bargains, there is the fascinating Christopher Columbus Museum which is well worth a visit, boasting original maps and instruments. There is also a life-sized replica of the legendary explorer's cabin on the Santa Maria.

This is an island with sporting activities galore, windsurfing, trekking, sailing and amazing wine and not a lager lout in sight.

GETTING THERE:
The Gran Canaria Wellness Association (dialling from the UK: 00 34 928 367 508/www.grancanariawellness.com) offers three nights at the Lopesan Villa del Conde from £225pp (two sharing), half board. Price includes one free treatment.

EasyJet (0871 244 2366/ www.easyjet.com) offers return flights to Gran Canaria from Gatwick from £150.

Spanish National Tourist Office: 0207 486 8077/www.spain.info