Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa - Dream Vacation on the Island of Fuerteventura

*Promotion*

Fuerteventura - again and again

At last! After a four-hour flight, I'm sitting in my hire car on the way from Fuerteventura airport to Corralejo in the north of the island. After just a few minutes, the sight of the sea brings back that long-awaited feeling of happiness. The famous dunes soon appear, with the islands of Lobos and Lanzarote in the background. The anticipation of my stay at Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa grows. This five-star hotel, considered as the best on the island, has always been one of my absolute favourites.

After a good 30 minutes, I arrive at my destination. The hotel has recently been completely renovated and is now an adults-only hotel. The impressive lobby has been redesigned, as have the 243 rooms and suites as well as the seven restaurants and four bars, but more on that later.

VIEWS SECOND TO NONE

Even before I unpack, I open the balcony door in my room and enjoy the amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean and the islands of Lobos and Lanzarote. Take a deep breath and leave everything behind, now all that matters is the moment. My extremely spacious room meets the high standards of a luxury hotel - modern, tasteful and with all amenities. A Nespresso machine is now standard in five-star hotels. Guests who have booked the "Unlimited Inclusion" concept can help themselves from the minibar free of charge.

Delicacies in the Market Café

Before the sun goes down, I quickly go to the beach directly in front of the hotel - after all that sitting, exercise in the fresh air does me the world of good. I can hardly wait to hike to the famous dunes in the Corralejo Nature Park the next day, but for now it's time for dinner. The buffet restaurant has been completely remodelled and is now called the Market Café - very successful, in my opinion. The selection of all kinds of dishes leaves nothing to be desired, and as a (fast) vegetarian, buffets are a good choice anyway. I persevere and skip the tempting dessert buffet, as I want to treat myself to a slice or two of cake over the next few days.

After a drink in the chic bar with live music, I end the evening on my terrace. There's a special spectacle in the sky - the full moon is reflected in the Atlantic, the island of Lobos appears in a mystical light and the lights of Lanzarote glitter in the background. Too good to be true!

Breakfast al fresco - in December!

I have breakfast in the patio of the Market Café in pleasant temperatures, while almost all of Germany is shivering in the snow and cold. It's the end of November and you spend the whole day outside at over 20 degrees Celsius. You can even sit outside in the evening - marvellous!

The dunes of Corralejo - my place of power

Now it's time for the beach. I walk a good ten minutes from the hotel towards the famous dunes. Rugged rocks, small sandy bays in between and the inevitable nudists frying in the sun behind volcanic rock windbreaks. As always, I find a secluded spot to spread out my towel and enjoy the sun in moderation. I save a dip in the turquoise-coloured Atlantic for later. Man, it's so beautiful here!

Fuerteventura - much more than beaches

However, it would be a shame to spend your days only at the beach or hotel pool. The seemingly rugged island of Fuerteventura has many a surprise in store, such as the picturesque village of El Cotillo. You can reach the village in just under half an hour by hire car or taxi. My tip: visit El Cotillo shortly before sunset, which is celebrated there. I will tell you more about this in my next article.

Excursion to the island of Lobos

You can reach the former fishing village of Corralejo from Secrets Bahía Real along the beach in a good 20 minutes. In recent years, Corralejo has developed into a modern tourist resort with all its advantages and disadvantages. However, you can still get a taste of the typical Canarian atmosphere in the old town centre by the harbour while watching the ferry to the neighbouring island of Lanzarote. Another tip: If you want to experience an almost untouched corner of the world, take a boat trip to the (almost) uninhabited island of Lobos. You can find out more about this in my article about this small island.

Lunch over the Atlantic

Back to the Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa. Lunch in the Bay Lounge (open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) is always a unique experience. High above the Atlantic Ocean, this restaurant impresses with its purist all-white interior and unrivalled sea views. Fish and seafood are at the top of the menu. I savour gyoza with grouper and my beloved "papas arrugadas" (shrunken potatoes with two spicy sauces) - it's almost addictive! I learn a nice Spanish saying from the charming waitress Sofia: "Barriguita llena, corazón contento" (Full belly, happy heart). Well then!

Canarian, Asian or maybe Italian?

In the evening, I try out the Chozo restaurant and am not disappointed. Relaxed, modern atmosphere, green gazpacho, vegetarian canelloni and a delicious Rioja - la vida es chula, life is cool! Fans of Japanese cuisine will get their money's worth at the teppanyaki in the Himitsu restaurant. Do you prefer Italian cuisine? Then book a table at Nebbiolo - the culinary options at Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa are almost endless.

What else did I like? Of course the tropical garden with its pools and all the plants - buganvilla, hibiscos, banana trees, strelitzia and my beloved palm trees. In the evening, the small park has a very romantic atmosphere.

Wellness with Sea View

The spa has always been a highlight of the hotel. Even the elegant entrance gives you the idea of a small wellness paradise behind the doors. With a view of the Atlantic Ocean, you can let the water splash on your back in the indoor pool and then relax in the hammam or with a massage. The well-equipped gym is next door and offers sea views while sweating it out on the bike or treadmill.

Celebrities in the Hotel

"The Secrets Bahía Real is particularly appreciated for its exceptional location with views of Lobos and Lanzarote, the excellent gastronomy in seven restaurants and four bars, and the very personalized service," says Mar Mora from the hotel's marketing department. "We occasionally have celebrities in the hotel, most of whom want absolute discretion. It was the same with Brad Pitt, who enjoyed staing with us." I remember seeing the well-known German actor Moritz Bleibtreu and his family here years ago. He had also asked the reception staff for absolute discretion.

SECRETS BAHÍA REAL RESORT & SPA

Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa can be booked with numerous tour operators - either with breakfast only, half board or "all inclusive". You can enquire about availability and prices by email at secrets@hyattic.eu or by calling the call centre on 1.800.597.4761 

SUSTAINABILITY

The Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa provides a platform for local artists and supports charitable organizations, e.g., through financial or in-kind donations. 10% of the proceeds go back to the local community or sustainability projects. Guests can participate in activities to improve the local environment (e.g., through organized beach cleans). Employees receive regular training on the topic of sustainability.

The SECRETS brand is part of the World of HYATT. In June 2023 I was a guest at the Secrets Lanzarote Resort & Spa, you can find my review of this hotel here.

Note: The hotel management sponsored my stay at Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa. However, this did not influence my rating in any way.