Occidental Grand, Fuerteventura
• 4-star hotel • Choice of half board or all-inclusive • Dedicated naturist area with pool, whirlpool, sunbathing lawns, sun beds, sauna and Turkish bath • Clothes-optional sandy beach and clear, turquoise blue waters • Wide choice of activities and entertainment day and night • Ideal for year-round sunbathing and swimming (high season is in winter!) • Flights from a wide choice of UK airports •
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FUERTEVENTURA IS the second largest of the Canary Islands and lies only 60 miles off Morocco on the African coast. With year-round sunshine and pleasantly warm breezes blowing from the Sahara at most times of the year, this is becoming the favourite European destination for the discerning naturist holidaymaker. Even in winter, temperatures go into the 70s. It is the least populated of the Canaries with half the population living in the capital and main port, Puerto del Rosario. Thus, you can easily find tranquillity and empty beaches on the island.
THE HOTEL The 4-star Occidental Grand Fuerteventura Resort opened in May 2002 and prides itself on its dedicated naturist facilities.
LOCATION The Occidental Grand Fuerteventura is in Jandia, three miles north of the centre of Morro Jable in the south of the island. It is built on the cliffs overlooking the fine clothes-optional beach.
NATURISM Naturism is restricted to a dedicated area, comprising a swimming pool, an open-air whirlpool, sunbathing lawns with sun loungers, sauna, steam baths, optional massage and herbal treatments, showers and a self-service Vitamin Bar. The Body Love Centre offers optional massages and herbal treatments. The naturist area affords magnificent views over the sea, even from the panoramic window of the sauna! Piped music is dispensed through 'acoustic rocks'. Beach towels are available free and changed on demand. Whilst the beach below the hotel is clothes-optional, light dress needs to be worn on the way down.
ACCOMMODATION The hotel has 711 rooms in five buildings. They are all large (31m2), air-conditioned, have large twin beds, a sitting area with a table and two chairs, dressing table, ceiling fan, free mini bar, safe deposit box, satellite tv, telephone, hair dryer, private facilities and balcony. Our rooms are next to, or near, the naturist area. They usually have pool or side sea view.
Royal Club This is a 5-star hotel within the 4-star resort, at the far end from the naturist area: VIP check-in, concierge service, larger rooms with side or direct sea-view, video, hifi, ironing board and iron, bathroom accessories, a la carte restaurant with waiter service, lounge with spectacular sea-view, exclusive pool and whirlpool. All-inclusive of food, drinks and entertainment.
FOOD & DRINK The hotel operates on both a half board and an all-inclusive basis. There are seven restaurants: the international buffet La Giralda is where most of the main meals are taken. Meals in the Italian, Mexican and Oriental restaurants and the Barbecue Steak House have to be pre-booked. There are also a brasserie (for lunch and all-day hot dogs and hamburgers) and an ice-cream parlour.
Note: men are expected to wear long trousers for dinner.
Five bars include a pool bar which also serves snacks, a beer bar and a non-alcoholic bar. Unlimited locally produced wine, beer, gin, rum, brandy, vodka and whisky as well as soft drinks, tea, coffee and mineral water are available for at least 12 hours every day in some or all of the hotel’s bars and restaurants.
NATURISM is restricted to a dedicated area, comprising a swimming pool, an open-air whirlpool, sunbathing lawns with sun loungers, sauna, steam baths, optional massage and herbal treatments, showers and a self-service Vitamin Bar. The Mandala Spa offers optional massages and herbal treatments. The naturist area affords magnificent views over the sea, even from the panoramic window of the sauna! Piped music is dispensed through ‘acoustic rocks’. Beach towels are available free and changed on demand. Whilst the beach below the hotel is clothes-optional, light dress needs to be worn on the way down.
ACTIVITIES There are endless activities (all textile) grouped around the well-equipped Sports and Fitness Centre. These include tennis, paddle tennis, table tennis, volleyball, football, handball, basketball, water polo, aerobics, water aerobics, archery, carbine and handgun shooting, boccia (boule), pool, darts, croquet, shuffleboard and dancing lessons.
Off-site, there are optional opportunities for wind and kite surfing (Pro Centre René Egli), snorkelling and diving, including tuition, big game fishing and mountain biking – all charges to be paid locally.
ENTERTAINMENT The hotel has its own 450-seater theatre/auditorium for a daily programme of shows and competitions organised by a professional team from the Occidental Fun Club. There is also a disco and a mini cinema.
In the Sports Bar national and international events from satellite tv are broadcast on individual sets and a big screen every afternoon/evening. Karaoke, darts and pool facilities are also available here.
FACILITIES The shopping mall comprises shops selling international newspapers, souvenirs and beach articles, an amusements hall and a beer hall with a choice of draught beers, sandwiches, hot dogs and tapas. Internet access is available. Six of the swimming pools are textile; they have large sunbathing terraces and plenty of free sun beds. The resort is self-sufficient in excellent facilities, activities and entertainment; as yet there are not any amenities in the immediate vicinity outside as the hotel has been built in a newly developed area.
Note: some facilities are restricted to guests of the the Royal Club.
EXCURSIONS A Grand Tour of the island shows off the empty landscapes with many extinct volcano cones. Sleepy villages are scattered among the valleys and the whitewashed houses are surrounded by cactus plants, palm trees and grazing goats. Visit Betancuria, the former capital, which is built on the sides of an extinct volcano. You can visit the cathedral and the Archaeological Museum. An organised camel safari and a Magic Catamaran Cruise are also available.
Other sights are best explored by a hire car. With the intensive development and commercialisation of the main beaches in Fuerteventura, unofficial naturism there is on the decline. However, there are still magnificent sandy coves and longer beaches in undeveloped areas, mainly along the east coast. The nearest of these are the Playas de Satavento. The Corralejo National Park, in the north, is an expanse of shifting, gleaming white sand dunes which have established themselves as a naturist reserve.
CAR HIRE 1 week: FREE, 2 weeks: £126
Economy car hire is available from and to Fuerteventura Airport. Fiat Punto or similar, unlimited mileage, third party insurance, CDW, airport surcharge, insurance excess refund and bail bond included (min. & max. age restrictions may apply). Pink 'EC' or new photo driving licence required. Minimum two persons per booking.
WHAT OUR OCCIDENTAL GRAND HOLIDAY PRICES INCLUDE
- Return charter flight.
- Transfers to/from Fuerteventura Airport and the Occidental Grand, approx. 70 mins each way.
- Airport taxes and security charges.
- Accommodation in twin bedded rooms.
- All food, drink, entertainment and use of most activities and facilities.
- Daily maid service with towel change; linen changed three times per week.
- Local taxes.
- Complimentary personal holiday insurance.