Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
Spain
Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
C. León y Castillo, 227, 35005, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
www.barcelo.com/es-es/santa-catalina-a-royal-hideaway-hotel/
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Barceló Hotels and Resorts
Shareholders
Barceló Hotel Group took over the management from the City Council, as they are the owner of the building
Date of Creation
1890 and 2019, after a deep renovation
Hotel General Manager
Alfonso Girón Santigosa currently serves as Director General at Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel and as Director of Area within Barceló Hotels & Resorts in Gran Canaria. With significant leadership responsibilities in hotel operations, guest experience and regional oversight, he plays an important role in keeping the Royal Hideaway brand’s standards in the Canary Islands. His work contributes to Barceló’s reputation for luxury hospitality and strategic management in the competitive travel industry.
Hotel Positioning
5 Star Luxury Hotel and L.V.X Preferred Hotels and Resorts
Development Strategy
The Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel is set to become a benchmark luxury hotel in Gran Canaria. We are a L.V.X Preferred Hotel and the first Serandipians Hotel in Gran Canaria. Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel is making every effort to position the destination on the luxury tourism map, implementing strategies that allow it enhance customer satisfaction levels based on the excellence of its service and unique experiences, especially in terms of gastronomy with its two Michelin-starred restaurants.
Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
History & Story
The Santa Catalina Hotel, which opened on February 6th, 1890, takes its name from the small chapel that was originally located in the area where the hotel now stands. The Santa Catalina Hotel, considered a remarkable building of the canary heritage, is the first hotel built in Canary Islands and one of the oldest historic hotels in Spain. Originally designed by Scottish architect McLaren and built by his English colleague Norman Wright, it was commissioned by the first tourist company established in the Canary Islands, “The Canary Islands Company, Ltd.”, a company formed by three British families which dominated the island’s shipping trade during 18th and 19th centuries: the Millers, the Joneses (owners of the shipping agency Elder & Co.), and the Blandys. These families controlled all maritime trade from the Canary Islands to Africa, Asia (the Suez Canal did not yet exist), and South America. Since its opening that year, this elegant colonial establishment became a refuge for illustrious travellers and visitors for decades.
Date Renewal
1945-1952 by the architect Miguel Martin-Fernández de la Torre, mural artists, Jesús Arencibia, fellow of his brother Nestor de la Torre. 2017-2019 by Barceló Hotel Group, complete renovation.
Date added extensions
N/A
Main Strengths, Special Touch
• Cultural Legacy: The hotel regularly hosts cultural and social events, reinforcing its role as a living landmark. We held our own music festival, Santa Catalina Classics Festival, one of Europe’s most important classical music festivals, celebrating the beauty and emotion of music in the magnificent hotel gardens Santa Catalina Classics | The Festival | Barcelo.com
• Historical landmark: The hotel is deeply linked to the history of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
• Prime location: in the heart of Las Palmas, in the middle of Doramas Park.
• Michelin Star Experience: Two Michelin Star restaurants.
Location
Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway hotel 5*GL is located in Ciudad Jardín, a residential area in the center of the city presided over by the emblematic Romano and Doramas city parks. Within the latter rises the majestic Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, in a setting of exuberant beauty amidst palm trees, ficus, dragon trees and other types of Canarian flora, as well as species from all over the world. An unparalleled refuge to enjoy days of rest and connect with the environment.
• 23 Km Gran Canaria Airport (LPA)
• 4 km Las Canteras Beach
• 3 Km Historical Centre (Vegueta)
Key sites/activities in the area
• Historic Centre. Vegueta quarter: Casa de Colón, the Cathedral of Santa Ana, the Canary Museum, the Literary Cabinet, the Town Hall and the Atlantic Centre of Modern Art. 3 km – 5 minutes by taxi.
• Water Sports. Canteras urban beach. 4 km- 6 minutes by taxi.
• Boat trips. Las Palmas Sports Marina. 2 minutes by foot.
