An island retreat

THE Gran Hotel, Atlantis Bahia Real, in Correlejo, Fuerteventura, has a little known claim to fame, information on which is generally kept in-house — unless you had heard the rumours and asked.

The “secret” relates to the revered Queen of Spain, Sofia, who not long ago paid a visit to the hotel and declined the use of the Royal Suite, opting instead for the less flush comfort of a large double room, albeit a classy one with wonderful sea views out to the Island of Lobos and beyond to Lanzarote.

Queen Sofia was in the neighbourhood to visit a sanctuary for injured hammerhead turtles, and for a little relaxation in five star-plus comfort, which is what the Gran Hotel is about, and it didn’t stop her wanting to mix each evening with the 400 or so guests in the main buffet restaurant.