Swim, squat, repeat: we review Club La Santa, a resort made with sport-lovers in mind in Lanzarote, Spain
More than a wellness hotel.
When it comes to vacations, there are two types of people in this world: those who want to workout while on holiday, and those who don’t. If, like myself, you fall into the former category, thankfully there’s now an abundance of hotels with gyms that put the likes of Anytime Fitness to shame. Club La Santa in Lanzarote, Spain is one of those. As Europe’s largest sports resort, it’s so much more than a hotel for those seeking a gym session whilst away. I went to check out the hype around this Spanish fitness playground.
While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Review of Club La Santa in Lanzarote, Spain
Setting the scene
Covering over 75,000 square metres of land on the northern coast of Lanzarote, Club La Santa is a sprawling estate which includes no less than three outdoor 50-metre swimming pools, padel courts, gyms (indoor AND outdoor, of course), a running track, watersports, cycle, and running routes, tennis courts, pickleball…and that’s just skimming the surface. I wasn’t quite prepared for just how much there was to do. With 80 different sports available and 500 activities every single week (yes, really!), I instantly understood why it’s somewhere people return to year after year.
This isn’t a retreat, so you’re not obliged to take part in anything, but if you’ve opted for Club La Santa then it’s very likely that you’re an active person. Despite being a fit person, I was still apprehensive about the environment, given that it’s a recognised training camp for many sports teams and triathletes across the globe. Would everyone be an elite sportsperson? Would my two workouts per day simply be others’ warmups? In short, no – I had absolutely nothing to be worried about.
In fact, the highlight for me was being surrounded by people of all ages and all abilities; from kids playing miniature golf with their parents to the guys in their seventies smashing out a 5km run faster than most of us can, alongside a professional UK footballer on her own training holiday. This is a place that has something for everyone; from inclusive morning running and walking clubs that have pacers of all different speeds, to the daily 8am 15-minute stretch session that sees more or less every La Santa-er turn up. There’s even activities for toddlers – a win all round for active parents.
The guesswork of figuring out what to do is removed thanks to the Club La Santa app, which you use to book all of your activities – it’s super user-friendly and makes the experience pretty seamless.
Rooms & suites
There are two types of accommodation available at La Santa – the original apartments which have been part of the complex since day one, and the newer sea-facing suites.
The apartments make up the bulk of the accommodation, comprising 400 units set over four floors in a quadrangle set-up, with shops, and restaurants nestled in the middle of them all. I stayed in one of these apartments and it had everything you need for a self-catered or part-board stay: a bedroom (or two or four, depending on your group size), bathroom, living room, kitchenette, and balcony. They’re not luxurious, but if you’re going to Club La Santa, you’re not there to spend much time in your apartment. The beds are comfy, and they’re super spacious and clean, making for the perfect base to rest and recover from the days.
There are also 96 suites which are more modern and offer sea views, with one-, two-, and three-bedroom options. One thing to note if you’re visiting in the warmer summer months is that only the suites have air conditioning whereas the apartments do not.
Food & drink
Food-wise, where to begin? There’s four restaurants plus an onsite supermarket, and you can choose whether to have all, some, or none of your meals included. I had breakfasts and dinners included on a half-board basis, so having the kitchenette for homemade lunches each day was such a welcome addition.
Given the nearest town and supermarkets are a 30-minute walk away, it was a delight to find that the onsite supermarket doesn’t charge a premium. Side note: all of your favourite Spanish supermarket snacks from childhood holidays are still going strong all these years later!
As for the food itself, if you’re opting for half- or full-board then these are in Restaurante Atlantico, a buffet restaurant which has everything you could need and want. With tonnes of fresh options including fish, meat, paella, and so many veggies, you’d be hard pressed not to find something that suits you. If you’re there for five days or more then there’s also the option to to swap two of your buffet meals for a la carte dining in El Lago or La Plaza restaurants.
Most nights also had an additional theme, whether that’s pizza night or bbq night, and of course the obligatory dessert selection which I, along with all the children who were staying at the resort, was thrilled to see propped up by a chocolate fountain every night.
Sports, sports & more sports
I went to Club La Santa to focus on running, swimming, and cycling due to an upcoming triathlon, so naturally spent most of my time doing one of those or getting in a gym session. I also tried out a ‘functional swim’ workout, which was like a CrossFit workout except the running is replaced with swimming; think swim, squat, repeat. Additionally, I booked into a private 1-1 swimming coaching session which is one of the best decisions I made. There’s private coaching sessions across a range of sports and at less than half the price of a private session in the UK, it is definitely worthwhile if you’re after some support.
The biking and the watersports are set up so you can more or less turn up and take out a bike or board at any time; simply swipe your room card and off you go. And I have to mention again the THREE outdoor 50-metre swimming pools in addition to the huge main sun lounging pool (Aqua Zumba, anyone?); I was completely spoiled for choice.
I haven’t stopped talking about Club La Santa since returning to a less than sunny London. After a short flight and 30-minute transfer through the Lanzarote countryside, you’re greeted with an active paradise where you can dial up both the adventure and relaxation in equal measure, and I will definitely be returning.
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