Fun Facts
Throughout its history, the hotel has welcomed countless distinguished guests, as everything that happens in Gran Canaria takes place in this hotel. Most recently: SM Sofia de Grecia (Queen of Spain from 1975 to 2014) in 2026, Felipe VI (King of Spain) in 2024, Mr. Xi Jinping in 2025 (President of China), Hollywood actors (Samuel L. Jackson, Jude Law, Brad Pitt), national and international artists and prestigious national soccer teams. In the past: renowned politicians and visitors as Sir Winston Churchill, William Tubman, President of Liberia and “father of the new Africa”; famous artists including opera singers as Maria Callas, Montserrat Caballé, Alfredo Kraus.
Children’s Corner
There is no minimum age requirement. Certain facilities such as the Michelin Starred Restaurants, the Spa and the Alis Rooftop are reserved for adults only.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites:
SUITE: 9 Rooms. 40 m2. bathtub and amenities form SeaSkin. VIP Service. (Exclusive services: access to private infinity pool at Alis Rooftp and daily Hidrotherapy circuit included)
SUITE DELUXE: 6 Rooms. 45 m2. bathtub and amenities form SeaSkin. VIP Service (Exclusive services: access to private infinity pool at Alis Rooftp and daily Hidrotherapy circuit included)
SUITE PREMIUM: 2 Rooms. 45 m2., Furnished terrace and amenities form SeaSkin. VIP Service. (Exclusive services: access to private infinity pool at Alis Rooftp and daily Hidrotherapy circuit included)
• Number of Luxury rooms:
Royal Suite: 2 Rooms. 50 m2. 1st floor, large furnished terrace and views to the Palm Garden, bathtub and amenities form SeaSkin. VIP Service (Exclusive services: access to private infinity pool at Alis Rooftp and daily Hidrotherapy circuit included)
Suite Presidencial: 2 Rooms. 48 m2. 3rd floor, balcony and views to the Palm Garden, bathtube and amenities form SeaSkin. VIP Service. (Exclusive services: access to private infinity pool at Alis Rooftp and daily Hidrotherapy circuit included)
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: deluxe room: 102 rooms; deluxe superior: 39 rooms; family deluxe: 4 rooms; junior suite: 8 rooms; junior suite deluxe: 19 rooms; junior suite premium: 11 rooms.
Restaurants & Bars
RESTAURANTS
• Doramas Royal Breakfast – A buffet with show cooking stations. The delicious breakfast buffets are designed with locally- sourced and seasonal products, where organic ingredients, healthy food and the best quality are always at centre stage. Special mention goes to the dessert table, carefully created by our Master Pastry Chef.
• 1890 La Bodeguita – Gourmet restaurant with 35 tables, offering refined Canarian and Spanish cuisine in a contemporary style. This is the restaurant for Half-board plan.
• Poemas by Hermanos Padrón — awarded 1 Michelin Star, with 10 tables (20 guests capacity), offering modern fine dining that mixes local flavors with international techniques. With a collection of over 350 labels, our Michelin-starred restaurant offers an exceptional wine cellar.
• Muxgo, by Borja Marreo – Michelin starred restaurant with also a green Michelin star presenting innovative cuisine inspired by Canarian roots and seasonal products. 9 tables for 45 guests capacity.
Bars, lounges:
• Carabela
A cozy lounge located in the hotel, ideal for a coffee, or informal meeting. Open daily with a relaxed atmosphere and live piano music during the afternoon. Special remark to our Afternoon Tea experience.
• Alis Rooftop Bar
This is the rooftop bar with panoramic views. During the day, for VIP service guests it functions as an exclusive cocktail & pool bar, and from the evening onward it opens more broadly as a cocktail lounge. Live music often occurs on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Camarote Pool Bar
Located next to the main pool, this bar offers a wide selection of drinks and light snacks for guests to enjoy while relaxing by the water.
