The Canary Islands are one of the most popular spots for British tourists for one simple reason: the weather is gorgeous all year round. The Spanish islands are just 62 miles off the coast of Africa, and a visit is on many people's bucket lists [1]. However, the good weather, incredible landscapes, and proximity to Europe mean that millions of people flock there as soon as their holiday allowance resets. This means you may need to share your pool (or beach) with hundreds of other holiday makers. So where do you go for a chic alternative to the crowded resorts? Take a look through our gallery before you book your all-inclusive trip [2]; with these more unexpected options, we've got your next chic holiday sorted.
Hotel San Roque, Tenerife
Hotel San Roque [3] might look pretty standard from outside, but it's hiding a secret. There's a beautiful courtyard pool in the middle that makes for the perfect hideaway when you need a break from the bustle of Tenerife. It's around £200 a night for a double room.
Hotel Jardin Tecina, La Gomera
La Gomera is the island to head to if you want all of the joys of the Canaries but with a slice of quiet relaxation. Stay at Hotel Jardin Tecina [4] for beautiful volcano views that'll set you back around £190 a night. The hotel is large, but the entire island is remote!
Royal Hideaway Corales Resort, Tenerife
Whether you opt for the suites or the main resort, Royal Hideaway Corales [5] is the place to be seen. It's styled like an ocean liner, so if you've always liked the idea of a cruise in theory but would rather stay on dry land, check in here. Rooms start from £270 a night.
Las Longueras, Gran Canaria
Las Longueras [6] is the sort of rural hotel that you read about in brilliant Summer romance novels (the ones that you've almost certainly packed your Kindle with before you got on the plane). It dates back to the 19th cntury and is surrounded by orange trees. Rooms can be as cheap as £80, so what are you still doing reading this?
La Casona De Yaiza, Gran Canaria
Covered in beautiful artwork, La Casona De Yaiza [7] is in the ideal location for a quiet getaway that doesn't feel completely shut off from the world. It's right by Timanfaya National Park but still near the beautiful beaches of Las Palmas. Double rooms from £150 per night.
Tiagua 81, Lanzarote
If you want budget luxury in Lanzarote, Tiagua 81 [8] offers just that, with prices for a studio apartment starting from £65 a night. No one is going to mind sharing a pool with those prices.
BedandChic, Gran Canaria
The clue is in the name with this Las Palmas bolthole, but BedandChic [9] is urban chic on a budget. If you're more into city breaks than lazing on a beach, this is the spot for you. Bonus points: it'll cost you less than £100 a night.
Resort Jardin de la Paz, Tenerife
Beautiful gardens, panoramic sea views, and a pool? Resort Jardin de la Paz [10] really knows how to spoil a person. There are 13 apartments and villas on the complex, so it'll feel like your own private paradise. Villas are around £320 a night, but they sleep four, which is just the kind of maths we like.
Villa Vik, Lanzarote
There are Vik Hotels dotted all over the world, but you wouldn't know it was a chain to look at them. Our eye is on its Lanzarote outpost [11], an elegant adults-only villa. It'll cost you around £200 a night to stay in a double room, but it'll be a holiday to remember.
Katis Villas Boutique, Fuerteventura
Inspired by the beautiful blue and white of Greek villas, Katis Villas Boutique [12] is everything you could hope for in a chic stay. There are fewer than 20 rooms, so your stay will be peaceful, and the fact that it's entirely Instagramable is just an added bonus. Prices start at £148 per night, but there's a minimum stay of three nights.