Hotel H10 Tindaya

Costa Calma is a small seaside resort in the south-east of Fuerteventura. Just like the rest of the island, it always seems to be springtime in this area, which enjoys warm, fine weather all year round. The town is 40 mi south of the airport and 43 mi from the capital, Puerto del Rosario. Transfers from the airport to the hotel take around 50 minutes. The establishment shares its location with numerous other hotels, not far from the motorway and just next to the ocean.

It is worth bearing in mind that the beach below the hotel is open to the public, and is frequented by lots of tourists who like to stroll along wearing only their birthday suits. Nudists don't actually have a specific area of the beach set aside for them.

The H10 Tindaya was built in 2004, and cuts a dash with its shades of yellow and brown ochre. The very airy lobby is no let-down either, with its uncluttered, modern style. Indeed, the whole building is very well looked after, much in the same way as the immense, luxuriant gardens outside, which are dotted with large groves and tropical plants intersected by equally impeccable tiled walkways. There are also five swimming pools, three for adults and two for children. Among them, one is heated during the high season, another is filled with salt water, and another is for children. Deckchairs and parasols are available. There are two kids clubs (one is intended only for Italian tourists), a play area and a giant chess game for children. As for sports, there is a multi-sports pitch and a gym to help you keep in shape.

Of the H10 Tindaya's 354 guest rooms, 161 are doubles that can sleep either 2 or 3 people. The other rooms offer family accommodation and can easily sleep 4 guests. Just like the communal spaces, the guest rooms are very clean and decorated in an understated but stylish manner. The colour scheme is dominated by shades of white and blue, and a few photos on the walls add some cheer. The facilities are quite acceptable, and some of the rooms have a flat-screen satellite television, which is certainly not the case for all the hotels on the Canary Islands. They are also provided with a direct international telephone line, individual air-conditioning, a safe (charged), a mini-bar (charged) and a balcony with tables and chairs. The bathroom is large and nicely decorated, and is provided with a bathtub, a toilet, a hair-dryer and 'H10' hospitality products.

The main restaurant, Betancuria, serves all three main meals as a buffet. A bit more effort could be made in the quality and variety of the dishes on offer. The snack bar, La Choza, serves quite acceptable snacks like hot dogs, hamburgers and other quick bites. If you have built up a thirst, you can head by day or night to the Herbania Bar, which also serves late breakfasts. Alternatively, there is the lobby bar and the Tarajal Discotheque which, as the name suggests, is sometimes converted into a dance floor at night.

The long sliver of white sand, clear, warm water and peaceful setting make Tindaya a rather beautiful stretch of beach. What more could you ask for? Free use of parasols and deckchairs, perhaps? Unfortunately there is no chance of that, because the beach is public, so renting each item will set you back ?3. All the same, it is a very safe place, the current is not too strong and the sand is good quality. It is all conducive to spending a wonderful afternoon warmed under the gentle sun that shines over Fuerteventura.