Located in the idyllic beach town of Playa Blanca on the southern coast of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, the Barcelo Playa Blanca Royal Level Adults Only hotel offers a luxurious adults-only retreat. This exclusive 4-star property is a resort within a resort—it’s part of the larger Barcelo Playa Blanca hotel complex (which is not adults-only) but provides an elevated experience with its own private amenities and personalized service.
The Barcelo Playa Blanca Royal Level Adults Only occupies an envious beachfront location. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be enveloped in tranquility and indulgence. The architecture and decor take inspiration from Lanzarote’s natural environment with calming colors, textures, and organic shapes seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces. The expansive 100,000 square meter grounds give the resort an open, airy feel despite housing 132 exclusive Royal Level rooms and suites.
The Royal Level definitely feels more intimate compared to the main Hotel Barcelo, which has over 650 rooms.
When my partner and I travel, we prefer to stay at adults-only hotels. As a luxury travel writer, I’ve been fortunate enough to stay at more than 50 4- and 5-star adults-only hotels, so I know what to look for (and what to look out for) when it comes to reviewing a hotel like this. This is my honest review of the Barcelo Playa Blanca Royal Level Adults Only.
Location and Access
One of the major draws for me was the prime oceanfront location. Situated just over 300 feet from Playa Dorada beach and next to the upscale Rubicon Marina, I had easy access to the water as well as a picturesque promenade lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and leisure activities. However, be aware that the beach is fairly rocky—you’ll need to walk around 20 minutes to get to a sandy beach if you want to swim.
The capital city of Arrecife and Lanzarote Airport were only a 15-minute drive away, which made the Barcelo Playa Blanca Royal more appealing than some of the other resorts on the island that require a longer drive down south after a flight.
I loved being able to explore Lanzarote’s top attractions like Timanfaya National Park, Cesar Manrique’s iconic architectural sites, and the charming northern towns, all of which were within a 30-minute radius of the hotel.
While a rental car gave me the flexibility to explore at my own pace, note that you’ll have to pay to park at the hotel. If you don’t want to drive, the Barcelo also offers a shuttle service to and from the airport, also for an additional fee. The Rubicon Marina area is very walkable, and it’s easy to get taxis if needed.
Luxurious Accommodations
My room was one of the 132 adult-only Royal Level rooms and suites designed with maximum comfort and exclusivity in mind. I stayed in a Deluxe Oceanfront View room which featured a private balcony with gorgeous water views. The contemporary decor inside the spacious 470 square foot room created a stylish yet relaxing ambiance with amenities like a king-size bed, air conditioning, free WiFi, flat-screen TV, minibar, coffee maker, and more.
I was torn between booking this room type and the Deluxe Swim Up room, which had a semi-private pool area where you could swim directly out to the main pool, but that one didn’t have an ocean view.
Exceptional Dining
The Barcelo Playa Blanca Royal Level was a bit limited when it came to dining. The only restaurants exclusive to the Royal Level are a buffet restaurant and pool bar. For everything else, I had to go to the main Barcelo Playa Blanca, which was much more crowded (and had lots of unruly children).
However, there were a lot of choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main Barcelo Playa Blanca which I appreciated. Outside of the Royal Level there was another large buffet, the Atlantic, which had more variety of food but I thought the quality of food at the Royal Level buffet was better. The buffet was definitely the best choice for breakfast, featuring everything from sweet (Nutella and hot chocolate) and savory (made-to-order eggs).
When it comes to à la carte dining, Barcelo Playa Blanca offers four distinct restaurant options: La Dolce Vita, Koi, Mexico Lindo, and Champs Sports Bar. For those craving Italian flavors, La Dolce Vita hits the spot with its classic Mediterranean flair. This lively eatery specializes in pasta dishes, Neapolitan-style pizzas from a wood-fired oven, and fresh locally caught seafood preparations.
If you’re in the mood for something lighter, Koi is the go-to spot for innovative Asian fusion cuisine. While the menu also highlights delectable local seafood, the flavors lean toward lighter fare perfect for those seeking an alternative to heavier Italian meals.
Champs Sports Bar provides a casual vibe along with a menu of typical pub grub classics. It’s an ideal option when you’re craving comfort foods like burgers, sandwiches, and fried appetizers to enjoy while catching the big game.
However, my favorite restaurant was Mexico Lindo. This vibrant restaurant transports you south of the border with its authentic Mexican specialties and lively atmosphere. From sizzling fajitas to flavorful moles and ceviches, Mexico Lindo was a personal favorite for its bold flavors and festive ambiance. The margaritas and tequila selection don’t disappoint either!
Ultimately, I preferred to go off-property and explore all of the local restaurants since the Barcelo is not an all-inclusive.
Amenities Exclusive to the Barcelo Playa Blanca Royal Level
The Barcelo Playa Blanca Royal Level has its own 590-foot heated infinity pool and poolside bar that’s exclusive to Royal Level guests. However, all of the other amenities are shared with the greater Barcelo Playa Blanca resort.
A fitness center is included in the room rate, however, there’s also a wellness center that’s worth the splurge. The spa includes a Turkish bath, sauna, essence shower, and water circuit that’s super relaxing. There’s also a sports center with tennis courts, basketball, soccer, etc., but those activities are all for an additional charge.
If you plan to do a lot of activities, spa treatments, or dining at the resort, it’s worth downloading the Barcelo app, which makes it easy to reserve everything.
The main resort puts on nightly entertainment, like dancing or music, but I preferred to go outside and enjoy the local culture rather than stay at the hotel at night.
Outstanding Value
I booked my room on Booking.com and paid $310 per night including breakfast, which I thought was a great deal. The Barcelo Playa Blanca Royal Level Adults-Only is not all-inclusive, which I preferred, as I wanted to explore Lanzorate and all it had to offer without feeling like I was tied to the resort for my meals.
The Bottom Line
As a couple seeking a romantic getaway, the Barcelo Playa Blanca Royal Level Adults Only provided the perfect blend of relaxation and recreation for us. The adults-only aspect and smaller resort made it feel exclusive compared to a mega-resort, and it was perfectly positioned for exploring Lanzorate. It’s rare to find an adults-only hotel that’s not all-inclusive, so I enjoyed having the ability to get out and experience the area rather than being tied to the hotel.
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