Wellness
The hotel has a Spa & Wellness Centre offering advanced & personalized treatments, including massages and facial/body treatments (Natura Bissé products)
There is a hydrotherapy pool, heated with pressure jets, for relaxation.
Several thermal / contrast therapy elements: three types of saunas (Finnish, bio, Turkish), a circuits of showers (aromatic, ice, bi-thermal, tropical rain), ice fountains, frigidarium caldarium
Opening hours: Wellness (water circuit etc.) is open daily from ~ 08:30 to 20:30; on Sundays from ~ 10:00 to 18:00.
Corporate & Celebration Events
• Alis Rooftop – Part of our rooftop, perfect for cocktail-style events with panoramic views. Capacity 300 people
• Miguel Martín-Fernández de la Torre Ballroom – 336 m2, Up to 220 guests; A majestic and versatile space with natural light, suitable for dinners, conferences, weddings, and even fashion shows.
• Arencibia Ballroom – 311 m², Up to 220 guests; perfect for dinners, weddings, or meetings.
• Palmeras Ballroom – 303.5 m², Up to 350 guests; one of our largest ballrooms, suitable for conferences, dinners, and weddings.
• Palmeras Terrace – 131.5 m², Up to 100 guests; perfect for events with live music or bands.
• The Garden – Ideal for outdoor events, dinners, and predominantly weddings.
• Patios: Tortugas Patio – 320 m², Doramas Patio – 206 m2 , Atrium – 360 m2, Geranios Patio – 329.5 m²,
• Meeting Rooms: Aloe, Brezo, Cactus, and Drago – Each room accommodates up to 20 people (two rooms can be combined) and measures 26 m.
Note: Many of the rooms and patios can complement each other, allowing for larger events and accommodating more guests.
Extra Notable Features
• Pools & Swimming Facilities
Outdoor swimming pool is available with solarium and Balinese sunbeds
Indoor Spa pool for hydrotherapy circuit at the spa
Rooftop Infinity pool available for guest with the VIP service solarium and private Balinese sunbeds
• Fitness: Fitness centre / Gym with equipment for cardio and strength training, 24h.
Unique experiences:
• Jazz Brunch: Every Sunday from 12:30 to 15:00, the Doramas Restaurant Terrace transforms into a vibrant brunch venue accompanied by live jazz music and amazing views to Doramas Park. This gastronomic experience is open to both hotel guests and visitors, offering a delightful mix of flavours and melodies.
• Afternoon Tea: Experience a traditional British afternoon tea with a touch of Canarian elegance. Set in the hotel’s refined ambiance, this experience is perfect for those seeking a relaxing and indulgent afternoon.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2025
• 2 Repsol Suns for Poemas by Hermanos Padrón
• Travelling For Happiness 2025
• Michelin Key
• World Luxury Awards 2025: Luxury Banquet/Event Hotel – Regional Winner – Southern Europe
• World Luxury Awards 2025: Luxury Cultural Hotel – Regional Winner – Southern Europe
• World Luxury Awards 2025: Luxury Hotel – Regional Winner – Southern Europe
• World Travel Awards – Spanish Leading Hotel 2025
• Michelin Star for Poemas by Hermanos Padrón
• Michelin Star for Muxgo, By Borja Marrero
• Culinary Hotel Award 2025 – Excellence in sustainable cooking (Muxgo by Borja Marrero)
• Culinary Hotel Award 2025 – Excellence in Brunch
• Culinary Hotel Award 2025 – Excellence in Head Waitstaff Leadership (Rafael Hurtado, Poemas By Hermanos Padrón)
2024
• Michelin Star for Poemas by Hermanos Padrón
• Michelin Star for Muxgo, By Borja Marrero
• Michelin Key
2023
• Michelin Star for Poemas by Hermanos Padrón
2022
• Michelin Star for Poemas by Hermanos Padrón
• Spain’s Leading Hotel
2021
• Michelin Star for Poemas by Hermanos Padrón
• Loved by Guests
Number of employees
160 people approx.